Vanilla | 28 by Kayali

Vanilla 28 is one of the more sought after of the Kayali fragrances from Huda Beauty. People love a good vanilla scent, but does this one actually fit the bill? How does 28 smell? How long does it last? Is it worth a try?

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What does Vanilla 28 Smell Like?

Notes include: vanilla orchid, tonka bean, brown sugar, amber woods, musk

Click here to try: Vanilla 28 by Kayali

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My Full Review

Vanilla 28 starts off fully in its sweetness. The tonka bean and brown sugar really jump out to me during this stage of the wear. Obviously, the vanilla orchid is going to be in play throughout, but this one favors those other two notes, early on.

Yet, this perfume doesn’t ever get too sickening or child-like with its sweetness. The tonka bean will subside some, the vanilla comes on more, and this does develop a bit of muskiness to it.

It’s mostly vanilla and brown sugar for a good portion of its life. The brown sugar will fade, musk joins that vanilla and the remaining tonka bean in the spotlight.

What is interesting is the synthetic amberwood note, that many perfume have nowadays. It helps this, along with that musk, from becoming a heavy or cloying mess. It has a certain cleanliness and freshness, not getting bogged down by the sweet trio.

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Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

The sillage here, isn’t too massive. You get a good 30 minutes or so of some nice power and the perfume creating a cloud around you. After that, it’s pretty light to middle of the road. Not completely weak, just not something to blow out a room.

On my skin, it’ll go for somewhere in the 5-6 hour range. Again, not all that amazing, but still okay. Performance isn’t this scent’s strength.

Seasonally, this is sugary and warm, and best in the autumn or winter months. If you live in an area with a colder springtime, you’ll get plenty of use. Skip the warmer temperatures and heat, though.

Within that timeframe, this one works in a variety of situations. It is sweet, while still enjoying a wide appeal among different ages. Now, it’s not a formal type of perfume or anything, but Vanilla 28 works in a variety of situations on its own. And probably many more, when used as a layered fragrance.

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Overall Impressions of Vanilla 28

Overall, do I like this perfume? Yes, I think it is one of the best of the Kayali lineup thus far. As a vanilla, I prefer it to what you get with the less focused Utopia from this brand.

Personally, I like the brown sugar note. Yes, it can be too sweet or not sophisticated enough for some, but I think it works well in here. It plays a rather large role, so if that’s not your thing, you might want to pass.

The performance is middle of the road. If you’re using this as a standalone fragrance and not really blending it with others, just be advised. It wasn’t completely terrible, but Vanilla 28 isn’t a long-lasting powerhouse.

While I do like the way this one smells, the price point is a bit of a reach for what you’re getting. You’re paying a bit of a premium versus what you’re getting on its own. It’s simple and doesn’t have great performance, which can be a deciding factor if you’re in the market for something like a signature daily wear.

But, if you know all of that in advance and still want to give this one a try, I’d say it’s worth it.