VANANT (2025) • IN ASTRA🔺 • ScentAdvice

Vanant is in my opinion the most intriguing offering from In Astra so far. I’m still internally debating whether or not I prefer it over Tistar, but whereas Tistar is a subtle, cozy, understated fragrance, Vanant is eccentric and ever so slightly daring.

The first thing that hit me when I applied Vanant is a pungent (in a good way), rubbery/laminated floral. I was reminded of the distinct vibe I know mostly from Etat Libre D’Orange Experimentum Crucis & Hermann A Mes Cotes. Scent-wise, Vanant fits in between; not as vibrant and rosy as Experimentum Crucis, but not as green and fresh as Hermann A Mes Cotes. The carnation pulls it in a darker, more serious toned rubbery and spicy floral direction, but there is a tiny hint of skank. Not nearly as daring of a combination as D:SOL MMXVI Sombra, of which I was briefly reminded (although I’m more familiar with the 2023 version, the 2024 has been reformulated to be less daring).

Minutes in, Vanant becomes significantly smokier, but paired with a growing sweetness as well. Quite in-your-face, but there’s enough levity still, instead of suffocating the wearer. It loses some of the laminated touch and keeps only a hint of latexy carnation (picture a saffron-tinge dark floral). What becomes more prominant is a spicy, ambery sweetness. At one point I was reminded of a smoky Vanilla Coke.

When I smell my skin up close, the smokiness gets to be very pronounced throughout the drydown. Almost ashy.

A lot of movement and transitions within this first time wearing it and I really enjoyed it.