The scent of vanilla brings back comforting memories for me. My grandmother always wore Guerlain’s Shalimar, her signature vanilla-based fragrance.
That early connection made me love vanilla and want something similar, but a bit more youthful. As a teenager in the 1970s, options were limited, so, like many others, I chose Love’s Baby Soft. Fast forward to today, and there are countless vanilla scents to choose from.
With summer behind us, you might have set aside your lighter colognes, but maybe you’re not quite ready for the bold, warm scents reserved for winter. This in-between season is the perfect time to try a vanilla fragrance that feels as cozy as your favorite sweater.
Vanilla scents are an ideal choice for cooler weather. They bring warmth, texture, and lots of variety. Whether you prefer musky, floral, or spicy notes, there’s a vanilla scent to match your fall mood. From airy body mists to rich perfumes, here are eight vanilla fragrances that capture the season.
Atelier des Fleurs Vanilla Planifolia Eau de Parfum – Chloé
As I got off the escalator at Bloomingdale’s, a decorative cart displaying shimmering bottles of Chloé fragrance caught my eye. Tanya, the company representative, asked if I’d like to try any of the fragrances. I asked her what Chloé had in the way of Vanilla.
Curious, I watched Tanya pick up a tester bottle of Atelier des Fleurs Vanilla Planifolia and sprayed it on a card for me. As soon as I smelled it, the words “enticing” and “intoxicating” came to mind right away.
While I savored the scent, Tanya explained that the gourmand vanilla comes directly from the vanilla plant, with no synthetics, no dyes, and no harsh sugar. As she put it, “what it says is what it is.”
If you’re drawn to vanilla with a floral touch, this Chloé fragrance might be your new favorite. Each perfume in the collection centers around a standout note, whether floral, aromatic, or woody, inspired by a personal memory from the perfumer. This scent offers a fresh, botanical spin on classic vanilla orchid (also known as planifolia). The result is sweet and sensual, with a touch of the unexpected.
ALLEGRA Baciami Eau de Parfum – Bvlgari
While I was chatting with Tanya, Cristina, Bvlgari’s beauty advisor, came over and joined us. She was eager to show me Allegra’s Baciami Eau de Parfum.
Cristina led me to the nearby Bvlgari counter, sharing that “Baciami” means “kiss me” in Italian. As she introduced the perfume on a test strip, I caught a whiff and found it as romantic and flirtatious as the name suggests. The scent is a romantic blend of gardenia, vanilla, and amber, with a warm and inviting finish. It is bold without being overpowering, making it ideal for fall.
As I admired the scent, Cristina told me, “This is the top seller for the brand.”
Adding to its charm, the fragrance draws inspiration from Italian love stories, like those of the poet Dante and his muse Beatrice. The bottle itself continues the story; it comes in a ruby-red glass flacon, which matches its theme of passion and love.
Despite being the priciest fragrance on the list, it’s well worth the splurge.
Cashmere & Vanilla Essence – Donna Karan
Meet Cashmere & Vanilla Essence – the newest member of Donna Karan’s beloved Cashmere Collection. Released this year, it joins favorites like Wild Fig, Tunisian Neroli, Tiare Flower, and Palo Santo, bringing a fresh yet familiar vibe to the lineup.
This isn’t your typical vanilla. It’s sweet, yes – but with a mature edge. It opens with bright notes of pink pepper and apple, moves into a floral mix of jasmine and violet, and settles into a creamy blend of vanilla bean, sandalwood, amber, and musk.
It’s the kind of scent that feels like a second skin – soft, sensual, and sophisticated.
As Donna Karan has said, fragrance isn’t just an accessory – it is “the first layer of dressing, a woman’s invisible body suit.”
You can wear it alone or layer it with other favorites. It’s a vanilla scent with depth – sweet, musky, and beautifully balanced.
Kayali Vanilla | 28
I first tried Kayali Vanilla 28 after receiving a sample with an online Sephora order, and I liked it right away. It’s easy to see why Cosmopolitan magazine crowned it the Best Overall Vanilla Perfume in 2024.
Vanilla 28 was one of Kayali’s first fragrances when it launched in 2018, and it’s still one of their top sellers. Fun fact: the name comes from the 28 attempts it took to perfect the scent.
The scent itself is a cozy swirl of musk and amber, with soft touches of jasmine, vanilla orchid, brown sugar, tonka, and patchouli. It smells warm, sweet, and just a little bit spicy.
Like all Kayali fragrances, it’s made with high-quality ingredients – including natural vanilla and perfume oils – which are more concentrated, so the scent lasts longer on your skin.
Mona Kattan Elamin, the founder of the Kayali fragrance line, described it perfectly on Instagram: “Vanilla 28 is like the whipped cream to your dessert!”
Vanilla Smoke – PHLUR
These aren’t your average body sprays – they’re way more fun. Each one feels like a little mood boost in a bottle, with playful names like Dragon Fruit, Moonstone, Heavy Cream, and Vanilla Smoke. They’re made for both body and hair, which makes them super versatile.
The first time I tried one, I sprayed it on in the morning and barely noticed it at first – it was soft, sweet, and almost airy. But as the day went on, it warmed up on my skin and turned into something deeper and smokier, with cozy notes of balsam, golden amber, and cacao blanc. That’s the magic of fragrance – it works differently with each person’s body chemistry.
The formula is clean, vegan, and gentle enough for everyday wear. I like using it right after a shower for a light, comforting scent and, on gray days, I’ll even mist it on my clothes for a little pick-me-up.
Vanilla Milk – Ellis Brooklyn
Bee Shapiro, the company’s founder, teamed up with Irish perfumer Meabh McCurtin to reimagine vanilla in a way that feels fresh, layered, and a little bit luxe. They did that by blending two types of vanilla beans – Bourbon Vanilla and Madagascar Vanilla – to create something that’s familiar but far from basic.
Then they added a few unexpected twists: delicate florals, cocoa shell, rich Amyris, and a creamy milk accord. The result? Vanilla Milk – a scent that’s smooth, comforting, and surprisingly complex. When you first spray it on, it’s soft and sweet. But as it warms up on your skin, it deepens into something richer, thanks to your body’s chemistry doing its thing.
One Reddit reviewer nailed it by noting that it “smells so close to the whipped cream I make with vanilla bean.” It’s that delicious – but still totally wearable and grown-up.
Warm Vanilla Sugar – Bath & Body Works
Warm Vanilla Sugar has been a go-to favorite at Bath & Body Works for about 25 years, and it’s easy to see why. The website describes it as “a creamy, sweet treat” and that’s exactly how it smells. The fragrance is a warm blend of vanilla, white orchid, sparkling sugar, fresh jasmine, and creamy sandalwood. The moment I spray it on, I get a whiff of that comforting hit of vanilla and brown sugar – it’s sweet but not overpowering. Just cozy, familiar, and a little nostalgic.
What’s nice is that it’s not just a fragrance mist – you can find it in body wash, hand soap, and more, so you can really layer it on if you want that all-day warmth. And the sandalwood-brown sugar combo? People rave about it. It’s the kind of scent that gets compliments without even trying. And the price is right.
Vetiver & Golden Vanilla Cologne Intense – Jo Malone
Jo Malone is a perennial favorite of mine, and no list would feel complete without one of their fragrances. For those who want to explore vanilla’s smoky side, Vetiver & Golden vanilla mixes vetiver bourbon with golden vanilla bourbon and a hint of cardamom. The result is earthy and exotic.
Meera, the Jo Malone specialist at my local Macy’s, explained that most of the brand’s fragrances are rooted in British ingredients and traditions, while the Cologne Intense line utilizes ingredients sourced from outside the United Kingdom, drawing inspiration from travel and faraway places.
“If you really love vanilla, you’ll love this,” she said.
Echoing her advice, an online reviewer described Vetiver & Golden vanilla cologne as a “great fragrance for autumn and winter, but you’ll want to use it all year.”
If you’re looking for winter fragrances, perhaps you will enjoy this list as well.
Let’s Have a Conversation:
What’s your favorite autumn fragrance? Where do you look for it? What memories does the aroma spark in your mind?
