Consider This My Love Letter to All Things Vanilla

I don’t know how many bottles of this body wash I’ve gone through, but I know the number will keep climbing because I am obsessed with this scent. Vanilla, fig leaf, and cassis buds wrap me in a delightful, sweet-but-never-sickly scent, and the olibanum essential oil adds a woody edge that makes me froth at the mouth. It’s that good.

​Review: “The best-smelling body wash I’ve ever used. It’s a splurge, but it’s so worth it. I’ve repurchased three times.” — Sephora

I’ve been using this lotion since the summer, and more people, especially those who don’t like the feel of traditional formulas, should know about it. As the name suggests, the formula is 50 percent aloe vera, so it sinks into the skin quickly and, most importantly, leaves no residue once you rub it in. Tack on additional ingredients like glycerin and vitamin E, plus that warm vanilla bean scent, compounded by the Nécessaire body wash? Excuse me while I levitate to heaven.

​Review: “The always amazing KWA has the best vanilla lotion you’ll find. Not too strong, and the aloe makes it perfect for me living in SWF!” — Key West Aloe

I would like to note that I was a massive fan of Nemat's perfume oils before they went viral on TikTok, so I feel confident in saying that this vanilla body oil from the brand is about to take off too. The vanilla musk oil is just that: a nourishing, lightweight formula featuring jojoba, grapeseed, and coconut oils that keep my body moisturized while slowly diffusing the vanillic musk scent that fragrances the formula. It’s sweet but not cloying, which is perfect for anyone who doesn’t want to smell too much like baked goods.

​Review: “This oil is ABSOLUTELY DIVINE. I ordered a second bottle before I was even a week into the first. Smells incredible, absorbs beautifully, and the scent lasts for hours. Not too heavy, not too thin, and no 90s baby-greased-up-in-the-sun feeling.” — Ulta

I’m not kidding when I say that there are times when I literally crave this perfume. Musc Ravageur is a sensual combination of notes like bergamot, lavender, musk, and, of course, vanilla, and the combination is heady, sexy, and leaves an impression. Adding it on top of the rest of my vanilla routine makes this already beast-mode fragrance last even longer, so if you need this perfume on for over 24 hours, trust me: with this routine, it will last the entire time and more.

​Review: “I don't wear this very often, but when I do, I feel invincible. I would wear this for a night out in autumn/winter. For me, this is definitely a cold weather nighttime scent. It is warm, sexy, and very long-lasting. When I wear this, I feel like Alexis Carrington - all shoulder pads, smoldering eyes, and sex appeal!” — Space NK

As I mentioned, my vanilla ecosystem isn’t limited to body care and perfume; it extends to my laundry routine, too. Snif’s Sweet Ash is one of my favorite scents from the brand, so when it debuted in the laundry collection a while back, it immediately became a staple in my laundry routine. Can you imagine having your clothes smell like vanilla bean, tonka, cedarwood, and fir balsam? Well, you don’t have to, because it can easily be your reality for under $20.

​Review: “Buy it; this is the best laundry detergent ever. I love smelling good all day.” — Ulta

I recently got a desk fan from Windmill Air, and I just happened to put it in front of these reeds that I got from Bath and Body Works. The result? A burst of vanilla-scented air every time I turn the fan on. It’s kind of like a deconstructed air freshener, but it’s perfect for anyone who doesn’t want to burn candles or use any scent plug-ins. Plus, these Bath & Body Works reeds don't need liquid to soak in, so they're a super safe way to enjoy your scent of choice without worrying about open flames or risks to pets or children.

Review: “I recently tried this vanilla reed diffuser and absolutely love it! If you enjoy vanilla, this is definitely worth trying. I placed it in my bathroom for about a week before leaving on vacation, and when I returned, the entire bathroom smelled like pure vanilla, even with the door closed. I also set it right by the entrance to my bedroom, and I get little whiffs of the warm, sweet scent throughout the day. If I leave my bedroom door closed while I’m at school, I can smell the lovely vanilla as soon as I walk back in, which is so nice. This effect is just with two reeds and without even flipping them yet! Could the scent be stronger? Sure, I love vanilla, but I honestly have no complaints. It does a fantastic job of making my space smell cozy and inviting, and I would definitely recommend it to anyone who loves sweet, warm vanilla fragrances.” — Bath and Body Works

Because I am extra, I also keep scented plug-ins in my apartment at all times from one of my favorite home fragrance tech brands, Pura. The Santal Vanilla plug-in has notes of vanilla, sandalwood, and amber, so its woody gourmand fragrance further enhances any other vanilla aromas wafting through my home. The combination is heavenly and next-level cozy, perfect for the colder months ahead, when I'll be hibernating in the comfort of my very well-scented apartment.

​Review: “This is one of my new favorite scents. I have it on a timer for when I wake up in the morning, and it starts back in the evening before I go to bed. It smells so good, and the vanilla is perfectly balanced with the woody touch.” — Pura