50ml
50ml
50ml
7.5ml
7.5ml
MAYA NJIE
VANILJ
Eau De Parfum
Unisex
Sizes
Starting
$148
Description
Vanilj by Maya Njie is a subtle and sophisticated take on vanilla, moving away from overtly sweet interpretations. It opens with a distinct aromatic cardamom, which then blends seamlessly into a creamy vanilla and smooth cedarwood heart. The fragrance settles into a warm, enveloping base of patchouli, musk, and amber, creating a comforting yet contemporary skin scent. It's designed to be quietly seductive, feeling like a soft cashmere embrace rather than a loud statement. Perfumer: Maya Njie
Scent Profile
Woody
Oriental
Spicy
Gourmand
Vanilla
Powdery
Amber
Musky
Notes
Top Notes
CardamomMiddle Notes
Vanilla
CedarwoodBase Notes
Patchouli
Musk
AmberAbout MAYA NJIE
Maya Njie Perfumes, founded in 2016 by self-taught perfumer Maya Njie, crafts high-quality artisanal eau de parfums inspired by intimate family photographs from her Swedish childhood and Gambian heritage, blending nostalgic Scandinavian notes like cardamom, rhubarb, and vanilla with exotic accords. Her philosophy centers on scent as a direct conduit to memory, creating unisex fragrances that evoke preserved moments—such as Swedish forests after rain or family weddings—while feeling profoundly contemporary through in-house formulations combining natural essences and synthetic molecules. What sets the brand apart is its synesthetic approach, where visual color palettes from 1970s photos inform both scents and minimalist Scandinavian bottle designs, produced in small batches at 30% oil concentration in her East London studio.
Perfumer
Maya Njie
Maya Njie is a Swedish-Gambian self-taught perfumer born in Västerås, Sweden, who founded her niche fragrance brand Maya Njie Perfumes in 2016. She developed her practice through experimentation with essential oils, aromatic compounds, and resins, creating autobiographical fragrances inspired by her family photo archive from the 1960s-1970s and her dual Scandinavian-Gambian heritage. Her work combines visual design, photography, and olfaction to create artisanal, small-batch fragrances that capture memories and sensory experiences from her childhood.
Reviews
4.8
Excellent18 reviews
MAYA NJIE
5.0/5 • 15 reviews
Ministry of Scent
3.7/5 • 3 reviews
Community Insights
Reviewers often describe Vanilj as a warm, cozy, and sophisticated vanilla, frequently highlighting the prominent cardamom and cedarwood notes. While many appreciate its understated elegance and suitability for cooler weather, some find the vanilla note less pronounced than expected, or perceive the scent as leaning more masculine.
Pros
Sophisticated Vanilla: Many find it an intoxicating, delicious, and sophisticated vanilla fragrance that avoids being overly sweet.
Cozy and Warm: Reviewers often describe it as cozy, warm, and perfect for fall and winter, or for creating a feeling of being at home.
Quality Composition: The blend is often praised for its smooth development and comforting, skin-like projection.
Cons
Vanilla Undetectable: Some reviewers report that the vanilla note is barely detectable, with cardamom and cedarwood dominating.
Too Masculine: A few individuals find the cedar and patchouli notes make the fragrance lean too masculine for their preference.
Unusual Opening: One reviewer noted an unpleasant similarity to a nasal spray, suggesting a potentially challenging opening for some.
Comparisons
Similar to Nordic Cedar: Several reviewers note a strong resemblance to Maya Njie's other fragrance, Nordic Cedar, describing Vanilj as its sweeter, softer sibling.
Vibe & Emotions
Intimate: The fragrance is often associated with intimate moments and a close-to-skin projection.
Elegant: It evokes a sense of understated luxury and modern elegance.
Grounded: Many experience a feeling of being grounded and comforted when wearing Vanilj.
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