17 best vanilla perfumes that smell sexy and expensive
Vanilla perfumes are a forever-safe choice for any occasion, be it for a date-night, a day in the office or girls' night. While some may discount them as too cloying or too basic, let's not forget, vanilla fragrances are a bona fide aphrodisiac with a proven ability to soothe, seduce and even increase arousal. In fact, as an individual note, vanilla is one of (if not the most) popular one in the world of modern perfumery, and understandably so.
Forget the saccharine body sprays that clouded your high school classrooms, vanilla has grown-up with us and it's firmly back on the radar with a boom of stunning vanilla scents leading sales. Need proof? At LookFantastic, search demand for vanilla-scented perfumes is up by 65% and multiple retailers have seen YSL's Libre (a luxurious blend of lavender and vanilla) top the charts.
Looking for more fragrance-related content? Check out our guides on best sweet perfumes, best long-lasting perfumes and best perfumes for women of all time.
Best vanilla perfumes at a glance:
- Best overall: Yves Saint Laurent Libre Eau de Parfum
- Best for layering: Kayali Vanilla 28 Eau de Parfum
- Best affordable: Ariana Grande Cloud Eau de Parfum
- Best unisex: Jo Malone London Vetiver and Golden Vanilla Cologne Intense
If you (like us) spend way to much time on #PerfumeTok than you'd care to admit, you don't need us to tell you that vanilla scents are also of the biggest fragrance trends, and their viral status isn't going anywhere anytime soon.
So, it looks like lots of us are on board. But, not all vanilla perfumes are made equal. Given how tricky the plant is to cultivate, the majority of the vanilla scents and flavourings you'll come across are synthetic (99% of them, in fact). But just like in nature – where there's numerous different varieties and species, depending on the soil and climate its grown in – synthetic vanilla can come in a huge array of scents. Effectively, it's the Goldilocks porridge of perfume. Choose right and it can smell phenomenal – creamy, sweet, smoky, spicy or floral. But first you have to find one that's not too sickly and not too sweet.
To really hit the jackpot, you have to make sure it's partnered up with other scents that make you tick and play up the particular facet of the complex vanilla note that you're most attracted to – whether that's a candy floss haze that focuses on sweetness, a dark, sultry, earthy flirt that kicks your dopamine (aka, your love hormone) into gear or a soft, nuzzly number that envelops you in a cashmere-light blanket of scent.
Still not convinced? Blind-sniffed, vanilla scents repeatedly come out on top for popularity. One of Rihanna's favourite scents (bar her own, ofc), is reportedly Love Don't Be Shy by Killian, which reached legendary status after celebs that were close enough to sniff her (Jennifer Lawrence, Cardi B and Nick Jonas) named her the best smelling celebrity they'd crossed paths with. One of the major notes? A glug of sensual vanilla. It's ambrosial, warm, sweet, creamy and intoxicating (just like you'd expect our goddess, RiRi, to smell).
Not being able to smell like everyone else is tough, but it does have its advantages...
Meanwhile, when beauty PR manager, Steph Easton, wrote about her lack of a sense of smell for GLAMOUR, she reported crowd-sourcing her perfumes based on their reactions from others. The surprise smash-hit? Juicy Couture's Viva La Juicy Gold Couture Eau De Parfum – a golden blend of honeysuckle, amber and – you guessed it – vanilla. Told you it was classic for a reason.
Enter: your definitive guide to all the best vanilla eau de parfums and eau de toilettes to spritz on all year round, according to the beauty editors at GLAMOUR. Below, we've compiled a list of scents for every taste: from perfumes with notes of sandalwood, orchid, cardamom, vanilla bean and neroli, to sweeter scents that feature notes of marshmallows and brown sugar.
Find our round up below of the sweetest smelling vanilla-scented perfumes to try now
Best vanilla perfume overall
Why we love it: On the hunt for a sultry vanilla fragrance? Say no more. The Yves Saint Laurent Libre is every cool girl's signature scent that's both elegant and alluring, thanks to the beautiful balance of playful fruity notes, enchanting florals and powdery musks, all complementing the creamy vanilla base. A dream.
GLAMOUR-approved: "YSL Libre has been my favourite perfume for ages. My mum re-purchased it for me, then my colleague – and recently, I added Libre L'Absolu to my collection, too. For me, since it's very sensual and sexy, it's more of an evening scent. I save something lighter for the day, but wear Libre to death on date night, nights out and on weekends. Top notes of tangerine, bergamot and lavender make me feel empowered and liberated yet delicate and graceful," – Sophie Cockett, GLAMOUR's Senior European Commerce Editor.
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Best cult-favourite vanilla perfume
Why we love it: If you're a true gourmand girlie that gravitates towards sugary vanilla scents, you'll love Vanilla 28 by Kayali. Wear it on its own to smell like a freshly baked sugary pastry or layer it with your other go-to fragrances to add a sweet oomph to your everyday ensemble. Feeling daring? Top it with a little oud. In the mood for a “clean girl” fragrance? Use a powdery musky scent as a base. You're welcome.
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Best luxury vanilla perfume
Why we love it: One of Tom Ford's latest releases, this intoxicating fragrance is far from your average vanilla perfume. This sensual and powdery perfume features notes of vanilla tincture and vanilla absolute, balanced with sandalwood and almond, resulting in a sophisticated scent that's not in any way predictable. Fair warning: if you're not a huge fan of sweet fragrances, you may be put off by the opening, but trust us, as this beautiful eau de parfum settles, it leaves a beautiful almond-y trail that's impossible to resist.
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Best woody vanilla perfume
Why we love it: Now, if you're on the lookout for a vanilla scent with a woody twist, you must consider Somebody Wood by Phlur. Featuring refreshing notes of bergamot and lemon, as well as addicting notes of jasmine and saffron, this trending fragrance also features an addictive base of vanilla musk, sandalwood and cedarwood. A must for anyone who loves a warm and earthy scent.
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Best affordable vanilla perfume
Why we love it: Let's face it, when it comes to viral perfumes, it doesn't get better than Cloud by Ariana Grande. In fact, some people have been actively declaring it as a dupe to a certain Maison Francis Kurkdjian perfume (we'll let you figure this one out). GLAMOUR's perfume connoisseur Alice du Parcq had described Cloud in the most interesting way: “I smelt of warm, slightly undercooked, doughy waffles. Those proper, ladled-into-a-grill waffles that come out crispy and caramelised outside, but soft and batter-thick inside.”
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Best vanilla perfume mist
Why we love it: Now, how could this ever be a vanilla perfume roundup without an iconic Sol de Janeiro mist? That's right, one of the most affordable vanilla fragrances, Cheirosa 71 is a beautiful body mist that needs to be on your radar. It reminds us of getting a whiff of mouth-watering and fluffy cotton candy while walking down a pier on a holiday. Yep, it's that good. Think caramelised vanilla, sea salt, tonka bean and toasted Macadamia nut. Delish.
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Best smoke-y vanilla perfume
Why we love it: Close your eyes and imagine yourself sipping on a cup of cocoa next while cosying up and enjoying the crackling sound of a nearby fireplace… Let us introduce you the Maison Margiela By The Fireplace, a fragrance that encapsulates that exact experience. Opening with the spicy blend of cloves, pink peper and orange flower petals, this warming perfume is also contrasted by the nutty chestnut accord, woody notes with a beautiful base of cashmere and vanilla.
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Best sophisticated vanilla perfume
Why we love it: Ever thought about investing into a luxe vanilla fragrance that will will linger on your skin for hours on end? Enter, Vanille Antique by Byredo, AKA one of the best long-lasting fragrances around that exudes luxury. It's sweet, it's smoky and it's soft, thanks to the alluring blend of smoky vanilla, musk and cashmere. Definitely one to consider if you want to stand out.
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Best gourmand vanilla perfume
Why we love it: If you're someone who is obsessed with #PerfumeTok (TBH, same), we're willing to bet that you've definitely come across Bianco Latte at least a good few times. Some say that it makes you smell like “caramelised puff pastry,” others compare it to freshly based “almond cookies,” and some swear that it smells exactly like “vanilla cake.” One thing that we can say for sure is that this perfume truly smells like every gourmand lover's dream. Unlike most vanilla perfumes, this is a beast-mode fragrance that is incredibly long-lasting too, so to all my sweet-tooth girlies I say one thing: this is very much worth the hype.
Best OG vanilla perfume
Why we love it: We like to think of Angel by Mugler as the OG in the gourmand fragrance world, and understandably so. When it launched, it was one of the first of its kind, having quickly garnered itself a cult status. Known for its strong, sweet powerful scent, with a touch of spice and creaminess, this multi-faceted blend boasts an extensive ingredients list, which includes melon, coconut, cotton candy, cassia, bergamot, honey, apricot, peach, tonka bean, patchouli, caramel dark chocolate and vanilla, among others.
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Best boozy vanilla perfume
Why we love it: A TikTok-approved cult-favourite, Angels Share is one of the most unique vanilla fragrances around. It's a perfect date-night or “special occasion” perfume for both him and her, featuring an intoxicating blend of cognac and oak, finished with sweeter notes of cinnamon, tonka bean, as well as sandalwood, praline, and of course, vanilla. It has a boozy and syrupy vibe that is bound to attract compliments. You're welcome.
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Best spicy vanilla perfume
Why we love it: Can't resist a bold and spicy scent? Meet Eau Duelle by Diptyque, that also happens to be one of the brand's best-selling fragrances. This eau de parfum combines the Madagascan Bourbon vanilla with the woody notes of ambroxan and rockrose to create a spicy blend to make a statement. Highly recommended for anyone who's not too intrigued about traditionally sweet vanillas.
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Best feminine vanilla perfume
Why we love it: Speaking of all-time favs, we simply couldn't end this roundup without Born in Roma by Valentino, which is easily one of the best feminine perfumes around, and for a good reason too. Inspired by Rome, this beautiful fragrance features sultry notes of vanilla bourbon mixed with accords of wood and cashmere. It's also been repeatedly praised on #PerfumeTok for its ability to attract countless compliments and longevity. A must for your perfume collection.
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Best grown-up vanilla perfume
Why we love it: Falling into the ‘grown-up gourmand’ camp, this fragrance from Sana Jardin is seriously sophisticated. Inspired by the creators’ travels through the North African desert (where vanilla incense is often burned at nighttime), the fragrance combines creamy vanilla with rich sandalwood and earthy vetiver.
Best unisex vanilla perfume
Why we love it: If you (like us) have a soft spot for Jo Malone London fragrances, we suggest you try Vetiver and Golden Vanilla Cologne Intense, pronto. Featuring notes of cardamom, vanilla and grapefruit tea accords, this beautiful blend will transport your senses to the Madagascan coastline with its warm and earthy aroma. We’re hooked!
Best ultra luxe vanilla perfume
Why we love it: We’re easily swayed by pretty packaging, and this black and gold glass bottle is a beauty to behold. Asides from having major #shelfie appeal, it also smells incredible. Starring three distinct vanilla extracts, along with myrrh and Italian iris pallida concrete, the irresistible fragrance is warm and woody in equal measure.
Best cosy vanilla perfume
Why we love it: This cosy concoction from Victoria Beckham Beauty works just as well as in summer as it does in the chillier months. An ode to the island of Java, this must-sniff scent carefully balances tonka beans and vanilla pods with tobacco leaves and cedarwood to create a refined and earthy fragrance that will have you coming back for more (read: much more).
