While some vanilla scents get a bad rap for being sickly sweet or cloying, Phlur's latest offering is anything but. Look to TikTok, where 45.3K posts have been shared under the hashtag 'vanilla perfume' with countless influencers sharing their best kept vanilla scented secrets. Likewise, 'vanilla scented perfume' is currently enjoying a 100% spike in search over on Google. Another topic beauty buffs are currently searching for on the search engine? Phlur's Vanilla Skin Perfume, £99, which has had 80% rise in search. I've tried both versions of Burberry Goddess, and although I love the scent, one thing I will say is that they don't have the best lasting powers.
I also swear by the body oil version of this scent, which I use straight out of the shower almost every day. While it’s enough to give me a subtle fragrance that lingers until the next time I shower, I also find that it’s the perfect base for whatever perfume I spritz on later, Missing Person or not. 7 Virtues Vanilla Woods is a modern, clean vanilla scented perfume that’s earned cult status, thanks to the the Kardashians being genuine fans of the brand. This hero scent opens with a soft, juicy pear note that quickly melts into a heart of delicate rose and finishes with rich, creamy Madagascar vanilla. What sets it apart is its warm, woodsy base that adds depth and elegance.
In the right hands, this makes vanilla fragrances far more complex than expected. “The art of perfumery allows an artist to highlight unique facets of the amazing vanilla scented perfume when bringing their creations to life. Modern perfumery is always finding unique ways to use various expressions of vanilla to create these incredible tapestries of scent that celebrate the comfort and decadence of vanilla,” says Glyde. “Gourmand refers to fragrances or fragrance notes that smell edible, good enough to eat,” says Steven Ross Glyde, MECCA’s Fragrance Education Lead. Think of notes like sweet vanilla, caramel, coffee and honey accords, plus fresh fruits like watermelon, grapefruit and peach.
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.
Ahem, no perfume list would be complete without Baccarat Rouge 540, which takes on a unique sultry and sweet tone that is completely iconic. "I love gourmand scents, and Baccarat Rouge 540 is my go-to," says Cosmo US assistant shopping editor Hannah Oh. When you think of the classic J'adore Dior, you probably imagine a big bouquet of flowers. But to Cosmo US's beauty editor Beth Gillette, the iconic scent takes on more of a citrus tone. "J'adore Dior is very good! It's like a whiff of fruits and smells really sweet to me," she describes. Testers agree, with one saying it's like a group of women sitting in a fragrant garden, drinking bottomless bellinis.
An unexpected pleasure, One Day’s Taipei smells like warm rice cooked in soy milk; it is comforting and soft—almost homey, and yet sophisticated. From the floral scents of Francis Kurkdjian's Aqua Universalis Cologne to the musky scents within Le Labo Santal 33, these are the best genderless perfumes. Though perfume is always a personal preference, certain trends often dictate what you can expect to smell anywhere in any given year.
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.
Alternatively, for fruity notes, cherry, strawberry, and peach pair perfectly with vanilla. If you’re a fan of warm, comforting scents, then the aromas of vanilla perfumes are for you—and perfect for the harsh winter. You might be thinking, “Vanilla is way too sweet,” but perfume brands are finding ways to center this scent without overpowering it. They can be as sultry as musks and even woody in their various formats and notes.
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. While I like to smell like a freshly baked cookie or marshmallow treat personified, you might prefer a gourmand balanced by leather, smoke, or citrus. Thankfully, 2025’s roster of the best vanilla scents blends the inherently comforting fragrance family with a range of notes, ensuring there is something to suit every preference. I think of Mood Ring as the grown-up version of one of the body sprays that lived on my dresser in high school. This scent is bright, energetic, and perfect for anyone who wants a signature scent that’s a little out of the box.
Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it's never been tested on curls? We're proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet. From Byredo’s Vanilla Antique to Kayali’s Vanilla 28 to Sol de Janeiro’s Brazilian Crush Cheirosa 62, there really is a vanilla scent for everyone.
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. The brand’s Creme Vanille is my recommendation if you’re about that vanilla girl aesthetic.
Missing Person is one of my favorite day-to-day perfumes for its understated scent that never overwhelms me. To me, a couple spritzes smells less like a perfume, and more like maybe I just naturally smell this good. If I ever pick up a coat or sweater I’ve worn with lingering Missing Person on it, it makes me want to wrap myself in immediately.
The top note is a woody vanilla, with sweet vanilla caviar at the heart and a base of vanilla absolute. There is also hints of lavender throughout, which give the fragrance this distinctive floral edge. I like to describe it as a grown up gourmand, as although it has a strong sweetness to it, it's also incredibly warm and seductive. Amber pairs exceptionally well with vanilla, as this fragrance clearly demonstrates. The two star notes in this eau de parfum from Laura Mercier combine to create a scent reminiscent of a luxe cashmere sweater.
Sweet perfumes have always had a bad rap, as the mere thought of anything "sweet" evokes memories of cheap, childish body mists and sprays that smelled like candy, apples, and sugary vanilla. It’s not overwhelming, and I’m guessing that’s because of the coconut blossom in its base. The mist also has hints of sea salt, which I love, as well as tonka bean. Although I’d pick this scent for someone 25 years-old or younger, plenty of women, 30 and up, wear it religiously. Personally, I like spritzing a little into my hair brush, and then combing the scent through.
Below, we’re sharing editor-approved vanilla fragrances to add to your scent collection, so you can smell just as tantalizing as the ingredient itself. And with Valentine’s Day around the corner, these perfumes also make an excellent gift for all the women in your life. Long gone are the days when vanilla fragrances were confectionary overloads. Harris explains that in present-day 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.
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.
Its base of skin musks and patchouli makes it feel totally intimate; like anyone who’s near you would want to lean a little closer to get a better whiff. Another brilliant pick for those who are watching the pennies, this sensual body mist is brimming with the sweetness of pink pepper, sugar crystals as well as lily, jasmine petals and cashmere woods. If you want to know, "which Sol de Janeiro smells vanilla?" The answer is Cheirosa 40. A best-seller, it's packed with notes of delicious caramelized vanilla, sea salt and toasted macadamia nut. Simply Spritz from head to toe any time and on your hair so your scent moves with you.
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.
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.
BDK aren't the only ones to give this gourmand ingredient a sophisticated and modern upgrade. From Byredo to Beauty Pie, many fragrance houses are leaning into vanilla's versatility, blending it with beautifully with either soft florals, bold spices or the deep richness of amber. Is your perfume collection complete if You by Glossier isn’t included? Yes, it leans flirty, but the pink pepper is the star of the show, offering a spicy edge to a bed of creamy woods and musks. An eau de parfum—i.e., one of the strongest types of perfume thanks to the higher concentrations of perfume oil—for this astonishingly low price? Cosmopolitan US assistant editor Sam Olson absolutely loves this yummy salted caramel scent.
Whether you're looking for a floral fragrance for summer or a warm perfume for winter, it's all here. 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.
If you don't know of the niche fragrance house Vilhelm Parfumerie, allow Poets of Berlin, one of its most popular creations, to give you a lasting first impression. While most vanilla perfumes fall in the warm fragrance category, this one smells much more green and fresh, giving it a totally different vibe than what you're used to with vanilla fragrance. Poets of Berlin pairs vanilla with blueberry and a kick of earthiness from orris and vetiver for an elegant and distinct scent. This would make for an excellent spring perfume, and the bottle would look so gorgeous on your vanity. I like to think of this as a grown-up, more nuanced version of the sugary sweet body mists of my childhood.
It was during that time that she explored her love for journalism by interning at a small beauty start-up based in Shoreditch. Since then, she has worked at a number of publications including Marie Claire and Hello! Brooke Knappenberger tests and names Tom Ford Tobacco Vanille as the best luxury vanilla perfume. Brooke Knappenberger tests and names Vilhelm Parfumerie Poets of Berlin Eau de Parfum as the best fresh vanilla perfume. If you’re into perfume, you’ve heard of the brand Heretic and its infamous Dirty Vanilla.
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 perfume products that you simply must have.
If you've found previous vanilla scents too cloying and heavy, this one will hit your sweet spot. It's unexpectedly light and fresh, thanks to citrus notes of orange blossom and bergamot. Whilst there are plenty of vanilla fragrances out there, you'll really be able to smell the difference if natural vanilla scented perfume has been used rather than synthetic. 'Natural vanilla has a much more complex, layered scent profile so you're likely to pick up deeper, richer tones with hints of floral undertones.