Vanilla CEO CRA-YON 2020

She is well-groomed. Well-dressed, definitely. Not flashy. But high-quality. The shoes are not new, but made of high-quality leather. Her hairstyle is in place, not too perfect, but extremely harmonious, with a few strands gently falling into her face. The colors she wears are also subtle. Soft cream and caramel tones with coral-colored earrings and a gold chain that she has enjoyed wearing for years.
Her makeup is also of a natural perfection, achievable only with a lot of practice and high-quality products. Her voice is soft, inviting when she speaks. Every word is well-placed, every remark shows her experience. She is good at what she does. And she knows it. Everyone knows it. She sits on the board of a large corporation. Not beauty or lifestyle. The industry is a less fast-paced one, but the market is still in motion. Not an automotive company, perhaps a large solar cell enterprise. A "hidden champion." Just like her. Just like this fragrance.

Vanilla CEO came to me as a 3ml sample from a set, of which I was thrilled by four out of five fragrances. This is now the first one I want to dedicate a longer review to.
Because I actually don't like vanilla. I thought for a long time.
But by now, I can no longer claim that, as a few fragrances with this component have found their way into my nose and my heart.

Now then, CRA-YON.
I wasn't familiar with the brand until now.
I probably wouldn't have chosen this fragrance myself.

The top note starts off sweet for a short while, maybe a quarter of an hour. I thought it was a bit too sweet. Here I mainly smell the vanilla.
Shortly after, a citrusy note unfolds, giving the perfume the necessary edges. It is not a masculine freshness - overall, I find this fragrance quite unisex.
The violet and vanilla orchid unfold in the next step. Why do I write this, even though I said I primarily smell vanilla at the beginning? Because the quality changes! Vanilla orchid is apparently a note I haven't encountered before as a vanilla scent. And my goodness, it is beautiful. Perhaps ten minutes later, the wood comes into play, and the fragrance is where it will stay (after about a good hour). It becomes round and beautiful. An unusual compliment magnet. And wonderfully, wonderfully unsynthetic.

It has a warm note, which I can also see working well on a sunny day. I don't think it is suitable for midsummer, even though it brings a nice freshness. However, I believe it is just right for summer evenings! When the air is warm and carries this wonderful composition.
I am surprised to read so few comments about Vanilla CEO here.
Because for a fragrance with such clear niche qualities, around 70 euros for 50ml is really quite reasonable!
It could last a bit longer for me personally; after about 5 hours, I would need to reapply.
But I think I will treat myself to it. To channel my inner CEO.