17 Best Vanilla Perfumes With a Sweet (but Elevated) Scent
Grown-up takes on gourmand, according to an editor who has tried hundreds.
Fragrance is incredibly personal; I don't expect my list of the best perfumes to be the same as yours. For instance, many of my favorite scents make me smell like a freshly baked cookie personified. I'm partial to the best gourmand perfumes, but thankfully, 2024’s roster of the best vanilla scents is more grown up than the overwhelmingly sugary body sprays from middle school.
The warm and comforting smell is commonly blended with other, more sophisticated notes—not just sweet ones. These scents have matured. "Vanilla is an incredibly versatile ingredient, and there are so many fragrance compositions that can be made with it to give it a unique personality," explains Faye Harris, Co-Founder and CMO of the eco-conscious luxury fragrance brand Eauso Vert.
This unique personality is part of the reason vanilla fragrances have gained popularity online over the last few years. Fragrance influencer Olivia VanDerMillen, a.k.a. @oliviaolfactory on Instagram, agrees. "It can be creamy, fresh, smoky, floral, even earthy like a mushroom at times," she tells Marie Claire. "I believe there’s a vanilla for everyone." Case in point: some of the options on this list are refreshingly lightweight scents that can be worn daily. Others are long-lasting perfumes perfect for the office, not just date night.
As a vanilla perfume fan, I made it my mission to find the best vanilla perfumes on the market. Ahead, you'll find reviews of a few of my all-time favorite scents, plus a few selects from experts and fellow Marie Claire editors. Whether you're looking for a floral fragrance for summer or a warm perfume for winter, it's all here.
The Best Vanilla Perfumes
- Best Overall Vanilla Perfume: Kayali Vanilla 28
- Best Luxury Vanilla Perfume: Tom Ford Tobacco Vanille
- Best Budget Vanilla Perfume: Billie Eilish Eilish Eau De Parfum
- Best Woody Vanilla Perfume: The 7 Virtues Vanilla Woods Eau de Parfum
- Best Spicy Vanilla Perfume: Henry Rose Torn Eau de Parfum
- Best Unisex Vanilla Perfume: Jo Malone London Vetiver & Golden Vanilla Cologne Intense
Best Overall Vanilla Perfume
If you're a vanilla lover, this perfume is for you. I like to think of this as a grown-up, more nuanced version of the sugary sweet scents 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.
What We Love: A true vanilla; great for any occasion; sweet but not intense; warm amber dry down
What We Don't: Dark-tinted liquid may stain clothes
Notes: Vanilla orchids, tonka absolute, amber woods
Customer review: "This is the perfect vanilla scent I have been looking for. It's warm and full without being overpowering. It seems to last most of the day if not all day." — Sephora
Best Luxury Vanilla Perfume
I've tried my fair share of perfumes over the years, but Tom Ford perfumes are the only ones that are consistently complex, unique, and downright luxurious. One of the brand's most famous scents, Tobacco Vanille, is an acquired taste—and that is exactly why I love it. Don't be thrown off by the tobacco note; I find its smokey spiciness pairs beautifully with the vanilla and ginger. Every time I wear it, I'm transported to a cozy cabin in the woods where I'm snuggled up by the fireplace. It's warm, woody, spicy, slightly sweet, and strong. It's a true fall fragrance I plan on wearing on every cold day.
What We Love: Unique, layered scent; very long-lasting; sophisticated; great for fall and winter
What We Don't: May not be suitable for summer
Notes: Tobacco leaf, ginger, tonka bean, vanilla, cocoa, dry fruit accords, sweet wood sap
Customer review: "Very good scent. I will say it does take some getting used to bc of the combination of Tabacco and vanilla but after a minute of wearing it. It’s very good and strong. The packaging is also great as magnetic so the cap doesn’t just get lost. I believe it’s a great value for the money. I feel very chic when I wear it." — Neiman Marcus
Best Affordable Vanilla Perfume
Housed inside this beautiful sculptural bottle is a vanilla fragrance that's reminiscent of a fruit cake. The combination of vanilla and red berries is simply delicious and balances the sweetness. Don't get me wrong—this scent is sweet (how could it not be with sugared petals as a keynote?), but not in a cloying way. After it settles for a bit, it feels warm and cozy like a hug. This delectable scent is also under $100 a bottle, making it a winner.
What We Love: Not overly sweet; great value; elaborate packaging; suitable in any season
What We Don't: Bottle isn't very functional
Notes: Sugared petals, mandarin, red berries, vanilla, cocoa, warm musk, tonka bean
Customer review: "Such a nice vanilla scent that isnt too overbearing or overwhelming! super nice to layer with other vanilla scents and lasts for a few hours" — Ulta
Best Woody Vanilla Perfume
Vanilla Woods is one of the most complex fragrances in my collection. Hands down. It starts with a strong sweetness dose with base notes of Madagascar vanilla, gourmand caramel, and woody amber. Its pear and rose notes rise to the surface within minutes, resulting in an intoxicating fragrance. I can personally attest that this fragrance brings a sense of comfort and calmness whenever I wear it. If you change your perfumes with the season, I recommend this one for winter as it's warm and soothing.
What We Love: Has aromatherapy benefits; hypoallergenic and cruelty-free; warm, woody dry down
What We Don't: Doesn't last all day
Notes: Pear, rose, vanilla, amber, caramel
Customer review: "This has become one of my all-time favorite scents. It has this sweet vanilla cotton candy vibe that is balanced out by the woodiness. I love it and my boyfriend does too. super long-lasting. 10/10 highly highly recommend. I hope they never stop making this." — Sephora
Best Spicy Vanilla Perfume
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. With hints of musk, sandalwood, and violet, this fragrance is 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. Another huge draw to Henry Rose perfumes, besides their unbelievable scents, is their commitment to sustainability and transparency.
What We Love: Not overly sweet; leans a bit more masculine that's still warm and sweet; very long-lasting; smells different on everyone
What We Don't: Spicy notes are a little strong at first
Notes: Freesia, violet, jasmine, sandalwood, musk, patchouli, vanilla bean, praline
Customer review: "This perfume is simply amazing! The vanilla scent is so unique and unlike anything I have ever smelled before. The fragrance lasts all day long, and even after several hours, it is still noticeable. I would highly recommend this product to anyone who wants a distinct and long-lasting fragrance that is sure to turn heads." — Henry Rose
Best Unisex Vanilla Perfume
As VanDerMillen mentioned, vanilla can have an earthy feel, and that's certainly what you get with this Jo Malone perfume. The earthy woodiness of vetiver grounds the creamy warmth of vanilla to create a not-too-sweet fragrance that's intoxicating. As MC's Art Director Brittany Holloway Brown puts it, the combination is a "match made in heaven." Adding cardamom, lavender, and sage gives it even more of a grounding feel. Personally, I would find this scent irresistible on a man, but I also love wearing it myself whenever I want a little something different. I even had someone compliment my perfume on the subway while wearing this, so it'll always be a standout in my collection.
What We Love: A true unisex fragrance; earthy notes balance the sweetness of vanilla; very long-lasting
What We Don't: Some may find it too masculine
Notes: Cardamom, vetiver, lavender, clary sage, vanilla bourbon
Customer review: "If you like Myrrh & Tonka you will love this. It's warm and spicy and really strong. It dries down to a velvety smooth scent that lasts all day. It smells quite masculine to me but I like that. It smells divine, I'd love for more products in this scent too please." — Nordstrom
Also Recommended
Best Floral Vanilla Perfume
Vanilla Embers doesn't immediately scream "vanilla" like most other vanilla perfumes, which I love. It still makes you feel warm and swaddled, though. Its creamy vanilla bean base note perfectly contrasts with intoxicating orangeflower, jasmine, and spicy cardamom, resulting in a floral, woody, and sweet fragrance.
What We Love: Beautiful combination of sweet, woody, and floral notes; long-lasting; warm, comforting dry down
What We Don't: May not be sweet enough for those wanting a traditional vanilla perfume
Notes: Cardamom, jasmine, Moroccan orangeflower, sandalwood, vanilla beam
Best Tropical Vanilla Perfume
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. This bottle will last you forever, too, as you only need two drops for a long-lasting scent.
What We Love: Great to layer with; moisturizes skin; warm, tropical take on vanilla; bottle will last a long time; easy to apply
What We Don't: Takes a few seconds to absorb into the skin
Notes: Madagascar vanilla bean, vanilla orchid, coconut
Customer review: "Love this fragrance!! It’s so beautiful! The coconut hints are my favorite part but the spicy/musky side give the fragrance so much dimension! This is not a basic vanilla scent! A little goes a long way too, I use two small drops on my wrist and pat any excess in my neck!" — Sephora
Best Amber Vanilla Perfume
Amber pairs exceptionally well with vanilla, as this fragrance clearly demonstrates. The two star notes in this Eau de Parfum from Laura Mercier combine in a scent that feels like a warm hug from your mom. 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.
What We Love: Light perfume lends itself to layering; not overpowering; warm, comforting dry down
What We Don't: Doesn't have much projection
Notes: Amber, vanilla, tiger orchid, heliotrope, almond, brown sugar, coconut, sandalwood
Customer review: "I have been on the hunt for a simple yet realistic vanilla, this is by far my absolute favorite. It is very cozy, warm, perfect for autumn and winter months. A lot of brands overcomplicate vanilla scents but this is absolute perfection. I find that it lasts more than 8 hours without the need to reapply." — Nordstrom
Best Gourmand Vanilla Perfume
Do you know the delicious milk left in a cereal bowl? Well, that's exactly what this perfume smells like, in the best way possible. Just like the name suggests, the fragrance smells shockingly close to sweet milk. However, after it dries down and into a few hours of wear, this perfume transforms into more of a light, creamy smell reminiscent of chocolate chip cookie dough (it does have notes of cocoa shell, after all). While this scent is deliciously sweet, don't get it confused with the saccharine scents of the 2000s. Vanilla Milk is balanced and delectable thanks to a touch of florals.
What We Love: More suited for those who love sweet gourmands; long-lasting; milk accord provides uniqueness
What We Don't: May be cloying for some
Notes: Milk accord, frangipani, bourbon vanilla bean extract, upcycled cocoa shell extract, benzoin resinoid, amyris, sandalwood, musk
Customer review: "This is a beautiful scent, I have worn it for several days now and I have not tired of it at all. It lasts so long and has such a deep, beautiful and sexy vibe. I have been searching for so long for a special Vanilla scent and this is it!" — Ulta
Best Fresh Vanilla Perfume
Juliette Has a Gun is a cult-favorite fragrance brand for a reason—every one of their perfumes is incredible, including their take on vanilla. While most vanilla perfumes fall in the warm fragrance category, this one smells much more clean and fresh, giving it a totally different vibe than what you're used to with vanilla fragrance. Vanilla Vibes pairs natural vanilla with sea salt and sandalwood for an elegant and distinct perfume. This would be an excellent summer perfume, and the bottle would look so pretty on your vanity.
What We Love: A vanilla fragrance for those who love fresh scents; not overly sweet
What We Don't: May be too tropical for every season
Notes: Sea salt, natural vanilla absolute, orchid absolute, absolute brown musk, bezoin absolute, sandalwood, tonka bean
Customer review: "This is everything I’ve ever wanted a summer fragrance to be. It’s airy, sweet, and it gives sexy energy for hours on end. I get tons of compliments on this, and everything about it feels lux! 100/10!" — Sephora
Best Vanilla Perfume for Summer
Plenty of vanilla perfumes can read sugary sweet, which can be headache-inducing for some people. If you tend to stay far away from sweet gourmands, this may be the vanilla perfume for you. With vanilla as a base layer, you get just a touch of sweet warmth. However, it's the minerality and freshness of the salt and floral notes that make this fragrance something I could wear every day. I find it versatile enough for any occasion in any season, but Marie Claire's Beauty Editor, Samantha Holender, specifically names it as one of the best perfumes for summer, adding she's "delighted by the crisp and clean composition."
What We Love: Gorgeous packaging; Not overly sweet; great for any occasion; crisp notes
What We Don't: May be too fresh for true vanilla lovers
Notes: Salt accord, cardamom, magnolia flower, orris, vanilla, matcha
Customer review: "I know when people say 'I got so many compliments!' and you roll your eyes, because you know they are lying. Well, I legitimately received 8 compliments in a day, with one friend texting me later begging for the name! This is fresh, salty, cozy and just the slightest bit tropical vanilla. Not heavy or food like, but breezy and soft with subtle spice. Projects really well without being annoying and lasts ALL DAY" — Sephora
Best Vanilla Perfume for Special Occasions
An oldie but a goodie, YSL's Black Opium is a classic perfume for a reason. Coffee and florals don't exactly sound like a great pairing, but I'm here to assure you that it works. The coffee note adds a dark, seductive punch to the classic white floral notes, while warm vanilla is at the base of it all. I feel my most feminine, confident self when I'm wearing this perfume, which is why I wear it on all of my date nights and special occasions.
What We Love: Seductive and sexy; a cult-favorite feminine perfume; coffee note provides uniqueness to florals; warm, long-lasting dry down
What We Don't: May be too dark and sensual for daytime wear
Notes: Coffee, white flowers, vanilla
Customer review: "Oh my goodness, I swear this is my all time favorite perfume. It is so intoxicating. I took one whiff and fell in love. It perfectly balances warm, sweet, floral, and spicy. It is feminine and perfect for many occasions. Overall, it is just an amazing fragrance." — Ulta
Best Vanille Eau de Toilette
Maybe you want to dip your toes into the world of vanilla fragrances or maybe you're looking for a lighter scent. In either case, VanDerMillen recommends this affordable eau de toilette. "It’s straightforward, sweet, and bold," she says. "It might even be too much for some, but I chased a woman down at a restaurant to ask what she was wearing." Think of it as a classic warm vanilla scent, with a subtle spiciness and powdery dry down. Also, how gorgeous is this vintage-inspired bottle?
What We Love: A true vanilla scent; warm, powdery dry down; great for those who prefer lighter scents
What We Don't: Not long-lasting
Notes: Vanilla, brown sugar
Customer review: "I just bought my 4th bottle of this. So affordable and good for the price. I find this pairs well with other sprays too, but I smell this in my hair a day or two later so this def stays, at least in my hair and on clothing. 10/10 love it" — Anthropologie
Best Long-Lasting Vanilla Perfume
While Marie Claire's Beauty Editor Samantha Holender loves a vanilla scent, she can't stand smelling too similar to a baked treat. Instead, she prefers a juxtaposition of sweetness with airy or woody notes. "That's exactly what I get with Dior," she says. "It's warm and inviting but still soft, mature, and approachable." Legend has it that the famous Parisian restaurant Maxim's created a special dessert just for Christian Dior, prompting Dior to release later this fragrance inspired by the treat.
What We Love: A unique, mature vanilla gourmand; not overly sweet; balanced with spicy and woody notes; very long-wearing; one to two sprays are all you need, so bottle will last you a long time
What We Don't: May be too strong for some
Notes: Orange, pink pepper, run, cacao, cardamom, bourbon vanilla, sandalwood, patchouli
Customer review: "The Vanilla Diorama is a beautiful scent that lasts incredibly long. The size of the bottle was surprisingly larger than I was expecting. I love that the scent is strong but it doesn't overpower the room. You only need one spray on your body. I think bottle will last me for a while." — Dior
Best Sweet Vanilla Perfume
As a true vanilla fragrance lover, I'm all about candied notes, but there's a fine line between delicious and overwhelmingly sweet. Phlur's Vanilla Skin strikes the perfect balance. 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. I find it equally comforting, playful, and nostalgic—like my old favorite vanilla body sprays but all grown up.
What We Love: A true vanilla scent; woody notes balance sweetness; great for every season; warm, comforting dry down
What We Don't: May be cloying for some
Notes: Sugar crystals, cashmere wood, vanilla
Customer review: "Omg this smells sooooo darn good!!! I am into smoky woody vanillas and this is right up my alley! It performs exactly like the body spray but with more projection and longevity!!!! I can see myself getting a backup" — Sephora
Best New Vanilla Perfume
Another favorite fragrance of VanDerMillen's is this classic designer pick, which just got a new, more intense version. She explains, "It utilizes many different forms of vanilla, creating a sweet yet robust vanilla with a kick of ginger and a soft herbal touch of lavender." The intense version contains all of the same notes as the original but includes an additional fourth vanilla, vanilla wood, plus patchouli. The end result is warm, rich, and incredibly long-wearing. Despite its four vanilla notes, this fragrance isn't overly sweet, but rather mature and balanced—everything I want a vanilla fragrance to be.
What We Love: Very long-wearing; a true vanilla scent; not overly sweet; has a nostalgic feel; luxurious packaging
What We Don't: May be too strong for some
Notes: Vanilla infusion, vanilla caviar, vanilla absolute, vanilla wood, lavender essence, patchouli
Customer review: "Honestly I'd say it's better than the OG!! The intense adds a beautiful stronger lavender note, lasts so much longer, I highly recommend this if you love lavender and vanilla together, it's so beautifully done!" — Ulta
What to Look For in Vanilla Perfume
- Complementary Fragrance Notes
Long gone are the days when vanilla fragrances were confectionary overloads. Nowadays, Harris explains that vanilla is often paired with woodsy, citrus, or spicy notes to help balance the sweetness of vanilla while still letting it shine through. Consider a vanilla fragrance that combines other favored notes for a more sophisticated take on the gourmand scent. "Citrus can add a freshness while spicy and woody notes can particularly enhance the warming and comforting aspects of vanilla," adds Harris. "Soft florals and musks can enhance the creaminess and sensuality, creating an incredibly smooth, lactonic effect."
- Ingredients
All perfumes mainly contain water, alcohol, and perfume oils. As I'm sure you could guess, the combination of perfume oils is what makes a fragrance unique, and the types of oils can play a huge role in the outcome of a perfume. When it comes to vanilla in fragrances, Harris explains that it can either have natural or synthetic origins depending on the fragrance's desired character. "Synthetics tend to be used to give a more sweet, addictive quality, while the natural extract brings a more animal, leathery, or spicy dimension," she says. The ingredient list can shed light on its overall sense when shopping for a vanilla perfume.
- Concentration of Fragrance
Not all perfumes are made equal, and that's a good thing! On fragrance labels, you may run across different names, such as eau de toilette, eau de parfum, or perfume oil. The difference here is the percentage of perfume oil and its concentration, which can affect the longevity and character of the fragrance. Choosing between the three is a matter of personal preference and skin and nose sensitivity. Here, Harris breaks down the pros and cons of each type of fragrance.
Types of Fragrance
- Eau de toilettes (EDTs) typically contain five to 15 percent perfume oil and are often much lighter than eau de parfums. Harris says that since EDTS tend to be less potent and clingy on the skin, they give you the flexibility to reapply when necessary without sticking to the same scent all day.
- Eau de parfum (EDPs) have a much higher concentration of perfume oil than EDts, at around 15 to 20 percent. "They are perfect for those seeking to express their taste in scent more outwardly, as these formulas are more concentrated and will have more longevity than an EDT," says Harris.
- Perfume oils are also made of a high concentration of oils and natural extracts, except they don't contain alcohol and typically come in rollerball form rather than a spray. Harris says these are a great option for those sensitive to alcohol but still want to enjoy a fragrance.
Meet the Experts
After meeting during their 10+ years working in beauty marketing, Faye connected with Eauso Vert Co-Founder Tanya Gonzalez over their love of the simple pleasures and beautiful complexities of life: culture, connection, and the subtle art of doing more with less. Together, they created a brand new 5-fragrance collection rooted in the idea of celebrating sensuous experiences through the power of sustainable scent.
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Brooke Knappenberger is the Associate Commerce Editor at Marie Claire, where she specializes in crafting shopping stories—from sales content to buying guides that span every vertical on the site. She also oversees holiday coverage with an emphasis on gifting guides as well as Power Pick, our monthly column on the items that power the lives of MC’s editors. She also tackled shopping content as Marie Claire's Editorial Fellow prior to her role as Associate Commerce Editor.
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.
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