Vanilla fragrances are here to stay Despite everything, they are still the number one choice among female consumers

Vanilla is one of those notes that keeps winning over fragrance lovers, season after season. It doesn't matter whether it's summer, autumn, winter or spring: there's always a good time to smell sweet. But why? What makes this note one of the most beloved in perfumery? Its versatility certainly plays a part. Depending on the composition, it can take on very different characters, from caramel-like sweetness to spicy nuances, all the way to woody and ambery accords. In other words, not every vanilla fragrance smells like dessert. But perhaps there's more to it.

Why do we love vanilla so much?

As always, there's a scientific explanation behind vanilla's success, too. A study published in 2022 in Nature Food, titled Odour hedonics and the ubiquitous appeal of vanilla, compared how people from different cultures perceive smells. Vanilla ranked among the most appealing scents. There seems to be something about the way we perceive this note that makes it pleasant to many people, regardless of where they live. That doesn't mean everyone loves it in the same way. Personal experience matters, as do the memories associated with it: for some, vanilla might bring to mind a homemade dessert; for others, a cream used by someone close to them, or the dolls they used to play with. These associations can shape how we perceive a fragrance and why we eventually choose to wear it.

8 vanilla perfumes to try

Vanilla Canyon by Phlur

Vanilla Skin by Phlur is one of those gourmand fragrances that plays with the contrast between sweetness and spice, giving vanilla more than just its sugary side. It opens with plum and tonka bean. At the heart, there's jasmine and wild honey. The base brings together vanilla, patchouli and oakwood.

Vanilla Haze by Fugazzi

Vanilla Haze by Fugazzi is exactly the kind of fragrance that brings to mind a rich, caramelized dessert. It opens with mandarin, coconut milk, almond and hazelnut, before moving into a heart of vanilla pod, tonka bean and jasmine. The base features crème brûlée, white amber and sweet musk.

Vanilla Magnétique by Obart

Vanille Magnétique by Obart offers a darker take on vanilla. It opens with dark chocolate, vanilla infusion and praline. At the heart, there's myrrh, tonka bean and vanilla absolute. The base features white musks, cedarwood and sandalwood, balancing the composition with woodier notes.

Rare by Rare Beauty

Rare by Rare Beauty opens with caramel, pistachio and pink pepper, followed by vanilla, ginger and cocoa beans. The base combines sandalwood, tonka bean and musk for a skin scent effect.

Caramelo Vaniglia by New Notes

Caramelo Vanilla by New Notes brings together some of perfumery's most mouthwatering accords. It opens with vanilla blossom and caramel. At the heart, there's white flowers, frangipani, cotton candy and dulce de leche. The base combines vanilla beans, tonka bean and musk to make the whole composition even sweeter and more enveloping.

Sunlit Vanilla by Summer Fridays

Sunlit Vanilla by Summer Fridays is made for anyone who loves sweet vanilla but doesn't want a fragrance that feels too heavy. Its opening note is bergamot, fresh and citrusy, followed by a heart of caramel and coconut. The base brings together vanilla, creamy musk, tonka bean and amber.

Ibiza Hair & Body Fragrance Mist by Ouai

Ibiza Hair & Body Fragrance Mist by Ouai is a fragrance mist for both hair and body that takes a different approach to vanilla, giving it a warmer, boozier edge. Unlike the other fragrances on this list, it opens with sugar, cacao and tonka bean. The heart features labdanum, coffee and cashmeran, while the base brings together vanilla, cinnamon and rum.

Easy Bake Intense by Huda Beauty

Easy Bake Intense by Huda Beauty is a gourmand floral fragrance with a spicy touch, inspired by the brand's iconic setting powder. It opens with wild cherry, followed by a heart of white flowers, cinnamon bark and caramel milk. The base features Bourbon vanilla.