Gourmand

Vanilla smells like warmth wrapped in sweetness—imagine the comforting aroma of freshly baked vanilla sponge cake, or a warm bowl of vanilla custard on a winter's evening. It's creamy and soft, almost edible, with subtle woody undertones and a hint of spice that recalls cloves or nutmeg. Pure vanilla is surprisingly complex: it's not aggressively sweet, but rather enveloping, like condensed caramel with a touch of earthy depth. It smells like indulgence and safety simultaneously.

Woody

Woody notes smell like the heart of a forest distilled into essence. Imagine the warm, dry interior of a cedar wardrobe, the earthy grip of tree bark after rain, or the comforting scent of aged timber in an old library. They're neither sweet nor sharp—rather, they're grounding and substantial, with a slightly resinous, almost creaky quality. Think of pencil shavings, sandalwood's buttery softness, or the austere dryness of vetiver. These notes smell like nature's architecture: solid, enduring, and deeply familiar.