If Vanilla Perfumes Defined 2024, Marshmallow Perfumes Will Define 2025—Here's Your Buying Manual

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!"

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!"

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!)."

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!"

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

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."

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."

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…"

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."

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."

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."