Christopher SheldrakeThe nose · 94 fragrances · also made Feminite du Bois (1992)Portrait →Will you like it? Mark a few fragrances you own or love and we'll tell you.
Serge Lutens · Sold as unisex
Un Bois Vanille
The cozy embrace of a well-worn leather-bound book on a quiet, candlelit evening — where the scent of beeswax and vanilla mingle in a way that feels both familiar and unexpectedly nuanced.
Smells likevanilla·marshmallow
Full bottle: Premium tier, typically $100–250. Links open each seller's own page. We may earn a commission; it never changes the order.
Un Bois VanillePremium · $100–250
45%Similar accords, often for lessZara Femme 2018 · ZaraBudget tier, under $40 · shares sandalwood, tonka bean and musk8 matches →How it wears
From community votes · bars are each option's shareComposition & Character
Notes Pyramid
Main Accords
When to Wear
Who Wears It
The story behind the bottle.
Launched in 2003 by Serge Lutens and crafted by perfumer Christopher Sheldrake, Un Bois Vanille is a groundbreaking Oriental Vanilla fragrance that challenges the notion of vanilla as merely sweet. The composition opens with a complex interplay between rich vanilla and woody accords, seamlessly blending into a heart of powdery beeswax and soft spices, all anchored by warm amber and coconut. This sophisticated blend has become a touchstone for many in their journey into niche perfumery, praised for its dry, resinous character that sets it apart from more conventional vanilla fragrances.
Un Bois Vanille is best applied sparingly; its rich notes can become overwhelming with too much. Allow it to develop close to your skin for about an hour, as the powdery and woody accords will bloom gradually, providing a long-lasting warmth that reads better up close than from afar.
Fig. 01 — Un Bois Vanille, Serge Lutens
Where to buy.
Wear it for a week first
A decant costs a fraction of a bottle and tells you how it lasts on your skin.
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Christopher Sheldrake
From Serge Lutens' shadow to Chanel's spotlightChristopher Sheldrake is a British-born perfumer who studied art history before extensive travels sparked his interest in fragrance.
Designer Serge Lutens
More from the house · France
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Matched by accords and notes. Sample first, then decide.
The originalUn Bois VanilleSerge Lutens · Premium · $100–250Zara · 2018Zara Femme 2018Shares Sandalwood, Tonka bean and Muskunder $40★ 4.04 (1,458)47%Match
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With M. Micallef Night Aoud
Adds oud, fresh spicy and yellow floral; shares sandalwood.
Suggested from accords and notes · not yet tried by wearers
What people
are saying.
Well loved by wearers: loved by 40%, disliked or hated by 12%.