How to Smell Like Vanilla

Perfumes & Body Mists to Make You Smell Like Vanilla

Kayali Vanilla 28 Kay Ali Vanilla 28 perfume combines the nostalgic sweetness of vanilla with rich notes of amber and musk. The result is a delicious-smelling vanilla perfume with a bit more of an elegant and grown-up vibe. Key notes include Madagascar vanilla, brown sugar, and amber. Pros: Layers well with other scents, popular and well-loved scent Cons: May fade throughout the day, pretty pricey Customer Ratings: 4.1 star average on Amazon.com

Tom Ford Tobacco Vanille Eau de Parfum Tom Ford Tobacco Vanille Eau de Parfum is a bold, unisex take on a vanilla scent. It combines sweet elements like tonka bean and cocoa with the smokiness of tobacco and wood sap, leaving you with a warm and spicy scent, perfect for cozy winter evenings. Key notes include tonka bean, vanilla, cocoa, dry fruit accords, and wood sap. Pros: Unisex, long lasting, bold Cons: Very pricey, can be polarizing (people either love it or hate it) Customer Ratings: 4.4 star average on Amazon.com

By Rosie Jane Dulce Eau de Parfum By Rosie Jane Dulce Eau de Parfum is a lighter, airier version of typical vanilla perfumes, so it’s a great option if you like vanilla scents but don’t want something overly sweet. Key notes include vanilla, chocolate, musk, and Hinoki wood. Pros: Clean and natural ingredients, also comes in body wash and perfume oil Cons: A little bit pricey Customer Ratings: 4.1 star average on Amazon.com

Lavanila Pure Vanilla Perfume In Lavanila's Pure Vanilla Perfume, Madagascar vanilla, tonka bean, and heliotrope come together to create a sweet, creamy and softly floral scent. If you enjoy the perfume and want to go all in, Lavanilla sells deodorant and candles with the same scent as well! Pros: Cruelty free, all-natural, reasonably priced Cons: Some reviewers mention that it needs to be reapplied throughout the day Customer Ratings: 4.2 star average on Amazon.com

Skylar Vanilla Sky Eau de Parfum Skylar Vanilla Sky Eau de Parfum is a delicious-smelling vanilla perfume with notes of cappuccino, cinnamon, and caramelized cedar. Like all of Skylar’s perfumes, it’s hypoallergenic and made of clean ingredients, so it’s perfect for those who have allergies or sensitive skin. Skylar also sells a candle with the same scent, if you want to match your home’s scent with the perfume you’re wearing. Pros: Cruelty free, vegan, clean ingredients, hypoallergenic Cons: Some feel like it’s more of a fall/winter (rather than year-round) scent Customer Ratings: 4.5 star average on Amazon.com

Ellis Brooklyn Vanilla Milk Eau de Parfum Ellis Brooklyn Vanilla Milk Eau de Parfum uses two different types of vanilla—Madagascar vanilla bean extract and bourbon vanilla bean—which makes it the perfect scent for vanilla lovers. It also comes in less expensive travel and mini sizes, so you can test it out before buying a larger bottle. It’s also designed to work with your body’s heat and chemistry in order to smell even better after it's applied. Pros: Subtle, not overpowering, sophisticated Cons: Some people may prefer a stronger or more intense scent Customer Ratings: 4.1 star average on Amazon.com

Billie Eilish Eilish Musician Billie Eilish’s perfume, appropriately named “Eilish,” is a warm and cozy vanilla scent with notes of mandarin, cocoa, and musk. The striking bronze packaging also looks beautiful displayed on a shelf or vanity in your bedroom. Pros: Soft, sweet scent, reasonably priced Cons: Some people may not like the unique packaging Customer Ratings: 4.6 star average on Amazon.com

Phlur Vanilla Skin Body Mist Phlur Vanilla Skin body mist is a warm, slightly spicy, and unique take on a vanilla scent. Uncommon notes like pink pepper and sandalwood add depth to typical notes like cashmere and sugar, resulting in a one-of-a-kind vanilla fragrance. Pros: Unisex, doubles as a hair perfume, great value for price Cons: Can smell slightly of alcohol if you use too much at once Customer Ratings: 4.1 star average on Amazon.com

Sol de Janeiro Cheirosa '62 Hair & Body Fragrance Mist Sol de Janeiro Cheirosa '62 Hair & Body Fragrance Mist if you prefer a tropical summery fragrance, rather than a cozy fall or winter one. Along with vanilla, the scent has notes of sandalwood, pistachio, caramel, and jasmine petals. And, if you end up loving it, you can also get a body cream with the same fragrance! Pros: Summery, unique, reasonably priced Cons: Some may find it too sweet Customer Ratings: 4.6 star average on Amazon.com

Pacifica Island Vanilla Hair & Body Mist If you’re looking for a light, summery option that’s a bit less expensive than the Sol De Janeiro body mist, Pacifica’s Island Vanilla Hair Perfume and Body Spray may be perfect for you. It has notes of Tahitian vanilla and honey, and it’s also cruelty-free, vegan, and made of clean ingredients. Pros: Least expensive option on this list, summery scent, cruelty free Cons: Some reviewers mention that it’s not super long lasting Customer Ratings: 4.2 star average on Amazon.com

Vanilla Scented Bath & Body Products

Body Wash If you love vanilla perfumes and body mists, you may want to try out a vanilla-scented body wash, too. The warmth and sweetness of vanilla fragrances create a super comforting bath or shower experience, and it also leaves you smelling delicious. Here are some popular options to try out: Native Coconut & Vanilla Body Wash Pros: Clean ingredients, hydrates skin, subtle and sweet scent Cons: Some reviewers feel that the coconut overpowers the vanilla Customer Ratings: 4.6 star average on Amazon.com Philosophy Vanilla Birthday Cake 3-In-1 Pros: 3-in-1 formula works as a shampoo, shower gel, or bubble bath, nostalgic birthday cake scent Cons: A bit pricier for a shower gel, some may find the scent too sweet Customer Ratings: 4.5 star average on Amazon.com Pacifica Island Vanilla Body Wash Pros: Soothing ingredients like aloe, lavender, and white tea, scent also comes in a body mist Cons: Some reviewers mention that the scent doesn’t last as long as they’d like it to Customer Ratings: 4.3 star average on Amazon.com

Body Lotion A good body-care routine usually includes a body lotion or cream to keep your skin hydrated, so why not kill two birds with one stone and get a vanilla scented moisturizer? You’ll get super soft and smooth skin that also smells amazing. Here are some products to try out: Native Coconut & Vanilla Body Lotion Pros: Silicone, dye, and paraben free, lightweight, inexpensive, scent comes in a body wash as well Cons: Comes in a large bottle (not travel friendly) Customer Ratings: 4.5 star average on Amazon.com Eos Vanilla Cashmere Body Lotion Pros: Contains moisturizing shea butter and shea oil, lightweight, non-greasy formula Cons: Some reviewers find the caramel notes to be a bit too sweet Customer Ratings: 4.7 star average on Amazon.com Sol De Janeiro Brazilian Bum Bum Cream Pros: Firms and tightens skin, deeply moisturizes, comes in a body mist Cons: A bit pricier than other options Customer Ratings: 4.5 star average on Amazon.com

Shampoo Hair tends to hold onto your shampoo’s scent, so if you really want to smell like vanilla, it’s a good idea to invest in a vanilla-scented shampoo. If you pair it with a vanilla scented hair perfume (like Phlur’s Vanilla Skin or Pacifica’s Island Vanilla), your tresses are bound to give off a delicious aroma. Native Coconut and Vanilla Shampoo & Conditioner Set Pros: Comes in a body wash, lotion, and deodorant, so you can have a full routine of products with the same scent Cons: Some reviewers mention that the conditioner isn’t as moisturizing as they hoped Customer Ratings: 4.5 star average on Amazon.com Amika Hydro Rush Intense Moisture Shampoo Pros: Vanilla amber scent, contains hyaluronic acid and squalane for moisture Cons: Pricier than other options Customer Ratings: 4.5 star average on Amazon.com Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Joia Strengthening + Smoothing Shampoo Pros: Very moisturizing, comes in a body mist and body cream if you want to coordinate scents Cons: A bit pricey, some may find the caramel and pistachio notes to be too sweet Customer Ratings: 4.5 star average on Amazon.com

DIY Ways to Smell Like Vanilla

Apply vanilla scented essential oil. If you’re looking for an all-natural, DIY way to make yourself smell like vanilla, try making your own vanilla-scented perfume oil. The process is super simple—just dilute 1 or 2 drops of vanilla essential oil in a small amount of carrier oil like jojoba oil, then rub the mixture into your pulse points on your body. A dab behind your ears, on your wrists, and on your inner elbows should leave you smelling delicious!

Create your own vanilla scented body mist. If you want the freedom to incorporate a few other notes in your DIY vanilla scent, you may want to try making your own body mist. Here’s how to do it: Add 1 cup (236 mL) distilled water and 1 tbsp (15 mL) witch hazel to a small spray bottle. Add 20-30 drops of the essential oils of your choice. For example, you could do 20 drops of vanilla essential oil, then 10 drops of another scent like orange, cinnamon, or lavender essential oil, to create a more complex scent. Feel free to get creative and experiment! Close the spray bottle tightly and shake it up. And that’s it! Use the mixture like any other body spray.

How to Make Your House Smell Like Vanilla

Light a vanilla scented candle. Scented candles are probably the quickest and easiest way to fill your home with a vanilla aroma. Luckily, there are tons of vanilla-scented candles out there, so you’ll have a wide range of choices, whether you prefer something warm, cozy, sweet, spicy, sweet, or tropical.

Use a vanilla scented room spray. Vanilla-scented room sprays are a great fire-free way to make your home smell like vanilla. They’re easy to use, generally affordable, and a good option if you live in a dorm or apartment building where you’re not allowed to light candles due to the fire hazard.

Diffuse vanilla essential oil. If you have an essential oil diffuser (or are looking to purchase one), you can easily use it to make your home smell like vanilla. Just diffuse some vanilla essential oil, and voila! Your home should be filled with a yummy vanilla fragrance. Just make sure to follow the instructions that came with your specific essential oil diffuser, since different models may have different instructions.

Try a vanilla stovetop simmer recipe. A stovetop potpourri or simmer pot fills your house with a pleasant fragrance, just like cooking something does. (The only difference is that you’re not supposed to eat your simmer pot recipe at the end!) Here’s how to make a festive and comforting one: Add 1-2 cups of cranberries, 1 sliced orange, 2 vanilla pods, and a cinnamon stick to a large stock pot, then fill it up with water Heat on the stove over low-medium heat until it starts to simmer Reduce heat to low and let the pot continue simmering Allow the pot to fill your house with its aroma and check on it regularly to see if it needs more water

FAQs about Vanilla Scents

Why do people love vanilla scents so much? The smell of vanilla is deeply nostalgic for many people. It reminds them of birthday cakes, ice cream shops, and childhood in general. Vanilla is definitely a sweet and pleasant scent on its own, but its association with comfort, youthfulness and a simpler time in life probably contribute to its popularity.

What are some tips for choosing the right vanilla fragrance? There are a few things to keep in mind when you’re trying to pick out the right vanilla scent for you. For example: Perfume type & intensity: Eau de toilettes and body mists are a bit lighter, while eau de parfums are more intense. Other fragrance notes: Vanilla perfumes include a blend of other notes to create a unique scent. If you like simple, sweet vanilla fragrances, you’ll likely want something with notes of tonka bean, chocolate, or caramel. If you prefer something more complex and less obviously vanilla, you may want to look for something that includes musky, woodsy, spicy, or floral notes. Occasion & wearability: Vanilla is pretty much a universally-loved scent, so you should be good to wear it in most situations. However, some vanilla perfumes are pretty spicy and warm, which means they may feel more suited to the fall and winter months. Others contain tropical notes, so they feel more appropriate for summertime or daytime wear. Price: Eau de parfums tend to be the most expensive, while eau de toilettes are slightly less pricey. Body mists and body sprays are usually the least expensive option.

What scents pair well with vanilla? Vanilla pairs well with a wide range of scents, including lavender, orange, musk, amber, cinnamon, honey, caramel, coconut, tonka, and woodsy notes.

Is it attractive to smell like vanilla? Yes, vanilla is a well-loved, popular scent, and many people are drawn to it. In fact, in a study conducted by scientists from the University of Oxford and the Karolinska Institute in Sweden, 225 subjects from all around the world were presented with 10 scents, and all of them agreed that fresh vanilla was their favorite. So, if you’re trying to impress a special someone, a vanilla-scented fragrance should be a safe bet!