I have a few weaknesses in life, and vanilla notes are one of them. Ever since I could choose my own perfume, I have gravitated towards vanilla scents.
I obviously never noticed this as a child, but when I started understanding scents and fragrances as an adult, I noticed that almost every single perfume I had chosen for myself had a vanilla note in it.
This, and the fact that vanilla fragrances are some of the most loved ones by many, are why I decided to compile this list of the best vanilla perfumes.
For Her:
1. D&G Devotion EDP
| Highlights | Details |
|---|---|
| Brand | Dolce & Gabbana |
| Best for | Women |
| Fragrance Family | Amber Vanilla |
| Notes | Top Notes: Candied Lemon Middle Notes: Panacotta, Orange Blossom, and Rum Base Notes: Vanilla |
| Release year | 2023 |
| Longevity | Over 8 hours |
| Projection | Moderate |
| Perfumer | Olivier Cresp |
Like most of the fragrances on this list, Devotion by Dolce and Gabbana is a gourmand fragrance. It was created to celebrate the Italian dessert panettone, a sweet bread from Milan made around Christmas and New Year.
This sweet bread is made with a brioche-like dough infused with vanilla and filled with rum-soaked raisins. The notes of Devotion reflect the essence of this desert with sweet and delicious notes like candied lemon, pannacotta, orange blossom, and vanilla. The boozy note of rum in the heart seals the deal.
2. Mon Destin Love In Yellow EDP
| Highlights | Details |
|---|---|
| Brand | Mon Destin |
| Best for | Women |
| Fragrance Family | Amber Vanilla |
| Notes | Top Notes: Pear, Tangerine, and Bergamot Middle Notes: Strawberry, Vanilla orchid, Black Rose, and Passion Fruit Base Notes: Praline, Caramel, Litchi, Patchouli, Vanilla, Incense, Coffee, and Papyrus |
| Release year | 2021 |
| Longevity | Over 4 hours |
| Projection | Strong |
| Perfumer | Mon Destin |
Love In Yellow is an underrated vanilla fragrance by the UAE-based brand Mon Destin. It is capable of competing with some international brands at a fraction of the price.
This fragrance is affordable, sweet, and attractive, but I will be honest with you and inform you that my only problem with it is that it isn’t very long-lasting. Yet I would still purchase it and keep it in my purse for that price point and for how good it is.
For Him
1. Armani Stronger With You Intensely EDP
| Highlights | Details |
|---|---|
| Brand | Giorgio Armani |
| Best for | Men |
| Family Fragrance | Amber Fougere |
| Notes | Top Notes: Pink Pepper, Juniper, and Violet Middle Notes: Toffee, Cinnamon, Lavender, and Sage Base Notes: Vanilla, Amber, Tonka Bean, and Suede |
| Release year | 2019 |
| Longevity | Over 8 hours |
| Projection | Strong |
| Perfumer | Giorgio Armani |
I’ll tell you a secret: Stronger With You by Giorgio Armani was my signature fragrance for a while. I know it’s made for men, but I felt so confident and good in my skin every time I wore it.
While no one could guess what I was wearing, I always got compliments wearing this. At the time, I didn’t know that this perfume had a vanilla note that attracted me to it, but I wasn’t surprised when I found out.
2. Kilian Straight to Heaven EDP
| Highlights | Details |
|---|---|
| Brand | Kilian |
| Best for | Men |
| Family Fragrance | Woody Spicy |
| Notes | Top Notes: Rum and Dried Fruits Middle Notes: Patchouli, Nutmeg, and Jasmine Base Notes: Virginia Cedar, Musk, Amber, and Vanilla |
| Release year | 2007 |
| Longevity | Over 8 hours |
| Projection | Strong |
| Perfumer | Sidonie Lancesseur |
Another boozy vanilla fragrance, but one that screams luxury. Straight to Heaven by Kilian is not to be missed in this list. This fragrance has another note that I have a soft spot for, and that is the patchouli note in the heart.
The vanilla note is definitely prominent here and blends beautifully with the rest of the notes. The rum and dried fruits in the opening, alongside the cedar, amber, and musk in the base, give this perfume its masculine character. Overall, this is an intoxicating, one-of-a-kind vanilla fragrance that will leave you feeling like a million bucks.
Unisex
1. Dior Vanilla Diorama EDP
| Highlights | Details |
|---|---|
| Brand | Dior |
| Best for | Unisex |
| Family Fragrance | Amber Vanilla |
| Notes | Top Notes: Orange, Pink Pepper, and Lemon Middle Notes: Rum, Cacao, and Cardamom Base Notes: Bourbon Vanilla, Sandalwood, and Patchouli |
| Release year | 2021 |
| Longevity | Over 8 hours |
| Projection | Strong |
| Perfumer | François Demachy |
Vanilla Diorama by Dior is true vanilla. The top two main accords of this fragrance are warm, spicy, and vanilla accords.
Due to its warm nature, this seasonal fragrance is best for fall and winter. While the notes here don’t react well to heat, they shine in colder weather. I recommend this as a perfume for your important meetings and for more sophisticated dinner settings.
2. Nishane Hundred Silent Ways EDP
| Highlights | Details |
|---|---|
| Brand | Nishane |
| Best for | Unisex |
| Fragrance Family | Floral Vanilla |
| Notes | Top Notes: Tuberose, Peach, and Mandarin Orange Middle Notes: Gardenia, Jasmine, and Orris Base Notes: Vanilla, Sandalwood, and Vetiver |
| Release year | 2016 |
| Longevity | Over 8 hours |
| Projection | Strong |
| Perfumer | Nishane |
Hundred Silent Ways by Nishane is one of their best perfumes, in my opinion. I became obsessed with it after hearing about it in a perfume video on YouTube.
While it is a floral fragrance, the floral notes are powdery and soft and blend beautifully with the vanilla note at the base. Hundred Silent Ways gives off an addictive scent that I still obsess over to this day.
Visit V Perfumes for more vanilla fragrances and fragrances from many more fragrance families.
