Best Vanitas by Profumum Roma Alternatives & Similar Perfumes
Vanitas by Profumum Roma is an oriental vanilla fragrance that blends creamy vanilla with bright orange blossom, resinous myrrh, and smooth sandalwood. The result is a warm, slightly sweet scent with a resinous depth and a fresh floral lift. Those drawn to Vanitas should note the balance between resinous warmth and delicate floral brightness, with vanilla as a comforting base.
Zagal by Otzlab £200.00
- Key notes:
- fig
- milky nuance
- myrrh
- sandalwood
- vanilla
- Aromagroups:
- fruity
- vintage/old school
- woody
Zagal is the Spanish word for a shepherd’s apprentice, a figure that embodies discovery and innocence. This namesake fragrance invites you to approach the familiar with fresh eyes. Zagal is a dialogue between saffron’s dry, subtle bitterness, and fig’s fleshy, vegetal sweetness. Rose, jasmine, sandalwood, myrrh and vanilla provide deeply cushioned upholstery, rendering Zagal as a contemporary oriental.
Perfumer: Gaël Montero
Alyazia by Maysson £150.00
- Key notes:
- orange blossom
- orris (iris root)
- tonka beans
- vanilla
- violet
- Aromagroups:
- floral
- vintage/old school
The name Alyazia is associated with a rare and delicate gazelle, symbolising grace, elegance and natural beauty. With its traditional Bedouin roots, the name has a strong connection to the heritage of the Arabian Gulf. The fragrance opens with plush, tender violet, illuminated by a solar heart of wild strawberry and orange blossom. The cushioned base of iris, vanilla, tonka bean and sandalwood extends the “ahhhhhhh” of this comforting scent.
Cafe by J-Scent £101.67
- Key notes:
- coffee
- orange blossom
- vanilla
- violet
- Aromagroups:
- citrusy
- spicy
- woody
A poetic coffee perfume, conjuring the charms of a mid-century coffee shop in the Showa era. The contrast of the bitterness of roasted coffee beans and the sweetness of orange blossom supplies the sparkle, before the caramalised drydown of musky vanilla brings the mmmmm!
Dominanti Santi by Santi Peccatori £150.00
- Key notes:
- orange blossom
- powdery nuance
- tonka beans
- vanilla
- Aromagroups:
- citrusy
- edible
The name means “dominant saints”, and the angel in charge here is Tunisian Orange Blossom Absolute, flying in clouds of amber, vanilla, and a touch of crème brûlée. A distinctive salted skin accord, along with a gourmand-ified patchouli, adds a rasp to the sweetness.
Perfumer: Maud Chabanis
Harvest Mouse by Zoologist £166.67
- Key notes:
- hops
- opoponax
- orange blossom
- vanilla
- Aromagroups:
- aromatic
- edible
- woody
Autumn winds skip across golden wheat fields. As the tall grasses billow, the rattle of husks beats a soft prairie lullaby, signalling to the weary sun to rest. In the fading light, tiny harvest mice venture forth, scrambling to gather seeds and fruits. For once the sun sinks fully beneath the horizon, its rule of the sky is bestowed on another. And when the coo of the owl breaks the night, the mice dash, trembling, back to their nests.
Like a countryside bathed in sweet sunlight, Zoologist Harvest Mouse conjures images of home-baked goodness. Stalks of wheat sway among chamomile, davana and hay, and rich beer extracts are sobered by resins and woody notes. Cozy up in a warm nest of homespun scent.
Perfumer: Luca Maffei
Like a Virgin Unplugged by Art Meets Art £112.50
- Key notes:
- almond
- bergamot
- orange blossom
- vanilla
- Aromagroups:
- citrusy
- edible
- floral
Perfumer: Fabrice Pellegrin approached the song through the angle of a soft transition into a new era.
Blond Redhead 16.11 by Neydo £66.67
- Key notes:
- dark chocolate
- myrrh
- rose
- saffron
- tobacco
- vanilla
- Aromagroups:
- edible
- leather
- woody
Inspired by a dream of a romantic encounter in a Parisian bakery. The air is filled with the mouthwatering aroma of candied fruits, vanilla-laced pastries, a hint of sweet tobacco. You’re captivated by the sight of a beautiful stranger holding a bouquet of fresh freesias. This playfully flirty mix of cream-topped fruits and florals conjures the dream all over again.
Perfumer: Bertrand Duchaufour
Fallen Leaves by Anna Zworykina £79.17
- Key notes:
- gaiac / guaiac wood
- labdanum
- myrrh
- tonka beans
- vanilla
- Aromagroups:
- leather
- woody
Some perfume magic, a perfume that captured the soul of autumn, complete with foggy cold mornings (orris), dry leaves (the effect of various balsams and resins), sleepy sun (played by vanilla absolute and Indian oud) and fireplaces (gaiac).
(these fragrant materials reanacted the Fallen Leaves story):
Immortelle abs
Cistus e.o.
Cedarwood, Himalayan e.o.
Hop CO2 extract
Cedarwood, Atlas e.o.
Lavender abs
Guayak wood e.o
Fleur d'Orange abs
Jasmine sambac abs
Sweet myrrh e.o.
Castoreum tincture
Vetiver e.o.
Patchouli e.o.
Cardamom abs
Vanilla CO2 extract
Sandalwood CO2 extract
Orris abs
Tonka bean abs
Important notice:
Anna Zworykina’s blends are olfactive smellscapes (but neither aromatherapy, nor ‘spray-and-go’ perfumes). Her blends are sensory experiences, closer to works of art created in the scented plane (rather than, say, visual or audio).
Certain essential oils and absolutes that are used in her 100% natural perfumes may potentially cause allergies in some people. Please spray Anna Zworykina’s blends on fabric (on sleeves, scarves, etc.). This said, Anna Zworykina has acquired a huge fan base over many years and people interacted with her blends for quite a while now. We are not aware of any reports of any skin reactions so far.
However, Anna advises that those who are prone to allergic reactions, pregnant and nursing women, as well as people with chronic illnesses to be extra careful. Before trying natural blends, study the list of ingredients and consult with a doctor if you are not sure or a had a history of allergies. If you do decide to put these blends on your skin (unable to resist the temptation) always test the blend on the inside part of your elbow first and wait.
Do not spray these blends liberally as a cloud in the way you would spray a conventional perfume. Anna’s smellscapes need to be… carefully applied and experienced. Be mindful that some oils can also make your skin hyper-sensitive to UV.
Myrrhiad by Pierre Guillaume Black Collection £116.67
- Key notes:
- black tea
- myrrh
- vanilla
- Aromagroups:
- edible
- leather
- woody
The story of myrrh is as old as that of perfume. Four thousand years ago the Egyptians were using it as one of the components of Kyphi, the sacred incense of their Kings.
Warm and sensual, balmy and ambery Myrrhiad is an oriental perfume revealing all the facets of the ancient resin, enhanced by the leathery, animalic nuance of black tea absolute and interlaced with a cocktail of vanilla and licorice.
Vanilla Shot by Olfactive Studio £166.67
- Key notes:
- aldehydes
- coriander
- dried fruit
- myrrh
- vanilla
- whisky
- Aromagroups:
- leather
- woody
Perfumer: Bertrand Duchaufour
Visual artist: landscape artist/photographer Martin Hill.
The same way in which Martin goes to a sight and rearranges what nature left there into an installation, the perfumer rearranged some molecules and materials to put the beauty of a natural material into focus.
Also Martin aims to let his structures be absorbed back into natural chaos. Perfume evaporates into the environment in a similar fashion, beautiful but transient.
In Vanilla Shot all of the focus is on vanilla (natural, dark and balsamic). The concept of the perfume is inspired by a photo of a piece of Martin Hill's land art shot at dreamy dusk (below). The twigs used in the structure balanced over the lake are reminiscent of vanilla beans. The installation transcends two planes - liquid and ether and in the perfume vanilla spans the sweet and bitter corners of the scented universe. Vanilla Shot is not an ordinary sweet gourmand. In this perfume all nuances of natural vanilla get proper attention: balsamic, fruity, spicy, sweet and even leathery.
About Vanitas by Profumum Roma
- What makes Vanitas by Profumum Roma distinctive among oriental vanillas?
- Vanitas combines vanilla with orange blossom, myrrh and sandalwood, creating a warm, resinous yet fresh floral oriental vanilla. Its balance of sweet, resinous and fresh notes makes it distinctive compared to purely gourmand or woody vanillas.
- How do these fragrances compare to Vanitas in terms of longevity and projection?
- While all these fragrances share key notes with Vanitas, their longevity and projection vary depending on additional ingredients and concentration. Generally, they offer a range of interpretations from soft and intimate to stronger and more intense.
- In what ways do these perfumes differ from Vanitas despite sharing some notes?
- Though they share notes like myrrh, vanilla, orange blossom or sandalwood, these fragrances differ in supporting notes such as coffee, chocolate, tea, or spices. These differences affect their overall character, ranging from fresh and powdery to smoky, sweet or animalic.









