Vanilla is a classic perfume note and one that features in a vast array of iconic perfumes. From bestsellers such as
Vanilla is a classic perfume note and one that features in a vast array of iconic perfumes. From bestsellers such as Black Opium by YSL to celebrity lines including Ariana Grande’s God Is A Woman. Vanilla makes its appearance in all types of perfumes, from floral to fruity, gourmand to oriental. What makes vanilla so special is both its lasting power and its ability to create a luxurious fragrance.
Many women have therefore made it their mission to find a vanilla fragrance that doesn’t smell too sickly sweet or youthful but yet provides a ‘grown-up’, sophisticated perfume that can be worn at work and on a date. The list below features some of our top recommendations for those looking for exactly that:
Burberry Goddess is our top pick for an ultra sophisticated vanilla fragrance. Featuring three different types of vanilla scent notes:
Top Note - Vanilla
Middle Note - Vanilla Caviar
Base Note - Vanilla Absolute
Combined with notes of cacao, ginger and lavender, Burberry Goddess is the perfect gourmand fragrance for someone who wants the intensity and power of vanilla without feeling like they’ve just walked out of a bakery.
Mugler’s take on its usual Alien scent in the form of Alien Goddess provides a more floral-vanilla fragrance, with the combination of jasmine and vanilla notes. The Jasmine helps to perfectly balance the sweetness of the bourbon vanilla base note, and combined with bergamot, this fusion blends to form a warm vanilla-like perfume that is far from the sickly-sweet scents most associated with vanilla.
Armani’s Si is an icon in the fragrance industry and is loved for its fruity yet subtle hints of Vanilla. Si Passione is an elevated edition of the original. Launched in 2017, Armani Si Passione blends base notes of cedar, vanilla, amberwood and patchouli to ground the lighter, fruitier top notes of blackcurrant, pear, and rose. This combination makes for an enjoyable floral/fruity take on the traditional vanilla scent that is perfect for day to night wear.
With a higher price tag, Juliette Has A Gun Vanilla Vibes is a sought-after, long-wearing vanilla fragrance that is well-known for its luxurious, delicious scent. This is a much more traditional, vanilla gourmand fragrance when compared with others on our list, but the warm blend of sea salt, sandalwood and vanilla provides a cosy, alluring fragrance reminiscent of autumnal evenings. Far from the marshmallow-sweet child-like scents some wish to avoid. The long-lasting aroma will certainly garner compliments too.
Q: Are vanilla perfumes considered ‘Gourmand’?
A: Perfumes with a heavy emphasis on their vanilla notes are categorised as ‘gourmand’ which have certainly gained popularity again throughout 2024. Gourmand fragrances are those that smell good enough to eat. Incorporating notes such as vanilla, chocolate, caramel, and honey.
However, not all perfumes that contain notes of vanilla will be gourmand scents, as this is dependent upon their other complimenting scent notes.
Q: Does vanilla make a good perfume base note?
A: Absolutely! You will find many of the most popular and best -selling perfumes that feature vanilla as a key base note. As a base note vanilla allows for a perfume to be worn for hours and hours without losing its powerful aromas.
Q: How can I avoid smelling too sweet when wearing vanilla?
A: A great question and one which helps us to identify the difference between sweet, youthful vanilla perfumes and subtle vanilla scents.
Often the best way to do this is to look for a perfume that features vanilla only as a base note but is also joined by other notes which help to balance the sweetness of the fragrance. Often vanilla combined with musky notes or amber is a good choice in this instance. You may also want to consider different types of vanilla notes such as salted vanilla or bourbon vanilla.
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Vanilla Scents & Fragrances
