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Fragrance Trends Come and Go, But Vanilla Perfumes Will Always Get Me the Most Compliments
I wear these 15 on heavy rotation all year 'round.
As a beauty editor, it's my job to keep track of all the trending perfume. But there's one note continues to dominate—year after year—without showing any signs of slowing down: vanilla. At this point, it’s less of a trend and more of a fragrance mainstay. Vanilla shows up in some of the most beloved scents on the market because it’s universally appealing, endlessly versatile, and capable of smelling sweet, cozy, and downright addictive without ever feeling dated.
While some vanilla perfumes lean fully gourmand (think warm sugar and cake batter), many of my favorites strike a more balanced, elevated chord. Paired with notes like sandalwood, rose, musk, or juicy fruits, vanilla becomes softer, smoother, and more wearable—something that feels just as right for everyday wear as it does for nights out.
And I’m clearly not alone in my devotion. The Cosmo staff is equally obsessed, so I tapped fellow editors to share the vanilla perfumes they reach for again and again. Ahead, you’ll find our top picks—spanning spicy-sweet blends, fresh and floral interpretations, and creamy classics that deserve permanent spots on your vanity. Keep scrolling for the best vanilla perfumes right now, plus tips to help you find the one that suits your vibe best.
Our top picks for vanilla perfume:
Keep scrolling for all the best vanilla perfumes, from spicy-sweet takes on vanilla to fresh and floral variations. Truly, I’ve got an option for every preference. Then, I’ll help you pick the best one for you if you’re still not sure.
Best Deal
One Cosmo editor says: “I love the warm, cozy scent of this perfume and notice a little goes a long way. I'm pretty sensitive to fragrance, so it’s usually difficult for me to indulge in rich perfumes like this one for the most part. Since this scent is so rich, I'll spray just a lil bit on my skin so it's not overpowering or intense."—IMAN BALAGAM, CONTRIBUTING BEAUTY WRITER
| Notes | Vanilla orchid, jasmine, brown sugar, amber, musk |
| Sizes available | .33, .34, 1.7, and 3.4 oz. |
One Cosmo editor says: "As far as celebrity perfume lines go, Michelle Pfeiffer's is one of my top favorites for this gourmand. Dave, inspired by Michelle's husband, is a cozy, enveloping scent that smells like cinnamon, vanilla, chocolate--basically everything that I wish I was eating rtfn."—BETH GILLETTE, BEAUTY EDITOR
Features at a Glance
| Notes | Chantilly vanilla, tonka bean, cocoa shell |
| Sizes available | 0.27 and 1.7 oz |
One Cosmo editor says: "Vanilla Salt officially sits at the top of my list of best Ellis Brooklyn scents, but it's also truly one of the best vanilla perfumes I've smelled. It's a 'clean girl' vanilla. It doesn't smell like cupcakes or a latte--instead, it's soft and fresh. Like clean skin."—BG
Features at a Glance
| Notes | Mineral accord, sea salt, jasmine petals, ylang ylang, whipped cream, vanilla, benzoin, musk |
| Sizes available | 0.33 and 1.7 oz |
One Cosmo editor says: "The ad for this fragrance was all over my Netflix (yes, I pay for the cheapest option), and I instantly was drawn to the carefree, yet sophisticated vibes. The scent mirrors the campaign completely: it’s grown-up smelling but still playful and light and the floral notes feel modern and fresh.”—LAUREN BALSAMO, BEAUTY DIRECTOR
Features at a Glance
| Notes | Strawberry, vanilla, gardenia, brown sugar |
| Sizes available | 0.34, 1, 1.7, and 3.4 oz |
One Cosmo editor's review: “At first spritz, it’s fresh and a little fruity without being cloying. Hours later, it settles into a warm, sensual vanilla with slight traces of floral. I’m pretty picky about vanilla perfumes (they can oftentimes veer too salty and skin-like for me), but here, the vanilla blends perfectly with the citruses and florals. I know some people may associate Chanel with older, powdery scents—like Chanel No. 5—but Mademoiselle feels ageless.”—JASMINE HYMAN, ASSISTANT BEAUTY EDITOR
Features at a Glance
| Notes | Orange, bergamot, orange blossom, rose, jasmine, patchouli, musk, vanilla |
| Sizes available | 1.7 and 3.4 oz |
One Cosmo editor says: "I’m legit obsessed with Le Monde Gourmande, an affordable line of fragrances that includes this light and sweet vanilla perfume. It’s definitely decadent—hello, vanilla, brown sugar, and apricot—but the amber and jasmine help tone it down a bit from being too rich and heavy. I actually wear this in big crowds a lot without worrying it’ll give someone a headache.
But although this is an eau de parfum (which usually means it is denser and has a stronger scent profile, meaning it’ll last longer), this perfume is fairly weak, which I actually prefer for days when I just want a slight waft of my fragrance. If you like a stronger scent, dab a little Vaseline or Aquaphor on your wrists before spritzing this on to give the perfume something to grip onto and increase the longevity a lil bit. This one is delicate and airy—like a fluffy vanilla cloud."—BG
| Notes | Vanilla, brown sugar, amber, jasmine, apricot |
| Sizes available | 1 oz |
One Cosmo editor says: "People practically pounce me on the street when I'm wearing this to ask what perfume I have on. I've had fellow beauty editors immediately email Nest to ask for this—and that's when I knew it was a keeper. The vanilla feels darker and more sensual when paired with bourbon; it's boozey and yummy, with a touch of sparkling jasmine."—BG
Features at a Glance
| Notes | Vanilla bourbon, brown sugar, jasmine |
| Sizes available | 0.27 and 1.7 oz |
One Cosmo editor says: "My mom wore Gucci Bloom throughout my childhood, and this Parfum version is like the elevated, yet younger version of the original. With modern floral notes, and a touch of amber and vanilla, I'm coining this the perfect perfume to wear out and about. If I could drench myself in this all the time, I would. “—JH
Features at a Glance
| Notes | Jasmine, tuberose, orange blossom, amber, balsam, vanilla |
| Sizes available | 0.33, 1, 1.6, and 3.3 oz |
One Cosmo editor says: "I coat my entire body in the 11 11 Vanilla Body Oil nearly every time I get out of the shower these days because the scent is so perfect. It's vanilla, sure, but surrounded by freshness with star apple, passionflower, and sea salt—it's like draping a cozy sweater on top of your swimsuit to watch the waves at dusk. The perfume is just as good to spritz all over, especially on clothes."—BG
Features at a Glance
| Notes | Sea salt, vanilla, star apple, passionflower, marshmallow, amber, musk |
| Sizes available | 0.5, 1.7, and 3.4 oz |
One Cosmo editor says: "There is nothing I love more than showing up on a first date and being told I smell good. It’s intoxicating, really. Because obviously I put a whole lot of effort into choosing from my zillion perfumes how I want to smell to my crush. Duh. And the perfume that’s been doing that most recently is Noyz Only Human, a vanilla-based skin scent that's creamy and soft. There are hints of cedarwood and pink pepper to round out the milky vibes, but most of all, I get a soothing sweetness." —BG
Features at a Glance
| Notes | Pink Pepper, Italian bergamot, bamboo, vanilla bean, ambroxan, cedarwood |
| Sizes available | 0.5 and 1.69 oz |
One Cosmo editor says: "Tom Ford's first vanilla perfume is a total winner for anyone who loves a creamy, smooth perfume. The day I wore this, five people came up to me as I walked into an event to immediately tell me I smelled amazing (even before a "how are you?"—rude!). Everyone loved how warm and sweet I smelled, which tracks considering this perfume is filled with three different types of vanilla (vanilla, vanilla absolute, and Ultravanil, a molecule only found in Vanilla Sex that intensifies the other vanilla notes in the perfume)."—BG
Features at a Glance
| Notes | Vanilla tincture, vanilla absolute, sandalwood |
| Sizes available | 0.3, 1, and 1.7 oz |
One Cosmo editor says:"Out of my 200 perfumes, this is one of the few scents I actually sprayed on every single day in the fall and winter last year (like, the bottle is half gone right now) because it’s that good. The chocolate and vanilla perfume seemed to envelop my body on super-cold days and somehow made me feel warmer after spritzing it on. And if a chocolate and vanilla perfume sounds artificial to you, don’t worry—it’s also filled with musk and hinoki wood that make the chocolate notes smell like warm and spicy cinnamon to me."—BG
| Notes | Vanilla, chocolate, musk, hinoki wood |
| Sizes available | 0.25 and 1.7 oz. |
One Cosmo editor says: "When this sample first arrived at the Cosmo office, I spritzed it on at my desk, loved the scent, and went on with my day. Throughout the next few hours, five different staffers crowded my desk asking what I was wearing. Someone raved about how it smells like what they imagine a 'rich person’s living room' to smell like, probably due to the mix of sandalwood, musk, and vanilla. And ya know what? I have to agree—the woodsy vibes def smell like a cabin Airbnb I couldn’t afford."—BG
| Notes | Sandalwood, musk, cedar, jasmine, bergamot, vanilla |
| Sizes available | 0.32 and 1.7 oz. |
One Cosmo editor says:"When I heard Rihanna wore this perfume (before she launched her own Fenty Perfume, ofc), I ordered it without ever smelling it. And now I see why people say Rihanna is one of the best-smelling celebs. When I first sprayed it on my skin, it kind of smelled like a bubblegum-flavored marshmallow—but once it dried, I got hints of spicy pink pepper, coriander, and musk that gave it some rich depth. I get an ever-so-slight whisper of the orange blossom, but it essentially just supports all the sweet goodness throughout."—BG
| Notes | Vanilla, pink pepper, orange blossom, coriander, sugar, caramel, musk |
| Sizes available | 0.24 and 1.7 oz. |
How we tested vanilla perfumes:
Cosmo editors are constantly testing perfumes to identify the best fragrances on the market—and vanilla perfumes are no exception. To compile this list of the best vanilla perfumes, we:
- Researched dozens of vanilla-forward fragrances, prioritizing formulas with standout vanilla notes, strong longevity, and consistently positive reviews
- Personally tested each perfume over multiple wears to evaluate how the vanilla scent performs on skin, including projection, dry-down, and all-day wear
- Narrowed down our top picks based on key factors like scent balance, versatility, packaging, value, and overall wearability
- Analyzed thousands of customer reviews to identify patterns around compliments, lasting power, and how each vanilla perfume smells on different skin types
This approach ensures every vanilla perfume on our list is editor-approved, widely loved, and genuinely worth trying—whether you prefer sweet gourmands, soft musks, or warm, woody vanillas.
How to choose the best vanilla perfume:
Consider your fragrance preference.
Vanilla perfumes are most often thought of as gourmands (i.e., sweet perfumes that smell good enough to eat), but they can also be floral, fresh, tropical, clean—you name it. If you know you hate a sickly-sweet scent but like the warmth of a vanilla note, opt for a vanilla perfume with a lot of fresh citrus or bright florals in the opening notes. But if you do like an ultra-sugary vanilla fragrance, look for a perfume with supporting notes of chocolate, brown sugar, and honey.
Determine the intensity level.
Do you want a perfume that smells strictly of vanilla or has a faint whisper of sweetness from a vanilla note? If the vanilla notes in your perfume are in the foundation with eight other base notes, it likely won’t have that strong of a vanilla scent. On the other hand, if you want to really smell the vanilla, look for a perfume with only a few other notes throughout, one that only includes one or two other base notes, or that includes vanilla in the middle or opening. You can also look for a vanilla perfume that combines a few types of vanilla, like vanilla orchid or vanilla bourbon.
Decide on the type.
If you want a perfume that will smell strong for hours and hours, you should definitely opt for an eau de parfum (EDP), which has a stronger concentration of perfume oils than an eau de toilette (EDT). For reference, most of the perfumes above are EDPs, whereas body sprays and light-vanilla perfumes are often EDTs.
Why trust ‘Cosmopolitan’?
Beth Gillette is the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan with seven years of experience researching, writing, and editing perfume and beauty stories that range from stretch-mark creams to hair-removal creams. She’s an authority in all perfume categories but an expert when it comes to vanilla perfumes after sniffing, testing, and reviewing nearly every perfume launch over the last year.
Beth Gillette is the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan, where she covers skincare, makeup, hair, nails, and more across digital and print. She can generally be found in bright eyeshadow furiously typing her latest feature or hemming and hawing about a new product you "have to try." Prior to Cosmopolitan, she wrote and edited beauty content as an Editor at The Everygirl for four years. Follow her on Instagram for makeup selfies and a new hair 'do every few months.
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