BURBERRY
GODDESS

2023

lavender
vanilla

bourbon vanilla

vanilla absolute

‘The power within. Burberry Goddess tells a story of self-discovery. Captured in South Africa amongst the foothills of the Magaliesberg mountains, the new campaign follows Emma Mackey and a pride of lionesses. Radiating confidence, strength and kindness, Emma embodies the spirit of Burberry Goddess Eau de Parfum. On top, a vanilla infusion with woody tonalities, at the heart a vanilla caviar with a rich sweetness, and at the base a vanilla absolute enriched with luminous lavender. This sensual fragrance is a vegan formula made using vanillas from Madagascar.’ – Burberry

Burberry Goddess made a pretty good first impression on me in store, with a surprising amount of lavender for a big women’s marketed release like this. I’ve heard some criticism about this, but I think those people might be pleasantly surprised by what Goddess has to offer in a full wearing.

Because for me, as strong as the aromatic, lavender vibes are in the opening, they are quickly pushed far into the background of this composition. Vanilla is prominent from the start, but it only builds and builds and at least for the mid of the wear, it has a more feminine leaning facet as well.

I really like the vanilla that’s used here. I get two distinct different vibes from it, one a more green, dry vanilla and the other a very lactonic smooth one. The more the wear progresses the more it goes in the milky direction. The floral and aromatic tinge, turns into an almost boozy, spicy tinge to my nose, recalling fragrances like Kayali’s Vanilla 28, albeit that Goddess is a lighter scent profile.

In a weird way, I feel like the late drydown reverts back to the opening somewhat. Losing some of its sweetness and offering an almost airy, thin sweet wood that’s very unisex.

Aside from the opening and closing minutes, I’ve smelled this before, probably a dozen times, even though ironically I can’t recall a fragrance that smells identical right now. However, I don’t think Goddess will be a shock to anyone. It’s a pretty basic, but really pleasant, slightly feminine leaning vanilla, that keeps everything toned down a bit. It’s not super sweet, it’s not loud. This is a gourmand that mature women (and men) can appreciate. Someone mentioned layering this to me and I can definitely see that as well (again, similar purpose I think as the Kayali).

Perhaps a bit too simple to really make its mark as a stand out release, but one that surely will be popular and liked by many.