Vanitas EDP by Versace

So, I found some older samples in a box, that I had stashed in a closet. Among a few Amouage cologne sprayers, I had a women’s perfume by Versace, Vanitas EDP.

I figured that I might as well give it a try and write up a review, seeing as I never got around to it however many months ago. Continue reading below for my full take of this scent and whether or note Vanitas is worth a buy.

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What does Vanitas EDP Smell Like?

Notes include: freesia, tiare, bergamot, cedar, tonka bean

Click here to try: Vanitas Women Eau De Parfum Spray by Versace, 3.4 Ounce

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My Full Review

The opening of Vanitas Eau de Parfum is of course heavily-laden with the white floral notes of freesia and tiare. These two are what dominate throughout the fragrance. While there is a bergamot note added for a citrus effect, it lies underneath and isn’t all that powerful at first, in my opinion.

Anyhow, the bergamot definitely isn’t a powerhouse feature like it can be in many other perfumes. Although, I do find that it emerges a bit more during the dry down.

Vanitas is a bright, quite clean, and very classic floral perfume. As it dries down, the cedar adds a slight woodiness to the scent, which allows the fragrance to become more centered and less like a bouquet. It strikes me as a ‘green’ scent with the aroma of floral stems and a low-key musk quality to it.

The tonka bean affords the fragrance with a bit of a creamy quality to take some of the edge of the strong floral notes. There isn’t much development of Vanitas beyond this, it’s a pretty linear scent.

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Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Projection wise, I found it to be powerful. A few sprays was more than enough and any more than that just seems overboard to me. This is the type that can take over a room, if you let it. Not that much is needed, which will at least save some cash with fewer sprays.

This Versace perfume is most assuredly a performer with all working day longevity. It lasted on my skin for 9 or so hours. The EDP delivers plenty of value from this perspective.

Testing it out multiple times, that’s about what I get with it. It can go slightly over 10 hours, at times, but it’s not a sure thing.

I’d call this more a mature type of perfume. It is feminine but not girly and doesn’t have any of that teenage candy-like sugar aroma in it at all. It might be an avoid for high school or college-aged ladies.

Best worn casually, as a daily wear, or even semi-formal occasions during the spring and summer months. Vanitas has a very natural botanic smell.

So, it does have good versatility within that sort of climate. This can be a great go-to scent for those who live in a more tropical region. Not the sexiest scent, but attractive enough.

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Overall Impressions of Vanitas

Overall, would I recommend Vanitas? It isn’t a super unique fragrance by any means, but it is pretty exemplary as a white floral perfume. It feels familiar and probably has a lot of similar scents to it out on the market, but it performs very well, for what it is.

The performance here gives you plenty of power and time to spend with it. Compared with a lot of other designer fragrances, this one doesn’t disappoint in that regard.

The aroma itself if good. It doesn’t completely blow me away, but I like aspects of it. The bergamot and cedar play their roles here well. I like the cleanliness and bit of sparkle that this one has.

Update: Looks like this one got discontinued. Bottles as of 2025 are like $200 each. So, if you loved this one, probably should grab what you can.

The tiare flower is nice up top. It does become green and musky during the latter stages, which isn’t my favorite. But, the edge is taken off by the tonka bean note. That creaminess is the best part of the tail end of the wear.

Nice scent. Not a sweet one, so, you get a change of pace versus much of the norm and a lovely fresh experience for the most part.

If you’re a floral lover, this might be a good option as an everyday wear or as another option within your collection. If you hate white florals, then it’d be wise to steer clear. Versace Vanitas isn’t the best perfume out there but it is well put together and has a classic appeal.