16 Best Vanilla Perfumes, Whether You Prefer Sweet, Spicy, or Something in Between
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There’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to vanilla perfume. The timeless scent, which research has found to be the note with the most universal appeal, can take on a variety of personalities. Depending on the blend of fragrances, one vanilla perfume may have a smokey or spicy undertone, while the next is sugary sweet. Some showcase pure Madagascar vanilla, while others use vanilla as a grounding tone to highlight floral or woodsy notes.
Whatever your preferred interpretation of the classic scent, there is a wide variety of vanilla perfumes on the market—so many that it can be overwhelming to shop. To narrow down the best of the best, I crowdsourced SheKnows editors for their long-time favorites and personally tried dozens of vanilla perfumes. The result: A diverse group of vanilla perfumes that vary in scent profile and price point, but are all extremely wearable and worthy of a front-and-center spot on your vanity.
Read on for the 16 best vanilla perfumes.
Best Vanilla Perfumes at a Glance
Best Overall: Maison Margiela Replica Afternoon Delight, $85 (1.01 oz.)
Best Smoky Vanilla: D.S. & Durga Deep Dark Vanilla, $210 (1.69 oz.)
Best Unisex: Maison Louis Marie No.14 Icila, $93 (1.7 oz.)
Best Clean Perfume: By/Rosie Jane DULCE Eau de Parfum, $80 (1.7 oz)
Best Sustainably Sourced: The 7 Virtues Vanilla Woods, $88 (1.7 oz)
Best Layering Perfume: Bvlgari Allegra Magnifying Vanilla Eau De Parfum, $195 (1.35 oz.)
Best for Sensitive Skin: Lavanila Pure Vanilla Healthy Fragrance, $48 (1.7 oz.)
Best Floral Vanilla: Viva La Juicy Eau de Parfum, $61 (3.4 oz.)
Best Fruity Vanilla: Noteworthy n,057, $135 (3.3 oz.)
Best Summer Scent: Kopari Toasted Vanilla, $29 (4 oz.)
Best Creamy Vanilla: Michael Malul Vanilla+Crème, $120 (3.4 oz.)
Best Musky Vanilla: TOCCA Colette Eau de Parfum, $50 (.68 oz.)
Best Designer Dupe: Dossier Spicy Vanilla, $39 (1.7 oz.)
Best Light Scent: Lake & Skye 11 11 Vanilla Eau de Parfum, $98 (1.7 oz.)
Best for Teens: Sweet Tooth by Sabrina Carpenter, $30 (1 oz.)
Best Rich Vanilla: Diptyque Eau Duelle Eau de Toilette, $180 (3.4 oz.)
What Makes a Good Vanilla Fragrance?
For Rosie Johnston, CEO and Founder of By/Rosie Jane, a good vanilla fragrance is sweet and comforting—“like being wrapped in a warm, cozy sweater,” she says. It should also have complexity and dimension, so you can pick out different notes sniff after sniff. Fragrance is subjective though, so shop for high-quality ingredients in vanilla perfumes that you’re drawn to, whether that’s sweet, spicy, woodsy, or soft.
Is Vanilla the Most “Attractive” Scent?
Johnston agrees that vanilla can be an alluring scent, and research proves her right. Studies have found that vanilla is a favorite scent for both men and women world-wide, across various cultures.
“I love how beautifully simple vanilla is,” Johnston says. “It is nostalgic, innocent, and seductive. Vanilla is this incredible note that’s sexy and erotic, sweet and innocent all at the same time. Not to mention it’s very expensive.”
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. Maison Margiela is a SheKnows sponsor, however, all products in this article were independently selected by our editors. Please note that if you purchase something by clicking on a link within this story, we may receive a small commission of the sale.
BEST OVERALL
Maison Margiela Replica Afternoon Delight
A little sweet, a little spicy, and a whole lot delectable. Maison Margiela’s Replica Afternoon Delight is a well-rounded, unisex fragrance that balances woody notes of sandalwood with the sweet aroma of natural vanilla and the richness of musk—a blend that’s just as appropriate for parent-teacher conferences as it is date night. No matter where your day takes you, close your eyes and chances are you’ll feel like you’re sipping an espresso on a Parisian patio.
Key notes: Madagascar vanilla, madeleine accord, sandalwood
Sizes: .34 oz, 1 oz., 3.4 oz.
Best for: Transporting you to Paris
BEST SMOKY VANILLA
D.S. & Durga Deep Dark Vanilla
For me, D.S. & Durga can do no wrong. Their vanilla scent, Deep Dark Vanilla, is just as complex and sophisticated as their other fragrances, which somehow (I don’t know how!) conjure up specific memories while making new ones. Deep Dark Vanilla smells just like its name implies: rich and smoky, evoking the edginess of true vanilla, which is anything but “vanilla” in the boring sense. It’s sophisticated and sexy, and a great unisex option for fragrance-sharing couples.
Key notes: Orchid, green vanilla leaves, dark patchouli
Sizes: 50 ml, 100 ml
Best for: Winter nights
BEST UNISEX
Maison Louis Marie No.14 Icila
One spray of Maison Louis Marie’s No.14 Icila and I knew I had found my new signature scent. It’s ageless and seasonless, with dark plum, vanilla, and Sakura blossoms at its heart. The warm base of sultry woods and top notes of jasmine linger throughout the day, so every time I catch a whiff of myself I let out a soft sigh. It’s lovely—ask me or my boyfriend, who’s also claimed it as his new signature scent. Plus, the sleek, classic bottle adds an elegant touch to any vanity.
Key notes: Jasmine, Bulgarian rose, vanilla flower
Sizes: 1.7 oz.
Best for: Fragrance-sharing couples
BEST CLEAN PERFUME
By/Rosie Jane DULCE
By/Rosie Jane’s DULCE is a fan favorite amongst SheKnows writers, myself and Senior Commerce Director Gina Vaynshteyn included.
“This was one of the perfumes on constant rotation for me during pregnancy, thanks to its clean ingredient list,” says Gina. “What initially drew me to it is its warm, sugary notes that reminded me of all my vanilla body lotions I used in 7th grade—but all grown up. It’s so cozy and familiar, like your favorite cardigan you always reach for in perfume form.”
“DULCE is a vanilla perfume to its core, but it has hints of hinoki wood and chocolate that make it a bit more rich and elegant,” says Gina. “I get so many compliments whenever I wear it—it’s one of those universally-beloved fragrances that I can wear every day, anywhere.”
Key notes: Vanilla, hinoki wood, nude musk
Sizes: 1.7 oz, .25 oz
Best for: Conjuring nostalgia
BEST SUSTAINABLY SOURCED
The 7 Virtues Vanilla Woods
A spritz of Vanilla Woods by The 7 Virtues will have you smelling good and feeling good. It features organic vanilla sourced from a sustainable cooperative in Madagascar that provides families with fair wages. SheKnows Parenting Editor Rita Templeton is a fan.
“Vanilla is my absolute favorite perfume scent, and my go-to is The 7 Virtues Vanilla Woods,” says Rita. “I think of it as a ‘grown up’ vanilla scent, not cloyingly candy-sweet like some. It has a warm, almost smoky quality to it that gives it this sexy edge. My only gripe is that it isn’t very long-lasting, but I love the scent so much that I carry a small size with me on evenings when I go out.”
Key notes: Pear, rose, vanilla
Sizes: .34 oz., 1.7 oz.
Best for: Sustainably-minded fragrance lovers
BEST LAYERING PERFUME
Bvlgari Allegra Magnifying Vanilla Eau De Parfum
Bvlargi’s Magnifying Vanilla is as voluptuous as its curvy bottle implies. It’s delicately sweet, with vanilla beans imported from Madagascar blended with leathery, spicy notes. As its name implies, it’s a highly concentrated scent, so just a spritz or two will do—it’s quietly commanding and seriously vibrant.
I wear it solo, but it’d be equally as lovely and even more complex layered, as it’s meant to harmonize with any scent from Bvlargi’s Allegra collection. It’s an investment fragrance, but one that can become your signature, especially when layered.
Key notes: Madagascar vanilla, leather
Sizes: 1.35 oz.
Best for: Creating a one-of-a-kind signature scent
BEST FOR SENSITIVE SKIN
Lavanila Pure Vanilla Healthy Fragrance
If you worry about your skin reacting to a vanilla perfume, try Lavanila’s Pure Vanilla Healthy Fragrance. It’s crafted with essential oils and sugar cane alcohol, so it’s more gentle on sensitive skin.
SheKnows writer Taylor Lane can speak to Pure Vanilla: She’s been wearing it for years. “It’s now my everyday scent,” Taylor says. “I love that it’s a true vanilla fragrance that makes a striking statement. The perfume also features coconut, lavender, and vanilla sugarcane notes, creating a warm, cozy scent. The best part? It’s transitional for every season!”
Key notes: Madagascar vanilla, tonka bean, heliotrope
Sizes: 1.7 oz, 3.4 oz.
Best for: Fragrance lovers with sensitive skin
BEST FLORAL VANILLA
Viva La Juicy Eau de Parfum
Like it or not, all things early 2000s are back, from Juicy Couture sweatsuits to the brand’s playful perfumes. Viva La Juicy is a burst of fruity and floral, with notes of sweet honeysuckle and mandarin grounded by vanilla and sandalwood. Spritzing on Viva La Juicy reminds me of those nights in my 20s, getting ready to go out with my girlfriends, sharing a too-small mirror and swapping clothes. Those days (and nights) are long gone, but the nostalgia lives on. It’s sweet in scent and sweeter in the memories it evokes.
Key notes: Wild berries, caramel, honeysuckle
Sizes: 1 oz., 1.7 oz., 3.4 oz.
Best for: Glam nights out
BEST FRUITY VANILLA
Noteworthy n,057 Sweet Embrace
“Sweet Embrace” is right—Noteworthy’s n,057 feels like a warm hug. It’s a slightly sweet, but definitely not sugary, fragrance in which creamy vanilla mingles with passionfruit, jasmine, geranium, and licorice. It’s perfect for fall, especially if you don’t care for traditional fall scents. (We all love a PSL, but maybe would rather not smell like one.) The longer I wore n,057, the more layers unfolded, from bright and sunny to a soft, nearly powdery blend of musk and tonka bean. It’s cozy and comforting, and encourages a fireside cuddle, under a blanket and a book in hand.
Key notes: Passionfruit, jasmine, vanilla milk
Sizes: .27 oz, 3.3 oz.
Best for: Chilly fall days
BEST SUMMER SCENT
Kopari Toasted Vanilla Hair & Body Mist
You can transport yourself to a sandy, sunny beach any day with a spray or two of Kopari’s Toasted Vanilla Hair & Body Fragrance Mist. (Even the days when you’re bundled in a winter coat, shoveling snow.) The tropical scent blends creamy vanilla with spicy, milky qualities that you can spritz over your hair or skin. It’s like a summer sunset in a bottle—a flexible, upcycled bottle that, while on the larger side, is easy enough to stuff in a tote anytime you need a refresh.
Key notes: Floral heliotrope, vanilla, musk
Sizes: 4 oz.
Best for: Daydreaming about a beach day
BEST CREAMY VANILLA
Michael Malul Vanilla+Crème
There’s something about Michael Malul’s Vanilla+Crème that begs you to savor everything around you—not just the sweet fragrance, but the first sip of coffee, the sun streaming through the window, and the simplicity of a slow morning. Upon first sniff you’ll recognize the top notes of blushing pear with white currant and pink grapefruit. Then the notes of jasmine, creamy vanilla, and vetiver linger throughout the day, a day you’ll want to truly appreciate.
Key notes: Blushing pear, almond blossoms, creamy vanilla
Sizes: 3.4 oz.
Best for: Slow Sunday mornings
BEST MUSKY VANILLA
TOCCA Colette Eau de Parfum
Whoever Colette is, I want to be friends with her. After wearing TOCCA’s mysterious scent, I imagine its namesake cozied up in a cabin that’s nestled in a forest of pine trees, baking lemon tarts. You’ll pick up on the fresh Amalfi lemon top note immediately, which is suspended in a bouquet of florals and spicy edges. At its base, though, is vanilla, musk, and sandalwood, which ground the citrus and floral notes. It’s a subtle scent—perhaps too subtle if you like a punchy head-turner—but is perfect for an understated but confident fragrance.
Key notes: Amalfi lemon, jasmine, vanilla
Sizes: 20 ml., 50 ml., 100 ml.
Best for: A subtle scent
BEST DESIGNER DUPE
Dossier Spicy Vanilla
Something about Dossier’s Spicy Vanilla evokes old Hollywood glamour. Maybe it’s the head-turning combination of hot spices, including nutmeg and black pepper. Maybe it’s the mysterious quality of its vanilla and amber. Either way, it’s ultra sophisticated, without the eye-popping price tag of the scent it’s inspired by: Tom Ford’s Noir. This is a long-lasting dupe that’s a couple hundred dollars cheaper than Noir but you’ll feel just as expensive wearing it.
Key notes: Black pepper, patchouli, vanilla
Sizes: 1.7 oz.
Best for: Dupe lovers
BEST LIGHT SCENT
Lake & Skye 11 11 Vanilla Eau de Parfum
I can be sensitive to fragrance—one spritz too many can instigate an all-day headache—but Lake & Skye’s 11 11 Vanilla Eau de Parfum offers the right amount of sweet freshness without being overwhelming. It’s packed with unexpected pairings, like sea salt with marshmallow and passionflower with sheer amber, that combine to a warm, comforting scent. Plus, since it’s on the light side, it’s perfect for everyday wear.
Key notes: Star apple, vanilla créme, teakwood
Sizes: .5 oz., 1.7 oz.
Best for: A subtle everyday scent
BEST FOR TEENS
Sweet Tooth by Sabrina Carpenter
Sabrina Carpenter’s charm extends beyond her catchy pop songs. Her vanilla fragrance, Sweet Tooth, is a flirty fragrance that’s equally sweet and sophisticated. Though there’s no age limit to Sweet Tooth, it’d be a particularly good fit for a teen looking for an introduction to fragrance, especially since it’s affordable. It’s soft and airy, with notes of chocolate marshmallow and candied ginger alongside the Madagascar vanilla. You can’t beat the cuteness of the candy bar-inspired bottle either.
Key notes: Bergamot, jasmine, Madagascar vanilla
Sizes: 1 oz., 2.5 oz.
Best for: A sweet introduction to fragrance wearing
BEST RICH VANILLA
Diptyque Eau Duelle Eau de Toilette
If you’re already a fan of Diptyque’s ultra luxe candles, you’ll be equally as intoxicated by their fragrances too. This one, Eau Duelle Eau de Toilette, evokes a laissez-faire attitude—imagine the coolest-of-cool French woman wearing this, one who can’t be bothered to think twice about her perfume. It’s pure vanilla, though suspended in a medley of spicy notes, like cardamom, frankincense, and vetiver. This unisex fragrance is refined and elegant, yet fresh and worthy of a daily spritz.
Key notes: Pink peppercorn, calamus, bourbon vanilla
Sizes: 3.4 oz.
Best for: Elevating an elegant outfit
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