Description: “It reminds me of a jazz club or a chic boutique hotel,” she explains, which makes sense, given that neither has much in common except for being synonymous with understated luxury. Perfumehead’s Canadian Tuxedo is opulence in a bottle, and at almost $400, it should be. While the combination of vanilla and marshmallow might sound too sweet to handle, trust me—it's not. NOYZ’s Unmute is getting a ton of attention on TikTok for its bold and sophisticated compliment-getting scent. It’s the perfect vanilla scent for anyone who doesn’t like fragrances to be overly sweet. In fact, it’s described as being “deeper and spicier” than any other vanilla you’ve ever tried before. The NOYZ Unmute even comes in a solid fragrance set, which is perfect for applying on-the-go. “The vanilla bourbon note in the Parfums de Marly Althair Eau de Parfum is it for me. With the orange blossom, it is a spicy scent that still feels fresh and light. If the thought of smelling like a dinner plate makes you nervous, consider dipping in slowly. “If you’re unsure if a scent is for you, I recommend starting with a hair mist, body spray or even lotion to familiarize yourself and ease into it without it feeling overpowering,” adds West. This fresh unisex scent is ideal for anyone who loves that slightly masculine after-shave scent. Thanks to its combination of notes, it lands somewhere between floral and musky. With buttery notes of croissant, jam, and vanilla, everyone who smells you will want to take a bite. Today’s vanilla fragrances are sultry, smoky, spiced, and impossibly chic. From gourmand blends to sophisticated florals with a vanilla twist, these perfumes redefine a classic note with contemporary flair. Here are the most refined vanilla scents worth spritzing on repeat. Notes to look out for include vanilla bean, tonka bean, amber, cinnamon, spices and sandalwood. But this fragrance interpretation is just as delicious as the mythical dessert, with nearly-edible notes of vanilla, cocoa, and orange wedge. If walking into an ice cream parlor is one of your favorite smells in the world, you've found your new scent. It leans into the decadence of vanilla, but thanks to amber and musk isn't too cloying. Honoring the roots of patchouli, Diptyque’s Tempo contains three different patchouli extracts, giving it an elegant and woody smell that’s hard to ignore. All of that could be intense, but thanks to violet leaf, it’s a little more complex and multidimensional. If you're looking for a fan favorite, we recommend Guerlain Pachouli Paris. This is literally one of my favorite perfumes of all time, and pretty much everyone whom I've hugged while wearing this fragrance has agreed. It's been my signature ever since its launch, and the fact that Zendaya (my hero) is the face of this mix of vanilla, jasmine, citrus, and musk makes it perfect. I've always been a Lancôme stan (in addition to Chanel's perfumes—my mom wore a few of its staple scents), so it's a warm and fuzzy line of fragrances that is only punctuated with this sweet aroma. Another oil on this list, The 7 Virtues Vanilla Woods Perfume Oil takes the cake for best travel-size perfume (although, you can totes buy it in a full size as well). Drawing its inspiration from music, this fragrance captures the free feeling of dancing in the desert. She has over three years of experience writing on fashion, beauty, and entertainment and her work has appeared on Looper, NickiSwift, The Sun US, and Vox Magazine of Columbia, Missouri. Brooke obtained her Bachelor's Degree in Journalism from the University of Missouri’s School of Journalism with an emphasis on Magazine Editing and has a minor in Textile and Apparel Management. Not to mention, it was inspired by the infamous Burning Man festival, so you know it smells like a good time. Maybe I'm partial to this classic YSL scent because it's truly wonderful if you're after something vanilla and very chic, or maybe it's because it's Zoë Kravitz's favorite scent. I love this fragrance because it manages to feel both light and mysterious at the same time. I keep it on my desk for those mornings when I need a jolt of confidence. With hints of musk, sandalwood, and violet, it's subtly spicy and earthy, with a hint of vanilla sweetness. If you want to feel sultry without going overboard on vanilla, this one is for you. While I like to smell like a freshly baked cookie or marshmallow treat personified, you might prefer a gourmand balanced by leather, smoke, or citrus. Thankfully, 2025’s roster of the best vanilla scents blends the inherently comforting fragrance family with a range of notes, ensuring there is something to suit every preference. Amanda Rosenthal is a writer at Byrdie who considers herself a perfume connoisseur, having smelled over a hundred perfumes. Her picky nose prefers warm, amber scents and delicate florals, but she loves anything surprising and unique. We love that Skylar makes gorgeous-smelling fragrances with ingredients we can actually pronounce. You'll never find animal byproducts, parabens, endangered plants, or skin sensitizers in their products. Instead, all of Skylar's perfumes are vegan, cruelty-free, and hypoallergenic. Each vanilla perfume was evaluated on notes, staying power, and its overall scent as the day went on. Wrap yourself in the warm embrace of Laura Mercier’s Vanille Eau de Parfum, where decadent vanilla is infused with the sophisticated blend of sweet and spicy notes. An ode to the simplicity of life’s little luxuries, it’s complete with a creamy base of tonka bean and musk to create an everyday fragrance that feels like second skin. Vanilla fragrances tend to feel warm and cozy, but that doesn't mean that they can't work for summer. This perfume oil from Nest evokes images of palm trees, salty air, and sunshine thanks to its key note of coconut. Additionally, there's a hint of floral with vanilla orchid and spice with Kashmir wood. Meet the Byredo fragrance you've never heard of but absolutely need on your radar. This is a deliciously smooth and velvety perfume that's sweet enough to feel elegant and lovely but complex enough not to feel basic or like anything you wore back in junior high. Don't like to ask, "What are you wearing?" (the fear of seeming uncool or tryhard-y), but it's a no-fail occurrence whenever I'm wearing this Byredo scent and this Byredo scent alone. Vanilla Milk is balanced and delectable thanks to a touch of florals. Torn is the perfect name for this perfume because its scent is partly feminine and partly masculine; it's the perfect genderless fragrance. Upon the initial spray, I'm immediately whisked away to a fireplace with a glass of whiskey in hand. This delectable scent is also under $100 a bottle, making it a winner. If you don't know of the niche fragrance house Vilhelm Parfumerie, allow Poets of Berlin, one of its most popular creations, to give you a lasting first impression. While most vanilla perfumes fall in the warm fragrance category, this one smells much more green and fresh, giving it a totally different vibe than what you're used to with vanilla fragrance. Poets of Berlin pairs vanilla with blueberry and a kick of earthiness from orris and vetiver for an elegant and distinct scent. This would make for an excellent spring perfume, and the bottle would look so gorgeous on your vanity. For starters, think about what kind of feeling you want to create. "Do you want it to feel cozy, addictive, and edible, or more distinctive, woody, unexpected?" says Pallez. "Start by testing vanilla paired with different accords—floral, woody, citrusy, spicy—and see what feels most like you." Many people might assume that vanilla lasts long because of how noticeable and strong the scent can be, but the reality is a bit more nuanced. "Vanilla tends to have excellent long-lastingness, but it depends also on the quality of the vanilla used and its proportion in the formula," says Pallez. Some showcase pure Madagascar vanilla, while others use vanilla as a grounding tone to highlight floral or woodsy notes. I also teamed up with WH beauty editor Danielle Jackson to curate a definitive list vanilla scented perfume of the best vanilla perfumes. Together, we've established the 12 best options money can buy (DW, many of them are affordable, too!). So, ladies, no need to delay—it's the perfect moment to introduce a fresh, long-lasting fragrance to your collection for the rest of summer and year-round. In short, you can rarely go wrong by layering vanilla with other perfumes or notes. "Vanilla is one of the best notes for layering because it brings warmth, addiction, roundness, and sensuality without being overpowering," says Amandine Pallez, global creative director at Bulgari Fragrances. "It acts like a soft-focus filter, wrapping a composition into a comforting feeling." I love this scent for its ability to contrast warm vanilla with a sharper note, like sea salt. So, whether you’re stealing glances or making the first move, this alluring aroma will keep you at the front of their mind. Unlike most other fragrance notes, we have an emotional connection to vanilla fragrances. "They convey a moment of nostalgia and comfort," says DSM-Firmenich perfumer Gabriela Chelariu. "Vanilla is a universally known and loved ingredient that transcends culture, time, age." It highlights top notes of King William pear, which offers a mellow yet juicy scent, and crisp, clean freesia. Fresh and invigorating, this fragrance is a lot lighter than the other options on this list and lends itself well to summer, sunshine, time spent outside, and sophistication. I like to think of this as a grown-up, more nuanced version of the sugary sweet body mists of my childhood. Right off the bat, you're hit with strong notes of vanilla, but it's perfectly balanced with slight notes of musk and amber. After a few hours, the strong scent of vanilla dies down just a bit, resulting in a warm, inviting, and luxurious scent. While florals scents are very common in the spring and summer, gourmand perfumes are so diverse and can be worn in so many different contexts. For example, vanilla is prevalent in a lot of scents and can lean spicy when paired with oud which is perfect for vanilla scented perfume fall. It's the perfect one to pick up when that chill in the air comes around. No matter what specific vanilla you're looking for, we've put together our edit of the 16 best vanilla perfumes, according to our editors, below. If you’re new to the gourmand perfume world, consider this version from Le Labo. The main note is lavender, but combines with tonka and bergamot, it almost smells like a cup of tea with hints of wildflower honey. Vanille Antique is the fragrance equivalent of a dark bar, a stiff drink, and a good date. It’s sultry, and manages to pull off a heady mix of vanilla, woods, and musk without feeling too overpowering. Honey and warmed rum come together in this fragrance to create something deep, hypnotic, and alluring. A hint of vanilla bean and sandalwood adds just the right amount of complexity. For more than 150 years, Harper’s Bazaar has been the preeminent fashion and beauty resource for women at every age. The base of the fragrance is jojoba oil, which vanilla scented perfume is super moisturizing, and keeps the scent on your skin for longer. If you're looking for a scent that makes you feel like you're sitting next to a wood-burning fireplace dressed in silky pajamas and cozy slippers, this spritz is for you. If I had to pick the most popular vanilla perfume on this list, my choice would be this gem by Kayali. With a solid 139.6K favorites on sephora.com, I've also heard of its popularity among office conversations and within my circle of friends. I first bought this perfume my freshman year of high school (it was the it perfume back then!), and I have repurchased it every time I've run out ever since. It has a cool aesthetic that looks great on any vanity or countertop, and each spritz offers a mysterious aura that’s nothing short of inviting. Gourmand scents don’t have to just smell good enough to eat–they can smell good enough to drink, too. This cognac-inspired perfume not only contains hints of liquor, but the bottle is also reminiscent of your favorite cocktail glass. Inspired by Dior’s favourite dessert, this scent showcases orange zest, cocoa, and silky vanilla to create an ambery, gourmand delight. A spicy, smoky twist on bourbon vanilla, layered with incense, pink pepper, and vanilla scented perfume cypriol. Brooke Knappenberger tests and names Tom Ford Tobacco Vanille as the best luxury vanilla perfume. Brooke Knappenberger tests and names Kayali Vanilla 28 as the best overall vanilla perfume. Mugler’s Alien Goddess offers a decadent ambiance built around Madagascar vanilla. Vanilla as we know it is sweet, and often dessert-like—not so in this interpretation. Leaning more smoky and, as the name suggests, deep and dark, it has dimension and a unisex quality without abandoning vanilla altogether. Our mission at SheKnows is to empower and inspire women, and we only feature products we think you’ll love as much as we do. “Gourmand” literally translates into someone who loves to eat, but in the scent world, it means a fragrance that uses notes that smell like edible ingredients. Common perfumes like vanilla scents and citrus fragrances are all examples of gourmand perfumes, but vanilla scented perfume that doesn’t mean they're all sweet and dessert-like. Notes like cognac, matcha, and cardamon are also very common, and can result in a fresher, or more woodsy scent.
Category: Style & Fashion
Tag: vanilla scented perfume