Your Grown-Up Guide to Wearing Vanilla Perfume

Vanilla perfume and body spray is, and always will be, a classic. However, it can be difficult to find the perfect vanilla-based fragrance. A lot of them tend to be headache-inducing and sickly sweet like the sugar cookie drugstore body prays we all wore in middle school (Pink Sugar—I’m talking to you). There is something about a vanilla fragrance that makes us want to cozy up by a fire or something of the sort, which is why we gravitate towards those warm, sweet, spicy perfumes for the chillier months. If you are a vanilla lover like us but are looking for a more refined and grown-up fragrance, try perfumes that have base notes of musk, florals, or spices. By looking for perfumes that have layers and complex base notes rather than pure vanilla, you’ll achieve give a more sophisticated vibe while still smelling delicious. The market for high-quality vanilla perfume is a vast one and finding the perfect one can be a bit tricky, so we’ve curated a selection of the some of the most highly reviewed and recommended.

For spicy vanilla, try Yves Saint Laurent Black Opium

YSL Black Opium has a cult following for a good reason. This fragrance is described as “seductively intoxicating” and has notes of black coffee, white flowers, and vanilla, making for a warm and cozy scent.

For floral vanilla, try Viktor&Rolf Flowerbomb

Flowerbomb is the highest-selling perfume by Vicktor&Rolf for its perfect blend of sweet and floral. It has key notes of orange blossom, jasmine, and patchouli, making for a delicious vanilla floral ratio.

For musky vanilla, try Dior Hypnotic Poison

Hypnotic Poison is described as “Hypnotizing. Extravagant. Bewitching.” This one is a sweeter, muskier version of Dior’s Poison, and is extremely popular among the vanilla lover community. Notes of Bitter Almond, Caraway Spice, Sambac Jasmine, Cinnamon, Tuberose, Vanilla, Musk, Mosses, and Jucarunda Wood create a complex and sophisticated blend of scents.

For fresh vanilla, try Byredo Gypsy Water

Gypsy Water is described as a “vibrant and subtly woody fragrance fuses fresh Lemon, Pepper and Juniper Berry extract with smoky Incense and warm Amber.” It’s light and fresh but also subtly sweet.

If you’re on a budget, try Outremer Vanille

“A powdery, delicately spiced vanilla blend.” I would describe this one as similar to vanilla extract with a hint of musk—delicious.