Someone who enjoys classic, natural perfumes will likely appreciate this category. This food-inspired category likely comes to mind when you think of vanilla-based fragrances. Gourmand scents contain distinct notes like toasted marshmallow, cocoa, caramel, and coffee, and when paired with vanilla, they can make you smell sweet and charming. This list of our favorites smells like a fresh-baked delight without leaning too sugary or overpowering.

An oldie but a goodie, YSL Black Opium is an olfactory masterpiece and undoubtedly one of the best vanilla perfumes for ladies. With every spritz, a rich, vanilla-infused elegance laces skin and lingers throughout the day. Although creamy and sweet notes take centre stage, Black Opium isn’t overpowering; in fact, it’s nothing short of luxury and impossible to resist.

On the other hand, more intense fruity notes like fig and pear offer a more complex experience, working well for evening wear. However, while vanilla perfume is a classic, there are numerous variations of the scent available, ranging from spicy vanilla to aquatic and salty vanilla fragrances. Below are the best vanilla perfumes that are vanilla scented perfume sure to garner loads of compliments and head-turns. Sometimes you want a light, airy, and approachable scent, and that’s exactly what a fresh vanilla perfume offers. Often paired with sandalwood, sea salt, and light florals, fresh vanilla evokes a sense of effortlessness for whether you’re heading into the office or spending the afternoon by the pool.

Don’t worry; it’s not a strong woody smell, but rather a sweet, smoky and sultry vibe that’s ideal for cosy date nights. Set to dethrone the iconic Black Opium is this vanilla offering from YSL. Libre has only been on the shelves for a couple of years, yet it’s quickly become one of Yves Saint Laurent’s most sought-after fragrances. Seriously though, this floral vanilla scent utilises notes of orange blossom and lavender for an intoxicating aroma.

Aside from its sugary vanilla note, you’ll smell warm brown sugar and Hinoki wood in the under-$100 perfume—it smells like a delectable dessert. Our tester found it to be a subtle, lighter option that’s great for everyday wear and makes for an excellent fragrance to layer with her more complex, powerful scents. However, she didn’t find it to be the most long-lasting, as she needed to reapply it throughout the day.

Once you get a whiff of these fresh vanilla scents, InStyle editors guarantee you won’t stop reaching for them. When I received this Miu Miu Miutine Eau de Parfum to test, I was immediately impressed by the gorgeous, luxe bottle and packaging. It fits Miu Miu’s chic aesthetic, and it’s the type of bottle I would love to display on my vanity. As far as the scent goes, this is more of a fruity-floral vanilla fragrance, rather than your typical warm and cozy vanilla, thanks to notes of wild strawberry and gardenia.

Her favorite fragrance family is vanilla, so she knew just what to look for when choosing the best vanilla perfumes. If you’re one of those folks who spend the majority of their free time scrolling #PerfumeTok (we’re guilty as charged), you’ll know all too well that vanilla perfumes are ruling the roost right now. This eau de toilette from Aquolina sees orange, raspberry, red berries and fig pair with caramel, vanilla and cotton candy for a super sweet and slightly zesty fragrance. Dubbed the ‘golden’ fragrance, it fuses sambac jasmine and honeysuckle with sandalwood, amber, caramel and vanilla elixir. For this story, we consulted with two fragrance experts to get their take on what to look for in vanilla perfumes. My only caveat is that it is on the stronger side and has that intense “perfumey” scent.

I found it to be a more unique vanilla scent, making it a great choice for anyone who wants to try something a little different but still has that hint of sweet vanilla. If you love an aquatic perfume mixed with some sweetness, try Ellis Brooklyn’s Vanilla Salt Eau de Parfum. It’s a unique take on the classic vanilla, thanks to its sea vanilla scented perfume salt accord and desert water notes, making it the perfect balance between sweet and salty. Our tester was impressed with how long it lasted; while she says she probably would reapply before a date night, she found that it lasted longer than many of her big-box brands.

Since I’m sensitive to strong fragrances, it did give me a bit of a headache, so I would recommend saving this for special occasions and events rather than using it as an everyday perfume. While it smells absolutely incredible (I’ve been wearing it nonstop since trying), what really makes it stand out in my book is the packaging. It was created to be accessible to all, including those with dexterity issues. Instead of having to pull off a topper, you simply use your finger to “slide” and unlock the sprayer, then spritz. It doesn’t require much effort to press down the spray nozzle. As someone with an immediate family member who has a disability, I greatly appreciate the thoughtfulness that went into creating this delicious vanilla perfume.

The light, fresh notes from beloved flowers paired with vanilla extracts add a timeless, subtle sweetness to your scent profile. Whether you’re embracing romance with a partner or with yourself, these are the scents to spritz on. We tested a variety of vanilla perfumes, ranging from sweet, classic vanilla scents to unique takes on vanilla, such as aquatic and salty vanilla scents. The Commodity Gold Expressive Eau de Parfum earned our best overall spot because it smells and sprays like a luxury perfume, and is the perfect sophisticated, warm vanilla scent. For a sweet, gourmand vanilla, we love By Rosie Jane Dulce Eau de Parfum, which costs under $100. Some of the most popular classic perfumes have vanilla base notes.

It’s no secret that aromatic fragrances can calm the mind and body. With their earthy notes, woodsy vanilla fragrances provide depth and versatility to a vanilla base and evoke a sense of tranquility. Let’s say you’re someone who prefers a sophisticated scent that you can wear anywhere. If so, you’d love one of these woodsy vanilla scents that feature the sweet note alongside grounding, woody derivatives like palo santo and cashmere. Our tester describes Octavia Morgan’s Vanillin Supreme Eau de Parfum as the ideal everyday scent that works year-round. Its notes of vanilla, rose, rum, cocoa, and sandalwood smell cozy and sexy.

She also liked that it has a more subtle, natural-smelling scent and wasn’t too overpowering. While there is no shortage of unique perfumes and fragrance families available today, vanilla perfume will always remain classic. It’s my go-to for everyday wear, all year-round, but especially during the colder months, thanks to its warm, cozy vibe. It is also the perfect pairing with many other fragrances, giving a soft top note to your blend,” explains Darryl Do, fragrance expert and senior perfumer with Delbia Do Fragrances. And that concludes our round-up vanilla scented perfume of the best vanilla perfumes for women (phew!).

Florals and musks make up this composition, but you’ll find a subtle hint of vanilla gives the fragrance a warm and sweet touch for just the right amount of sexiness. Mancera Velvet Vanilla boasts sweet vanilla, accords, pear, jasmine and neroli as well as a sensual musk dry-down. But also ideal for the office, making it a must-have for summer. This one might hurt the bank a little, but we promise it’s worth it.

Kilian Love, Don’t Be Shy is for the gourmand girlies as it puts a grown-up twist on sweet treats like ice cream, marshmallows, and candy floss. It’s warm, it’s sweet, it’s syrupy and creamy, all without being overbearing. Rumour has it that it’s Rihanna’s favourite, so if it’s good enough for RiRi, it’s good enough for us. Subtle, sweet, spicy, or strong, these scents are all grown up.

You’ll most definitely be the centre of attention with this perfume as the scent oozes a sensual femininity that can’t be ignored. Something else that can’t be ignored is the pocket-friendly price – coming in at under £40, this is one of the best cheap vanilla perfumes. If you’re looking to wrap up your clean girl aesthetic, then make this perfume from Juliette Has a Gun your go-to. Natural vanilla absolute is twisted with sea salt, sandalwood, orchid and tonka bean to create a sensual and powerfully feminine fragrance. She has been writing about beauty for over two years, during which she’s tested dozens of perfumes.

Sometimes, super sugary and sweet-smelling vanilla fragrances can smell a bit juvenile, so finding a more mature vanilla perfume always feels like a win. That’s why our tester fell in love with the Phlur Vanilla Skin Eau de Parfum, a sophisticated vanilla fragrance with hints of musk and spice. She liked that while it has a sweetness, it’s not sickly sweet. Because of this, it’s a perfume that works equally well for both daytime and nighttime use. She even claims it’s one of the best vanilla scents she’s tried (and trust us, she’s tested many perfumes). If you love a gourmand fragrance, you’ll love the By Rosie Jane Dulce Dulce Eau de Parfum.

As the weather transitions, you may be ready to store your vanilla perfumes toward the back of the shelf with your winter sweaters. While touted as cold-weather fragrances for their sweet and sometimes vanilla scented perfume gourmand scent, vanilla perfumes are actually great for any time of year. When paired with fresh, fruity, and even spicy notes, they can be warm and cozy, sexy and alluring, or even lightweight and approachable. These scents are rich and layered, adding an element of mysteriousness to your aesthetic.

Creamy, milky undertones have revealed themselves to be a trend among lovers of cozy perfumes. Our editors get the hype—spritzing yourself with one feels like a warm, comforting hug that often dries down into a skin-like finish. When vanilla’s included, a creamy perfume is bound to garner compliments thanks to the depth and sillage that it often provides. While it doesn’t last longer than most perfumes on the skin, our tester noted it does have good staying power on her clothes, as she could still smell it on her sweaters for days after spritzing. Since it’s a spicier vanilla, it would work exceptionally well for a date night or special occasion during the colder months.

Chuck on your favourite chunky knit and finish off with a spritz of this warm, woodsy and oriental fragrance. Loaded with sandalwood, ginger, cinnamon, benzoin, tonka bean and, yep, you guessed it, vanilla, Creed Original Santal Eau de Parfum couldn’t be more wintry if it tried. Like a big warm hug in a bottle, it’s a top vanilla perfume for transitioning into autumn and winter. If you like just a hint of vanilla, tucked into a blend of fresh, floral notes, you’ll love Harlem Perfume Co.’s Golden Muse Eau de Parfum.

Our tester loved its beautiful balance between bright and floral, as well as warm and earthy. She was also impressed by how long the perfume lasted; she was surprised that a single spritz on the wrist and a few sprays on the neck were enough to last all night. Ariana Grande is a genuine sweetheart, so it’s no surprise that her best-selling perfume is a comforting vanilla dream. Fragrance fanatics have coined it as a dupe for the famous Baccarat Rouge 540, loving its similarity for a fraction of the price. Tom Ford reminds us that vanilla isn’t exclusively for the ladies. Its unique composition sees sandalwood, tonka bean and vanilla come together.

No matter what the vibe, occasion or outfit, the gourmand fragrance note comes out on top. A runner-up to spicy fragrances when it comes to maturity, musky fragrances have earthy undertones that really stick to the skin and ground the notes of vanilla so it’s not too overpowering. They often lean fresh and powdery and exude subtle confidence and elegance.

Add one (or two, or three or four) of these vanilla perfumes into your collection, and we guarantee you’ll be showered with compliments. And if you’re looking to elevate your fragrance wardrobe even further, be sure to check out The Ultimate Guide to Finding Your Signature Scent. Don’t forget to browse our extensive perfume sale to stock up on the best vanilla scents for a fraction of their normal price. Finding your go-to vanilla perfume can be one hell of a pursuit, though, especially when TikTok inundates you with a gazillion recommendations. We’ve happily taken one for the team and put in the legwork to compile a list of the absolute best vanilla perfumes for women.

Guerlain Shalimar has been kicking around since 1925 when it launched as the first ‘overdose’ of vanilla in fine fragrance. It contains a synthetic called ethylvanillin that was a hit in the Jazz Age, so much so that the fragrance was a sell-out for years. If you want to give off that ‘old money’ rich vibe, then put this classic vanilla perfume on your wishlist ASAP. Think Paco Rabanne’s Lady Million, but more intense, more oriental, and a lot more vanilla.

He liked that it was more of a natural-smelling vanilla rather than the artificial vanilla scent some perfumes have. One of his favorite things about this vanilla perfume is its lasting power, as he says it vanilla scented perfume lasted all day without the need for reapplication. Less polarizing than a rich, gourmand fragrance, citrusy vanilla scents are lighter and more congenial, making them ideal for daytime wear.

There are plenty of brands that offer vanilla-based fragrances. Hoping to cut down your search time, InStyle sifted through hundreds of options and consulted fragrance experts to determine which ones are the best ever. From creamy to floral, sweet to sophisticated, we considered every category and occasion, even polling our editors for their go-to picks. Rare Beauty’s new Rare Eau de Parfum has been getting rave reviews, and after trying it, I can understand why. It’s a delicious, cozy, and warm vanilla scent with notes of caramel and pistachio, but it also features notes of sandalwood and ginger that add a hint of spiciness without being overpowering.

The Healthy Fragrance Pure Vanilla