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Vanilla fragrances are some of my absolute favorites. When done well, they’re mysterious, luxurious, and carry just the right touch of comfort—all things I clearly aspire to be. However, I find that when they’re overdone, they can easily become cloying, veering into a too-sweet, almost syrupy territory. For me, vanilla shines in moderation; too much of it leans juvenile and, honestly, a bit overpowering. Below, you’ll find some of my all-time favorite vanilla scents, some of which play a bit more directly with those classic vanilla notes, while others offer subtle twists. So let’s start being a little mysterious, and perhaps just a bit subversive. Happy smelling, babes!
*This list includes affiliate links for some products, I may earn a commission from them.
Black Tie // Celine - Overall Pick
Perhaps the most sophisticated on the list is Black Tie by Celine. It features notes of white orris butter, cedar, tree moss, vanilla, and musk. I find it leans toward a sweet, smoky vanilla and exudes a sense of luxury, like the kind of person who maxes out their 401(k) contributions while investing in high-yield assets—always put together but never loud.
This fragrance has a light projection power; it doesn’t shout but rather introduces itself with a refined warmth, especially as it dries down into a richer sweetness. On the dry down (on me), it becomes warmer and sweeter. Its wear time is somewhere between 4-6 hours.
Due to its price, I wouldn’t recommend buying it without wearing it for a couple of days, as some people find the dry down can come across as waxy on their skin. I received a decant as a gift and eventually purchased a full bottle after a year of obsession. It has since become one of my absolute favorite fragrances—my go-to when I want to feel elevated and sensual.
Hasard Bazar // Maison Matin - Mid-Point Pick
Babes with a complex, this one’s for you. Hasard Bazar is a spicy vanilla with hints of rose and an earthy undertone peeking through. Overall, I’d say it leans more toward spicy-sweet. Its base notes include tonka bean, vanilla, musk, and patchouli, with a rose note emerging in the middle. The fragrance finishes with top notes of Sichuan pepper, giving it a spicy start that eventually dries down into something reminiscent of rose ice cream.
In terms of longevity, it has a shorter wear time, lasting about 3-4 hours with a very close projection. I enjoy it for a cozy morning at home, reading magazines and sipping hot tea. I also think it could be a lovely, casual option for the office.
Kulfi // L'Aromatica Perfume - Affordable Pick
While I’m typically not drawn to gourmands, Kulfi is an exception that’s done really well. It features notes of vanilla, coconut cream, cardamom, saffron, and sandalwood—a blend that’s sweet, creamy, and spicy all at once. Inspired by the Indian dessert of the same name, it offers a solid wear time of around 6 hours. The opening hits with a rich cardamom note, which softens to a warm, slightly creamy finish. It’s sweet but intriguing, offering more depth than a simple, one-note scent.
Poets of Berlin // Vilhelm Parfumerie
If a boozy vanilla is your vibe, Poets of Berlin is for you, evoking the final sip of an old-fashioned. Notes of vanilla, sandalwood, vetiver, orris, blueberry, and lemon keep it from feeling overly sweet, with an opening that’s fruity and blueberry-forward. After about an hour, it warms up beautifully, bringing vanilla and sandalwood to the forefront. It has a strong projection and lasts around 6-7 hours, though it wears closer to the skin toward the end. Inspired by David Bowie, it’s a scent I’d recommend trying multiple times before committing to a full bottle—it took me a bit to fall in love, but now I can’t go without it.
A Whiff of Wafflecone // Imaginary Authors
This is the truest vanilla on the list and very sweet, so it’s best suited for specific occasions. With notes of vanilla, salted caramel, cinnamon, heavy cream, and sandalwood, A Whiff of Wafflecone smells just like freshly baked waffle cones at Jeni’s Ice Cream. If you’re after a warm, nostalgic vanilla, this is it. Just a single spray goes a long way, thanks to its strong projection and long wear time.
I love Torn for its soft, subtle nature. It’s discreet, with powdery vanilla notes that are perfect for low-key outings, like running errands or visiting your favorite artisanal market. The fragrance combines sandalwood, vanilla bean, musk, patchouli, jasmine, and freesia, giving it an earthy and slightly floral character. This close-to-the-skin scent has a wear time of about 3-4 hours. It opens with a touch of floral that mellows into a warm, delicate vanilla—so give it time to settle.
Though Bo doesn’t lean heavily on vanilla, its subtle vanilla undertones make it perfect for cozy moments. Notes of elemi, tobacco leaves, redwood pine, incense, cedar, and vanilla bean create an earthy, woody fragrance that dries down to a faint, warm vanilla. It’s a close-to-the-skin scent with a wear time of 4-5 hours, and I often catch whiffs beyond that mark. Bo and other Liis fragrances feel perfectly suited for office wear—safe yet distinctive.
With that, here are some of my favorite vanilla fragrances! If you enjoyed this guide, be sure to check out my other fragrance recommendations.
The Woodsy Fragrance Manifesto
Floral Fantasies
Fragrances That Awaken My Lesbian Impulses
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