10 Best Vanilla Perfumes for a Fresh Take on a Classic Note
Vanilla is like the cashmere sweater of fragrance notes: warm, cozy, and toasty, so of course, the best vanilla perfumes are regulars in our fragrance rotations. "It’s strongly linked to our memories and a signal for pleasure—it’s hard not to feel happy when you smell it," Meabh McCurtin, a perfumer at International Flavors & Fragrances, simply put it. These days, however, we’re not referring to the overly sweet, ultra-gourmand body sprays of yesteryear (no shade, we’re still a fan of those), but sophisticated, grown-up takes on the classic note. Thanks to earthy, woodsy aromas, spicy kicks of pink pepper, or bright bursts of orange zest, many of our favorite vanillas offer more than meets the…sweet tooth. Keep reading to find mouth-watering scents that are sure to become your new signatures.
Our Top Picks
- Best Overall: Chanel N°5 Eau de Parfum, $176
- Best Creamy Vanilla: Octavia Morgan Los Angeles Vanillin Supreme Eau de Parfum, $150
- Best Beachy Vanilla: Ellis Brooklyn Vanilla Salt Eau de Parfum, $115
- Best Sweet Vanilla: Laura Mercier Vanille Eau de Parfum, $96
- Best Vanilla Perfume Oil: Cyklar Perfume Oil in Vanilla, $24
- Best Toasted Vanilla: D.S. & Durga Deep Dark Vanilla Eau de Parfum, $210
- Best Tobacco Vanilla: Victoria Beckham 21:50 Reverie Eau De Parfum, $200
- Best Citrus Vanilla: Liis Choux Choux, $175
- Best Vanilla Fragrance Mist: Phlur Vanilla Skin Hair & Body Fragrance Mist, $38
- Best Classic Vanilla: Tom Ford Vanilla Sex Eau de Parfum, $225
Best Overall: Chanel N°5 Eau de Parfum
Why it's worth it: You can't deny an icon. Chanel’s N°5 Eau de Parfum has been capturing hearts (and noses) since 1986—and even earlier, if you count the original scent that launched in 1921. Base notes of rose and jasmine give this fragrance a floral feel upfront, but as it dries down, the top citrus notes transform into a blend of smooth, creamy Bourbon vanilla and powdery, soapy aldehyde that hits all of our favorite fragrance bases.
Tester feedback from features director Dianna Mazzone Singh
“Classics are classics for a reason, and if you've never smelled Chanel N°5... well, I'm actually jealous that you get to experience this beautifully-balanced blend of jasmine and sandalwood for the first time.” —Dianna Mazzone Singh, features director
More to know
- Key notes: bourbon vanilla, May rose, jasmine, neroli
- Sizes: 1.2 oz, 1.7 oz, 3.4 oz, 6.8 oz
Best Beachy Vanilla: Ellis Brooklyn Vanilla Salt Eau de Parfum
Why it’s worth it: Summer might be winding down, but Ellis Brooklyn’s Vanilla Salt keeps the sun-soaked memories alive long after sweater weather sets in. Vanilla comes through right away, but not in a cupcake shop kind of way: Think mineral and sea salt on top, a splash of desert water, then a swirl of jasmine and whipped cream. Vanilla and musk linger in the base for a soft, skin-like finish—rather than syrupy and overly sweet. This is just the latest EB scent we're obsessed with—and we have the receipts to prove it.
Tester feedback from commerce editor Sarah Han
“I'm not what you'd call a gourmand girlie—they tend to be too sweet for my floral/citrus leaning preferences, but Vanilla Salt has just enough vanilla that sits well with me, instead of feeling like I've walked into a cloud of cotton candy. I also like beachy scents but not the actual beach (lol), so I also really vibe with the sea salt and mineral accord notes—these are the kind of notes that transport me to a happy place. Vanilla Salt is a unique one in my collection but I can see it having very wid appeal. It's dreamy, yet grounding. Everytime I take a whiff of my wrists (which is a lot), I feel my anxiety slip away—even just a little.” —Sarah Han, commerce editor
More to know
- Key notes: mineral accord, sea salt accord, desert water, jasmine, whipped cream, vanilla Madagascar absolute
- Sizes: 10 ml, 50 ml
Best Creamy Vanilla: Octavia Morgan Los Angeles Vanillin Supreme Eau de Parfum
Why it’s worth it: Octavia Morgan’s Vanillin Supreme is an energizing fragrance that’s anything but staid—it’s made for those who want a scent that’s sweet and elegant, but still makes an impact. Top notes of spicy rum, sweet vanilla, and earthy sandalwood combine to create a hint of woodsiness that calms down as it dries, transforming into a blend of jasmine, rose, and cocoa. As it settles onto your skin, you’ll notice hints of bright orange and elemi, which is often described as lemony.
Tester feedback from social media manager Bianca Richards
“I am expanding my gourmand scent palette, and this latest addition to my stash is getting me super excited for fall! It has deeper, richer notes of rum, cocoa, sandalwood, and true Madagascar vanilla, making it the perfect choice to cozy up with a glass of wine and my go-to mystery novel.” —Bianca Richards, social media manager
More to know
- Key notes: rum, vanilla, sandalwood, jasmine, rose, cocoa, elemi, orange
- Sizes: 50 ml
Best Sweet Vanilla: Laura Mercier Eau de Parfum in Vanille
Why it’s worth it: If you want to go all-in on smelling like a vanilla cupcake, spritz the Laura Mercier Vanille perfume on yourself, and indulge in the sugar rush. The beauty of this scent is that it has so much more to offer than sweet, warm vanilla (although it is definitely the star note): Think daylily, sandalwood, and amber for a balanced, multifaceted scent that lingers all day. (We recommend you spray lightly!)
Tester feedback from commerce writer Lily Wohlner
“I have been wearing this scent since high school, and it still makes me feel so girly like it did in the good old days (I admittedly have the same bottle in the OG packaging, since just two spritzes is enough to last the entire day). It smells so clean and fresh with the sandalwood and amber, but the layers of vanilla—there’s bourbon vanilla, vanilla orchid, vanilla liquor, and vanilla musk—give it that intoxicatingly sweet smell that I obviously can’t get enough of. It’s so nostalgic and comforting.”—Lily Wohlner, commerce writer
More to know
- Key notes: vanilla orchid, vanilla liqueur, vanilla musk, heliotrope, daylily, bourbon vanilla, sandalwood, amber
- Sizes: 50 ml
Best Vanilla Perfume Oil: Cyklar Perfume Oil in Vanilla Verve
Why it’s worth it: Nothing says fall quite like a warm scent with a touch of sweetness, and that’s exactly what we’re picking up with Cyklar’s Perfume Oil in Vanilla Verve. Fresh bergamot and green cardamom keep it crisp, while tonka bean, amber, and musk melt into lingering notes of vanilla, heliotrope, and ambrette seed. Some of our editors even treat it as a base for perfume cocktailing.
Tester feedback from shopping director Shanna Shipin
“Cyklar's oil goes everywhere with me. It’s a grown-up vanilla that's equal parts mysterious and comforting, with some green notes to keep things fresh.”—Shanna Shipin, shopping director
More to know
- Key notes: bergamot, green cardamom, vanilla, heliotrope, ambrette seed, amber, musk
- Sizes: 15 ml
Best Toasted Vanilla: D.S. & Durga Deep Dark Vanilla Eau de Parfum
Why it's worth it: D.S. & Durga’s Deep Dark Vanilla Eau de Parfum is an aromatic tribute to vanilla’s moodier side, highlighting the note’s underlying smokiness that’s usually masked by its hyper-sweetness. This toasty perfume intensifies a rich vanilla fragrance profile—count the types: vanilla derived from cold CO2 extraction, vanilla tincture from India, a liqueur-y vanilla absolute, and an ultra-vanille accord—with spicy pink pepper, patchouli, and green vanilla leaves, which have an earthier scent than the typical beans.
Tester feedback from content director Kara McGrath
“This really smells like the pure vanilla extract you'd use to make cookies: It's not sweet, exactly, but rather rich and smoky and warm. I love wearing it when I go out to dinner because I think the gourmand fragrance complements the scent of a nice meal, rather than competing with it.”—Kara McGrath, content director
More to know
- Key notes: vanilla absolute, green vanilla leaves, orchid, pink pepper, dark patchouli, hay
- Sizes: 50 ml, 100 ml
Best Tobacco Vanilla: Victoria Beckham Beauty 21:50 Rêverie Eau De Parfum
Why it's worth it: Victoria Beckham’s 21:50 Reverie Eau De Parfum isn’t the sugary vanilla you used to douse yourself with in high school. Instead, this scent utilizes raw vanilla to harness all of its warm, smoky, and spicy facets, which are heightened by its tobacco leaf top note and juicy, bitter plum heart. Notes of tonka bean and cedarwood intensify the warmth of this perfume’s vanilla base for a scent that’s more sultry than sweet.
Tester feedback from former special projects manager Talia Gutierrez
“Chances are, I'm probably wearing a vanilla fragrance. This is more of a wintery vibe, as it features cedarwood with a vanilla base, which is exactly what this fragrance encapsulates. I'll admit, the chic forest green and gold bottle caught my eye at first, but the scent alone is well worth the splurge.”—Talia Guitierrez, former special projects manager
More to know
- Key notes: vanilla, tobacco leaves, plum, tonka beans, cedarwood
- Sizes: 50 ml, 100 ml
Best to Gift: Liis Choux Choux Eau de Parfum
Why it's worth it: Embrace your sweet side with Liis’s Choux Choux Eau de Parfum, a dessert-inspired fragrance laced with olfactory sweet treats like fresh cream, cocoa, and, of course, vanilla beans. This scent’s warmth and sweetness are intensified with dashes of sandalwood, mocha, and fleur de sel caramel, a chocolate-covered salted caramel that’s as delicious as it sounds (and smells). And this packaging? The perfect addition to any vanity.
Tester feedback from former senior beauty editor Paige Stables
"Much like choux à la crème—the delicious French pastry that inspired this fragrance—this Liis bottle is filled with a creamy, vanilla treat. It smells sweet (but not too sweet thanks to a splash of citrus) and warm and delicious...and I will be wearing this cozy scent all winter long.”—Paige Stables, former senior beauty editor
More to know
- Notes: vanilla beans, citrus peel, cocoa, sandalwood, mocha, fresh cream, fleur de sel caramel
- Sizes: 50 ml
Best Vanilla Fragrance Mist: Phlur Vanilla Skin Hair & Body Fragrance Mist
Why it's worth it: Shocker: The standout note of Phlur’s Vanilla Skin Hair & Body Fragrance Mist is vanilla, but what makes this 2024 Best of Beauty winner special are the additions that elevate its sweet, warm base. Hints of pink pepper, pink apple, lily, jasmine petals, sandalwood, and cashmere wood peek through for added depth and intrigue. “It's not for the faint of heart,” Chriselle Lim, founder of Phlur, previously told Allure. “We wanted to make sure that it was paired with some unexpected notes to add more depth to a universally loved scent.”
Tester feedback from social director Kassidy Silva
“Phlur's Vanilla Skin is nearly good enough to eat. The creamy blend of vanilla, pink pepper, and sandalwood notes makes this fragrance truly delectable and a staple to wear through any season.”—Kassidy Silva, social media director
More to know
- Notes: vanilla, sandalwood, pink pepper, pink apple, lily, jasmine, cashmere wood
- Sizes: 8 oz
Best Classic Vanilla: Tom Ford Vanilla Sex Eau de Parfum
Why it's worth it: If you want vanilla that’s sweet, spicy, and unapologetically extra, Tom Ford’s Vanilla Sex Eau de Parfum has your name on it. A decadent duo of vanilla absolute and sandalwood feels like a loved one has wrapped you in a warm hug. Once its drydown begins, a savory, bitter bite of almond essence cuts through to leave your senses (and possibly your date’s) swirling.
Tester feedback from former commerce writer Jennifer Hussein
“My fragrances always lean spicy and warm, but when I want to smell a little sweeter—say, for a date night—Tom Ford’s Vanilla Sex is what I spray on. This scent is as truly vanilla as you can find, which makes it the perfect base for layering with other scents.”—Jennifer Hussein, former commerce writer
More to know
- Notes: vanilla absolute, vanilla tincture, sandalwood, tonka bean, amber
- Sizes: 1 oz, 1.7 oz
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