Happy Friday! Fragrance Friday is a new column on BrownStyle Magazine that explores the world of perfumes, body care, and beyond. Inspired by Emerald Elitou‘s love for fragrance, the series will highlight personal reviews, layering ideas, and expert insights to help you navigate your fragrance journey. Get ready to be inspired—one spritz at a time!
I’ll admit, the first time I tried Ellis Brooklyn’s Vanilla Milk, I found the scent overwhelming. I expected warmth, sweetness, and something deliciously cozy. Instead, I was met with something sharper (and woodsier)—an unexpected contrast to the creamy name.
I’ve always gravitated toward vanilla fragrances, but I prefer them sweet and cozy, rather than spicy or woody. To me, the sandalwood, benzoin, and musk notes overpowered the vanilla, leaving it feeling drier than I expected. (It wasn’t the comforting vanilla hug I had hoped for.)
So, like many fragrances that don’t immediately click, it sat untouched on my shelf.
That is until 2024, when Ellis Brooklyn launched the Vanilla Milk Scented Body Oil—a shimmering, scented body oil. I wasn’t expecting it to change my mind, but curiosity (and my love for a good body glow) got the best of me. And that’s when everything shifted.
The Game-Changer: A Shimmering Body Oil
The Vanilla Milk Scented Body Oil was my second chance at understanding this scent—and it completely changed my perception. The scented oil is a luxurious blend of sunflower seed and jojoba seed oil, infused with a champagne-toned shimmer that melts beautifully into the skin. But what surprised me was how the scent itself felt different.
Instead of the sharpness I experienced in the Eau de Parfum, the body oil felt softer, smoother, more intimate. It melded into my skin rather than sitting on top of it. The vanilla came through in a way that was subtly sweet, creamy, and warm—without the overpowering sandalwood that had initially turned me away.
It made me realize something: Vanilla Milk was never meant to be a loud fragrance. It’s a skin scent!
Why Milk Notes Just Make Sense
My newfound appreciation for Vanilla Milk led me down a bit of a fragrance rabbit hole. I discovered that milk-based accords are often linked to warmth, intimacy, and familiarity, which explains why this scent became so much more appealing when worn as a skin scent.
Vanilla and milky accords in perfumery are often associated with warmth, comfort, and nostalgia. Studies suggest that vanilla compounds are commonly used in baby formula and even naturally present in breast milk, which may explain why people instinctively find the scent nurturing and familiar.
Milky notes in perfumes also have a unique ability to meld seamlessly with the skin, creating a subtle, creamy aura rather than an overpowering projection. This “skin scent” effect makes them feel more intimate and personal—almost like a second skin.
Maybe that’s why milky fragrances have surged in popularity—especially in an era where we crave comfort in our beauty routines.
Final Thoughts: A Second Chance Well Spent
Vanilla Milk started as a scent I didn’t see myself ever wearing, and now it’s become a part of my routine. I still spray lightly—I’ve learned that for me, less is more with this fragrance. But pairing it with the body oil has made all the difference, giving it the subtle, skin-like warmth I wanted from the start.
This experience reminded me that sometimes, a fragrance deserves a second chance. How we wear it—whether through layering, body oils, or even just a lighter application—can completely change how it feels.
So, if you’ve ever dismissed a perfume too quickly, consider revisiting it. Try wearing it differently. Some scents, like people, just need a little time to reveal their softer side.
Editor’s Note: This story has been edited and condensed for clarity.
By BrownStyle Magazine in Special Editions
72 pages, published 1/17/2025
