I have always loved perfumes that balance sweetness with something fresher or more contrasting. Vanilla can easily become too sugary for me, while floral scents sometimes feel overly polished.

Ellis Brooklyn Vanilla Salt and Phlur Golden Rule both avoid that problem in completely different ways, which is exactly why I enjoy wearing them.

Ellis Brooklyn Vanilla Salt

Ellis Brooklyn Vanilla Salt is probably one of the most interesting vanilla fragrances I have tried recently. Instead of smelling like a straightforward dessert, it mixes Madagascar vanilla with sea salt, mineral notes and a watery freshness. There is also whipped cream, jasmine and ylang-ylang in the middle, which makes the scent feel creamy without becoming overly heavy.

On my skin, the contrast is what makes it work. I notice the sweetness first, but the salty, slightly airy side keeps it from feeling dense. As it settles, the vanilla becomes softer and smoother, with musk and benzoin giving it a warm finish. I like wearing this when I want something comforting but still fresh enough for daytime. It feels especially right on warmer days, when a traditional gourmand can sometimes feel like too much.

Phlur Golden Rule

Phlur Golden Rule goes in a brighter, more floral direction. It opens with mandarin, pink pepper and golden pear before moving into orange flower, jasmine and creamy coconut milk. The base combines benzoin, sandalwood and vanilla cream, giving the fragrance a warmer finish after the fresher opening disappears.

This one feels more noticeable to me from the beginning. The citrus gives it energy, while the coconut milk and vanilla make it soft rather than sharp. I would reach for Golden Rule when I want my perfume to feel a little more dressed up, whether that means dinner, an evening out or simply a day when I want something more distinctive.

What I like about both is that neither relies on sweetness alone. Vanilla Salt feels airy, salty and creamy, while Golden Rule is brighter, floral and warmer. They give me two completely different ways to wear vanilla without either one feeling predictable.