As a vanilla perfume lover, I was excited about Tom Ford’s Vanilla S*x. This latest EDP scent came to the market in 2023. And after trying its sample, I wanted to explore more options.
So, I began looking for alternatives to this soft, moderate-performing fragrance and uncovered a handful of perfumes that smelled close to its sensual aura.
In this context, I will elaborate on every detail of these substitutes to make your selection process easy.
Without any further ado, let’s get started.
What Does Vanilla S*x Tom Ford Smell Like?
Vanilla S*x by Tom Ford smells divine with a vanilla prominent essence. Along with that, the bitter nutty aura of almonds shines through. With time, you will get a mysterious floral hunch that combines woody and more vanillic accords.
With such a harmonious blend, Vanilla S*x lasts around 6 hours and provides mild sillage.
Now, let’s find out the note formulation of Vanilla S*x Tom Ford:
Top Note: Bitter Almond
Middle Notes: Vanilla, Floral Notes
Base Notes: Vanilla Absolute, Ultravanil™, Tonka Bean, Sandalwood
The intensity of bitter almond captured my senses the moment I sprayed this designer perfume.
A symphony of vanilla accords slowly came to light as time went by. In the middle, the delicious aura of vanilla mingled with floral notes and created an alluring sensational hunch.
Finally, at the base, vanilla absolute radiates a rich, sweet hunch. Then the intensely powerful aura of ultravanil™ blends with the nutty smell of tonka bean and sandalwood’s soft ambience.
It left a heartwarming aroma on my skin despite of the synthetic vanilla accords.
This Tom Ford beauty comes with average longevity and a gentle trail. So, if you want a similar aura with more performance, the next passage is for you.
What Perfumes Are Similar To Tom Ford Vanilla S*x?
Due to the delightful aura of Vanilla S*x by Tom Ford, you will find several perfumes on the market with similar ambiance and accords. Among them, I have selected the best ones to make your selection process easy.
Here are the ideal Replacements for Tom Ford’s Vanilla S*x:
1. Hypnotic Poison Eau de Parfum By Dior
Top Notes: Licorice, Almond
Middle Notes: Jasmine Sambac, Orange Blossom
Base Notes: Vanilla, Tonka Bean
Hypnotic Poison EDP is the first perfume on my list that you can use instead of Vanilla S*x.
This amazing long-lasting aroma came to the market in 2014.
Sweet-smelling licorice and almonds are the welcoming notes that will give you a boost of energy as soon as you spray it.
After a couple of minutes, the rich floral hunch of jasmine sambac comes to light along with the orange blossom’s fresh, clean aura.
Vanilla and tonka bean merge effortlessly in the dry-down and emit a delicious ambiance that lasts an eternity on clothes and skin.
When to Wear
Hypnotic Poison Eau de Parfum is mainly suitable for the colder months of fall and winter. Especially for nighttime activities, it’s an ideal perfume. But also works fine on days.
Why Should You Buy
- Eye-catchy red flacon.
- Well-blended natural ingredients.
- 12+ hours of lasting capability.
- Sweet, dark, and sensual notes.
- A compliment magnet.
- Enormous sillage.
- Reasonable pricing for a designer perfume.
2. Lost Cherry by Tom Ford
Top Notes: Bitter Almond, Black Cherry, Cherry Liqueur
Middle Notes: Sour Cherry, Plum, Turkish Rose, Jasmine Sambac
Base Notes: Tonka Bean, Vanilla, Cinnamon, Peru Balsam, Benzoin, Sandalwood, Cloves, Cedar, Patchouli, Vetiver
If you are looking for an expensive perfume that resembles Vanilla S*x, give Tom Ford’s Lost Cherry a try.
This compliment-getter opens with bitter almond, black cherry’s juicy nuance, and the deep fruity essence of cherry liqueur.
In the heart, you will sense the tangy nuance of sour cherry along with sugary plum. Which further tunes with the alluring smell of jasmine and rose to create an enchanted bubble around you.
The most prominent ingredients of the base are vanilla and tonka bean which slowly merges with soft, sensual cedar, spicy cinnamon, and sandalwood.
All you need is a few pumps to enjoy Lost Cherry for a party or date night.
You can also try perfumes similar to Tom Ford Lost Cherry to check out other options.
When to Wear
Lost Cherry by Tom Ford is a versatile fragrance that you can use for the whole year. Though it’s wearable in the warmer months, it feels more enchanting during winter and fall.
Why Should You Buy
- Realistic cherry essence at the top.
- Lasts around 6 hours.
- Good quality notes.
- Gets compliments.
- Unique formulation.
- Provides a gentle trail.
3. Zara Cherry Smoothie
Top Notes: Cherry, Almond, Plum
Middle Notes: Peru Balsam, Heliotrope, Hawthorn
Base Notes: Vanilla, Tonka Bean
Zara’s Cherry Smoothie is another dupe of Vanilla S*x Tom Ford. This floral fruity perfume was launched in 2022 with sweet, powdery accords.
At the top, this budget-friendly aroma tunes the sensual hunch of cherry with almond’s comforting aura and plum.
Peru balsam and heliotrope’s balsamic resinous aura will soothe your nerves. Then hawthorn starts to emit its spicy, floral nuance to enlighten your mood even more.
The dry-down is basic but still has a positive impact.
Nothing can go wrong with tonka bean and vanilla’s mesmerizing combination. And though Cherry Smoothie comes with gentle sillage and moderate longevity, its price range is worth it.
When to Wear
Zara Cherry Smoothie is a versatile scent. You can enjoy its sweet, delicious aura any time of the year. It flourishes more during the days than the nights.
Why Should You Buy
- Affordable price range.
- Lasts 6 to 8 hours.
- Great projection.
- Has a boozy touch.
- Leaves a mild trail behind.
- Only suitable for women.
4. Italica by Xerjoff
Top Notes: Almond, Milk, Saffron
Middle Notes: Vanilla, Toffee
Base Notes: Sandalwood, Musk, Cedar
If you want a slightly different top formation, Italica by Xerjoff will fill all your boxes. This overpriced scent blends the comforting tone of almond with milk and saffron’s mysterious smell from the beginning.
At the heart, vanilla and toffee do all the talking. The balsamic hunch of toffee gets a new dimension after mingling with vanilla.
Sandalwood’s rich milky ambiance develops a musky, woody softness due to the presence of cedar and musk in the dry-down. Which is quite similar to Vanilla S*x.
Additionally, this woody amber fragrance leaves an enormous sillage.
So, even after leaving a room, people will sense your presence. What a great perfume to create a positive impact on someone special!
Do you know, that there is another version of this Xerjoff scent that was released in 2022? If you want, you can try the perfume similar to Italica (2021) Xerjoff if you love its OG.
When to Wear
This amber woody perfume is the best choice for night outs, parties, or dinner dates during autumn and winter nights. Avoid wearing it in summer as it can feel overwhelming.
Why Should You Buy
- Has an unrealistic gourmand touch.
- Lasts more than 12 hours.
- Excellent projection.
- High-quality ingredients.
- Sillage covers a whole room.
- Amazing overall performance.
5. Vanilla Cake Montale
Montale’s Vanilla Cake came to the market in 2018 and its notes are quite similar to Vanilla S*x.
Let me clarify. At the first sniff, meringue and milk create a soft, delicate ambiance that will lift your mood on a boring winter day. It felt like I was having a vanilla-flavored cake with caramel on top.
Slowly, the stimulating whiff of Madagascar vanilla blended with caramel and settled with almonds at the end. So, not only you, but those who are around you will get this mood-lifting aura for a long period.
When to Wear
Vanilla Cake has a creamy nuance that feels amazing in winter and fall. You can count on this amber vanilla scent for regular use even in the spring.
Why Should You Buy
- Straightforward notes.
- Has a smooth and creamy ambiance.
- Lasts 7 to 10 hours on clothes.
- Good perfume for layering.
- Cold weather-appropriate perfume.
- Leaves a notable trail.
6. Acqua di Parma Blu Mediterraneo – Mandorlo di Sicilia
Top Notes: Green Almond, Star Anise, Orange, Bergamot
Middle Notes: White Peach, Ylang-Ylang, Jasmine
Base Notes: Bourbon Vanilla, Tolu Balsam, White Musk, Cedar
To enjoy a refreshing summery touch, Acqua di Parma Blu Mediterraneo – Mandorlo di Sicilia is a great option.
It opens with the subtle nutty smell of green almond, sweet-spicy Star Anise, and juicy, citrussy bergamot and orange which gave me a blast of energy when I tried it.
After a couple of minutes, the fruity-floral core started to shine brightly.
White peach’s delightful ambiance blended with ylang-ylang and jasmine evokes a soothing aura in this stage.
Finally, I was mesmerized by the base of this affordable perfume. Here, bourbon vanilla and tolu balsam merged with white musk and woody cedar, which lasted on my skin for 6 hours.
When to Wear
Acqua di Parma Blu Mediterraneo – Mandorlo di Sicilia equally goes well whether it’s summer or cold winter. You just need a few pumps of this versatile fragrance to make your days better.
Why Should You Buy
- A great versatile perfume all year round.
- Replicates a smooth velvety ambience.
- Leaves a gentle sillage.
- Suitable for office wear.
- Good performance.
- Lasts for 6 hours.
- Cost-effective pricing.
7. Mud by BORNTOSTANDOUT
Top Notes: Almond, Milk
Middle Notes: Chocolate, Plum, Turkish Rose
Base Notes: Elemi, Vanilla, Amber, Sandalwood
Last but not least perfume on my list is Mud by BORNTOSTANDOUT. Nathalie Lorson crafted this perfume in 2022. Though it’s not a clone, you will sense the similarities for sure.
Almond and milk are its head notes, but I couldn’t detect the essence of milk when I tried it the first time. All I got was the subtle nutty smell of almonds.
Then I got the delicious tone of chocolate that further mixed with plum and romantic-smelling Turkish Rose. From top to bottom, this long-lasting perfume had an enthralling flow that really stood up to me and when the base came, I was not disappointed.
I loved the sweet, woody, and balsamic combo with a spicy undertone that came from the merging of elemi and vanilla with sandalwood and almond.
Aside from the price range, Mud also provides notable sillage and projection which will make your presence known during the colder seasons.
When to Wear
You can use Mud by BORNTOSTANDOUT® in winter, spring, and autumn due to its warm, sweet composition. It also works great to some extent in Summer.
Why Should You Buy
- A great daytime perfume.
- Opens with a milky, nutty smell.
- Comes with a notable trail.
- Unique heart mixture.
- 8 to 10 hours of lasting capability.
- Budget-friendly dupe of Vanilla S*x.
Wrap Up
The alternatives of Vanilla S*x I have described here, along with their performance, are great options to feel amazing and empowered during the winter.
Among these perfumes, some are a bit pricey, but most of them come on a budget. So, if you want to try these substitutes before getting the OG, go ahead. I’m certain you will have a great experience.
For any further queries, comment below. Until then, ciao.