All things vanilla today, even though my body lotion says Almond on it (sadly, no almond scent in it at all, it just smells like vanilla), and the body oil gel is cocoa-scented – more cocoa vanilla to my nose. If you’re struggling with extra-dry skin this winter, my tip is to layer on a thicker moisturizer, and it doesn’t have to be fancy. The Vaseline Gel Oil is mineral oil you know and love mixed with a polymer that thickens it up into a gel. It makes it easier to use because it’s behaves like a lotion but it has all the benefits of the oil. Best used right after the shower, especially in cold and dry weather.
The scent of the body lotion isn’t very strong (which is a good thing) so I’m layering my current favourite vanilla perfume on top: Jupilo’s Wine Vanilla. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Very little has been written about this Roman indie brand, but they’ve got some great perfume here. Wine Vanilla opens with citrus notes, tart and sulfuric, almost like grapefruit juice. As the perfume settles, a definite powdery feel emerges, a floral that reminds me of violet soap. The base is a soft, clean vanilla, rounded with a density that hints at a powdery benzoin and tolu balsam, but in the background, there’s also a fruitiness that reminds me of bubblegum. I like the sharp opening that blends into a warmer, fruity vanilla, and all of it would layer with any kind of scented lotion. ⠀⠀⠀
These last few months of winter lend themselves to a coziness rooted in hopefulness. There’s a lightness because spring is just around the corner, and maybe it’s possible to have hope, to wear something that reminds us of summer but also gives us a sense of comfort, which vanilla always does. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Jupilo Wine Vanilla from Indiescents.com. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
