Vanilla essence is the budget-friendly fragrance hack taking TikTok by storm

In the world of TikTok, trends come and go but some just leave a lasting aroma.

Meet Musa Mantinise, a creative TikTok user who has taken the phrase “essence of style” to a whole new level.

It all started with a “get ready with me” vlog that took TikTok by storm, where Matinise showcases her realistic morning routine of a student. The youngster's content mostly highlights her favourite budget-friendly hacks for university students living on a tight budget.

In one of her videos, Mantinise prepares for the day by sharing her breakfast, hair care and other beauty routines, all featuring while affordable products

The one thing that stood out was the bottle of vanilla essence that she pulled out to delicately apply to areas of her neck, explaining to her viewers that this clever hack will make them smell amazing.

“In case you didn’t know, you can smell good without breaking the bank, especially as a student,” she says.

The video sparked different reactions, with some viewers praising the hack and others side-eyeing it.

@Leri commented: “While baking, some spilled on my top, and hours later, it still smelled amazing. That’s when I decided to stop buying vanilla body mist and just use vanilla essence instead!😂😂

@MolokoTrish added: “Girl, just get a body spritzer please, I'm sure it's the same price so that you don't have to use cooking ingredients 🥺🥺”

@StheNyanda also posted: “Okay so now people are going to walk around smelling like cake?”

Despite the mixed comments, Mantinise’s hack has become the talk of the TikTok town, inspiring a new wave of “do it yourself” perfume enthusiasts.

Building on the success of her vanilla essence hack, she has now created a series of vlogs, showcasing her newfound passion for scent layering.

From using vanilla essence as a fragrance to mixing essential oils to demonstrating the art of layering, the creator’s TikTok channel has become a go-to guide for anyone looking to smell good on a budget.