The Best Phlur Perfumes, Vanilla Sented Perfume Choices Tested and Reviewed

Byredo founder, Ben Gorham, created a fragrance that's more about the idea of vanilla than the note itself. Here, vanilla is blended with cashmere wood, cistus, and musk to create a scent that's at once familiar and entirely new. It's vanilla scented perfume reimagined for the modern age – sophisticated, subtle, and utterly addictive. Vanilla perfumes are far more than a fleeting trend; they’re an enduring cornerstone of perfumery.

I’ve found the offering less unique, as well, and you know how I feel about wearing a scent every other person owns. It’s the opposite of young, so if you go for scents like Pacifica’s Island Vanilla or Aquolina’s Pink Sugar, this may have too much bite for your olfactory senses. Now, having said this, if you like luxe perfumes with that unique, designer feel, give it a try. It also layers very well with BohoBoco Vanilla Black Pepper, if you want things a touch sweeter. Of all the beauty products in the world, fragrance is my favorite — especially those containing a strong note of vanilla. Inarguably Phlur’s best vanilla scented perfume, Missing Person went viral for its nostalgic, your-skin-but-better scent that you can’t quite put your finger on, but feels undeniably familiar.

Phlur, which originally launched in 2015, then re-launched in 2022 by influencer Chriselle Lim, has become an industry favorite for modern fragrances inspired by memories, moments, experiences, and feelings. You might be familiar with Missing Person, their cult-favorite fragrance that went viral for its nostalgia-inducing scent that somehow feels inherently recognizable. While I too was on the Missing Person bandwagon for quite some time, my vanity now consists of an army of Phlur fragrances that I’ve been rotating between for years. With notes of black plum and vanilla, this succulently sweet and gourmand scent is reminiscent of a comforting plum pudding with oodles of amazing vanilla scented perfume custard.

However, the dry down is where the real magic is, overtime developing into something more musky and grownup-ish. It’s addictive, and something I imagine would bring all the boys (and girls) to the yard. However, it’s definitely not obscure, so if you want something few others own, I’d look elsewhere.

By narrowing down the category you’re after, then you can determine what will work best for you. The best vanilla perfumes are wildly underrated in their versatility. In fact, vanilla fragrances often get a bad rap for being “too adolescent” or overly sweet—but before you write off vanilla entirely, it’s worth reconsidering its true potential. In fact, this fragrance category is more akin to a jack of all trades, offering a broad range of olfactory experiences that go far beyond what you might expect. As a true vanilla scented perfume fragrance lover, I'm all about candied notes, but there's a fine line between delicious and overwhelmingly sweet. Notes of vanilla and sugar crystals take precedence here, but they are thoughtfully balanced with the woodiness of sandalwood and the subtle spiciness of pink peppercorn.

This Bath & Body Works vanilla scent is my latest favorite, and I love the creamy body lotion. In addition to vanilla, the lotion has notes of cardamom and woods to give it a spicy, woody fragrance. Made with coconut oil, shea butter, and vitamin E, the dermatologist-tested lotion provides lightweight hydration, which is especially great during the dry winter season.

As someone who usually avoids floral scents at all costs, Golden Rule completely changed my opinion on them. Boy Smells have become hugely popular over the last few years thanks to their unique take on scent. Packed with an intriguing bouquet of white tulips, spicy black amber and rich coffee bean absolute, this perfume jazzes up vanilla brilliantly. Perhaps the most gourmand of all the vanilla scents, one whiff of this delectable scent will have you hunkering for crème brûlée all winter. If I could climb to a mountain top and sing the praises of this scent, I would. Whatever you thought a pistachio perfume would smell like, Kayali turns it on its head.

In the latest launches, nutty, spiced and liquor-like accords are now taking the gourmand fragrance trend into more sophisticated territory. One perfume in particular that always gets me compliments is Burberry Goddess. This fragrance has gone somewhat viral on TikTok, with many people claiming that it's also one of their most complimented perfumes. Yes, it's sweet, but it has this sensual, intoxicating aroma that makes me feel like my rich alter ego every time I spritz it. I've done an in-depth review on this trending scent, so keep on scrolling for all the details... Each vanilla perfume was evaluated on notes, staying power, and its overall scent as the day went on.

It's a little bit more expensive than fragrances from the likes of Zara or & Other Stories, but for a designer scent, I definitely think it's worth the money. The only downside is the longevity, but that really is the only thing I can fault. Don't be shy, keep scrolling to give yourself a vanilla-spiked sweet treat for your senses. In fact, most of our editors agreed that it was too “peppery” and masculine for their taste. Although I generally prefer more traditionally feminine perfumes (think scents with jasmine or amber), there was something — for me — truly hypnotic about this fragrance.

Vanilla Milk is balanced and delectable thanks to a touch of florals. Housed inside this beautiful sculptural bottle is a vanilla fragrance that's reminiscent of a fruit cake. The combination of vanilla and red berries is simply delicious and balances the sweetness. Don't get me wrong—this scent is sweet (how could it not be with sugared petals as a keynote?). This delectable scent is also under $100 a bottle, making it a winner.

No, not the ice cream flavour, nor the monotone beauty trend that took our over feeds in 2022. I'm talking about the quintessential gourmand fragrance note that seems to be bottled up in to all the very best perfume launches of the year thus far. Even singer-turned-perfumer Sabrina Carpenter has taken to the note having launched her ode to all things sweet, Caramel Dream, £24.99.

The top note is a woody vanilla, with sweet vanilla caviar at the heart and a base of vanilla absolute. There is also hints of lavender throughout, which give the fragrance this distinctive floral edge. I like to describe it as a grown up gourmand, as although it has a strong sweetness to it, it's also incredibly warm and seductive. Amber pairs exceptionally well with vanilla, as this fragrance clearly demonstrates. The two star notes in this eau de parfum from Laura Mercier combine to create a scent reminiscent of a luxe cashmere sweater.

Below, BAZAAR breaks down everything you need to know about gourmand perfumes with guidance from scent expert and MECCA Fragrance Education Lead, Steven Ross Glyde. Take your pick, because gourmand perfumes are the latest fragrance trend truly indulging our senses. Both iterations come in a gorgeous gold bottle, and the perfumes have been designed to be refillable. Once you purchase a refill, all you have to do is unscrew the fragrance pump, screw the refill on and it will stop automatically once the bottle has been filled.

This creates a richer, more nuanced scent profile that can make even budget fragrances smell more luxurious. Think of your skin as a vintage wine decanter—it brings out depths in the fragrance that younger skin cannot. It breaks my scent loving heart when I meet a woman who says she’s allergic to fragrance. Fortunately, The 7 Virtues’ Vanilla Woods Eau de Parfum is hypoallergenic.

Missing Person is one of my favorite day-to-day perfumes for its understated scent that never overwhelms me. To me, a couple spritzes smells less like a perfume, and more like maybe I just naturally smell this good. If I ever pick up a coat or sweater I’ve worn with lingering Missing Person on it, it makes me want to wrap myself in immediately.

It's a warm and spicy scent that opens with sugar and pink pepper, then develops into a warm mix of cashmere and vanilla, and settles down to a woodsy, creamy scent thanks to the sandalwood. Every season, I declutter my home and get rid of everything from clothes to shoes to beauty products that no longer serve me. However, when it comes to my perfume collection, in which I practically have a Sephora’s shelf worth of products, I have a hard time scaling back.

It’s light, sits close to the skin, and is easy to layer with other fragrances or scented lotions. I went through my bottle fairly fast, which I didn’t care about, since it’s under $30. The boyfriend I had when it was in rotation really liked it, and he was picky when perfumes were concerned. I enjoyed it for everyday type things but preferred something heavier come night. This addictive scent is particularly earthy thanks to vanilla bourbon but the addition of lavender gives it a woody floral finish that balances out the sweetness perfectly.

Coffee and florals don't exactly sound like a great pairing, but I'm here to assure you that it works. The coffee note adds a dark, seductive punch to the classic white floral notes, while warm vanilla is at the base of it all. I feel my most feminine, confident self when I'm wearing this perfume, which is why I wear it on all of my date nights and special occasions. The brand’s Creme Vanille is my recommendation if you’re about that vanilla girl aesthetic.

“My advice is to be open to discovering a world of gourmands from some of the greatest perfumers in the world, you may be surprised at how nuanced modern gourmand fragrances have become,” encourages Glyde. And if you’re overwhelmed by options, it can also be helpful to think back to meaningful scent memories. It’s highly likely a perfumer has taken the aroma of that comfort food and utilised it in a scent composition that may feel both familiar and surprising! “Most gourmand notes are sweet, but they can also be watery, bitter, powdery or sour, just like food,” explains Glyde, who offers Ellis Brooklyn Salt Eau de Parfum as a savoury staple.

It falls into the category of ‘perfume that will make strangers stop in their tracks to ask you what you’re wearing’. I'm a big fan of Phlur perfumes, and Vanilla Skin is the most beautiful, subtle, skin-like scent with hints of warming vanilla throughout. Another TikTok favourite, YSL's Libre has top notes of tangerine and lavender with a warm vanilla base. When we talk about vanilla perfumes in the context of the best perfumes for women, there’s something for everyone—think of it as an inherent building block rather than the final structure.

It's a sugary, warm perfume that opens with its signature vanilla cream notes. When it settles, it has subtle hints of brown sugar and caramel, which are then balanced with the sweet and musky smell of jasmine petals. You can’t beat the delicious, warm scent of vanilla for the cold winter months. I’m personally obsessed with delectable fragrance and can’t get enough of it. I already have a number of vanilla perfumes, and I’ll likely add some more to my growing collection before the season’s over. If you have a thing for sweet fragrances, too, I found a bunch of vanilla-scented products that you simply must have.

Alternatively, for fruity notes, cherry, strawberry, and peach pair perfectly with vanilla. If you’re a fan of warm, comforting scents, then the aromas of vanilla perfumes are for you—and perfect for the harsh winter. You might be thinking, “Vanilla is way too sweet,” but perfume brands are finding ways to center this scent without overpowering it. They can be as sultry as musks and even woody in their various formats and notes.

At first sniff, Fleur Éclair comes across as a classic floral–a little powdery and rosy. But as the scent lingers, spicy notes of cardamom and amber seep through, and a sweet cocoa scent emerges. Sprinkling salt on your baked goods makes their sweetness rounder and more pronounced—and that’s also precisely what Soliani’s scent does.

If you don't know of the niche fragrance house Vilhelm Parfumerie, allow Poets of Berlin, one of its most popular creations, to give you a lasting first impression. While most vanilla perfumes fall in the warm fragrance category, this one smells much more green and fresh, giving it a totally different vibe than what you're used to with vanilla fragrance. Poets of Berlin pairs vanilla with blueberry and a kick of earthiness from orris and vetiver for an elegant and distinct scent. This would make for an excellent spring perfume, and the bottle would look so gorgeous on your vanity. I like to think of this as a grown-up, more nuanced version of the sugary sweet body mists of my childhood.

It gives a kiss of the scent without taking away from any of the other best vanilla perfumes I may have on. Vanilla Skin is a grown girl’s vanilla perfume, sophisticated, warm and worth the blind buy. It’s the type of fragrance one wears when they want to smell enticing (edible, perhaps) but still be taken seriously. Wearing close to the skin, it doesn’t announce itself as soon as you walk into a room, but it certainly won’t be overlooked by those lucky enough to stand close. I’ve been wearing it for months now, as it’s not to loud for the office but still gives me that come hither vibe I demand from all my fragrances.

And if pistachio isn’t your thing, Kyse has a slew of tasty scents like Gateau de Carnaval (Carnival Cake) or Delizia di Marshmallow. “Spring fragrance notes are taking a fresh spin with the infusion of citrus forward scents,” says Levy. Lemon, orange, and grapefruit twists add levity to fragrances and give them a bright quality. In Glyde’s eyes, beauty is a source of joy and means of self-expression, which is why gourmand perfumes are proving popular. If you’ve ever had a loved one prepare you a meal or offer you a home-baked good, then you know the comfort of those delicious vanilla scented perfume aromas,” Glyde explains.