Vanilla perfumes are incredibly versatile. They add a sweet edge to musky and woody scents, soften oriental fragrances, and even make gourmand perfumes that little bit more delicious.
Yet, time and time again, perfumes that smell like vanilla dip into sickly-sweet territory. It takes expertise to know how to use vanillin in perfumes.
Fortunately, I’ve tested as many vanilla scent perfumes for women as I could find on my hunt for the best vanilla perfumes.
Our Top Vanilla Perfume Picks For 2024
Here’s the 9 best vanilla fragrances that stood out to me:
- Best overall vanilla perfume: Kayali Vanilla 28
- Best affordable Vanilla perfume: Ellis Brooklyn Mini Bee
- Best expensive vanilla perfume: Tom Ford Tobacco Vanille
- Best classic vanilla perfume: Skylar Vanilla Sky Eau de Parfum
- Best warm vanilla perfume: Kilian Paris Angels’ Share
- Best amber vanilla: The 7 Virtues Vanilla Woods
- Best musk vanilla perfume: Byredo Vanille Antique Extrait de Parfum
- Best vanilla perfume: YSL Black Opium
- Best sweet vanilla perfume: Kilian Love, Don’t Be Shy
Now, let’s go into detail.
1. Best Overall Vanilla Perfume: Kayali Vanilla 28
Let’s kick off with what I believe is the gold standard of vanilla perfumes – Kayali Vanilla 28.
A love letter to vanilla lovers, 28 is an exquisite blend with a sophisticated and well-balanced scent profile which lasts around 6 hours.
Notes of vanilla, brown sugar, and amber creates a scent that’s both alluring and comforting, making it my go-to for practically every occasion. Right now, it’s one of my top perfumes full stop.
Kayali Vanilla 28 Notes
- Top: Vanilla Orchid, Jasmine
- Middle: Brown Sugar, Tonka Bean
- Base: Amber, Musk, Patchouli
2. Best Affordable Vanilla Perfume: Ellis Brooklyn Mini Bee
Who says you can’t have luxury without breaking the bank? Mini Bee by Ellis Brooklyn is a testament to that.
It has the warmth of vanilla combined with the sweetness of beeswax and the boldness of dark rum. And the best part is that it only costs $25.
I first stumbled upon this gem when I was on a tight budget but craved something with that posh, vanilla feelish and it was definitely love at first sniff.
Ellis Brooklyn Mini Bee Notes
- Top: Rum, Honey
- Middle: Vanilla, Beeswax
- Base: Sandalwood, Cocoa
3. Best Expensive Vanilla Perfume: Tom Ford Tobacco Vanille
Now, if you’re willing to splurge a lot, Tom Ford’s Tobacco Vanille is another one of the best vanilla fragrances for women.
The blend of vanilla and tobacco leaf with a hint of spices is really classy and seductive. Whenever I’ve tried it, the scent has lasted virtually all day and I’ve felt pretty sexy wearing it.
It’s bold, it’s undeniably luxurious, and absolutely unforgettable – a true masterpiece from Tom Ford here.
Tom Ford Tobacco Vanille Notes
- Top: Tobacco Leaf, Spicy Notes
- Middle: Vanilla, Cocoa, Tonka Bean
- Base: Dry Fruit Accord, Wood Sap
4. Best Classic Vanilla Perfume: Skylar Vanilla Sky Eau de Parfum
For a timeless vanilla scent, I can’t recommend Skylar Vanilla Sky EDP enough.
With notes of cappuccino, you might think you’ll be constantly inhaling Starbucks, but trust me–the coffee-vibes aren’t too on the nose in this scent.
To me, it’s more akin to a warm hug in a bottle. The caramelized cedar and vanilla really make this a super gourmand fragrance.
Skylar Vanilla Sky Eau de Parfum Notes
- Top: Cappuccino, Pure Vanilla
- Middle: Caramelized Cedar, Myrrh
- Base: Amber, Sandalwood
5. Best Warm Vanilla Perfume: Kilian Paris Angels’ Share
Honestly, Angel’s Share had me at cognac. But it’s the oakwood and vanilla notes that really make this warm fragrance come together.
I was pleasantly surprised by how many compliments I got after spraying this fragrance, from both men and women.
It also happens to be Beyoncé’s favorite perfume–so it has to be doing something right.
Kilian Paris Angels’ Share Notes
- Top: Cognac
- Middle: Oak
- Base: Vanilla, Cinnamon
6. Best Amber Vanilla: The 7 Virtues Vanilla Woods
Released in 2018, the 7 Virtues Vanilla Woods isn’t a particularly well-known scent, but that’s a blessing in disguise. I’ve not come across anyone else who has ever tried this scent, so you’ll smell really different with this one.
The amber, pear, rose, and vanilla combo is sweet, but not sickly, and the performance is above average.
I’d recommend wearing it for dates or evening events where the amber can really shine.
The 7 Virtues Vanilla Woods Notes
- Top: Pear
- Middle: Rose, Carnation
- Base: Vanilla, Amber, Woody Notes
7. Best Musk Vanilla Perfume: Byredo Vanille Antique Extrait de Parfum
If you prefer deeper, muskier and even slightly masculine scents, Byredo Vanille Antique Extrait de Parfum is one of the best vanilla perfumes for ladies going.
Mixing rose, vanilla and musk, it’s a sophisticated autumnal perfume. It’s also a pretty long-lasting vanilla perfume, staying on my skin for around 6-8 hours.
Byredo Vanille Antique Extrait de Parfum Notes
- Top: Angelica Seeds
- Middle: Vanilla, Rose
- Base: Musk, Ambergris
8. Best vanilla perfume for nights out: YSL Black Opium
Whether you’re about to go clubbing, to a bar, or for dinner, Black Opium by Yves Saint Laurent is a modern, distinctive, top vanilla scent with an energy-boosting feel.
It’s bold enough to get you noticed – I’d even go as far as to call it a beast mode perfume. It has a reach of over 2 arm lengths and doesn’t start to fade for about 5-6 hours.
YSL Black Opium Notes
- Top: Coffee, Pink Pepper
- Middle: Jasmine, Orange Blossom
- Base: Vanilla, Patchouli, Cedar
9. Best Sweet Vanilla Perfume: Love, Don’t Be Shy by Killian
Love, Don’t Be Shy really hits the sweet spot – and with ingredients like marshmallow and orange blossom, it’s easy to see why. It’s practically a dessert in a perfume bottle, which is probably why it’s Rihanna’s favorite perfume.
It’s a fun, light and flirty fragrance, but it’s definitely not for everyone.
You’ll either love it or hate it, but one thing’s for sure – you won’t have smelled anything quite like it.
Love, Don’t Be Shy Notes
- Top: Neroli, Bergamot, Pink Pepper
- Middle: Jasmine, Orange Blossom, Rose
- Base: Vanilla, Marshmallow, Musk
Common Questions About Women’s Vanilla Fragrances
To help you pick a top vanilla scent, I’ve also answered some of the most popular questions I get asked.
Are men attracted to the scent of vanilla?
Yes, men are attracted to the scent of vanilla. Vanilla is a universally popular scent that both men and women find seductive, playful, comforting, and attractive. The Smithsonian found that the sweet and nutty scent of vanillin, the main component in vanilla extract, is the world’s favorite scent.
How can you naturally smell like vanilla?
Yes, you can naturally smell like vanilla. Some people sweat glands to secrete a sweeter scent that may naturally smell like vanilla to some. Meanwhile, others will spray a vanilla cologne to give off a vanilla scent.
Which Ariana Grande perfume smells like vanilla?
The Ariana Grande perfume that smells like vanilla is “Mod Vanilla.” It’s a warm vanilla scent, featuring top notes of musk, plum, and pink freesia, middle notes of praline and orris root, and base notes of vanilla and cacao butter. It’s a pretty good, creamy vanilla scent.
What scents pair well with vanilla perfumes?
Vanilla perfume pairs well with fresh citrus notes like bergamot and sweet orange can complement the warmth of vanilla, creating a vibrant and uplifting fragrance. It also blends nicely with floral notes such as jasmine and orchid, adding a touch of sweetness and depth to the floral bouquet. For a richer scent, woody and spicy notes like cedar, sandalwood, and cinnamon can be combined with vanilla to create a warm and inviting fragrance.