14 Grown-Up Vanilla Perfumes That Don’t Smell Like a Bakery

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Now that the weather is starting to cool down, it’s time to swap summer scents for fall perfumes. When it comes to picking a fall perfume, we have one word on our minds: cozy. Wearing a cozy scent makes you feel like you’re wrapped up in a cashmere blanket or wearing your favorite warm sweater next to a crackling fireplace. One of the coziest scent notes you can choose? Vanilla.

Don’t worry—a vanilla scent doesn’t have to be cloyingly sweet, like the vanilla-tinged fragrances of our youth. In fact, many new generation vanillas are smoky, woodsy, or even fresh. Vanilla can add a creamy depth to fragrances that makes them much more wearable. Our favorite vanilla scents are sexy, easy to wear, and the source of endless compliments. Keep reading for the vanilla perfumes that ELLE editors and rave reviewers love to wear.

New York Forever

New York City is a melange of a lot of pleasant and unpleasant smells. However, in Bond No. 9’s world, the city is a golden medley of dewy florals and vanilla.

Key notes: Cinnamon bark, patchouli, vanilla, amber, labdanum, moss

Size: 3.3 fl oz

Bond No. 9 rating: 5/5 stars

An ELLE editor says: “Fragrance is my favorite form of escapism. Bond No. 9 does a great job of giving every neck of New York City its own distinct smell. New York Forever bursts with honeyed florals and a sweet vanilla dip that makes you forget about the city’s other scents.”—Nerisha Penrose, ELLE.com Beauty Commerce Editor

Vanilla | 28

Kayali’s Vanilla fragrance is both addictive and alluring. Equal parts creamy and seductive, the sugary scent features a mix of Brazilian tonka, Madagascar vanilla, brown sugar, and florals that leaves a mark on each person you encounter. (Trust us.)

Key notes: Brazilian tonka, Madagascar vanilla, and amber

Size: 1.7 fl oz

Sephora rating: 3.9/5 stars

A Sephora reviewer says: “This scent is my absolute favorite, especially for fall! It smells warm and sweet. The best part is that it actually lasts on my skin for multiple hours.”

Goddess Refillable Eau de Parfum

Burberry Goddess is a gourmand goldmine. Featuring three vanilla notes, the scent bursts with a creamy, warm aroma that’s anchored by a brush of lavender in each spritz.

Key notes: Vanilla infusion, lavender, vanilla caviar, vanilla absolute

Size: 1.7 fl oz

Nordstrom rating: 4.7/5 stars

An ELLE editor says: “Upon reading the notes of Burberry Goddess, I told myself I didn’t need another vanilla scent and planned on gifting it to a friend. Then, I smelled it for the first time and immediately changed my mind. It’s mine! The vanilla trio melds perfectly with the tinge of lavender, and imparts a hot, sophisticated creamy smell that you'll want to spritz over and over again.”—Nerisha Penrose

Libre Eau de Parfum

YSL Libre opens as a seductive dark floral arrangement, fitting for nighttime wear. Layer by layer, each note steals the scene from a burst of juicy orange blossom to warm vanilla as it dries down.

Key notes: Orange blossom, vanilla, and musk accord

Size: 0.33 fl oz

Nordstrom rating: 4.6/5 stars

Our expert says: “I like my florals where I can smell them—in a hot, sophisticated floral-vanilla fragrance. Libre makes me feel like a character in my own romantic comedy. The scent is mysterious, yet homely and familar.”—Nerisha Penrose

Amber Oud Gold Edition

For scents that last all day, very few come close to Amber Oud by Al Haramain. Melon, pineapple, and amber create sweet spots, but the sensual, mature side comes from musk and vanilla.

Key notes: Bergamot, pineapple, amber, and vanilla

Size: 2 fl oz

Amazon rating: 4.5/5 stars

An ELLE editor says: “My introduction to Middle Eastern fragrance came courtesy of this gem from Al Haramain. I stole a few spritzes from my father’s, and shortly after, he gifted me my own. The musk is what stands out most and lingers on your clothes for days.”—Nerisha Penrose

Eilish Eau de Parfum

You’ll immediately buy this fragrance for the gorgeous bronze packaging, but the guaranteed compliments prove its staying power. Warm and spicy notes of vanilla and musk form a cozy blanket that feels crisp like an October autumn day.

Key notes: Vanilla, mandarin, cocoa, and musk

Size: 1 fl oz

Ulta rating: 4.5/5 stars

An Ulta reviewer said: “I really do enjoy this fragrance as it’s so simple to use as your go to fragrance. Sweet without being too strong which is great for the season!”

Vanilla Vibes

Most vanilla fragrances conjure images of a fireplace, toasted chai latte, or a delicious plate of cookies. Juliette Has a Gun’s Vanilla Vibes is the twist that’s less sweet, more fresh and alluring. Fun fact: this scent was actually inspired by Burning Man’s electric, carefree spirit blanketing the dusty desert gathering.

Key notes: Sea salt, sandalwood, and vanilla

Size: 3.4 fl oz

Sephora rating: 4.1/5 stars

A Sephora reviewer says: “Beautiful! It comes off to me as a fresh vanilla. It smells truly like summer without the coconut. I’m not a coconut fan and so this is a summer vanilla for me. It doesn’t come off too strong for me, so you could probably wear this somewhere you don’t want a ton of projection.”

Sì Passione Eau de Parfum Fragrance

Here’s a scent that’s as startling as its fire-red packaging. Blackcurrant nectar, pear, and rose add the sparkle, while vanilla and cedarwood ignite the passion.

Key notes: Blackcurrant nectar, pear, rose, and vanilla

Size: 1.7 fl oz

Nordstrom rating: 4.7/5 stars

A Nordstrom reviewer says: “This is a lovely fragrance, opening with a lovely pear note and grounded by gorgeous rose and vanilla notes. This is a new favorite that I am wearing often. Excellent longevity.”

Alien Goddess

Mugler’s Alien Goddess offers a decadent ambiance built around Madagascar vanilla. The aroma sweetens with the addition of jasmine and bergamot.

Key notes: Italian bergamot, Madagascar vanilla, and jasmine

Size: 3 fl oz

Nordstrom rating: 4.6/5 stars

A Nordstrom reviewer says: “I am a fan of the Alien line in general. This one is amazing. It has a warm and comforting scent. I love wearing it on weekends and on rainy days.”

SOL Cheirosa ’62 Eau de Parfum

Sometimes, our desire to smell like a tropical vacation leaves us with limited scent options that are childish and gimmicky. Sol de Janeiro’s Sol Cheirosa is the grown-up version of a fun summer day. In Sol de Janeiro’s world, summer feels warm (sandalwood, vanilla), sweet (pistachio, caramel), and bright (jasmine petals).

Key notes: Salted caramel, vanilla, and pistachio

Size: 1.7 fl oz

Sephora rating: 3.7/5 stars

A Sephora reviewer says: “I got this because I love the Sol 62 body spray, but wanted something classier. I love this so much. My new signature scent. It smells like the 62, but with a little coconut and just a classier look and smell. Highly recommend this product. I get so many compliments when I use this. A must-have.”

Vanilla Woods Eau de Parfum

This Sephora bestseller is beloved by many for its youthful, fresh scent. The name suggests that it would veer toward deep, woodsy scents, but its pear, rose, and vanilla notes create a warm floral composition.

Key notes: Pear, rose, and vanilla

Size: 1.7 fl oz

Sephora rating: 4.3/5 stars

A Sephora reviewer says: “I love this scent so much. It goes on a bit strong at first, but the dry down is lovely, and the longevity is amazing. I’ll put it on in the morning, and I can still smell it by the beginning of the evening.”

Night Veil Vanille Antique Extrait de Parfum

Vanille Antique is the fragrance equivalent of a dark bar, a stiff drink, and a good date. It’s sultry, and manages to pull off a heady mix of vanilla, woods, and musk without feeling too overpowering.

Key notes: Vanilla, cashmere, wood, ciste, and musk

Size: 1.6 fl oz

Nordstrom rating: 3.9/5 stars

An ELLE editor says: “This is a scent so good that once it hit the scene in New York, it became nearly as ubiquitous as Baccarat Rouge or Santal 33. That’s because it’s a very New York City vanilla—sexy, mysterious, and statement-making enough for someone to ask you what fragrance you’re wearing on the subway.”—Katie Berohn, beauty editor

Flora Gorgeous Orchid Eau de Parfum

Gucci’s first floral gourmand is a home run. It smells sugary and nostalgic, but it’s still extremely wearable. The marine ozonic accord helps give the sweetness a hint of levity.

Key notes: Vanilla duo, vanilla orchid, marine ozonic accord

Size: 100 mL

Sephora rating: 3.9/5 stars

A Sephora reviewer says: “I’m absolutely obsessed with this fragrance. I wasn’t expecting to love it (I’m not a floral girl typically), but I feel like I need to buy 500 backup bottles. Perfect.”

Deep Dark Vanilla Eau de Parfum

This fragrance is described to recall “jungle vines and good times.” It’s a deep, smoky fragrance that uses real vanilla absolute to help you smell like the natural spice, not a synthetic version.

Key notes: Abreuva, orchid, pink pepper, vines, green vanilla leaves, cypress root, vanilla absolute, dark patchouli, hay

Size: 100 mL

Fragrantica rating: 3.1/5 stars

An ELLE editor says: “If you like a smoky fragrance, this will be right up your alley. I spritz this deep scent on whenever I want to feel like I’m on a tropical vacation and going out for the night.”—Katie Berohn

Why trust ELLE beauty?

As a leading publisher of fashion, lifestyle, and beauty content, ELLE.com is committed to highlighting the best products in various categories by personally testing the latest and most innovative products, interviewing countless experts, and vetting customer-loved items. For this piece, ELLE.com beauty editor Katie Berohn and beauty commerce editor Nerisha Penrose scoured the internet and editors’ stashes to find the best vanilla perfumes on the market.

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