Valentino Born in Roma Extradose Vanilla Scented Perfume Collection 2025 Interview
The Intriguing World of Vanilla in Perfume
It's worth noting that there are actually two iterations of the scent. Although the fragrances are similar, this newer version features a fourth vanilla wood, which adds a rich, smoky element to the perfume, making it even more captivating. As VanDerMillen mentioned, vanilla see this can have an earthy feel, and that's certainly what you get with this Jo Malone perfume. The earthy woodiness of vetiver grounds the creamy warmth of vanilla to create an intoxicating, not-too-sweet fragrance. Adding cardamom, lavender, and sage gives it even more of a grounding feel. A complementary evening skincare ritual can enhance how fragrance performs.
The answer is a resounding yes, according to some of the world's best noses, who are all noticing that the spice is spiking in popularity. The heart of For Her by Narciso Rodriguez is orange blossom, which immediately bursts with sparkling energy as it makes way for musk and vanilla to take the spotlight. Sameeha Shaikh is Grazia UK's Beauty Writer. Harper’s BAZAAR participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen vanilla scented perfume products purchased through our links to retailer sites.
Exploring a Spectrum of Vanilla-Infused Scents
It's a little bit more expensive than fragrances from the likes of Zara or & Other Stories, but for a designer scent, I definitely think it's worth the money. The only downside is the longevity, but that really is the only thing I can fault. Don't be shy, keep scrolling to give yourself a great vanilla scented perfume and sweet treat for your senses. In fact, most of our editors agreed that it was too “peppery” and masculine for their taste. Although I generally prefer more traditionally feminine perfumes (think scents with jasmine or amber), there was something — for me — truly hypnotic about this fragrance.
98% of the vanilla used in fragrance and flavourings is synthetic due to the costly process of harvesting and extracting natural vanilla. However, Jo Malone London scents are an exception, containing the highly prized natural ingredient. 'The 200 plus compounds present in the raw material are what give vanilla its broad odour profile, allowing it’s luxuriant, full-bodied character to develop,' explains Emma South, Jo Malone London's Fragrance & Lifestyle Expert. Keep reading to find the best vanilla scents that are anything but beige.
The vanilla can be detected right away, and it stays into the dry down. What I like best, however, is that the nutmeg starts shining through after a few minutes, and the orange blossom sort of brightens the entire fragrance up. According to Phlur, Perfumer Greg Husar created Solar Power to be inspired by the “diffusive glow of sunlight” by combining golden floral musk and citrus notes like orange flower and bergamot.
An unexpected pleasure, One Day’s Taipei smells like warm rice cooked in soy milk; it is comforting and soft—almost homey, and yet sophisticated. From the floral scents of Francis Kurkdjian's Aqua Universalis Cologne to the musky scents within Le Labo Santal 33, these are the best genderless perfumes. Though perfume is always a personal preference, certain trends often dictate what you can expect to smell anywhere in any given year.
The Art and Complexity Behind Vanilla Perfume Creation
“There is that classic, sweet vanillin scent and this is a synthetic vanilla that smells a lot like what we use in baking,” explains the expert. But, “if we look at a real vanilla absolute, this will actually have rich, leathery facets with chocolatey accents. Vanilla absolute is warm and enveloping, often described as having a rum-like quality,” Glyde continues. As mentioned above, this is a gourmand scent which features a trio of vanilla notes.
If you've found previous vanilla scents too cloying and heavy, this one will hit your sweet spot. It's unexpectedly light and fresh, thanks to citrus notes of orange blossom and bergamot. Whilst there are plenty of vanilla fragrances out there, you'll really be able to smell the difference if natural vanilla has been used rather than synthetic. 'Natural vanilla has a much more complex, layered scent profile so you're likely to pick up deeper, richer tones with hints of floral undertones.
It features an exquisite composition of jasmine, patchouli, and rose with a velvety smooth dry down. Cosmopolitan participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. Cheirosa '62 reminds me of a warm summer night on a beach vacation—and the beauty community agrees, considering it's a cult favourite. Trading the beach for pilates, Eres steps into activewear for the first time—and we couldn't wait to give it a try. Kith reopens its original Manhattan flagship with a luxury redesign, a Summer 2025 collection, and a new Kith Treats window serving a limited-edition Cronut. Get exclusive access to fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more.
It’s vegan, cruelty-free, and made with sustainably sourced, fair-trade vanilla. 7 Virtues is known for its mission-driven approach, supporting communities and promoting transparency in beauty. Far from being a one-dimensional, saccharine note, vanilla is a sophisticated chameleon. In the hands of the right perfumers, it can be sculpted into myriad aromatic profiles, each offering a unique sensory journey. From seductively smoky to ethereal and velvety, vanilla fragrances span a vast olfactory spectrum. Whether you're a longtime vanilla lover or a sceptic just dipping your toe into the world of gourmand scents, these fragrances prove that vanilla is anything but boring.
The Enduring Appeal and Diverse Profiles of Vanilla Scents
There’s Vanille Fatale, which is leathery with a hint of sweet, and Tobacco Vanille, originally on this list. However, after testing Vanilla Sex at a Sephora in Midtown for the best perfumes rreview, I knew it was the ultimate vanilla fragrance for fans of the designer. Packed with notes of pink sugar, this vanilla scent is on the sweeter side but still feels elegant and grown up thanks to notes of tonka bean, cedarwood and amber.
The versatility of premium vanilla fragrances is wildly underappreciated. While they’re often written off for being juvenile or cloyingly sweet, to disregard vanilla entirely would be to miss out on it’s true complexity and potential. When I spray Mango Skin from Vilhelm Parfumerie, I am immediately transported to a tropical, warm climate with a piña colada in one hand and a plate of exotic fruit in the other. A sweet perfume list wouldn't be complete without Prada's OG Candy. Listen, scents and perfumes are subjective, which means labelling one of them as the 'best overall' can be a bold claim to make, but I'm willing to risk it for 'Love Don't Be Shy' from Kilian. Other than the fact that Rihanna is famously known for wearing this "heavenly" scent (the exact word that several celebs have claimed Rih smells like), it is truly as grown-up-gourmand as a scent gets.
It actually reminds me of a headier version of Bath & Body Works Warm Sugar Vanilla. If you weren’t aware, a lot of folks go for that sort of thing, according to Bettina O’Neill, Senior Vice President of Business Development, Mechandising, & Wholesale of Scentbird. “Vanilla is highly recognizable in a scent, as it’s sweet, warm and rich and is usually used as a base note,” O’Neill said. It has a sexiness to it that smells like you might have just been in an Uber with a boyfriend whose scent subtly rubbed off on you.
GOLDFIELD & BANKS Silky Woods perfume concentrate 100ml Sweet and citrus notes of cotton candy and an array of fruits add that vibrant playful touch, and then the perfume develops into a rich and complex blend, thanks to the musky, woody base notes of patchouli. One of the most thrilling aspects of exploring the world of gourmand fragrances is discovering indie perfumers who create scents far beyond the typical vanilla and almond. If you want to smell like strawberries and salt, there’s a perfume for that. “The new generation of gourmands appeal to a wide range of sensibilities by being inventive, approachable, and sophisticated,” Sullivan and Hendin added. ” Below are eight exciting and, more importantly, delicious fragrances for you to begin your gourmand journey.
It smells dark and rich like it belongs to someone who drives a Mercedes-AMG CLE Coup. I’d categorize it as part of the gourmand family, so if you like Sol de Janeiro’s Sol Cheirosa, this may be for you. Its first impression is sweet and salty — sort of like a sexy, salty cake.
Its top note is fruity apricot, which eventually gives way to jasmine, one of my favorite florals. The bottom notes are warm brown sugar and amber, which works together to create that vanilla-like note. It’s lovely, soft and just the thing I’d spritz myself to lift my spirits.
I’ve also been enjoying Soft Spot by Phlur (from £29 for 10ml edp, Space NK), a very trendy perfume brand that is – whisper it – popular on TikTok. While I love the brand’s fresh, creamy bestseller Missing Person, Soft Spot has a rounded vanilla note that makes it almost impossible to stop at one spritz. Given its new-found legacy, any launch from Phlur is always met with an air of excitement and Vanilla Skin certainly lives up to the buzz.
The power of strategic layering No, not the ice cream flavour, nor the monotone beauty trend that took our over feeds in 2022. I'm talking about the quintessential gourmand fragrance note that seems to be bottled up in to all the very best perfume launches of the year thus far. Even singer-turned-perfumer Sabrina Carpenter has taken to the note having launched her ode to all things sweet, Caramel Dream, £24.99.
Ahem, no perfume list would be complete without Baccarat Rouge 540, which takes on a unique sultry and sweet tone that is completely iconic. "I love gourmand scents, and Baccarat Rouge 540 is my go-to," says Cosmo US assistant shopping editor Hannah Oh. When you think of the classic J'adore Dior, you probably imagine a big bouquet of flowers. But to Cosmo US's beauty editor Beth Gillette, the iconic scent takes on more of a citrus tone. "J'adore Dior is very good! It's like a whiff of fruits and smells really sweet to me," she describes. Testers agree, with one saying it's like a group of women sitting in a fragrant garden, drinking bottomless bellinis.
Madeline Galassi is the Senior Fashion & Beauty Editor at The Everygirl. The Everygirl’s product selections are curated by the editorial team. If you buy something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission, at no cost to you. It enhances custard and is a prerequisite to most baked goods, but does vanilla work in your signature scent?
What is the difference between sweet and gourmand?
Nwasike explains that the scents that pair well with vanilla are expansive—but she helps us break them down. For a fresh take, look to combinations featuring bergamot and mandarin orange. For gourmand blends, consider notes such as caramel, honey, chocolate, coffee, almond, hazelnut, and coconut. If you prefer more spice-forward scents, saffron, cinnamon, and pink pepper are favored in vanilla perfumes. For the classic fragrance lover, you can’t go wrong with floral notes such as rose, jasmine, or orange blossom; for the mysterious woody perfume lovers, inclusions of oud, sandalwood, and patchouli will be for you.
On fragrance labels, you may run across different names, such as eau de toilette, eau de parfum, or perfume oil. The difference here is the percentage of perfume oil and its concentration, which can affect the longevity and character of the fragrance. Choosing between the three is a matter of personal preference and skin and nose sensitivity. Here, Harris breaks down the pros and cons of each type of fragrance. As we age, our skin’s natural oils interact differently with perfume.
Vanilla Milk is balanced and delectable thanks to a touch of florals. Housed inside this beautiful sculptural bottle is a vanilla fragrance that's reminiscent of a fruit cake. The combination of vanilla and red berries is simply delicious and balances the sweetness. Don't get me wrong—this scent is sweet (how could it not be with sugared petals as a keynote?). This delectable scent is also under $100 a bottle, making it a winner.
Sabrina Carpenter Caramel Dream EDP 30ml
Because our body chemistry and personal taste change with time, I’ve been hunting for a new perfume; preferably one infused with the classic note. Whether you’ve been considering purchasing your first Phlur perfume or want to add a seasonal Phlur scent to your rotation, these are the best eight Phlur fragrances I’ve tried. Not in baking, although we are approaching the return of The Great British Bake Off, but in perfumes, where ‘edible’ notes are all the rage. I'm a big fan of this new iteration, in which the scent is amplified with a fourth vanilla wood note. A scent sketched in ink and softened with vanilla, YSL's Muse fragrance is the maison’s most seductive tribute yet.
If vanilla scents are also your vice, find additional perfumes, hand creams, candles, and more with similar notes below (they’re on my wish list, too!). The scent can be at times…well, vanilla; sometimes too syrupy, young or worse, a combo of both. Golden Rule is the first floral fragrance that has managed to weasle its way into my perfume rotation.
best sweet perfumes of 2025 that smell delicious – tested and reviewed
However, the dry down is where the real magic is, overtime developing into something more musky and grownup-ish. It’s addictive, and something I imagine would bring all the boys (and girls) to the yard. However, it’s definitely not obscure, so if you want something few others own, I’d look elsewhere.
Its creamy vanilla bean base note perfectly contrasts with intoxicating orangeflower, jasmine, and spicy cardamom, resulting in a floral, woody, and sweet fragrance.