These 17 best vanilla perfumes are the opposite of basic

Of all the beauty products in the world, fragrance is my favorite — especially those with a strong note of vanilla.Yes, yes, I know.The scent can be at times…well, vanilla; sometimes too syrupy, young or worse, a combo of both.

However, as a fragrance aficionado (hence, why I’ve been assigned to write this article on the best vanilla perfumes), trust me when I say that there’s a myriad of options, ranging from subtly sweet to sophisticatedly complex.From Byredo’s Vanilla Antique to Kayali’s Vanilla 28 to Sol de Janeiro’s Brazilian Crush Cheirosa 62, there really is a vanilla scent for everyone.For many years, my signature scent was Dior Addict, which has bourbon vanilla absolute.

I loved it because it wasn’t sugary but warm, spicy and with a touch of sweetness.Containing mandarin leaf, queen of the night flower and tonka bean, I loved how it developed as it heated against my skin.It was, a former partner told me, “intoxicating” and “yummy” — exactly the vibe I was going for.

If you weren’t aware, a lot of folks go for that sort of thing, according to Bettina O’Neill, Senior Vice President of Business Development, Mechandising, & Wholesale of Scentbird, the perfume subscription company.“Vanilla is highly recognizable in a scent, as it’s sweet, warm and rich and is usually used as a base note,” O’Neill said.“As fragrance sparks memories, vanilla can often be associated with childhood, feeling safe and warm, including the aroma from baking cookies and cakes,” she explained.

“It can also be considered sexy, and historically it’s been one of the ingredients that men love most in their fragrance and in their partners.It all depends on how much vanilla is used in a fragrance and the mix of the other ingredients.”Because our body chemistry and personal taste change with time, I’ve been hunting for a new perfume; preferably one infused with the classic note.

And I’m in luck, because there are plenty currently on th...