Vanilla fragrances have become a major trend this year, and I’m absolutely on board! Because of this trend, you may be asking yourself how to smell like vanilla.

Personally, I’ve embraced the sweet scent of cupcakes for years. During my teenage years, finding quality vanilla options was a challenge since it wasn’t a popular choice. I remember relying on one gem – Vanilla Body Oil from The Body Shop. The compliments I received were overwhelming; everywhere I went, people would comment on my delightful cupcake-like fragrance. In school, I became known as Dunkin’ Hines girl for years. Sadly, The Body Shop discontinued that beloved scent, leaving me on a quest for a comparable cake batter aroma.

Over the years, I’ve discovered numerous fantastic products on how to smell like vanilla, ranging from body lotions to essential oils, with some being high-end and others quite affordable.

Here are my top 10 budget-friendly vanilla products that I absolutely swear by, ensuring you smell like a true cupcake queen. I personally own all of these products and highly recommend every single one of them.

This post is all about How to Smell like Vanilla on a Budget

**This marks the beginning – the original Vanilla body oil from The Body Shop, a fragrance so coveted that people are selling their old bottles on platforms like eBay or Postmark for exorbitant amounts. The allure of this scent is undeniable. Everything, from the fragrance to the iconic bottle, floods me with nostalgia, transporting me back to my high school days and my love for vanilla scents. Fortunately, the journey to smelling warm and sweet like this cherished scent has evolved. The Body Shop now offers an affordable alternative – a perfume aptly named Vanilla. While not an exact replica of the scent I hold dear, it comes remarkably close**

10 – Eos – 24H Shea Butter Body Lotion in Vanilla Cashmere

A vanilla scent that wraps you in coziness, leaving your skin irresistibly soft. Picture warm whipped vanilla, gentle musk, and comforting caramel in this rich, luxurious body lotion. Surprisingly affordable, it defies expectations by lingering on the skin for hours – a rare gem in its price range. Whether at the drugstore, on Amazon, or your go-to Walmart or Target, this fantastic find is within reach. If you stumble upon this bottle, grab it! It’s become a TikTok sensation, making it occasionally tricky to snag.

9 – Being Frenshe – Soothe and Comfort Cashmere Vanilla

The entire Being Frenshe line is truly remarkable and deserves more recognition! Founded by actress Ashley Tisdale, this exclusive collection is available only at Target. While there’s a variety of scents to explore, the Cashmere Vanilla stands out as truly iconic. Among the exceptional offerings, the Hair, Body, and Linen Mist is a standout choice – a must-have if you can only pick one. These products are not only incredibly affordable but also boast qualities such as being free of artificial dyes, cruelty-free, vegan, and dermatologist-tested. The popularity of this body mist is quickly becoming quite popular, and it might become a challenge to find soon, so seize the opportunity if you come across it at Target!

8 – Tree Hut – Vanilla Collection

Another essential addition to your collection is the Vanilla-scented line from Tree Hut Scrub Brand. This budget-friendly assortment is readily available at Ulta Beauty, Target, or Walmart. Included in this collection is the signature shower body scrub, known for Tree Hut’s excellence, a luxuriously textured body butter, and an unexpectedly impressive shaving oil. While I initially purchased the shaving oil to complete my set, it swiftly became a shower routine staple after the first use. The intoxicatingly sweet aroma is only part of the allure – post-shave, your legs are left remarkably soft and moisturized. I’m eagerly awaiting the potential addition of a body spray to this collection, as this ranks high among my favorite vanilla body lotions to date.

7 – Truly Beauty – Glazed Donut

My daughter and I stumbled upon this perfume by pure chance. After wrapping up our shopping at Ulta Beauty, the Truly Beauty Display at the store’s entrance grabbed our attention. Given my daughter’s love for gourmand scents, the name “Glazed Donut” was an instant hook. One spritz later, we were both in awe, and without hesitation, we made a second trip to the cash register. If you’re into smelling like vanilla frosting, this scent is a game-changer. What makes it even better? The price is just as sweet as the fragrance, and the longevity is seriously impressive. You can find this product along with the whole Glazed Donut Collection at Ulta Beauty.

6 – Lush supermilk – conditioning hair primer

TikTok has been buzzing about the Supermilk Conditioning Hair Primer from Lush, and it’s gained popularity for reasons I didn’t initially expect. Despite being labeled as a “hair conditioning primer,” my first application on wet hair, as directed, left me a bit disappointed. The result was a nice scent but a slightly oily and sticky feel. Initially let down, my perception shifted after stumbling upon a TikTok video where a creator shared a different approach. Applying it to dry, newly styled hair like an oil sealer turned out to be a game-changer. The result? Incredibly sweet and fresh-smelling hair that garnered the most compliments. Just a little of this product goes a long way – one to two pumps are all you need, making this small bottle a long-lasting gem.

5 – Vanilla essential oil

This Amazon essential oil serves two delightful purposes. Firstly, a few drops in your diffuser transform your space into a warm, cozy haven, perfect for vanilla enthusiasts craving a sweet and sugary ambiance. It beats using vanilla candles which often includes harsh chemicals. The second, less conventional use is adding a few drops to your daily body moisturizer. It’s an affordable way to exude the aroma of a vanilla cupcake. While I recommend the linked product, feel free to explore any vanilla essential oil of your choice – Winners or Marshalls have a variety to offer. This also works with any other scent you may love.

4 – Downy Unstoppable Beads – Shea Blossom

Downy Unstopables beads are a laundry game-changer, ensuring your clothes smell fresh without being overpowering. Regardless of the scent you choose, you’re bound to receive compliments on your delightful aroma. For vanilla enthusiasts, Shea Blossom is the unsung hero – though not explicitly labeled as Vanilla, it delivers that warm, cozy, and fresh fragrance. Walmart stocks these beads, but they can be elusive. If you face difficulty, trust Amazon to have them consistently in stock. Prepare for a laundry freshness revolution!

3 – Softlips – Vanilla

In my opinion, this chapstick stands out as the best in the market, and the Vanilla variant is the cherry on top. While every scent is fantastic, Vanilla strikes the perfect balance of sweetness without being overwhelming. Offering temporary relief and hydration for chapped lips, it’s an added bonus that it comes with SPF 20. Plus, it’s cruelty-free and paraben-free. Easily accessible at your local drugstore, Target, and Walmart. If you’re having trouble finding the Vanilla scent, you can always grab it directly from their website or on Amazon. It’s a lip care essential!

2 – Dove Pampering Body Wash – Vanilla

Dove’s body wash is an ideal foundation for creating that dreamy Vanilla scent layer. While there’s a plethora of Vanilla body washes, if you seek a creamy, basic aroma that leaves your skin extra soft, this is the go-to. Dove also offers a matching anti-perspirant – a definite must-have. It not only smells fresh but also keeps you dry all day. Conveniently available at Target, Walmart, or on Amazon, these products complete your Vanilla-scented routine effortlessly.

1 – Bath and Body Works – Warm Vanilla Sugar Collection

Warm Vanilla Sugar from Bath and Body Works is a timeless classic. Amidst the ever-changing array of scents, this one has stood the test of time for good reason. With an amber vanilla fragrance, its top notes include vanilla and white orchid, while the middle notes boast vanilla, sugar, tonic bean, coconut, and jasmine. Base notes round out the composition with vanilla, cocoa, and sandalwood. The collection features the essentials – body mist, body wash, and lotion, with occasional releases of a three-wick candle. Balancing vanilla and sugar perfectly, this collection is a must-have for any vanilla enthusiast!

So if you have been asking yourself how to smell like vanilla on a budget, I hope this list helped you!

All the products I mentioned above are linked. What are your go-to Vanilla products? Are there any that caught your eye you’d like to try? Is there anything you’d like to add? Let me know! Comment down below so I can try new products that you recommend!