Growing up, the bottles of fragrances—body sprays, body creams and eau de toilettes—that lined my bathroom vanity were sweeter than a dessert-filled episode of The Great British Bake Off. My rotation typically included Britney Spears's Fantasy (or Curious); a pure-sugar scent that, not surprisingly, was called Pink Sugar; and anything else my collection of glossy magazines was advertising. If it smelled like a frosted cupcake with sprinkles, I was—without a doubt—wearing it.
I'll always love unapologetically sweet scents, but now my tastes have graduated to fragrance blends that are warm and woody or grounded with spices, leathers or classic florals. That said, signature sweet notes like vanilla are often at the heart of my all-time-favourite perfumes. They're just far less overpowering.
Being a beauty editor and all, my desk is always overflowing with perfume, so I decided to start a little experiment late last year. Instead of sticking to my normal trajectory of signature fragrances, I went on a perfume-wearing spree, if you will, in which I wore a different scent every day for about of month, taking note of which formulas I liked best and which blends won me the most questions, comments, and compliments. In review, I noticed something intriguing: The top nine scents all had a common, not-so-secret ingredient, vanilla (a result that very much proved my hypothesis that vanilla is still relevant post–teens and outside the kitchen).
Below, I'm sharing the vanilla fragrances I'm currently obsessed with and which have never failed to earn me compliments from strangers and loved ones alike. Keep scrolling! The best vanilla perfumes lie just ahead.
The Best Vanilla Perfumes
- Best for individuality: Byredo 1996 Eau de Parfum (£150)
- Best cosy perfume: Maison Margiela Replica Coffee Break Eau de Toilette (£125)
- Best expensive-smelling vanilla: Diptyque Eau Duelle (£135)
- Best for date night: Kilian Love, Don't Be Shy Eau de Parfum (£225)
- Best bold vanilla: Yves Saint Laurent Black Opium Eau de Parfum (£69)
- Best long-lasting vanilla perfume: Jo Malone Vetiver & Golden Vanilla Cologne Intense (£164)
- Best subtle vanilla scent: Phlur Soft Spot Eau de Parfum (£99)
1. Byredo 1996 Eau de Parfum
Key fragrance notes: black pepper, juniper berries, leather accord, orris, violet, black amber, patchouli and vanilla
Meet the Byredo fragrance you've never heard of but absolutely need on your radar. I realise describing a scent as "intoxicating" might sound dramatic, but I'm seriously so addicted to this enveloping mix of black pepper, leather, patchouli and vanilla, which, in retrospect, is pretty amazing since I would never classify myself as a lover of peppery scents.
This is a deliciously smooth and velvety perfume that's sweet enough to feel elegant and lovely but complex enough not to feel basic or like anything you wore back in junior high. In fact, I love it so much I keep the matching hand cream on my nightstand at all times. I feel like people in L.A. don't like to ask "what are you wearing?" (the fear of seeming uncool or tryhard-y), but it's a no-fail occurrence whenever I'm wearing this Byredo scent and this Byredo scent alone.
2. Maison Margiela Replica Coffee Break Eau de Toilette
Key fragrance notes: pepper essence, orange flower petals, patchouli, cypriol, tonka bean absolute, vanilla, cedarwood, vetiver
I've always been a huge fan of Maison Margiela's lovely line of Eau de Toilettes, Replica, and one of the best is this yummy (but far from cliché) mix of coffee, pepper, vanilla, orange and cedarwood. It's unlike anything I've ever smelled before, and the compliments have been coming in hot ever since I added it to my regular arsenal of fragrances. According to the brand, it's supposed to evoke the warm and comforting feeling of a coffee shop—creamy, escapist (especially in the middle of winter), and savory with hints of sweetness reminiscent of pastries. It's a truly dreamy scent that deserves your attention.
3. Diptyque Eau Duelle Eau de Toilette
Key fragrance notes: Vanilla, pink peppercorn, cypriol, calamus
If you like vanilla scents but don't want them to be too sweet, this one from Diptyque is a spicy yet sultry take on the scent. Pink peppercorn gives it heat, which, combined with the freshness of cypriol, means it dries down to an addictive and alluring fragrance.
4. Kilian Love, Don't Be Shy Eau de Parfum
Key fragrance notes: Orange blossom, honeysuckle, rose, vanilla, luscious marshmallow
While the combination of vanilla and marshmallow might sound too sweet to handle, trust me—it's not. This is Rihanna's signature scent, and the earthy, fruity hits of orange and neroli give it a juicy and robust finish. I never wear it without receiving a compliment, and it's by far one of the best "grown-up" vanilla perfumes on my vanity. You'll be obsessed.
5. Yves Saint Laurent Black Opium Eau de Parfum
Key fragrance notes: black coffee, white flowers and vanilla
Maybe I'm partial to this classic YSL scent because it's truly wonderful if you're after something vanilla but still very, very chic, or maybe I'm partial because it's Zoë Kravitz's favourite scent. Or, more likely, it's a combination of the two. I love this fragrance because it manages to feel both light and mysterious at the same time. It's not too conventional, but it's also not too complicated. I keep it on my desk for those mornings when I need a jolt of confidence.
6. Lancôme Idôle Eau de Parfum
Key fragrance notes: Citrus, rose, jasmine, white musk and vanilla
This is literally my favourite perfume of all time, and pretty much everyone who I've hugged while wearing this fragrance has agreed. It's been my signature ever since its launch last year, and the fact that Zendaya (my hero) is the face of this mix of vanilla, jasmine, citrus and musk makes it perfect. I've always been a Lancôme stan (in addition to Chanel—my mum wore a few of its staple scents), so it's a warm and fuzzy line of fragrances that is only punctuated with this new debut.
7. Jo Malone London Vetiver & Golden Vanilla Cologne Intense
Key fragrance notes: Cardamom, vetiver, vanilla and grapefruit
Jo Malone London makes some of the most iconic and well-known perfumes, and over the years, I've accrued a few favourites that always win me compliments. When I first sniffed this new debut from the brand, I had mixed feelings, but after I had let it melt into my skin for a few hours, I quickly became kind of infatuated with it. It's strong, but it's been winning more attention than my other standbys (which are below), and I'd be willing to bet my life savings that this luxe vanilla perfume will go down in history as one of the brand's absolute best.
8. Serge Lutens Un Bois Vanille Eau de Parfum
Key fragrance notes: Beeswax, caramelised benzoin, bitter almond, gaiac wood, tonka bean, absolute of Mexican black vanilla, black licorice, sandalwood and coconut milk
This vanilla from Serge Lutens is so supremely decadent and divine. It's my go-to antidote if I happen to wake up on the wrong side of the bed or have an anxiety-provoking day ahead of me. If you're a vanilla lover like I am, this is a scent to worship. It's buttery, warm, woody and just so mellow and rich. I happen to love what Lutens said of this specific fragrance: "To paraphrase Freud, it's not the evil who are full of regrets, but the good. Both the devil and vanilla like black."
9. Phlur Soft Spot Eau de Parfum
Key fragrance notes: Indian jasmine sambac absolute, bergamot peel, mandarin, freesia, jasmine petals, waterlily and vanilla orchid.
Trust me when I say that this is dreamy. It's how you would like to think you smell naturally—clean and fresh, but sweet and sensual too. It's like hugging the jumper of someone you love with just traces of them left behind. It's a delicate, feminine scent, but it's so powerful because it's so unique and so soothing to the human soul.
Why Trust Us
At Who What Wear UK, we know that beauty isn’t one-size-fits-all. Our editors have tested thousands of products, including skincare, makeup, hair and nails, over the years and work closely with trusted experts—dermatologists, make-up artists and leading industry insiders—to ensure every guide is well-researched, inclusive and relevant to you.
We focus on formulas that deliver, whether they’re affordable favourites or luxury investments. Our product selection is based on tangible results, ingredient know-how and what we’d truly recommend to a friend.
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