The moment I smelled “Warm Vanilla Sugar” in a Bath & Body Works store 20 plus years ago, I was hooked. Ever since, I’ve always loved the warm, comforting smell of a vanilla-based fragrance. And vanilla scents are having a real moment right now, which is amazing for me! I’ve been slowly adding to my perfume collection, and have a few favorite vanilla ones I thought I’d share in case you’re going through a similar phase.
Le Labo Vanille 44
This fragrance is the whole reason I want to share this post now – Vanille 44 a limited edition from Le Labo that can only be bought online during the month of September. And wow, is it good. It’s the splurgiest of the perfumes in my post today, but I can’t get over how much I love it. It’s vanilla, but grown up and sophisticated – I think of it as a mix between vanilla and incense, in the best possible way. It’s both warm and smokey, and dries down so nicely – it’s not at all overwhelming (and as someone who grew up going to Byzantine Catholic church where they are liberal with their use of incense, I feel qualified to say that!). It’s an incredible take on vanilla, and different from the other vanilla scents that I’ve tried!
Burberry Goddess
Burberry Goddess is a great warm vanilla scent – there are actually three different vanilla notes in this, which are subtly different but also work together beautifully. I was a little nervous that it would be too sweet overall, but there are enough other notes that on the whole, it’s nice and light and not too sickly sweet. It’s a really nice, rich everyday option – and I love that it leaves a nice subtle scent on my clothes after I’ve sprayed it, too. Also – for the first time that I’ve ever seen, you can buy a perfume refill for this fragrance when you run out, rather than having to get a whole new bottle!
Phlur Vanilla Skin
Phlur has been putting out some really great fragrances, and I love their take on vanilla. Vanilla Skin is a perfume, not a body mist, so it’s a bit stronger than some of their other offerings, and has a little bit more lasting power too, which I love! It’s another mix of vanilla and sandalwood, which I love – it’s definitely stronger on the vanilla, though, and the sandalwood is just a nice, subtle touch to keep it from being too sweet overall. I really love how wearable this is – it honestly reminds me of a grown up “warm vanilla sugar” in the best possible way.
Replica Afternoon Delight
This is the newest addition to my collection – I saw this announced and I just couldn’t resist trying it out. Afternoon Delight is compared to a Parisian cafe, where the air is filled with the scent of freshly-baked madelines. And honestly… I get it! It reminds me of a deep, custardy, sweet take on vanilla – kind of like a creme brulee version of a vanilla fragrance. I do think it’s the sweetest of the vanilla perfumes that I’ve tried, but as it dries down, the sandalwood scent comes out to keep it balanced and to keep it from being overpoweringly sweet. Gourmand fragrances can be hit or miss for me, but I really like this one.
Shop the post:
