The 12 Best Vanilla Perfumes For Every Mood, Vibe & Occasion

Have you ever smelled a fragrance that literally makes your mouth water? Like we’re talking salivating kinda levels? Well, we’re going to make an educated guess that it was a gourmand fragrance that featured vanilla. Vanilla-based perfumes have always been a firm fave in the industry, but in recent years, the obsession has grown to new levels.  Vanilla is just one of those notes that’s deliciously more-ish, cozy, and comforting, so get ready for the “omg, what perfume are you wearing?” kinda compliments.

Thanks to its ever-growing popularity, fragrance brands have transformed the vanilla note into some of the richest, most complex juices on offer. There’s now such a range of vanilla-based scents, from sweet and fruity, floral and musky, to intoxicating oud-infused vanilla perfumes. Whatever your fragrance vibe, we’ve got a yummy option on this list for you. So, get scrolling…

1. The ULTIMATE Vanilla Perfume: KAYALI Vanilla | 28, $118

Notes: Vanilla orchid, tonka absolute, amber woods, musk, and brown sugar

Perfect for: Any occasion when you want to smell utterly irresistible…

Why we love it: The sweet seduction of our cult-fave KAYALI juice begins with vanilla orchids and tonka absolute that transform into woody amber and creamy musk. We know we’re biased, but it’s the ultimate creamy vanilla scent that we wear 24/7. It’s also the perfect base for fragrance layering, AKA our fave perfume ritual.

2. The Best Drugstore Vanilla Perfume: Bath & Body Works Warm Vanilla Sugar, $17

Source: Bath & Body Works

Notes: Vanilla, white orchid, sparkling sugar, jasmine, and sandalwood

Perfect for: Drenching your skin in vanilla-ery goodness on the go, from the gym to dinner

Why we love it: First, you’ll detect a delectable blend of vanilla, white florals, and sugar that feel like a sugar-dipped embrace. Further down the line, the sweet vanilla base is lifted with a floral burst of jasmine and creamy sandalwood.

3. The Gourmand Vanilla Perfume: Serge Lutens Un Bois Vanille, $164

Source: Serge Lutens

Notes: Vanilla, coconut milk, beeswax, black licorice, sandalwood, tonka bean, bitter almond, benzoin, guaiac wood, and musk

Perfect for: Whenever you need to feel powerful AF

Why we love it: There’s something about this mouth-watering fragrance that awakens the senses. It marries creamy vanilla, coconut milk, and sandalwood with smokey, earthy guaiac wood that enchants for hours. Grounding and gourmand? Is there a better combo?

4. The Spicy Vanilla Perfume: Billie Eilish Eau de Parfum, $80

Source: Billie Eilish Fragrances

Notes: Sugared petals, mandarin, warm berries, creamy vanilla, soft spices, cocoa, sleek woods, warm musks, and tonka beans

Perfect for: A spicy date night

Why we love it: This seductive gold bottle is laced with sugared petals and warm berries that develop into a cozy vanilla heaven. Shortly after, a light dusting of musk, soft spices, and tonka beans take you on an unforgettable fragrance journey.

5. The Floral Vanilla Perfume: Ariana Grande MOD Vanilla Eau de Parfum, $68

Source: Ariana Grande Fragrances

Notes: Pink freesia, juicy plum, creamy musks, orris butter, white praline, jasmine petals, vanilla absolute, and cocoa butter

Perfect for: A cozy, floral moment

Why we love it: At first spritz, you’ll swoon over the freshness of pink freesia and juicy plum that intertwine with warm musk and white praline. But you won’t stop sniffing your pulse points once the sweetness of jasmine, vanilla, and cocoa butter come alive.

6. The Oud Vanilla Perfume: KAYALI Vanilla Royale Sugared Patchouli | 64, $100

Notes: Vanilla orchid, golden rum, vanilla, tonka bean accord, smoky leather, crème brulée, sugared patchouli, brown sugar, and royal oud

Perfect for: A luxe evening out with your squad or your boo

Why we love it: Meet KAYALI Vanilla | 28‘s sexy, boozy sister. The elixir blends rich vanilla, sweet crème brûlée, and sugared patchouli, making you smell like a dang treat. The gourmand scent intensifies as smoky leather, brown sugar, and oud are revealed, keeping you sweet from the first spray to the last kiss. 

7. The Sexy Vanilla Perfume: Laura Mercier Vanille Eau De Toilette, $75

Source: Laura Mercier

Notes: Amber, vanilla beans, brown sugar, sandalwood, coconut, almond, tangerine, orchid, and heliotrope

Perfect for: All we’re going to say is we wear this fragrance to bed… *ahem, ahem*

Why we love it: This hypnotic juice seduces with luxurious amber and sensual vanilla beans that dry down to brown sugar and sandalwood, leaving anyone and everyone enticed for hours. The longer they stick around, the more they’ll appreciate the burst of coconut and tangerine that follows.

8. The Musky Vanilla Perfume: BYREDO Vanille Antique, $250

Source: BYREDO

Notes: Black plum, freesia, amber, cashmere woods, Madagascar vanilla beans, and Cistus oil

Perfect for: The unpredictable and irresistible

Why we love it: This crowd-pleaser introduces itself with syrupy plums and warm amber before heating things up with smoky vanilla beans. Laced with creamy cashmere wood and comforting musk, she’s sensual, dark, and hella mysterious.

9. The Tropical Vanilla Perfume: Kayali Utopia Vanilla Coco | 21, $138

Notes: Honeysuckle, pear blossom, coconut, jasmine, gardenia, tuberose, sandalwood, vanilla, and musk

Perfect for: Summer vacay

Why we love it: Blind-sniffed, she transports you to vacay-worthy destinations with a blend of white florals, milky coconut, and creamy sandalwood. The daydream ends with sweet vanilla notes, but luckily, paradise is just a spritz away.

10. The Citrus Vanilla Perfume: Dries Van Noten Sur ma peau, $255

Source: Dries Van Noten

Notes: Bergamot, mandarin, orange flower accord, vetiver, vanilla beans accord, and tonka beans

Perfect for: Vacay vibes – it’s giving French Riviera or summer in Capri

Why we love it: Fresh bergamot and mandarin open this juice with a burst of energy before smooth vetiver and vanilla beans add a hint of creaminess. There’s a unique and complex contrast between the citrus notes and vanilla vibes, but it works, trust us.

11. The Woody Vanilla Perfume: Dior Vanilla Diorama, $420

Source: Dior

Notes: Lemon, orange, pink pepper, cardamom, bourbon, vanilla, rum, cocoa, sandalwood, and patchouli

Perfect for: Lunch with your squad that leads to dinner and dancing

Why we love it: Part of Dior’s exclusive collection, this celebrates one of Christian Dior’s favorite desserts, a mysterious pastry made by the famous Parisian restaurant Maxim’s. The rich vanilla base is splashed in tangy citrus, boozy rum, and warm patchouli, making it sweet and sexy at the same time.

12. The Fruity Vanilla Perfume: Lattafa Perfumes Yara Eau De Parfum, $30 

Notes: Heliotrope, orchid and tangerine, gourmand accord, tropical fruits, vanilla, sandalwood, and musk

Perfect for: Anyone with a sweet tooth!

Why we love it: This sweet gourmand has over 60 million TikTok views and keeps selling out because it’s THAT good. It smells like white florals, fluffy marshmallows, and a shot of pure vanilla; it’s perfect for any vibe and occasion. Take three when it’s back in stock and you won’t regret it.

Next up, check out these sweet and sultry fragrances that guarantee a second date.