Promising review: "Absolutely love the smell, not too overpowering, it is a light fragrance with a classic and expensive smelling character to it. I would buy this again and again! It's a little more expensive than other brands, but you don't need to put much on so it should last a while!." — Bloomingdale's customer
I Wore a Different Perfume Every Day for a Month—These 12 Earned Me Compliments
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Getty ImagesGrowing up, the bottles of body sprays, lotions, butters, and eau de toilettes that lined my bathroom vanity were far sweeter than a dessert-filled episode of The Great British Baking Show. My rotation typically included the latest launch from Bath & Body Works; Britney Spears's Fantasy (or Curious); a pure-sugar scent that, not surprisingly, was called Pink Sugar; and anything else glossy magazines like Seventeen, CosmoGirl, and Teen Vogue advertised. If it smelled like a frosted bakehouse cookie with sprinkles or the Cinnabon stand at the mall, I was, without a doubt, wearing it.
I'll always love unapologetically sweet scents, but now, my tastes have graduated to fragrance blends that are warm and woodsy or grounded with spices, leathers, or classic florals. That said, signature sweet notes like vanilla are often at the heart of my all-time favorite perfumes. They're just far less overpowering.
Being a beauty editor, I always have an overflowing stock of perfumes, so I decided to start a little experiment earlier this year. Instead of sticking to my signature fragrances, I went on a perfume-wearing spree, if you will, in which I wore a different scent every day for about a month, taking note of which formulas I liked best and which blends won me the most questions, comments, and compliments. In review, I noticed something intriguing: The top 12 scents all had a common, not-so-secret ingredient, vanilla (a result that very much proved my hypothesis that vanilla is still relevant post–seventh grade and outside the kitchen).
Below, I'm sharing the top 12 best fragrances I'm currently obsessed with and which never fail to earn me compliments from strangers and loved ones alike. Keep scrolling! The best vanilla perfumes lie just ahead.
Key fragrance notes: black pepper, juniper berries, leather accord, orris, violet, black amber, patchouli, and vanilla
Meet the Byredo fragrance you've never heard of but absolutely need on your radar. I realize describing a scent as "intoxicating" might sound dramatic, but I'm seriously so infatuated with this enveloping mix of black pepper, leather, patchouli, and vanilla, which, in retrospect, is pretty amazing since I would never classify myself as a lover of peppery scents. This is a deliciously smooth and velvety perfume that's sweet enough to feel elegant and lovely but complex enough not to feel basic or like anything you wore back in junior high. I feel like people in L.A. don't like to ask, "What are you wearing?" (the fear of seeming uncool or tryhard-y), but it's a no-fail occurrence whenever I'm wearing this Byredo scent and this Byredo scent alone.
Promising review: "This is such an intriguing fragrance and I can honestly say I've never smelled anything quite like it. I get the amber, I get a smokey woodiness, I get the leather, the iris and some powdery/dusty notes. It makes me think of walking through an old book store, an antique shop, or an ancient cathedral on a dark and rainy day." — Bloomingdale's customer
Key fragrance notes: bergamot, juniper berries, lemon, pepper, incense, orris, pine needle, amber, sandalwood, and vanilla
Promising review: "This is a very soft, feminine, almost powdery scent. It's not quite 'fresh linen' scented but more warm summer breeze, which brings on it a hint of sunlit fields and soft blossoms. I don't really detect the citrusy elements, as described as held in the notes, but it's very pretty and understated." — Bloomingdale's customer
Key fragrance notes: ambrette, magnolia, sandalwood, violet, cedarwood, chantilly musk, and crisp amber
Key fragrance notes: amber, musk, patchouli, red fruits, and vanilla
Fun fact: This best-selling fragrance from iconic perfume house Krigler has been worn by many members of Hollywood (and historical) royalty and was Jackie Onassis's signature scent. I know I just said that I'm not usually a patchouli type of gal, but this is another exception just because of how gorgeous it is. Though it is sweet, the amber, musk, and patchouli ground any overt saccharine notes from the vanilla and red fruits, and it basically transforms into the most sophisticated version of the scents you might have loved when you were younger, like Britney Spears's Fantasy. It's sweet, spicy, woody, and definitely one of the best vanilla perfumes money can buy.
Promising review: "Heavenly, wonderful perfume. always looking for something new. bought a sample and then a bottle. I think it is unique. a bit sweet on the opening but subdued during dry-down. Lovely mix of patchouli and amber." — Fragrantica customer
Key fragrance notes: aldehyde, geranium, musk, rose, and violet
Promising review: "Krigler's rose is green, fresh, washed by a spring rain. It is not sweet like Bulgarian rose. There's a little powderness in the base, I guess due to violet notes. Truly, it is one of the most romantic and feminine scents ever!" — Fragrantica customer
Key fragrance notes: grapefruit, jasmine, neroli, orange blossom, white flowers, white musk, and ylang-ylang
Promising review: "Sweet, sharp, refined collection of floral notes underpinned by a musky base that is beautifully balanced. Juicy, mouthwatering, with a splash of spice. Divine." — Fragrantica customer
Key fragrance notes: pepper essence, orange flower petals, patchouli, cypriol, tonka bean absolute, vanilla, cedarwood, and vetiver
I've always been a huge fan of Maison Margiela's line of eau de toilettes, Replica, and one of my favorites is this yummy (but far from cliché) mix of coffee, pepper, vanilla, orange, and cedarwood. It's unlike anything I've ever smelled before, and the compliments have been coming in hot ever since I added it into my regular arsenal of fragrances. According to the brand, it's supposed to evoke the warm and comforting feeling of a coffee shop—creamy, escapist (especially in the middle of winter), and savory with hints of sweetness reminiscent of pastries. It's a truly dreamy scent that deserves your attention.
Promising review: "Imagine you're at a cozy bookshop in Portland. It's winter, it's raining, and you could spend hours tucked between tall shelves, dancing through line after line of poetry. … Everything is softly lit and comfortable here while the rain patters steadily outside. All of that feeling is captured in this fragrance. It celebrates the romanticism hiding in everyday life. I already know I'll be buying and re-buying this scent for years to come, and I can't wait to try the rest of this collection." — Nordstrom customer
Key fragrance notes: aquatic accord, coriander, and red seaweed essence
Promising review: "This perfume smells heavenly indeed. It definitely reminds me of memories on the water, sailing, and beach days. It has a fresh light scent, with a touch of saltwater floral scent." — Nordstrom customer
Key fragrance notes: pear accord, lily of the valley accord, and musks
Promising review: "I am in love with this scent! It's the perfect amount of floral without the overpowering chemical smell. It smells so fresh and clean, and I have gotten tons of compliments! A little goes a long way, which means it will last me a long time. Absolutely in love and it is definitely my new signature scent!!!" — Sephora customer
Key fragrance notes: orange blossom, honeysuckle, rose, vanilla, and luscious marshmallow
While the combination of vanilla and marshmallow might sound too sweet to handle, trust me—it's not. This was Rihanna's signature scent before she created her own perfume, and the earthy, fruity hits of orange and neroli give it a juicy and robust finish. I never wear it without receiving a compliment, and it's by far one of the best "grown-up" vanilla perfumes on my vanity. You'll be obsessed.
Promising review: "After buying four travel sizes, I finally bit the bullet and bought this during the sale. I'M SO HAPPY this perfume is amazing it smells like candy but in an expensive way. Like sugar, orange and marshmallow." — Sephora customer
Key fragrance notes: apricot, orange blossom, rose, tuberose absolute, jasmine, and narcissus
Promising review: "On a random Saturday last spring, I was on a mission to find a new scent. Two hours later, I found her. Good Girl Gone Bad blew every single scent in Sephora outta the water! I feel soo beautiful and confident every time I spray it on!" — Sephora customer
Key fragrance notes: ambrette seeds, almond milk, iris, and musk
Promising review: "Love at first spritz. This scent is so mesmerizing I couldn’t stop smelling it. I love unique fragrances, this one is stunning. It's very sexy, and I love the dry-down of the creaminess that it transforms into. Must-have!" — Sephora customer
Key fragrance notes: black coffee, white flowers, and vanilla
Maybe I'm partial to this classic YSL scent because it's truly wonderful if you're after something vanilla and very chic, or maybe it's because it's Zoë Kravitz's favorite scent. More likely, however, it's a combination of the two. I love this fragrance because it manages to feel both light and mysterious at the same time. It's not too conventional, but it's also not too complicated. I keep it on my desk for those mornings when I need a jolt of confidence.
Promising review: "This is my new favorite and my new signature fragrance. I bought the big bottle after I tried it in the store. The fragrance is so amazing. When I first tried it on, I couldn't help myself and kept sniffing on my wrist. The name is apt for this perfume. I usually wear it when I am going out at night and need an extra kick of sexy." — Sephora customer
Key fragrance notes: lavender essence, orange blossom, and musk accord
Promising review: "I get compliments every time I wear it and it truly smells good on everyone—also intensifies with wear so no need to use a lot!" — Sephora customer
Key fragrance notes: strawberry, raspberry, bergamot, pear, orange flower, jasmine, white peony, patchouli, white musk, cedarwood, and crystal moss
Promising review: "I LOVE this perfume! I wear it for special occasions or for a night out!! I get compliments when I wear this perfume." — Sephora customer
Key fragrance notes: violet, neroli, freesia, jasmine, vanilla, coco musk, and sandalwood
Founded by Michelle Pfeiffer, Henry Rose is one of the chicest and most transparent lines of fine fragrances you need to know about. It now has 11 truly breathtaking scents, and Queens & Monsters is an all-time standout. I've been astounded at the attention it's garnered at the office when I spritz it at my desk. It's a woody perfume thanks to sandalwood, but it gets a fresh, creamy sweetness from smooth additions like violet, vanilla, coco musk, and freesia. It's gorgeous, and like all of Henry Rose's fragrances, it's verified by the Environmental Working Group and certified by the Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute. The brand is also known for its 100% ingredient transparency and the fact that its fragrances are free of all endocrine disruptors, parabens, phthalates, and carcinogens.
Promising review: "The first application was beyond words—an enchanting fragrance that stayed with me, enhancing my mood throughout the day." — Henry Rose customer
Key fragrance notes: vanilla and vetiver
Promising review: "This scent is absolutely divine! The balance of vanilla and spice is perfect—not too overpowering, giving a sexy yet gentle aroma." — Henry Rose customer
Key fragrance notes: musk and honeyed neroli
Promising review: "This has become my signature scent. I get compliments on it every day at work! I love the fresh neroli combined with the refreshing musks. This fragrance is easy to wear and goes with every occasion. I'm already thinking of buying my next bottle." — Henry Rose customer
Key fragrance notes: citrus, rose, jasmine, white musk, and vanilla
This is literally one of my favorite perfumes of all time, and pretty much everyone who I've hugged while wearing this fragrance has agreed. It's been my signature ever since its launch, and the fact that Zendaya (my hero) is the face of this mix of vanilla, jasmine, citrus, and musk makes it perfect. I've always been a Lancôme stan (in addition to Chanel's perfumes—my mom wore a few of its staple scents), so it's a warm and fuzzy line of fragrances that is only punctuated with this sweet aroma.
Promising review: "I get so many compliments when I wear it. The scent lasts all day long. My favorite perfume." — Sephora customer
Key fragrance notes: apricot blossom, rose, lilac, iris, peach, amber, sandalwood, musk, and vanilla
Promising review: "The smell is just gorgeous and classy. It smells sweet and powdery but not overly dated smelling (to me at least). My boyfriend complimented me the second I walked past him, so it's a win for me!" — Sephora customer
Key fragrance notes: iris, patchouli, praline, and vanilla
Promising review: "You can't go wrong with this one. It's classic, feminine, sophisticated, and long-lasting. If you love florals, vanilla, and praline, you'll love this fragrance." — Sephora customer
Key fragrance notes: Madagascar vanilla bean, vanilla orchid, and coconut
Honestly, I love almost every single perfume from Nest (Wild Poppy, Black Tulip Indigo, and Blue Wysteria are my other standouts), but this warm and spicy vanilla perfume oil won me the most questions and compliments.
Promising review: "Second time trying Nest products, and I like this vanilla scent! It's slightly smoky and not super sweet smelling. Goes very well with Fenty Vanilla Body Butter." — Sephora customer
Key fragrance notes: pear, raspberry, apricot, jasmine, and Rose de Grasse
Promising review: "This is one of my all-time favorite scents. I get so many compliments when I wear it. Like all perfumes, the perfume mixes with your natural scent, and this perfume took me to the next level. OBSESSED." — Sephora customer
Key fragrance notes: black amber plum, pink pepper, Japanese violet, and patchouli
Promising review: "If I go on a first date with my crush, I would definitely wear this perfume because it makes me feel seductive, irresistible, and sexy." — Sephora customer
Key fragrance notes: cardamom, vetiver, vanilla, and grapefruit
Jo Malone makes some of the most iconic and well-known perfumes, and over the years, I've accrued a few favorites that always win me compliments. When I first sniffed this debut from the brand, I had mixed feelings, but after I let it melt into my skin for a few hours, I quickly became kind of infatuated with it. It's strong, but it's been winning more attention than my other standbys (which are below), and I'd be willing to bet my life savings that this luxe vanilla perfume will go down in history as one of the brand's absolute best.
Promising review: "The perfect vanilla perfume—have been searching for this scent for years. Hope Jo Malone keeps this scent forever." — Nordstrom customer
Key fragrance notes: ambrette seeds, sea salt, and sage
Promising review: "This is quite literally summer in a bottle. … I can see myself wearing this through fall because it has a subtle warmth. I am beyond impressed and I recommend this to everyone. It has a little bit of freshness, floral, woodsiness, and a tiny bit of fruitiness." — Nordstrom customer
Key fragrance notes: red apple, jasmine, rose, gillyflower, peony, and suede
Promising review: "The first spray leans more feminine floral, but that dry-down is what got me. After it settled on my skin, it turned into a light/soft unisex scent due to the suede note. Overall, a beautiful fragrance with great silage. I love wearing it during the warmer months." — Sephora customer
Key fragrance notes: beeswax, caramelized benzoin, bitter almond, guaiac wood, tonka bean, absolute of Mexican black vanilla, black licorice, sandalwood, and coconut milk
This vanilla perfume from Serge Lutens is so supremely decadent and divine. It's my go-to antidote if I happen to wake up on the wrong side of the bed or have an anxiety-provoking day ahead of me. If you're a vanilla lover like I am, this is a scent to worship. It's buttery, warm, woody, and just so mellow and rich. I happen to love what Lutens said of this specific fragrance: "To paraphrase Freud, it's not the evil who are full of regrets, but the good. Both the devil and vanilla like black."
Promising review: "This is coconut, vanilla, burned caramel, and a warm woody scent. It is well-balanced. It is suitable also for warm weather because of the coconut. Smells high quality and very sophisticated." — Fragrantica customer
Key fragrance notes: sandalwood, cinnamon, musk, benzoin, vanilla, cedar, orange blossom, plum, violet, peach, and ginger
Promising review: "The perfume is very spicy, gorgeously balanced, leaning masculine but fits any gender, very intense and gorgeous. I can smell this on me all day. It's mind-blowing, and I have over 50 fragrances in my collection!" — Fragrantica customer
Key fragrance notes: rose, violet, pink and black pepper, and musk
Promising review: "Wow. I have so many rose scents and thought I'd probably not find anything with rose that is different enough from what I already have. La Fille de Berlin has proven me wrong. This is a bright and sharp rose with a very prominent honey note from the start. There's an underlayer of herbal notes, and yes, there's the slightly metallic note. I think each of these elements adds to the uniqueness and vibe of this perfume. I definitely get moody Berlin nighttime vibes. Industrial but sensual. I love it! So glad I blind bought this." — Fragrantica customer
Key fragrance notes: pear, rose, and vanilla
Classy and floral yet sweet and fresh, this scent is perfect to take with you on the go. I just roll a bit on when I need a pick-me-up, and voilà, I'm instantly uplifted.
Promising review: "I am a vanilla girl at heart, but it's always hard for me to find a vanilla that layers well with other fragrances and on its own—until now! I love this scent because it is so versatile and has longevity. I feel like vanilla gourmand goddess every time I spray this on my skin." — Sephora customer
Key fragrance notes: myrrh, vanilla, and sandalwood
Promising review: "This is my signature scent; I absolutely love it. It doesn't have that overwhelmingly perfumey scent to it at all. … Perfect balance of slightly sweet and sort of spicy. The bottle also has a really nice light mist." — Sephora customer
Key fragrance notes: mandarin, orange blossom, and labdanum
Promising review: "I am quite surprised at how good it smells; it is like I am smelling the orange blossoms right off the tree." — The 7 Virtues customer
Key fragrance notes: sea salt, vanilla, and sandalwood
This cult-loved fragrance brand never misses. I love this scent for its ability to contrast warm vanilla with a sharper note, like sea salt. It makes it truly one of a kind. Not to mention, it was inspired by the infamous Burning Man festival, so you know it smells like a good time.
Promising review: "I love vanilla smells but was always overwhelmed by how sweet they usually are. This one isn't! It reminds me of a cool summer night. Fresh with a hint of vanilla, definitely not overpowering. I got it as a blind buy and love it!" — Sephora customer
Key fragrance note: Cetalox
Promising review: "I love this. It smells so good and lasts long. Everyone's body chemistry is different, but on me, it smells almost like a sweet cottony musk. It layers well or can be worn on its own. I'll definitely be getting the full sized once this is finished." — Sephora customer
Key fragrance notes: Bulgarian rose, patchouli, lavender, and vanilla
Promising review: "This is my absolute favorite perfume. It's a lovely mix of darkness and floral scents, and very long-lasting." — Sephora customer