“There is that classic, sweet vanillin scent and this is a synthetic vanilla that smells a lot like what we use in baking,” explains the expert. But, “if we look at a real vanilla absolute, this will actually have rich, leathery facets with chocolatey accents. Vanilla absolute is warm and enveloping, often described as having a rum-like quality,” Glyde continues. As mentioned above, this is a gourmand scent which features a trio of vanilla (see more) notes.
The vanilla in a great vanilla scented perfume can be detected right away, and it stays into the dry down. What I like best, however, is that the nutmeg starts shining through after a few minutes, and the orange blossom sort of brightens the entire fragrance up. According to Phlur, Perfumer Greg Husar created Solar Power to be inspired by the “diffusive glow of sunlight” by combining golden floral musk and citrus notes like orange flower and bergamot.
The viral perfume, Cloud, from Ariana Grande—which some have deemed the less expensive version of Baccarat Rouge 540—balances its v sweet and sugary notes with bursts of fresh fruit and musk. Now, keep reading for all the sweet perfumes that come in a range of scent profiles and notes for whichever mood you’re in. From my personal favorite Kilian Love Don’t Be Shy to Prada’s iconic Candy to new vanilla scented perfume brands you probably haven’t heard of yet, the 16 best sweet (~adult~) perfumes to try now.
It’s a sugary, warm perfume that opens with its signature vanilla cream notes. When it settles, it has subtle hints of brown sugar and caramel, which are then balanced with the sweet and musky smell of jasmine petals. You can’t beat the delicious, warm scent of vanilla for the cold winter months. I’m personally obsessed with delectable fragrance and can’t get enough of it. I already have a number of vanilla perfumes, and I’ll likely add some more to my growing collection before the season’s over. If you have a thing for sweet fragrances, too, I found a bunch of vanilla-scented products that you simply must have.
There’s Vanille Fatale, which is leathery with a hint of sweet, and Tobacco Vanille, originally on this list. However, after testing Vanilla Sex at a Sephora in Midtown for the best perfumes rreview, I knew it was the ultimate vanilla fragrance for fans of the designer. Packed with notes of pink sugar, this vanilla scent is on the sweeter side but still feels elegant and grown up thanks to notes of tonka bean, cedarwood and amber.
The vanilla and amber are beautifully balanced with fresh floral notes of tiger orchid and heliotrope alongside sweet notes of almond and brown sugar. All in all, Ambre Vanille is the kind of intimate, soft scent that will make anyone want to move closer to you. There’s a reason Diptyque perfumes are so popular among editors—each and every one exudes trust-fund energy and lasts all day long. As an ode to travel and vanilla, this scent combines the sugary sweetness of vanilla with spices and incense you would come across while traveling. As such, this fragrance has a subtle sweetness and warmth but is balanced with a spicy smokiness that makes it truly unisex.
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. Blended with baobab oil, this works to soften and scent the skin simultaneously.
Best Vanilla Perfumes Put a Cool Girl Spin on the Sweet Classic
The sweet yet sensual vanilla blend is then warmed by notes of sandalwood, tonka bean, and a bitter almond essence. It also features a secret combination of florals (that the brand is keeping a mystery) that offers a spicy, yet soft powdery finish. “Decide what level of sweetness you want with a vanilla fragrance and you’re off to a good start,” she tells Vogue. Whether you gravitate toward classic scents, gourmand concoctions, floral infusions, spicy interpretations, or musky undertones, vanilla adapts seamlessly to complement these notes. It’s for this very reason that it’s such an essential component in modern perfumery. Below, find the perfect vanilla-based scent for every personality and fragrance profile.
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Synthetic vanilla does a good job of capturing the sweetness of vanilla, but it definitely doesn’t have the same sophistication as a natural vanilla,’ reveals Michelle Feeney, founder of Floral Street. Each product in Lili Bermuda’s collection is a nod to the beautiful island it’s named after. My favorite is easily the Island Rose perfume, which smells like walking under swaying trees bearing delectable fruits like raspberry and orange.
This creates a richer, more nuanced scent profile that can make even budget fragrances smell more luxurious. Think of your skin as a vintage wine decanter—it brings out depths in the fragrance that younger skin cannot. It breaks my scent loving heart when I meet a woman who says she’s allergic to fragrance. Fortunately, The 7 Virtues’ Vanilla Woods Eau de Parfum is hypoallergenic.
It actually reminds me of a headier version of Bath & Body Works Warm Sugar Vanilla. If you weren’t aware, a lot of folks go for that sort of thing, according to Bettina O’Neill, Senior Vice President of Business Development, Mechandising, & Wholesale of Scentbird, the perfume subscription company. “Vanilla is highly recognizable in a scent, as it’s sweet, warm and rich and is usually used as a base note,” O’Neill said. It has a sexiness to it that smells like you might have just been in an Uber with a boyfriend whose scent subtly rubbed off on you.
From there, you dive further into the world of vanilla and figure out if you prefer something woody, gourmand, fresh, or spicy. Next, consider the weather, and the occasion you’ll be wearing your fragrance to, wether that’s during the day, for a date night or special occasion, Nwasike explains. While warmer months evoke more fruity, fresh notes, we also wear less layers, allowing direct skin-to-fragrance contact. Meanwhile, colder months call for more clothing layers, which may make you opt for a warmer, bolder scent that won’t easily fade. Vanilla Embers doesn’t immediately scream “vanilla” like most other vanilla perfumes, which I love.
It has musky undertones and an initial kick that you’ll either love or hate. ‘Its richness and complexity uncover layers of woody, spicy, smoky, and creamy notes, making it an endlessly fascinating ingredient for perfumers. The true artistry lies in bringing out these dimensions in a way that feels both authentic and refined. A high-quality vanilla fragrance maintains this natural depth without becoming too synthetic or overly sweet, preserving its elegant character,’ explains David Benedek, the founder of BDK Parfums. Unlike the super-sugary body mists of your youth, a proper sweet perfume consists of your OG notes (hi, vanilla, caramel, brown sugar) and is often balanced with deeper or fresher notes like fruits and musk. Well, its vanilla scent is far from basic, considering it’s a mix of vanilla CO2 and vanilla tincture India—an ingredient created specifically for this product, per the brand.
Experts say vanilla belongs to amber family of fragrances, but its influence has proven to stretch to chypre, floral and beyond. So yes, you will find vanilla fragrances with a multitude of faces, each promising to be as delicious as the next. With so many notes to round out a vanilla base, the key to choosing the perfect perfume is actually staring back at you in the mirror—you! As a starting point, Nwasike recommends deciding what level of sweetness you’re after.
Donna, the OG feminine eau de parfum, is lauded for its warm floral notes of sambac jasmine, cashmeran, and vanilla. Meanwhile, Uomo, the classic masculine version, can be described as woody and fresh, with a touch of florals—unexpected, yet addicting, boasting key notes of violet leaf, sage, and vetiver. For many years my signature scent was Dior Addict, which has bourbon vanilla absolute. I loved it because it wasn’t sugary but warm, spicy and with a touch of sweetness.
It’s vegan, cruelty-free, and made with sustainably sourced, fair-trade vanilla. 7 Virtues is known for its mission-driven approach, supporting communities and promoting transparency in beauty. Far from being a one-dimensional, saccharine note, vanilla is a sophisticated chameleon. In the hands of the right perfumers, it can be sculpted into myriad aromatic profiles, each offering a unique sensory journey. From seductively smoky to ethereal and velvety, vanilla scented perfume fragrances span a vast olfactory spectrum. Whether you’re a longtime vanilla lover or a sceptic just dipping your toe into the world of gourmand scents, these fragrances prove that vanilla is anything but boring.
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Yes, it has a gourmand base that sweetens any layering combo, but it also plays tug of war with its spicier notes. For those who prefer their vanilla wrapped in the warm embrace of tobacco, this Tom Ford creation remains unparalleled. Created by Olivier Gillotin, this fragrance is a masterclass in balance. The opening burst of spicy tobacco leaf and aromatic spices gives way to a heart of creamy tonka bean and vanilla, creating an effect that’s both cozy and sophisticated. This undeniably sexy fragrance promises to deliver “the ceaseless sugar high of youth”—and it absolutely does. Decadent notes of chocolate and cardamom layered with waffle cone packaged in a graphic vanilla scented perfume bottle, it’s the kind of scent you want to gatekeep, but you ended up gifting to your nearest and dearest.
Its top note is fruity apricot, which eventually gives way to jasmine, one of my favorite florals. The bottom notes are warm brown sugar and amber, which works together to create that vanilla-like note. It’s lovely, soft and just the thing I’d spritz myself to lift my spirits.
And if pistachio isn’t your thing, Kyse has a slew of tasty scents like Gateau de Carnaval (Carnival Cake) or Delizia di Marshmallow. “Spring fragrance notes are taking a fresh spin with the infusion of citrus forward scents,” says Levy. Lemon, orange, and grapefruit twists add levity to fragrances and give them a bright quality. In Glyde’s eyes, beauty is a source of joy and means of self-expression, which is why gourmand perfumes are proving popular. If you’ve ever had a loved one prepare you a meal or offer you a home-baked good, then you know the comfort of those delicious aromas,” Glyde explains.
Best Warm Phlur Perfume: Vanilla Skin
“Vanilla continues in so many ways,” says Linda Levy, president of The Fragrance Foundation. Think vanilla mixed with smoke, leather, and other surprising scent notes. For those already smitten with vanilla scents, “Morn to Dusk from Eau d’Italie is the next fragrance you need on your radar! It is everything you want from a vanilla while remaining delicate, sophisticated and timeless,” shares Glyde.
Best Warm Vanilla: D.S. & Durga Deep Dark Vanilla
Don’t get me wrong, the fragrance definitely lingers on the skin, but if you’re heading to dinner after work, I recommend popping the perfume in your bag for a quick top up in between plans. Fragrance brands are bottling the earthy scent into perfumes that are perfect for warmer days. Remember, true luxury is about finding what makes you feel confident and comfortable in your skin.
Beautycon is a global platform that brings together beauty enthusiasts, brands, and industry leaders to explore the latest trends, innovations, and conversations shaping the future of beauty. Phlur’s Vanilla Skin Perfume is also available in a travel size ($29), as well as in a Hair & Body Mist ($38, and as a set ($109) with the travel size and perfume. It’s lighter than I usually go for, which makes it a good perfume for the office.
This sequel to their cult classic, Glossier You, smells like a sophisticated birthday cake. It layers notes of buttercream, plum butter, and toasted almond on top of the same base notes as Glossier You. If you’ve ever wanted to play around with your fragrance, the time is now. These fragrances aren’t just for turning heads—they’re also endlessly wearable. New age vanilla scents aren’t sickly sweet or cloying like some of their older counterparts. Instead, next-gen vanilla scents are easy to wear, multifaceted, and interesting.
It’s the creamiest scent in my collection and an absolute team player. Combined with other scents, Amazing Grace subtly plays in the background, but its bergamot and lily of the valley notes sparkle through without being too overpowering. I have just about every Good Girl perfume in the Caroline Herrera range, but its newest iteration made me question the stars in my starting lineup. However, Herrera offers a grown-up version that marries vanilla’s sweetness with the creamy ylang-ylang and mandarin for a warm, inviting floral.
If creamy, warm gourmand fragrances are your calling, look no further than Phlur’s latest launch. It is laced with bright pink pepper, warm cashmere wood, sensual oud and of course the star of the show cosy vanilla for a lasting scent that is guaranteed to make heads turn. “Vanilla is a lot more nuanced and complex than most people realise,” explains Glyde.
“My advice is to be open to discovering a world of gourmands from some of the greatest perfumers in the world, you may be surprised at how nuanced modern gourmand fragrances have become,” encourages Glyde. And if you’re overwhelmed by options, it can also be helpful to think back to meaningful scent memories. It’s highly likely a perfumer has taken the aroma of that comfort food and utilised it in a scent composition that may feel both familiar and surprising! “Most gourmand notes are sweet, but they can also be watery, bitter, powdery or sour, just like food,” explains Glyde, who offers Ellis Brooklyn Salt Eau de Parfum as a savoury staple.
When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle in an effort to best serve you. We review ingredients, scrutinize brand claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. All products featured on Allure are independently selected by our editors. “Top notes, also known as head notes, are the first impression of a scent when you first apply it to your skin, this generally lasts anywhere from five to 15 minutes. Middle notes, also known as the heart of the fragrance, makes up most of the scent’s ingredients, can last anywhere from 2 to 4 hours.
By narrowing down the category you’re after, then you can determine what will work best for you. The best vanilla perfumes are wildly underrated in their versatility. In fact, vanilla fragrances often get a bad rap for being “too adolescent” or overly sweet—but before you write off vanilla entirely, it’s worth reconsidering its true potential. In fact, this fragrance category is more akin to a jack of all trades, offering a broad range of olfactory experiences that go far beyond what you might expect. As a true vanilla fragrance lover, I’m all about candied notes, but there’s a fine line between delicious and overwhelmingly sweet. Notes of vanilla and sugar crystals take precedence here, but they are thoughtfully balanced with the woodiness of sandalwood and the subtle spiciness of pink peppercorn.
This iconic scent has a floral feel thanks to notes of rose and jasmine but pleasingly dries down into a smooth, creamy Bourbon vanilla. Deep and sensual, sultry and sweet, Alien Goddess is unlike any other Mugler scent offering. The woody notes skip around the brighter earthy additions like bergamot and jasmine to create a warm blanket of youthful exuberance. There’s nothing wrong with smelling delectable, but sweet perfumes have received a mature update that’s inviting, seductive, and alluring enough to leave a trail behind. After perusing my own stash, I scoured the net to find the 15 best gourmand scents to add to your collection. For those looking for a fragrance that thinks outside of the box, this blend takes vanilla in a decidedly different direction.
