While I’d describe myself as a certified summer girl in practically every aspect, when it comes to my favourite perfumes, autumn is my season. Of course, there is a time and a place for the best holiday fragrances and crunchy perfumes, but, in my opinion, if you’re someone like me who likes to smell expensive, autumn fragrances are where it’s at.
Take the best creamy perfumes, which I’m about to introduce you to, for example. I can practically guarantee that if you spritz any scent on this list, compliments are sure to follow, as well as a few people asking what you’re wearing and how they can get their hands on it. How can I guarantee this? Well, I know from experience.
You see, as someone who’s been wearing creamy scents for years, I’ve developed a nose, not only for which notes deliver that comforting cosy feeling often accompanied by the best creamy perfumes, but also for which ones smell incredibly luxe, too. Think sandalwood and amber, as well as gourmand vanilla and a few unexpected notes.
If, like me, the best creamy scents sound right up your street, keep scrolling to see my favourites…
11 of the Best Creamy Perfumes
1. Floral Street Wild Vanilla Orchid Eau de Parfum
Floral Street
Wild Vanilla Orchid Eau de Parfum
Key notes: Vanilla, cassis, jasmine, sandalwood, orchid
Let’s start with one of my absolute favourite creamy perfumes. Floral Street’s Wild Vanilla Orchid brings together light floral notes, commonly associated with spring and summer, yet gives them an autumnal twist through the addition of smooth sandalwood and juicy cassis. For me, this is the perfect transitional summer to autumn fragrance, both green and bright yet with a gentle moodiness lying below the surface.
2. Diptyque Bois Corse Eau de Parfum
Diptyque
Bois Corse Eau de Parfum
Key notes: Sandalwood, coffee, tonka bean, cedarwood
Bois Corse is a new fragrance in my collection, yet I can already see myself reaching for it a lot throughout the autumn months. A dry, rich, creamy fragrance, it combines notes of sandalwood and tonka bean with a gentle coffee accord. The resulting blend is smooth and soft — think of a milky coffee as opposed to a bitter espresso — with a heady, moreish quality.
3. Molton Brown Milk Musk Eau de Toilette
Molton Brown
Milk Musk Eau de Toilette
Key notes: Pear, peach, vanilla, tonka bean, white cedarwood
If you’re looking for a light, creamy perfume, I highly recommend sampling Milk Musk. Unlike many of the creamy scents on this list, which work hard to envelop you in their comforting creaminess, Milk Musk is much more gentle in its approach.
On first sniff, you get sweet fruity notes, courtesy of pear and peach, which then transform into a watery milkiness. It’s sweet yet not sugary and creamy without feeling rich or stuffy. The perfect scent for wearing year-round with ease.
4. Chloé Atelier des Fleurs Orchidée de Minuit Eau de Parfum
Chloé
Atelier des Fleurs Orchidée de Minuit Eau de Parfum
Key notes: Orchid, rum, clove, benzoin, jasmine, vanilla, musk
By comparison, when I want a creamy scent that feels like a tight, comforting hug, this is the fragrance I reach for. Part of Chloé’s Atelier des Fleurs collection, Orchidée de Minuit is a heady, creamy perfume that blends notes of vanilla and benzoin, a sweet, resinous scent, with boozy rum and spices. It’s warm and rich and decadent — the type of fragrance that pulls you in and demands you bask in it.
5. Mizensir Poudré D’or Eau de Parfum
Mizensir
Poudré D’or Eau de Parfum
Key notes: Iris, tiare, musk, vanilla, sandalwood
While creamy perfumes are my first love, I’m also a big fan of soft, powdery scents on days when I want something a little softer and lighter. Mizensir’s Poudré D’or, however, taps into both these needs, combining notes of creamy vanilla and sandalwood with powdery iris. This is a scent that’s elegant and smooth, think baby powder layered on top of a luxury body lotion as it melts into your skin. If you want a creamy perfume that smells expensive yet effortless, this is it.
6. Sol De Janeiro Cheirosa ‘62 Perfume Mist
Sol De Janeiro
Cheirosa ‘62 Perfume Mist
Key notes: Pistachio, almond, jasmine, caramel, vanilla, sandalwood
I’m sure you’re already well educated on the viral sensation that are Sol De Janeiro’s Perfume Mists; however, if you’re wondering which one takes top spot as the best creamy scent, it’s Cheirosa ‘62.
Sticky and sweet with notes of pistachio, caramel and vanilla, this is a creamy gourmand perfume taken to the extreme (in the best way possible, of course). Douse yourself in this and, I promise, you’ll smell good enough to eat.
7. Commodity Milk Expressive
Commodity
Milk Expressive
Key notes: Marshmallow, tonka bean, cold milk
Commodity Milk Expressive is a creamy vanilla scent that’s incredibly moreish. You’ll find notes of sweet tonka bean, marshmallow and cold milk, which give this fragrance plenty of body. “This is the first Commodity scent I tried, and I think it remains my favourite,” says beauty editor Eleanor Vousden. “Tonka bean is one of my favourite perfume notes, which adds depth and creaminess.”
8. Phlur Vanilla Skin Body Mist
Phlur
Vanilla Skin Body Mist
Key notes: Sugar, cashmere wood, jasmine, vanilla, sandalwood
One of the things I love most about body mists is how easy they are to apply and wear. While with some fine fragrances, there’s a fine line between smelling great and leaving an overpowering trail behind when you leave a room, with body mists, that’s much less likely.
This is great news for me when it comes to Phlur’s Vanilla Skin, as I’ll be honest, I apply this liberally at every chance I get. Sweet and gourmand yet not uncomfortably rich, it’s the perfect on-the-go scent for a creamy burst of fragrance.
9. Gucci The Alchemist’s Garden The Heart of Leo Eau de Parfum
Gucci
The Alchemist’s Garden The Heart of Leo Eau de Parfum
Key notes: Blackcurrant, olibanum, myrrh
Now, we move into the more unique creamy perfumes. The ones for those who want something a little more unusual than the creamy gourmands and woody scents I’ve previously mentioned.
Gucci’s The Heart of Leo is exactly that. A fruity, creamy perfume, it combines notes of juicy blackcurrant and resinous olibanum. To me, this fragrance smells like blackcurrant Starburst (I know, niche), slightly fruity, mildly creamy, and so delicious.
10. Maison Margiela Replica Coffee Break Eau de Toilette
Maison Margiela
Replica Coffee Break Eau de Toilette
Key notes: Pepper, lavender, milk, patchouli, tonka bean, vanilla, cedarwood
Next up, we have Maison Margiela’s Coffee Break, a scent that mimics the feeling of walking into a cosy coffee shop on a moody autumnal day. Unlike Diptyque’s Bois Corse, which pulls on a soft coffee note, Replica Coffee Break isn’t quite so shy about it. It’s pungent coffee beans paired with tangy milk and just a hint of vanilla. A creamy scent for those who want to be noticed.
11. Kilian Sunkissed Goddess Eau de Parfum
Kilian
Sunkissed Goddess Eau de Parfum
Key notes: Neroli, bergamot, tiare, coconut, vanilla, guaiac wood
Finally, I know I said this would be an edit of creamy scents which feel perfectly in keeping with the autumn weather that’s around the corner; however, allow me a little indulgence.
Kilian’s Sunkissed Goddess is the most perfect creamy summer scent, and so, it had to find its way onto this list for any winter sun getaways or simply if you want to channel the sunshine on gloomy days. With notes of zesty bergamot as well as soft, creamy tiare flower and coconut, it’s the scent of suncream bottled, ideal for whenever you need a little pick-me-up.
