I Wore a Different Perfume Every Day for a Month—These 11 Earned Me Compliments
These vanilla perfumes are much more than your typical sweet scents. Trust me: you'll be stopped in the street—they're that good.
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 a 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 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 Havana Tonka, £310
- Best Cosy Vanilla: DedCool Mocha Magic, £71
- Best Expensive-Smelling Vanilla: Diptyque Eau Duelle, £145
- Best Bold Vanilla: Tom Ford Tobacco Vanille, £230
- Best Evening Perfume: Kilian Paris Angels' Share, £215
1. Byredo Havana Tonka
Key notes: Bergamot, rum, pink peppercorn, crème brûlée, tobacco leaves, violet, cashmere woods, white suede, musks, tonka bean, patchouli, benzoin resinoid
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 bergamot, tobacco, patchouli and vanilla, which, in retrospect, is pretty amazing since I would never classify myself as a lover of tobacco-based scents.
Editor review: "I feel like people don't like to ask "what are you wearing?" any more (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," says freelance beauty editor, Grace Day. "Plus, because it's a perfume extract, rather than an eau de perfume or eau de toilette, it's incredibly potent and lasting—I find this lingers for days on my hair and clothes."
2. DedCool Mocha Magic
Key notes: Mocha, cream, espresso, biscotti, toffee, vanilla, sandalwood, tonka bean
I've always been a huge fan of DedCool's lovely line of scents, and one of the best is this yummy (but far from cliché) mix of coffee, cream, vanilla, tonka bean and sandalwood. 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. It evokes the warm and comforting feeling of a coffee shop—creamy, escapist (especially in the middle of winter), and savoury with hints of sweetness reminiscent of pastries. It's a truly dreamy scent that deserves your attention.
Editor review: "This is a deliciously smooth and velvety perfume that's sweet enough to feel cosy and comforting but complex enough not to feel basic or like anything you wore back in high school," says Day. "I don't normally love gourmands, but it smells much more elegant and sophisticated than you might imagine on first glance at the notes."
3. Diptyque Eau Duelle
Key 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.
Editor review: "I've never been a fan of overly sweet or gourmand perfumes, so I'd always avoided vanilla-based scents, until I smelt this on a friend and was converted," says Day. "The unique blend of pepper and vanilla combines sweetness and spiciness in a really interesting and complex way. There's so much more depth to this than you'd expect from a vanilla perfume."
4. Tom Ford Tobacco Vanille
Key notes: Tobacco leaf, spices, vanilla, cacao, tonka bean, tobacco blossom, dried fruits, woody notes
While the combination of vanilla and tobacco might sound too intense to handle, trust me—it's not. It's definitely a unique take on vanilla—the sweetness is balanced out by the earthy tobacco, and the dried fruit notes 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.
Editor review: "This smells like what (I can only imagine) the library of a private members club would smell like," says Day. "It's certainly quite an intense scent, so you really don't need to douse yourself in it—a few spritzes on your wrists and neck will linger all day (and night)."
5. Kilian Paris Angels’ Share
Key notes: Cognac oil, cinnamon, tonka bean, oak absolute, sandalwood, vanilla, praline
This classic Kilian scent is truly wonderful if you're after something vanilla but still very, very chic. 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.
Editor review: "I love Angels' Share for date nights because it's sexy, but not in an obvious oud-y way," says Day. "It's actually quite light and fresh, so it's very uplifting, and the vanilla adds sweetness but not enough to classify the fragrance as gourmand."
6. Summer Fridays Sunlit Vanilla
Key notes: Bergamot, caramel, coconut, vanilla, musk, tonka bean, amber
This is up there amongst my favourite perfumes of all time, and pretty much everyone I've hugged while wearing this fragrance has agreed. It's been my signature ever since its launch last year—the mix of vanilla, bergamot, coconut and musk makes it perfect.
Editor review: "This is a delicious fragrance for summer," says Day. "It's warm and beachy, and makes skin smell sunkissed. I've yet to meet anyone who hasn't loved it—it's a cocktail of some of the most crowd-pleasing fragrance notes, after all."
7. Jil Sander Olfactory Series 1 Vanille
Key notes: Aldehydes, labdanum, cedarwood, vanilla
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, 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.
Editor review: "This is definitely what I'd call a true classic vanilla perfume," says Day. "Probably thanks to the very minimal blend of notes, the base note of vanilla takes centre stage—but I really like that the aldehydes give it a clean, fresh edge."
8. Nest Madagascar Vanilla Perfume Oil
Key notes: Vanilla bean, vanilla orchid, coconut
This vanilla-heavy fragrance oil from Nest 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, creamy and just so mellow and rich.
Editor review: "This is another classic vanilla scent, with just a hint of warm and nutty coconut," says Day. "It's cosy and intimate, and really lingers on the skin. It works well all year round, but personally I love it as an autumn scent."
9. Phlur Soft Spot
Key notes: Indian jasmine sambac absolute, bergamot peel, mandarin, freesia, jasmine petals, waterlily, 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 scent, but it's so powerful because it's unique.
Editor review: "The vanilla base surrounded by delicate florals means this is definitely a softer and more subtle take on vanilla," says Day. "To me, it's the olfactory equivalent of slipping into a cosy cashmere cardigan—delicate, clean and comforting."
10. Memree On Taupe
Key notes: Vanilla absolute, rose, ambergris, guaiac wood, labdanum, creamy musks
When you think of the type of fragrance that you can share with a male significant other, it probably doesn't lean vanilla-based. In Memree's On Taupe, however, vanilla is given a whole new spin in a dark, velvety blend of woody notes.
Editor review: "My husband loves this scent just as much as I do, which is rare for something that leans heavy on the vanilla," says Day. "It's rich and sexy, a proper 'date night' scent, and I love that we can both wear it at the same time to complement each other."
11. Chanel Coco Mademoiselle Crush Absolu
Key notes: Lychee, grapefruit, rose, jasmine, patchouli, vanilla, vetiver
Vanilla perfumes tend to lean soft, warm and cosy, but if you typically prefer a more vibrant and uplifting fragrance, this one ticks those boxes. The fruity and floral top and heart notes mean it smells bright and fresh, especially on first sniff. But as it settles onto skin, the warm vanilla comes through, giving it a more sensual drydown.
Editor review: "This is the kind of perfume that I reach for when I'm not sure what I want to wear," says Day. "It's fruity and floral but at the same time warm and inviting, so it really does cover all bases. Once you spray it on, you can smell it on your clothes and skin all day—and I defy you to stop smelling your wrists; it's addictive!"
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.
