Best New Vanilla Scent
Snif Vanilla Vice
Best New Vanilla Scent
Snif Vanilla Vice
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.
Notes:
Ice cream, Madagascar vanilla, jasmine sambac, amberwood, musk, and orcanox
One satisfied customer writes:
"This is no ordinary vanilla. It’s rich and warm and mysteriously beautiful. My new favorite!" —Leslie
Best Not-Too-Sweet Vanilla Scent
DS & Durga Deep Dark Vanilla
Best Not-Too-Sweet Vanilla Scent
DS & Durga Deep Dark Vanilla
Credit: LITTLE WOLF COLLECTIVEPros
- Genderless
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.
Notes:
- Top: cabreuva, orchid, pink pepper
- Heart: vines, green vanilla leaves, cypress root
- Base: vanilla absolute, dark patchouli, hay
One satisfied customer writes:
"This is the most masculine vanilla scent I’ve ever put my nose on. It actually smells deep—low down and to the ground. It’s an incredibly earthy vanilla anchored by those hay and patchouli notes." —Stella
Best Spicy Vanilla Scent
Boy Smells Vanilla Era
Best Spicy Vanilla Scent
Boy Smells Vanilla Era
Pros
- Layered and dimensional
You don't have to be in your vanilla era to love this fragrance, which also has notes of black pepper, saffron, and coffee absolute for a rounded, warm experience.
Notes:
- Top: white tulip, black pepper, Madagascar frankincense, saffron
- Heart: cashmere wood iso e super, beetroot, black amber
- Base: vanilla absolute, coffee absolute, papyrus india
One satisfied customer writes:
"This perfume is like being wrapped in a sweet, warm and fragrant embrace. It turns heads and invites hugs!" —Cassandra
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Best to Wear at Night
Byredo Night Veil Vanielle Antique Extrait de Parfum
Best to Wear at Night
Byredo Night Veil Vanielle Antique Extrait de Parfum
Credit: NordstromIt's easy to see—or smell—why Byredo is so popular, and Vanille Antique, one of the brand's night veil scents, doesn't disappoint. You might be expecting something super sweet with opening notes like freesia and plum, but the heart and base notes of amber and cashmere woods add an Earthy sophistication.
Notes
- Top: Freesia, plum
- Heart: Amber, cashmere woods
- Base: Madagascar vanilla beans, cistus oil
One satisfied customer writes:
"I really, really, love this perfume. I adore the smell its a mixture of vanilla and has a musky undertone so its not too overwhelming or feminine. The perfume is a light and long lasting scent with absolutely gorgeous packaging and bottle that make it a beautiful piece even within itself —10/10 would recommend." —andy52
Best Citrus Vanilla Scent
Santa Maria Novella Vaniglia
Best Citrus Vanilla Scent
Santa Maria Novella Vaniglia
Credit: SmallflowerAccording to fragrance brand Santa Maria Novella, vanilla was actually thought of as an aphrodisiac in ancient times. Even so, the zippy lemon and bergamot, comforting jasmine, and grounding vanilla make it easy to fall in love with this fragrance.
Notes
- Top: Lemon, bergamot, orange
- Heart: Jasmine, vanilla
- Base: Vanilla, sweet woods, benzoin
Best Floral Vanilla
YSL Beauty Black Opium Eau de Parfum
Best Floral Vanilla
YSL Beauty Black Opium Eau de Parfum
Credit: SephoraPros
- Editor favorite
Though the name is Black Opium, this iconic fragrance is both sweet and warm thanks to notes of coffee, white flowers, and vanilla. It's the perfect one to pick up when that chill in the air comes around.
Notes
- Top: Coffee
- Heart: White flowers
- Base: Vanilla
One satisfied customer writes:
"This is the best perfume I have purchased! Perfect for many different occasions. Definitely recommend!!!" —hannah1999g
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Best Gourmand Vanilla
Dior Vanilla Diorama Fragrance
Best Gourmand Vanilla
Dior Vanilla Diorama Fragrance
Now 21% Off
Credit: DiorPros
- Smells good enough to eat
This fragrance is named after one of Christian Dior's favorite desserts, the Diorama Gourmand (details of the actual pastry are a mystery as there are no true records of it). But this fragrance interpretation is just as delicious as the mythical dessert, with nearly-edible notes of vanilla, cocoa, and orange wedge.
Notes
- Top: Vanilla
- Heart: Cocoa
- Base: Orange wedge
One satisfied customer writes:
"The fragrance is lovely, with a unique mix of florals and vanilla that offers a deepness to it." —Jenny
Best Celebrity-Approved Vanilla
Mugler Alien Goddess Eau de Parfum
Best Celebrity-Approved Vanilla
Mugler Alien Goddess Eau de Parfum
Credit: SephoraPros
- Soft and warm
Bergamot and heart of jasmine are grounded by bourbon vanilla to create a warm yet floral scent you'll want to wear every day.
Notes
- Top: Bergamot essence
- Heart: Jasmine grandiflorum
- Base: Bourbon vanilla
One satisfied customer writes:
"This is by far my favorite perfume of all time. It smells of vanilla and coconut and is king lasting." —amandajo45
Best Nostaglic Vanilla
By Rosie Jane Dulce Eau de Parfum
Best Nostaglic Vanilla
By Rosie Jane Dulce Eau de Parfum
Credit: by Rosie JanePros
- Carbon neutral
Fragrance has a way of bringing back memories, and this scent is all about reminiscing on all of the sweetness life has to offer. Tip: Because the formula is clean, spritz all over instead of rubbing or dabbing into skin.
Notes
- Top: vanilla
- Heart: hinoki wood
- Base: nude musk
One satisfied customer writes:
"This scent is beautiful, feminine and airy! Every time I wear it, I get loads of compliments. I've been on the search for the perfect vanilla and always came up short until Dulce was released. It is now a signature scent for me, and I hope Rosie Jane never retires it." —Ashlyn
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Best Scent for Layering
Heretic Dirty Vanilla Eau de Parfum
Best Scent for Layering
Heretic Dirty Vanilla Eau de Parfum
Credit: BluemercuryPros
- Clean formula
Vanilla is the heart of this fragrance, blending a mix of both sweet and spicy as well as warm and woody to make an elevated vanilla scent. They call it dirty, we call it delicious.
Notes
- Top: cedar, coriander
- Heart: vanilla
- Base: patchouli, sandalwood, styrax, vetiver
Best Barely-There Vanilla
Chanel Paris-Venise Les Eaux de Chanel Eau de Toilette Spray
Best Barely-There Vanilla
Chanel Paris-Venise Les Eaux de Chanel Eau de Toilette Spray
Credit: ChanelPros
- Gorgeous bottle
This fragrance is meant to evoke a sense of comfort. In fact, it was inspired by Venice, one of the cities Gabrielle Chanel fell in love with after the death of her lover, Boy Capel. Think of it as a fresh vanilla hug.
Notes
- Top: Neroli,
- Heart: Amber, vanilla
- Base: Tonka
Best Modern Vanilla
Jo Malone Vanilla & Anise Cologne
Best Modern Vanilla
Jo Malone Vanilla & Anise Cologne
Now 39% Off
Credit: Jo MalonePros
- Makes a great gift
Hints of anise and clove add spiciness to the purple vanilla orchid notes in this cologne. It's meant to be a "modern story of vanilla."
Notes
- Top: star anise
- Heart: purple vanilla orchid
- Base: vanilla bourbon
One satisfied customer writes:
"This fragrance is absolute gorgeous. It's fresh and clean which is great for summer and spring. The wood notes are warm but not in an ambery way. It's a fantastic gender neutral fragrance. I found it to last fairly well. I purchased it as part of the discovery kit. The price point is high but with a sale it would be worth it." —Shrike
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Best Musky Vanilla
Ellis Brooklyn Vanilla Milk Eau de Parfum
Best Musky Vanilla
Ellis Brooklyn Vanilla Milk Eau de Parfum
Credit: SephoraPros
- Biodegradable
This perfume does double duty with vanilla using both bourbon vanilla bean and Madagascar vanilla bean extract with a touch of florals. The best part? It's designed to get better with your body's heat and chemistry.
Notes
- Top: creamy milk accord, frangipani, peony rose
- Heart: bourbon vanilla bean, Madagascar vanilla bean extract, upcycled cocoa shell extract
- Base: benzoin resinoid, amyris, sandalwood, musk
One satisfied customer writes:
"I’m literally just leaving the store after I randomly sprayed it on myself. I am in love. I came straight here to post a review LOL. For all my people who don’t like that child-like, dessert type vanilla smell, this scent is for you!" —Kenzie87
Best Spicy Vanilla
Diptyque Eau Duelle Eau de Toilette
Best Spicy Vanilla
Diptyque Eau Duelle Eau de Toilette
Credit: BluemercuryPros
- Long-lasting
The sweetness of bourbon vanilla is accompanied by pink peppercorn, cardamom, and vetiver to add a warm spiciness to this take on a vanilla fragrance.
Notes
- Top: Pink peppercorn, juniper berry
- Heart: Green cardamom, black ceylon tea
- Base: Bourbon vanilla, Haitian vetiver
One satisfied customer writes:
"This is quickly becoming my favorite scent. It is a spicy and sophisticated vanilla. It also lasts a long time. I spray on in the morning and can still smell at the end of the day. I will always repurchase!" —caseym55
Best Clean Vanilla
Henry Rose Dark is Night Eau de Parfum
Best Clean Vanilla
Henry Rose Dark is Night Eau de Parfum
Credit: NordstromPros
- Features ingredient transparency
While the initial notes exude freshness, once this scent dries down the patchouli and vanilla come out to play. The result is a sensual, skin-like warmth.
Notes
- Top: green grass
- Heart: vetiver, freesia
- Base: patchouli, vanilla bean
One satisfied customer writes:
"Dark is Night is a gorgeous fragrance for any season." —wolff 1999
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