If you’ve spent more than five minutes on "Perfume Tok" or scrolled through a few Sephora reviews lately, you already know the original 11 11. It’s that airy, ethereal, "your skin but better" scent that basically defined the clean girl aesthetic for a hot minute. But when Lake and Skye dropped Lake and Skye 11 11 Vanilla, people were... skeptical. I mean, do we really need another vanilla?
The market is literally drowning in sugar right now.
But here’s the thing about this specific juice. It isn't a cupcake. It’s not that cloying, synthetic stuff that smells like a plastic doll from the nineties. Honestly, it’s more like a sheer veil of warmth that somehow keeps the soul of the original musky 11 11 intact while adding a soft, creamy rounding at the edges. It’s subtle. It’s persistent. It’s kinda perfect for people who usually hate vanilla.
What Actually Is Lake and Skye 11 11 Vanilla?
Let’s get the technical stuff out of the way first. This fragrance is an extension of the brand's core identity—minimalism. Founded by Chantel Entwistle, Lake and Skye has always leaned into this idea of "functional fragrance." The goal isn't to announce your arrival three blocks before you enter a room. Instead, it’s about creating a personal scent bubble.
The Lake and Skye 11 11 Vanilla is a blend of the signature 11 11 accord—which is a proprietary mix of white ambers and musks—layered with a very specific type of vanilla. They didn’t go for the heavy, bourbon-soaked Madagascar vanilla that you find in darker, wintery perfumes. Instead, they used a "skin vanilla." It feels more like a warm hug than a bakery.
The scent starts with that familiar, ozonic, aquatic hit of the original. If you’ve smelled 11 11, you know it smells like clean laundry drying near the ocean. Then, about ten minutes in, the vanilla starts to peek through. It’s a dry vanilla. Not sticky.
I’ve noticed that a lot of people expect a heavy gourmand because of the name. If you’re looking for something that smells like Kayali Vanilla 28 or Eilish, you’re going to be disappointed. This is much more sophisticated and, frankly, much more wearable for everyday life. It’s the kind of scent you wear to the office or the gym without worrying about giving your cube-mate a headache.
Why Everyone Is Obsessed With Skin Scents Right Now
There is a massive shift happening in the fragrance world. We’re moving away from the "beast mode" projectors. You know the ones—those fragrances that stay in an elevator for twenty minutes after someone leaves.
Instead, "skin scents" are king.
Brands like Glossier, Juliette Has a Gun, and Lake and Skye are leading this charge because they react differently to everyone's body chemistry. Lake and Skye 11 11 Vanilla works because it utilizes those heavy molecular musks that bond to your skin. It’s the reason why you might stop smelling it on yourself after an hour, but someone hugging you will say, "Oh my god, you smell amazing." It’s intimate.
The inclusion of vanilla in this specific DNA was a smart move by Entwistle. Vanilla is a nostalgic note. It’s comforting. By mixing the cold, crisp amber of the original with the warmth of vanilla, they created a fragrance that feels balanced. It’s neither too cold nor too sweet.
Comparing the Oil vs. the EDP
This is where people usually get confused. Lake and Skye offers this scent in both a rollerball oil and an Eau de Parfum (EDP) spray. They aren’t the same.
The oil is much more intimate. It sits very close to the skin. Because it’s oil-based, it doesn’t have the "throw" that an alcohol-based spray does, but it lasts a lot longer. Oils don't evaporate as quickly. If you have dry skin, the oil is probably your best bet because alcohol can sometimes eat the scent within two hours.
The EDP, on the other hand, gives you that initial "burst." It’s more vibrant. The vanilla notes seem to sparkle a bit more in the spray version.
Which one should you get?
Honestly, it depends on how you wear perfume. If you like to layering, get the oil. Apply it to your pulse points—wrists, behind the ears, the crook of your elbow. Then, spray the EDP over your clothes. Since the Lake and Skye 11 11 Vanilla is relatively sheer, you can't really "overspray" it.
I’ve found that the oil stays on my skin for about 6-7 hours. The EDP lasts about 4 on its own. Together? They’re a powerhouse of subtlety.
The "Clean" Beauty Factor
We have to talk about the ingredients because that’s a huge part of the brand’s appeal. Lake and Skye is B Corp certified. They’re vegan, cruelty-free, and they don’t use parabens or phthalates.
For a lot of people with sensitive skin or those who get "perfume sneezes," this is a game changer. A lot of the harshness in traditional perfumes comes from the fixatives used to make them last longer. By sticking to a cleaner IFRA-compliant formula, the Lake and Skye 11 11 Vanilla feels "lighter" on the lungs.
It’s a mindful approach to perfumery.
Is It Actually Worth the Price Tag?
A bottle of the EDP will set you back about $98, and the oil is around $48. In the world of "niche" fragrance, that’s actually pretty reasonable. You’re not paying $350 for a bottle of Creed or Le Labo.
But is it worth it for a scent that is intentionally "faint"?
That’s the debate. Some people feel like if they’re spending nearly a hundred dollars, they want to smell it from a mile away. I disagree. I think the value in Lake and Skye 11 11 Vanilla lies in its versatility. It’s a "dumb reach" fragrance. You don’t have to think about it. It works in the summer, it works in the winter. It works for a first date or a grocery store run.
There’s a certain luxury in smelling effortlessly good.
How to Make the Scent Last Longer
If you struggle with fragrance longevity, especially with lighter scents like this one, there are a few tricks.
First, moisturize. Scent molecules need something to "grab" onto. If your skin is parched, it’s just going to soak up the oils and the scent will disappear. Use an unscented lotion or, better yet, a tiny bit of Vaseline on your pulse points before applying the 11 11 Vanilla.
Second, don't rub your wrists together. Everyone does it. Stop. It creates friction and "crushes" the delicate top notes of the perfume. Just dab.
Finally, try spraying your hair. Hair is porous and holds onto scent way longer than skin does. Just a light mist over your head will give you a nice waft of vanilla every time you move.
Addressing the Common Misconceptions
People often hear "vanilla" and think "sweet." This is the biggest hurdle for Lake and Skye 11 11 Vanilla.
If you go in expecting a sugary, edible, gourmand experience, you’ll be confused. This is a woody, musky fragrance first, with a vanilla whisper second. It’s almost "salty" in a way. Like skin that’s been in the sun and then washed with a very expensive, high-end vanilla soap.
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Another misconception is that it’s only for women. Absolutely not. The musk and white amber in the base are very gender-neutral. On a man, the vanilla takes on a slightly more rugged, creamy woodiness. It’s very unisex.
Real World Usage: What It Feels Like to Wear
Imagine you’re wearing a fresh white t-shirt. You’ve just finished a long day at the beach, you’ve showered, and you’re putting on a cashmere sweater because the sun is going down.
That is what wearing this perfume feels like.
It’s cozy but clean. It’s the scent of someone who has their life together, even if they don't. It’s refined. There’s something very calming about the way the vanilla interacts with the ozonic notes. It grounds the "airiness" of the original 11 11.
Summary of Actionable Insights
If you’re considering adding Lake and Skye 11 11 Vanilla to your collection, here is how to get the most out of it:
- Sample first: If you can, go to a Nordstrom or a Merit/Sephora boutique and spray it on your skin—not just a paper tester. It needs body heat to bloom.
- Layer with the original: If you already own the original 11 11, try layering it with the vanilla version. It adds a layer of complexity that makes the scent feel "thicker" and more expensive.
- Check the batch: Some users have reported that the oil version can vary slightly in intensity depending on the batch. If yours feels too light, let it "macerate" (sit in a cool, dark place) for a week or two.
- Use it as a base: Because it’s so sheer, it makes an incredible base for other perfumes. Try layering it under a spicy floral or a deep wood scent to soften the edges.
This isn't a fragrance for the person who wants to be the loudest in the room. It’s for the person who wants to be remembered as the person who just "smells good" naturally. In a world of over-the-top, sugary perfumes, the restraint of 11 11 Vanilla is actually its greatest strength. It’s a quiet classic in the making.
The best way to experience it is to stop overthinking the notes and just wear it. Let the musk settle. Let the vanilla warm up. It’s a slow burn, but once it clicks, you’ll understand why the hype is real.