I Wore a Different Perfume Every Day for a Month—These 9 Earned Me Compliments

Key fragrance notes: black pepper, juniper berries, leather accord, orris, violet, black amber, patchouli and vanilla

Meet the Byredo fragrance you've never heard of but absolutely need on your radar. I realise describing a scent as "intoxicating" might sound dramatic, but I'm seriously so addicted to this enveloping mix of black pepper, leather, patchouli and vanilla, which, in retrospect, is pretty amazing since I would never classify myself as a lover of peppery scents. This is a deliciously smooth and velvety perfume that's sweet enough to feel elegant and lovely but complex enough not to feel basic or like anything you wore back in junior high. In fact, I love it so much I keep the matching hand cream on my nightstand at all times. I feel like people in L.A. don't like to ask "what are you wearing?" (the fear of seeming uncool or tryhard-y), but it's a no-fail occurrence whenever I'm wearing this Byredo scent and this Byredo scent alone. 

Key fragrance notes: pepper essence, orange flower petals, patchouli, cypriol, tonka bean absolute, vanilla, cedarwood, vetiver

I've always been a huge fan of Maison Margiela's lovely line of Eau de Toilettes, Replica, and one of the latest releases is this yummy (but far from cliché) mix of coffee, pepper, vanilla, orange and cedarwood. It's unlike anything I've ever smelled before, and the compliments have been coming in hot ever since I added it into my regular arsenal of fragrances. According to the brand, it's supposed to evoke the warm and comforting feeling of a coffee shop—creamy, escapist (especially in the middle of winter), and savory with hints of sweetness reminiscent of pastries. It's a truly dreamy scent that deserves your attention. 

Key fragrance notes: Vanilla, pink peppercorn, cypriol, calamus

If you like vanilla scents but don't want them to be too sweet, this one is a spicy yet sultry take on the scent. Pink peppercorn gives it heat, which combined with the freshness of cypriol, means it dries down to an addictive and alluring fragrance.

Key fragrance notes: orange blossom, honeysuckle, rose, vanilla, luscious marshmallow

While the combination of vanilla and marshmallow might sound too sweet to handle, trust me—it's not. This is Rihanna's signature scent, and the earthy, fruity hits of orange and neroli give it a juicy and robust finish. I never wear it without receiving a compliment, and it's by far one of the best "grown-up" vanilla perfumes on my vanity. You'll be obsessed. 

Key fragrance notes: black coffee, white flowers and vanilla

Maybe I'm partial to this classic YSL scent because it's truly wonderful if you're after something vanilla but still very, very chic, or maybe I'm partial because it's Zoë Kravitz's favourite scent. Or, more likely, it's a combination of the two. I love this fragrance because it manages to feel both light and mysterious at the same time. It's not too conventional, but it's also not too complicated. I keep it on my desk for those mornings when I need a jolt of confidence. 

Key fragrance notes: citrus, rose, jasmine, white musk and vanilla

This is literally my favourite perfume of all time, and pretty much everyone who I've hugged while wearing this fragrance has agreed. It's been my signature ever since its launch last year, and the fact that Zendaya (my hero) is the face of this mix of vanilla, jasmine, citrus and musk makes it perfect. I've always been a Lancôme stan (in addition to Chanel—my mum wore a few of its staple scents), so it's a warm and fuzzy line of fragrances that is only punctuated with this new debut. 

Key fragrance notes: cardamom, vetiver, vanilla and grapefruit

Jo Malone makes some of the most iconic and well-known perfumes, and over the years, I've accrued a few favourites that always win me compliments. When I first sniffed this new debut from the brand, I had mixed feelings, but after I had let it melt into my skin for a few hours, I quickly became kind of infatuated with it. It's strong, but it's been winning more attention than my other standbys (which are below), and I'd be willing to bet my life savings that this luxe vanilla perfume will go down in history as one of the brand's absolute best. 

Key fragrance notes: beeswax, caramelised benzoin, bitter almond, gaiac wood, tonka bean, absolute of Mexican black vanilla, black licorice, sandalwood and coconut milk

This vanilla from Serge Lutens is so supremely decadent and divine. It's my go-to antidote if I happen to wake up on the wrong side of the bed or have an anxiety-provoking day ahead of me. If you're a vanilla lover like I am, this is a scent to worship. It's buttery, warm, woody and just so mellow and rich. I happen to love what Lutens said of this specific fragrance: "To paraphrase Freud, it's not the evil who are full of regrets, but the good. Both the devil and vanilla like black." 

Key fragrance notes: Indian jasmine sambac absolute, bergamot peel, mandarin, freesia, jasmine petals, waterlily and vanilla orchid.

Trust me when I say that this is dreamy. It's how you would like to think you smell naturally, but nobody does - clean, fresh, but sweet and sensual too. It's like hugging the jumper of someone you love with just traces of them left behind. It's a delicate, feminine scent, but it's so powerful because it's so unique and so soothing to the human soul.