bloodaxis360

Collage: Jemeria Davison; Source images: Courtesy of Allure editors and brandsSave StorySave this storySave StorySave this story

To say we’re having a vanilla moment is an understatement. Vanilla is everywhere, and so are the best vanilla perfumes: standing next to you on the subway, walking past you in a crowded restaurant, and on the best-seller shelves at your local Sephora and Ulta Beauty. The fragrance world has embraced vanilla in a massive way over the past few years, with brands like Kayali, Sol de Janeiro, and Summer Fridays taking the lead; it’s sweet, cozy, and comforting no matter the season, and who doesn’t want to smell downright delicious?

But vanilla scents are so much more than just one-note, sugary-sweet fragrances. Part of its charm is the nostalgia factor; for many people, vanilla conjures up happy memories and feelings of joy and contentment. "It’s strongly linked to our memories and a signal for pleasure—it’s hard not to feel happy when you smell it," Meabh McCurtin, a perfumer at International Flavors & Fragrances, simply put it.

Our Top Vanilla Perfumes

• Best Warm Vanilla: Octavia Morgan Los Angeles Vanillin Supreme Eau de Parfum, $150
• Best Fruity Vanilla: Armani Power of You Eau de Parfum, $138
• Best Longest-Lasting: Guerlain Vanille Planifolia Extrait 21, $660
• Best Woody Vanilla: La Collection Privée Christian Dior Bois Talisman Eau de Parfum, $350
• Best Sweet Vanilla: Summer Fridays Sunlit Vanilla Eau de Parfum, $82
• Best Vanilla Perfume Oil: Cyklar Perfume Oil in Vanilla Verve, $24

Frequently Asked QuestionsAccordionItemContainerButtonLargeChevron

• Why does vanilla perfume smell different on everyone?
• How to layer vanilla perfume with other scents
• How we test and review products
• Our staff and testers

Vanilla is also super versatile and plays just as well with florals as it does with musky or spicy scents. It pops up in gourmand-forward body sprays and eau de toilettes for a light, fluffy hint of sweetness; sophisticated, grown-up takes on the classic vanilla; smoky and woody interpretations; and so much more. Thanks to spicy kicks of pink pepper or bright bursts of orange zest, many of our favorite vanillas offer more than meets the…sweet tooth. Keep reading to find mouth-watering scents that are sure to become your new signatures.

Best Overall: Octavia Morgan Los Angeles Vanillin Supreme Eau de Parfum

Save to wishlistSave to wishlist

Octavia Morgan Los Angeles

Vanillin Supreme Eau de Parfum

$150

Ulta Beauty

Allure social media manager Bianca Richards applying the Octavia Morgan Los Angeles Vanillin Supreme Eau de Parfum

Bianca Richards

Why we love it: Octavia Morgan’s Vanillin Supreme is a vanilla fragrance that’s anything but staid—it’s made for those who want a scent that is elegant yet impactful, and not to mention, long-lasting. Top notes of spicy rum, sweet vanilla, and earthy sandalwood create an unforgettably rich, sweet-meets-woody opening that calms as it fades, transforming into a blend of jasmine, rose, and cocoa. As it settles onto your skin, you’ll notice hints of bright orange and elemi, which is often described as lemony, in the drydown. Vanillin Supreme has quickly become one of our favorite vanilla fragrances simply because it’s so versatile; it’s an obvious choice for the colder months, but the floral and citrus notes make it work just as well in the heat.

Tester feedback from social media manager Bianca Richards

AccordionItemContainerButtonLargeChevron

“I am expanding my gourmand scent palette, and this latest addition to my stash is getting me super excited for fall! It has deeper, richer notes of rum, cocoa, sandalwood, and true Madagascar vanilla, making it the perfect choice to cozy up with a glass of wine and my go-to mystery novel.” —Bianca Richards, social media manager

More to know

AccordionItemContainerButtonLargeChevron

• Key notes: rum, vanilla, sandalwood, jasmine, rose, cocoa, elemi, orange
• Sizes: 50 ml

Best Fruity Vanilla: Armani Power of You Eau de Parfum

Save to wishlistSave to wishlist

Armani Beauty

Power of You Eau de Parfum

$138

Amazon

$138

Nordstrom

$138

Sephora

Allure contributor Kara Nesvig with a bottle of the Armani Power of You Eau de Parfum

Kara Nesvig

Why we love it: Passionfruit may be the key note in Armani’s viral hit Power of You, but it doesn’t claim the only starring role. In fact, Power of You shines because it’s a dreamy duo of both tart, juicy passionfruit and plush, soft vanilla notes. It’s definitely more fruity than gourmand, with lots of brightness up top and a shampoo-y clean, fresh opening that fizzes and sparkles. Later, however, Power of You relaxes into warm vanilla base notes, which help the passionfruit notes radiate without overpowering them.

Tester feedback from contributor Kara Nesvig

AccordionItemContainerButtonLargeChevron

“I’m not the world’s biggest vanilla fan at the moment; I’m a little bored by the vanilla obsession, to be frank, but there’s something about this hilariously named burgundy juice that I can’t get enough of. It’s just so happy! I spray it on and instantly feel more cheerful thanks to that bold passionfruit opening, and the vanilla is sweet but not cloying, with a nice creaminess that works well in the summertime. If you’re looking for an EDP that doesn’t feel heavy or sticky in the humidity, I think you’ll have a lot of fun with Power of You.” —Kara Nesvig, contributor

More to know

AccordionItemContainerButtonLargeChevron

• Key notes: passionfruit, vanilla
• Sizes: 10 ml, 50 ml, 90 ml

Best Longest-Lasting: Guerlain Vanille Planifolia Extrait 21

Save to wishlistSave to wishlist

Guerlain

Vanille Planifolia Extrait 21

$660

Guerlain

Allure commerce editor Sarah Han applying the Guerlain Vanille Planifolia Extrait 21

Sarah Han

Why we love it: Here's a fun fact: The “21” in Guerlain's Vanille Planifolia Extrait 21 refers to the number of days the vanilla planifolia is cold-soaked in alcohol in order to transform into a luxurious, potent tincture. It's vanilla in one of its purest forms: comforting, luxurious, intimate, with a tinge of gentle sweetness. Quick fragrance lesson: Extraits are the most concentrated, reaching upwards of 22% to 30% fragrance oils. (By comparison, eau de toilettes typically fall in the 7 to 12% range and eau de parfums land around 15 to 20%.) Add musk to the mix, and you've got yourself a long-lasting perfume that some say even lingers post-shower.

Tester feedback from commerce editor Sarah Han

AccordionItemContainerButtonLargeChevron

“This is the perfume that made me go, ‘Oh, ok, so maybe I do like some vanilla scents. It’s intense and concentrated, but not in an overbearing way. It feels like a hug from someone you love, probably due to the musk and amber of it all. I bet my boyfriend would like wearing it, and the intersection of scents we both like is almost nonexistent. I get why it's making the rounds on the internet, and if it didn't cost so much, I'd recommend it to everyone. If you have the funds, I can vouch that this stuff lasts. I can still smell a bit the next day!” —Sarah Han, commerce editor

More to know

AccordionItemContainerButtonLargeChevron

• Key notes: vanilla, spices, amber, opoponax (sweet myrrh), musk
• Sizes: 50 ml

Best Woody Vanilla: La Collection Privée Christian Dior Bois Talisman Eau de Parfum

Save to wishlistSave to wishlist

Dior

La Collection Privée Christian Dior Bois Talisman Eau de Parfum

$350

Dior

Allure senior commerce director Shanna Shipin applying the La Collection Privée Christian Dior Bois Talisman Eau de Parfum

Shanna Shipin

Why we love it: According to the house of Dior, founder Christian Dior slipped a lucky piece of wood into the lining of his outfit for the day. Bois Talisman is inspired by that daily ritual, with an additional nod to Dior perfumer Francis Kurkdijan’s own personal lucky charm, a sugar cube in his jacket pocket. Thus, the fragrance is a lush, rich blend of cedarwood, sugar, and yep, you guessed it—vanilla! (Three types of vanilla, to be exact.) While we believe that all perfumes are unisex and anyone can wear whatever they want, Bois Talisman is a great way for people who wear traditionally "masculine" scents to dip their toes—or is it their nose?—into the wonderful world of vanilla perfume. Like all of the Dior Collection Privée scents, Bois Talisman is dramatic, bold, and long-lasting.

Tester feedback from senior commerce director Shanna Shipin

AccordionItemContainerButtonLargeChevron

“If you want a brooding, moody fragrance, this could be it. There are vanilla notes, yes, but any sweetness is enrobed in a heavy smoky and woodiness that makes this the most unisex (or masculine) fragrance in my wardrobe. One spritz lasts all day—I kid you not!—so dispense mindfully. It's far less honeyed than your typical vanilla, but very warm; in the vein of By the Fireplace but more powerful.” —Shanna Shipin, senior commerce director

More to know

AccordionItemContainerButtonLargeChevron

• Key notes: ​​vanilla, cedar
• Sizes: 50 ml, 100 ml, 200 ml

Best Sweet Vanilla: Summer Fridays Sunlit Vanilla Eau de Parfum

Save to wishlistSave to wishlist

Summer Fridays

Sunlit Vanilla Eau de Parfum

$82

Amazon

$82

Sephora

$82

Revolve

Allure associate beauty editor Annie Blay-Tettey applying the Summer Fridays Sunlit Vanilla Eau de Parfum

Annie Blay-Tettey

Why we love it: There’s nothing wrong with wanting to smell like a decadent dessert—and Summer Fridays couldn’t agree more. The first fragrance from the wildly popular skin-care (and makeup) brand was inspired by eating ice cream on a sunny summer day, with dreamy, sultry, and sweet notes of coconut, caramel, tonka bean, and—you guessed it!—vanilla. Despite those powerful notes, Sunlit Vanilla is light and summery versus dark and rich, perfect for a beach vacation.

Tester feedback from former associate beauty editor Annie Blay-Tettey

AccordionItemContainerButtonLargeChevron

“Most vanilla scents lean on the sweet side (which I love), but Summer Fridays Sunlit Vanilla is an aquatic gourmand that sits in its own category. This scent reminds me of lounging beachside with a sugary cocktail in hand—everything I want out of summer." —Annie Blay-Tettey, former associate beauty editor

More to know

AccordionItemContainerButtonLargeChevron

• Key notes: bergamot, caramel, coconut, vanilla, musk, tonka bean, amber
• Sizes: 10 ml, 50 ml

Best Vanilla Perfume Oil: Cyklar Perfume Oil in Vanilla Verve

Save to wishlistSave to wishlist

Cyklar

Perfume Oil in Vanilla Verve

$24

Amazon

$24

Sephora

Allure beauty director Sarah Kinonen applying the Cyklar Rose Bud Perfume Oil

Sarah Kinonen

Why we love it: For something that stays closer to the skin than a traditional eau de toilette or eau de parfum spray, try a fragrance oil. Cyklar’s Perfume Oil in Vanilla Verve is a lush blend that lingers for hours. Fresh bergamot and green cardamom keep it crisp, while tonka bean, amber, and musk melt into lingering notes of vanilla, heliotrope, and ambrette seed. Some of our editors even treat it as a base for perfume cocktailing. Oh, and we can’t forget to mention that Vanilla Verve won a 2025 Best of Beauty Award for Best Perfume Oil, so you know it’s legit. (You can also scoop up the scent in various body-care products.)

Tester feedback from beauty director Sarah Kinonen

AccordionItemContainerButtonLargeChevron

“Although I prefer to spritz on my fragrances, every now and then, a perfume oil is a cute change of pace. This one from Cyklar comes in a super-chic, palm-size glass bottle (it's 0.5 fl oz.!) that's spill-proof, great for mid-day touch-ups, and is easy to travel with (can be tossed into any bag!). Even easier? The application process—you just glide the rollerball across skin, making sure to hit pulse points, like inside of wrists and under ears. While I like wearing it solo, it's also fun to layer on top of my favorite musk scents: ByRosie Jane Rosie and Dedcool Xtra Milk. I've tried all of the scents, but my current favorite is the new Rose Bud, which is a true floral. The rose is so fresh and so spot on, and smells just like petals from the flower. It's not powdery, but there are warm notes of sandalwood and musk to give the fragrance a grounded, skin-like finish. I love it!” —Sarah Kinonen, beauty director

More to know

AccordionItemContainerButtonLargeChevron

• Key notes: bergamot, green cardamom, vanilla, heliotrope, ambrette seed, amber, musk
• Sizes: 15 ml

Best Unique Vanilla: Henry Rose Dave Eau de Parfum

Save to wishlistSave to wishlist

Henry Rose

Dave Eau de Parfum

$120

Nordstrom

$120

Sephora

$120

Credo Beauty

Allure associate social media manager Katie Gunderman with a bottle of the Henry Rose Dave Eau de Parfum

Katie Gunderman

Why we love it: Firstly, it’s very unique indeed to call a vanilla perfume “Dave,” but stick with us here. Henry Rose, the fragrance brand created by actor Michelle Pfeiffer, is an ode to her husband, David E. Kelley, who particularly loves it when his wife wears vanilla perfume. The scent has a lovely duality, as though Pfeiffer swiped her husband’s sweatshirt and their two fragrances mingled together; it’s as dreamy as a traditional vanilla gourmand can be, but pink pepper and neroli give it a lightness and complexity that sets it apart from more traditional sweet vanilla scents.

Tester feedback from associate social media manager Katie Gunderman

AccordionItemContainerButtonLargeChevron

“Henry Rose Dave Eau de Parfum is the most beautiful, warm, and rich vanilla scent. I love that the vanilla notes are not artificial at all and there is a musky depth to it. This gourmand is perfect for all seasons as it is light and sweet but still has a gorgeous spicy quality to it.” —Katie Gunderman, associate social media manager

More to know

AccordionItemContainerButtonLargeChevron

• Key notes: ​​tangerine, pink pepper, neroli, vanilla bean chantilly, tonka bean, cocoa shell
• Sizes: 8 ml, 50 ml

Best Vanilla Fragrance Mist: Phlur Vanilla Skin Hair & Body Fragrance Mist

Save to wishlistSave to wishlist

Phlur

Vanilla Skin Hair & Body Fragrance Mist

$39

Amazon

$39

Nordstrom

$39

Revolve

Allure social director Kassidy Silva with a bottle of the Phlur Vanilla Skin Hair Body Mist

Kassidy Silva

Why we love it: Shocker: The standout note of Phlur’s Vanilla Skin is vanilla, but what makes this 2024 Best of Beauty-winning hair and body mist interesting are the additions that elevate its sweet, warm base. Hints of pink pepper, pink apple, lily, jasmine petals, sandalwood, and cashmere wood peek through for intrigue. “It's not for the faint of heart,” Chriselle Lim, founder of Phlur, previously said of the original Vanilla Skin EDP. “We wanted to make sure that it was paired with some unexpected notes to add more depth to a universally loved scent.” The body mist is slightly toned down, as you can imagine, so it depends on your intensity preferences.

Tester feedback from social director Kassidy Silva

AccordionItemContainerButtonLargeChevron

“Phlur's Vanilla Skin is nearly good enough to eat. The creamy blend of vanilla, pink pepper, and sandalwood notes makes this fragrance truly delectable and a staple to wear through any season.” —Kassidy Silva, social media director

More to know

AccordionItemContainerButtonLargeChevron

• Notes: vanilla, sandalwood, pink pepper, pink apple, lily, jasmine, cashmere wood
• Sizes: 88 ml, 237 ml

Best Spicy Vanilla: YSL Babycat Eau de Parfum

Save to wishlistSave to wishlist

YSL Beauty

Babycat Eau de Parfum

$330

Nordstrom

$230

Sephora

Why we love it: If your vanilla vibe is more rock star than pretty princess, try YSL’s viral Babycat, a spicy, glamorously bold bourbon vanilla. According to the brand, the evocatively named fragrance was inspired by Yves Saint Laurent’s love of leopard print, and that makes total sense; it’s a vanilla with claws. While the bourbon vanilla base definitely grabs your attention, pink and black pepper, saffron, and cedarwood are swirled in to give it a palpable kick. Babycat is a “big night out” kind of fragrance, one you spritz on after piling on the black eyeliner and slipping into your highest heels.

More to know

AccordionItemContainerButtonLargeChevron

• Key notes: ​​pink pepper, black pepper, elemi, olibanum, saffron, cedarwood, vanilla, suede
• Sizes: 50 ml, 100 ml

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does vanilla perfume smell different on everyone?

It's not just vanilla that smells different on everyone. “Depending on one's own scent, natural skin oils, and pH, perfume notes can be brought out differently because everyone's skin composition is unique," says Delphine Jelk, Guerlain master perfumer and creative director of fragrance.

“Vanilla, for example, can often smell much sweeter on some people's skin; for others, it might come across as warmer and richer,” Jelk notes. Why? “If your skin is more acidic, vanilla can become sharper or spicier.” While we typically associate gourmand notes with colder weather, vanilla certainly can shine in warmer months, too. “Body temperature can also play a role, as warmer skin can intensify certain base notes, vanilla and amber being two examples,” Jelk explains. No wonder vanilla is a year-round scent for many editors.

How do you layer vanilla perfume with other scents?

As Jelk puts it, “there are no rules with fragrance,” but she says she personally likes to mix vanilla with iris and/or musks. She also prefers the term “fragrance wardrobing” over layering because it “allows you to personalize your trail rather than adding a perfume directly on top of another.” Her tip? One scent for your wrists, another for your neck, and perhaps a third for your clothes. “Create your own olfactive look, just like you would a fashion outfit,” Jelk says.

Meet the experts

• Delphine Jelk, Guerlain master perfumer and creative director of fragrance

How we test and review products

When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle in an effort to best serve you. We review ingredients, scrutinize brand claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing each and every product that's included in each and every review, we rely on experts who shape their fields, including dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine, to help us vet the ingredients and formulas.

For our review of the best vanilla perfumes, we enlisted the help of multiple editors, writers, and contributors to review the products. This ensures our testing base spans different skin tones, genders, and dermatological conditions. We considered each product's performance across four primary categories: ingredients, wear and longevity, packaging, and inclusivity. For more on what's involved in our reporting, check out our complete reviews process and methodology page.

Our staff and testers

A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.

After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the "best" for people over 50 if the only testers we've solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it's never been tested on curls? We're proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.

Getty ImagesSave StorySave this storySave StorySave this story

I look at red carpet photos for a living, so I'm pretty used to gorgeous gowns and glam. But once in awhile, a premiere look absolutely stops me in my tracks—or, more accurately, my scroll—and literally takes my breath away. Enter Zendaya at the New York City premiere of The Odyssey, whose loose, undone (and extra-long) braid and soft, flushed makeup can only be described as “angelic.”

And I'm talking literally angelic, as the Emmy-winning actor wore a feathered strapless Matières Fécales gown with actual wings attached to her shoulders, leaning into the whole “I'm playing a legendary Greek goddess” theme of her red carpet dressing for the Odyssey press run. (She plays Athena in the movie, and while Athena doesn't typically wear wings, she is sometimes depicted with them.)

Hairstylist Coree Moreno “effortless texture and romantic movement” with a beautifully soft fishtail braid that flowed all the way down Zendaya's back to mid-hip. “The inspiration was modern romance with an effortless sensibility," he tells Allure. “Zendaya's gown had such an ethereal, sculptural presence that I wanted the hair to feel soft, lived-in, and full of movement. Rather than creating something overly polished, I focused on texture that felt naturally evolved throughout the day. The loose face-framing pieces and airy finish complemented the drama of the dress without competing with it.”

Moreno used a mix of Bellami Professional Tape-Ins and Wefts in shades Chocolate Rebel and Dark Brown to add length and fullness. One of the key products was Nexxus's AIR SHAPE Workable Hold Texture Spray, which he misted through the mid-lengths and ends of Zendaya's hair to add airy volume, texture, and hold without sacrificing movement or looking stiff or sticky. “Loose” was the key word here, as the hair was gathered gently back at the nape of her neck and braided into a “deconstructed fishtail braid" with the front portions left out of the style to frame her face in easy waves—waves that fluttered in the most gorgeous way as she walked the carpet. A few pieces of hair escaped the braid, adding a windswept texture to the overall style, and Moreno gently pulled apart sections of the braid for fullness and dimension. To lock in the look, he spritzed Zendaya's hair with Nexxus's Maxximum Firm Hold Hairspray.

Braids have been a key element of many of Zendaya's The Odyssey looks, including the crown braid she wore to the London premiere and the milkmaid braids from Paris.“I’ve always believed that hair should carry emotion, not just shape,” Moreno wrote on Instagram alongside some gorgeous behind-the-scenes shots. “For this look, the goal was to create something that felt lived in, romantic, and weightless—as if it had always belonged to the moment.”

Getty Images

Makeup artist Ernesto Casillas said the goal was “beautifully luminous and sun-kissed skin,” which he achieved with a base of “fresh, glowing skin” and some strategic cream blush layering. Casillas paired Prada Beauty's Touch Blush shades Caffee and Cherry across Zendaya's cheeks, nose, temples, and chin, where the sun would typically hit, and finished with just “a touch” of Prada Balm in Astral Pink. Does she not look like she just flew down from Mount Olympus to help us on our epic quest?

Getty Images

Unfortunately for us and our summer beauty inspiration boards, the Odyssey press tour is coming to a close, but we don't have to wait too long for more Zendaya red carpet action; she'll be gearing up for the release of the next Dune movie in just a few months!