You likely won’t consider this breaking news, but gourmand fragrances are having a major moment right now. Even brands that tend to steer clear from sticky-sweet scents have dipped their toes into the dessert-inspired waters. (I see you, DedCool!) But of all the olfactory desserts to see a surge, vanilla arguably takes the cake (sorry, had to). It makes sense considering vanilla is the ultimate perfume crowd-pleaser with so many ways to play, from rich and cloying to spicy and sensual blends.
Recently, however, fragrance brands have been getting creative with their gourmand confections by putting a very special ingredient at the forefront—an ingredient that isn’t so, well, vanilla. So I’m calling it now: In 2025, marshmallow perfumes will take center stage. “It’s such a bouncy and fun ingredient, but also, in fragrance, it’s very lovely to work with,” Ellis Brooklyn founder Bee Shapiro previously told Who What Wear about marshmallow notes. “There’s a spun-sugar quality and also a natural milkiness that’s very much a cousin to vanilla in that way.” Yet marshmallow has a toasty creaminess that naturally keeps a blend from smelling too saccharine. In other words: It’s the not-so-secret ingredient for an elevated, grown-up gourmand.
Below, I’ve rounded up the best marshmallow perfumes with the vanilla counterparts they remind me of most. If you fell for any of these vanilla scents, there’s a solid chance you’ll adore its marshmallow cousin just as much (if not more!).
The Best Marshmallow Perfumes at a Glance
The Best Marshmallow Perfumes of 2025
If You Love…
SOL DE JANEIRO
Cheirosa ’71 Hair & Body Fragrance Mist
Try: Phlur Heavy Cream Body and Hair Fragrance Mist
PHLUR
Heavy Cream Body and Hair Fragrance Mist
Key notes: Marshmallow, vanilla mousse, salted caramel, coconut cream, lemon sugar, orange, jasmine blossom
Sol de Janeiro’s Cheirosa ’71 and Phlur’s Heavy Cream are arguably as dessert-inspired as you can get. The difference? The former evokes a caramel-vanilla drizzle while the latter brings to mind a lemon-frosted pound cake (perhaps whipped up by Nara Smith). Both are absolutely scrumptious in their own right, but Phlur’s leans a little creamier thanks to the added marshmallow.
Customer review: “Nothing but compliments on it! It’s a lovely, not overwhelming, soft and warming scent. Light enough to wear everyday. So loving it!”
If You Love…
Yves Saint Laurent
Black Opium Eau de Parfum
Try: YSL Black Opium Eau de Parfum Glitter
Yves Saint Laurent
Black Opium Eau de Parfum Glitter
Key notes: Marshmallow musk accord, coffee accord, vanilla bourbon absolu, orange flowers
Imagine a frothy latte bottled into a rich yet delicate perfume—that’s YSL’s Black Opium. Now, imagine said latte was covered in a layer of marshmallow fluff—that’s Black Opium Glitter. I didn’t think the iconic scent could get any better, but here I am spritzing this glitzy silver bottle with abandon. Black Opium fans, you’ll be happy to know that marshmallow doesn’t take away from the juice’s intensity. It’s still one of the sexiest perfumes of all time—just a touch airier and more delicate.
Customer review: “I am absolutely obsessed with this perfume, it’s my new favorite. Everyone tells me I smell so good, and I agree! The scent is the perfect blend of sophisticated floral! This perfume is long lasting and the packaging is so pretty. I will definitely buy a new bottle when I run out!”
If You Love…
Juliette Has a Gun
Vanilla Vibes
Try: Ellis Brooklyn Marshmallows Hair and Body Fragrance Mist
Ellis Brooklyn
Marshmallows Hair and Body Fragrance Mist
Key notes: Marshmallow, caramel accord, lemon, amber woods, milky musk
Remember Urban Decay’s Marshmallow Sparkling Lickable Body Powder? Consider this the fragrance version of that iconic, discontinued product. Only unlike the saccharine body sprays of decades past, this blend of marshmallow, caramel accord, lemon, amber woods, and milky musks has a slightly salty, spicy kick. That sharpness reminds me of the sea salt– and sandalwood-infused Vanilla Vibes from cult-loved fragrance brand Juliette Has a Gun. Both potions immediately transport you to a beachside bonfire—but in Ellis Brooklyn’s imaginary scene, there’s plenty of s’mores.
Customer review: “I don’t normally write reviews on here, but I actually smelled this in store right after it came out- so it wasn’t really on social media yet. I love marshmallow fragrances so I smelled it and IMMEDIATELY bought it. It’s like a woodsy marshmallow, definitely gives summer firepit, s’more vibes. I love it. I will say, though, I’ve found it lasts longer on my clothes than it does on my skin. Fine by me, though. I can still smell it on my clothes at the end of the day (obviously not as strong, but I do still smell it!).”
If You Love…
By Rosie Jane
Dulce Eau de Parfum
Try: Sabrina Carpenter Sweet Tooth Eau de Parfum
Sweet Tooth by Sabrina Carpenter
Sweet Tooth Eau de Parfum
Key notes: Marshmallow, candied ginger, chocolate, bergamot, madagascar vanilla, coconut milk, jasmine, whipped cream, sugar, musk, cashmere wood
I’ll admit it. I was hesitant to try this dessert-inspired scent from Sabrina Carpenter. It seemed like it would read a tad too juvenile, but let me tell you this is one sophisticated gourmand. (I’ll never doubt the queen again!) In addition to marshmallow, coconut milk, whipped cream, and sugar, it’s spiked with cashmere wood, musk, jasmine, and bergamot for a touch of warmth and brightness that keeps the blend from smelling too candy-like. By Rosie Jane’s Dulce also includes notes of vanilla and chocolate with hints of wood, so if you’re a fan of that decadent scent, you’ll fall head over heels for Carpenter’s take.
Customer review: “The smell is wonderful and lasts so long, its the perfect mix of sweet and sophistication. A daily wear!”
If You Love…
Jo Malone London
Vetiver & Golden Vanilla Cologne Intense
Try: Zara Velvet Shadow Eau de Parfum
ZARA
Velvet Shadow Eau de Parfum
Key notes: Bergamot, mandarin, jasmine, marshmallow
Friends, don’t sleep on Zara perfumes. They seriously smell so expensive! Take this jasmine-, marshmallow-, and bergamot-infused blend, for instance, which perfectly balances elegance and cozy warmth. Think buttery silk sheets, bottled. Jo Malone’s vanilla concoction leans a bit more syrupy, but the cardamom and vetiver give it a similar luxurious quality that just makes you feel fancy. Zara even has a perfume collection created by Jo Malone CBE herself; Velvet Shadow’s not in it, but still, the two potions have some striking similarities.
Customer review: N/A
If You Love…
PHLUR
Vanilla Skin Eau de Parfum
Try: DedCool Mochi Milk Eau de Parfum
DedCool
Mochi Milk Eau de Parfum
Key notes: Marshmallow, peach nectar, enveloping incense, sweet rice milk, vanilla bean, jasmine petals, Australian sandalwood, sensual amber, white musk
If you prefer to amplify the creaminess of marshmallow (as opposed to its toastiness), I cannot recommend DedCool’s newest scent enough. Along with the fluffy ingredient, it features vanilla, rice milk, and peach nectar for a cozy, comforting opening grounded by sandalwood, amber, and white musk. It’s a member of the brand’s Milk family, which means it’s a you-but-better skin scent that blooms differently on everyone, similar to how the pink pepper and cashmere in the Phlur fragrance above give the juice a skin-like quality. As I previously wrote in my review, it feels like the fragrance equivalent of a warm, comforting hug—made even cozier by the subtle gourmand twist.
Customer review: “This brand is new to me. I have not previously heard of it. So I was even more intrigued to smell the mochi milk. I’m not sure originally what I thought it was going to smell like, but I was so overwhelmingly in love with the first spray of this. It’s on the sweeter side, and I prefer my perfumes to have sweet notes. It’s like a yummy sweet marshmallow with vanilla notes. It wasn’t like an overpowering cheap vanilla, it was more of a mild deeper aroma vanilla. Altogether the the scent is a delicious combination that I love to smell all day long. I have already found myself almost daily choosing to wear this as my daily fragrance over many other fragrances I own it because I truly love this scent. I think it works well as a daytime and a evening wear.”
If You Love…
Carolina Herrera
Very Good Girl Glam Eau de Parfum
Try: The 7 Virtues Cherry Ambition Eau de Parfum
The 7 Virtues
Cherry Ambition Eau de Parfum
Key notes: Cherry, pink pepper, mandarin, marshmallow, cherry blossom, osmanthus, orris, saffron, vanilla, amber, musk, frankincense, guaiacwood
Cherry perfumes run the risk of smelling too sweet and cough syrupy, which is why the very best versions include some sort of nutty, spicy note to add some depth. Carolina Herrera’s Very Good Girl Glam does this very well with bitter almond and vanilla bourbon—but marshmallow, with its toasty quality, also does just the trick. That’s what makes this cherry scent from The 7 Virtues such an olfactory delight. When I catch a whiff, I immediately crave a flaky, buttery cherry tart (or five) topped with a swirl of whipped cream.
Customer review: “This fragrance is heavenly. Just the right amount of cherry. The longevity and projection are perfection. I cannot wait to try more of The 7 Virtues.”
If You Love…
Rabanne
Fame Eau de Parfum
Try: Fine’ry No Prince Required Eau de Parfum
Fine’ry
No Prince Required Eau de Parfum
Key notes: Night-blooming jasmine, pink marshmallow, amber
That Rabanne packaging is hard to ignore, and so is the blend of jasmine, sandalwood, and vanilla. Fine’ry has a similar floral-woody lineup of jasmine, amber, and pink marshmallow that’s equally head-turning—and at $37 for the expensive-smelling elixir, it’s a major steal.
Customer review: “Smells very sophisticated and not cheap at all!! This is an exact dupe of [Kilian Paris’s] Princess. I cannot believe how similar it smells. It lasts long and I love the marshmallow accord. overall amazing!! I’m shocked at how good this is…”
If You Love…
Henry Rose
Torn Eau de Parfum
Try: Dossier Floral Marshmallow
Dossier
Floral Marshmallow
Key notes: Marshmallow, neroli, bergamot, orange blossom, honeysuckle, jasmine, orris, vanilla, musk
Henry Rose’s complex vanilla scent is at once floral, earthy, and creamy—just like Dossier’s Floral Marshmallow, which is one of the sultriest scents I’ve tried. Inspired by Kilian Paris’s Love, Don’t Be Shy (which is known to be Rihanna’s signature scent), the blend is juicy and vibrant with a dollop of sugar. It’s TikTok-viral for a reason!
Customer review: “I got this in a three pack of mini sizes from TikTok and did not expect to love this as much as I do. It is sweet, fresh, and just the perfect feminine spring fragrance. I will definitely be repurchasing when this one is gone.”
If You Love…
Billie Eilish
Eilish Eau de Parfum
Try: Kayali Yum Boujee Marshmallow 81
Kayali
Yum Boujee Marshmallow 81
Key notes: Pink marshmallow, strawberry, coconut, freesia, whipped vanilla, pink musk
On the topic of social media darlings, I’d be remiss not to mention Billie Eilish’s cult-favorite fragrance and its notes of sugared petals, creamy vanilla, warm berries, and tonka bean. If you can’t get enough of this fruity gourmand, you must give Kayali’s Yum Boujee Marshmallow a spritz. Strawberry, marshmallow, coconut, and vanilla make it nothing short of mouthwatering; in fact, founder Mona Kattan calls it one of her “most irresistible scents to date.”
Customer review: “I have never been stopped more in my life to be asked what I’m wearing or to be complimented ‘you smell SO good!’ This is my new go to scent! I use it alone as well as layering it with Glossier You. I do wish it was a bit longer lasting but the scent makes up for any down side.”
If You Love…
Armani Beauty
Sì Eau de Parfum
Try: Parfums de Marly Oriana Eau de Parfum
Parfums de Marly
Oriana Eau de Parfum
Key notes: Mandarin, bergamot, grapefruit, orange blossom, blackcurrant, raspberry, marshmallow, ambrette, Chantilly cream, musk
Parfums de Marly really nailed it with this fruity-gourmand scent. If I were to compare it to a pastry (a French one, of course), it’d be a berry tarte tatin—delicate, airy, and oh so juicy. Armani’s Sì Eau de Parfum features some similar fruity notes—like blackcurrant nectar and mandarin—in its vanilla blend, so if you’re a fan of that mixture, you’ll surely fall hard for PDM’s elegant number.
Customer review: “I’m really in love with this perfume. I usually like floral, fresh scents but this one is different, unique, and I cannot describe it. I hear that it’s sweet [like] bubblegum but when I spray it on my skin, it’s something very special I cannot describe.”
