Frequently asked questions
What should you look for when shopping for a vanilla perfume?
Darryl Do Bio, a senior perfumer and fragrance expert at Delbia Do Fragrances, shares that when you’re shopping for a vanilla fragrance, don’t just opt for ones that are simply vanilla. “Look for perfumes with vanilla as the main ingredient, surrounded by other notes, or supporting cast members,” he says. This adds complexity to vanilla, and doesn’t make it too sweet.
“Pay attention to the ingredients combined with vanilla and the technique of the fragrance creation,” Levy adds. “Vanilla’s staying power from one season to the next is not only its sweetness but its ability to blend with many notes in all the fragrance categories.”
What notes work best with vanilla and why?
There are many different notes that work with vanilla, from citrus (like bergamot), to woody notes (like cedarwood) and florals (like tuberose). “Vanilla is often paired with citrus and soft musks—often referred to as ‘skin scents’—which make it feel lighter and more wearable in warmer weather,” says Do Bio. There are also varying degrees of how much vanilla is in a fragrance—whether it’s just a splash or is the main gourmand note. Ultimately, it depends on the finish you’re looking for.
Can vanilla be more universal and subtle?
Vanilla is a surprisingly universal scent that can range from strong to subtle. “It’s all in the dosage of the vanilla—is it the center note that comes through and the other ingredients showcase it, or is vanilla less prominent? This will make it softer and subtle,” Do Bio adds. Levy shares the sentiment. “Vanilla’s popularity is its ability to span the scent spectrum of soft to strong and sweet, somewhere in that vast space, there is a vanilla scent for everyone,” she says.
We tested vanilla fragrances by evaluating their notes, how sweet they were, and how long they lasted. The best ones we found paired vanilla with notes like citrus, florals, musks, and woods. The combinations we found were not overly saccharine or too powerful, which can sometimes happen when testing out vanilla or gourmand scents. The ones we landed on did a great job of balancing vanilla but still showcasing it as the star. These were all quite long-lasting and took us from day to night without having to reapply.
