Vanilla Woods Is The White Tank Top Of Your Summer Fragrance Wardrobe

From “vanilla girl summer” and sunset skin scents to fragrance layering taking over TikTok, perfume has become the ultimate finishing touch—and increasingly, the most personal one. At the centre of the trend is Vanilla Woods, the cult-favourite fragrance from The 7 Virtues that’s become a go-to for creating a signature scent. With its warm blend of pear, rose, vanilla, and caramel, it’s the fragrance equivalent of a white tank top: versatile, effortless, and endlessly layerable. We caught up with founder Barb Stegemann to talk fragrance trends, mood-boosting scents, and how to master the art of layering. —Noa Nichol

Fragrance layering has completely exploded on TikTok lately—why do you think people are so drawn to creating a more personalized “signature scent” right now?

I’m so excited to see layering become such a big conversation on TikTok. At The 7 Virtues, we’ve been designing fragrances to layer together for over 16 years. In our Halifax perfume atelier, guests create their own bespoke fragrances every day by blending scents together, so we’ve seen firsthand how empowering it can be when people become the perfumer.

To bring that experience home, we created our Layer Cake Collection™. The idea is simple: if you can make a layer cake, you can create a bespoke perfume by layering fragrances. The collection includes Candied Lychee, Strawberry Jam, Cherry Ambition and Buttercream Haze, each inspired by delicious gourmand notes that can be worn alone or layered together for endless combinations.

Think of it as gourmand heaven. You can add a juicy layer of strawberry, a sparkling layer of lychee, a rich layer of cherry or a decadent layer of buttercream to create a fragrance that’s completely your own.

What makes it foolproof is our proprietary Harmony Molecule™, which is woven throughout every fragrance we create. It’s the invisible thread that connects our fragrances together and ensures they blend beautifully on skin. You can’t fail. That’s what gives people the confidence to experiment and create a signature scent that’s uniquely their own.

Vanilla Woods has become such a cult favourite for layering. What is it about warm vanilla fragrances that makes them work so seamlessly with everything from citrus to fruity florals?

I think Vanilla Woods connects to something very primal in us. The woods note takes us back to a time when gathering around a fire transformed human life. Vanilla brings us back to some of our happiest memories. Together they create a feeling of warmth, comfort and belonging.

What makes Vanilla Woods different is that it’s not a cake vanilla. The vanilla is wrapped in warm woods, so instead of smelling like dessert, it feels like a cashmere sweater wrapped around your shoulders. It’s comforting, sophisticated and effortlessly sexy. It’s got a lot of ISO E Super so it’s got that comfort people are craving with second skin scents. 

That’s why Vanilla Woods has become such a beloved layering fragrance. It adds depth, warmth and familiarity to everything it touches. Whether you’re layering it with citrus, florals or fruits, it creates the feeling of a fragrance that’s been yours forever.

We’re seeing trends like “vanilla girl summer” and “sunset skin scents” everywhere right now. How do you think fragrance is becoming part of people’s overall fashion and beauty identity?

Fragrance has become the invisible accessory. People layer their clothes, jewelry and skincare, so it makes sense they’re layering fragrance too. Scent has become part of how people express their personality, their mood and even their aspirations. It’s one of the most personal forms of self-expression because it’s experienced rather than seen.

For someone new to fragrance layering, what are your easiest foolproof combinations using Vanilla Woods and some of The 7 Virtues’ newer scents like Strawberry Jam or Candied Lychee?

Vanilla Woods and Strawberry Jam is one of my favourite combinations because it smells like strawberries and whipped cream wrapped in a cashmere sweater. You get the playful sweetness of strawberry layered over the comforting warmth of Vanilla Woods. It’s delicious without being overly sweet.

Vanilla Woods and Candied Lychee is what I call The Sculpture Within. The sparkling lychee brings brightness and energy while Vanilla Woods adds warmth and depth. Together they create something that feels effortlessly elegant and completely unique.

That combination became so popular on TikTok that people couldn’t stop talking about it, so we created a mini duo of Candied Lychee and Vanilla Woods for fans who were already layering them together.

A lot of people want perfumes that feel comforting and mood-boosting—not just “pretty.” How important are the aromatherapy benefits behind your fragrances when developing a scent?

It’s incredibly important. I’ve always believed fragrance should do more than smell beautiful. Scent is directly connected to memory and emotion. Whether it’s the comforting feeling of vanilla, the uplifting energy of citrus or the confidence that comes from wearing a fragrance you love, we’re always thinking about how people want to feel, not just how they want to smell. We have our aromatherapy written right on the back of each bottle, we’ve always been into the wellness of a perfume that can ground you. Especially clean perfumes like ours that use the highest quality ingredients and natural oils. 

Summer fragrances used to be all about light citrus and aquatic notes, but now people seem obsessed with creamy gourmands and warm skin scents even in the heat. Why do you think fragrance preferences are shifting?

I think people are craving comfort, optimism and joy. Gourmand fragrances tap into happy memories and emotional connection. They feel approachable, comforting and a little indulgent.

We’re also seeing the rise of what people call “sunset skin scents”—fragrances that smell like warm skin after a day in the sun. People want fragrances that feel intimate rather than overpowering.

That’s why Amber Vanilla has become such a favourite. It wears like a second skin. It’s soft, warm and inviting, creating the feeling that the beautiful scent is coming from you rather than sitting on top of you. I think that’s where fragrance is heading—less about announcing your arrival and more about creating a personal scent bubble that draws people closer.

If Vanilla Woods is the “white tank top” of a fragrance wardrobe, what kinds of personalities or moods do scents like Clementine Dream, Strawberry Jam and Candied Lychee bring to the layering experience?

Vanilla Woods is absolutely the white tank top of fragrance. It’s the foundation that makes everything else shine.

Clementine Dream is sunshine, and adventure. It’s the friend who says yes to the trip.

Strawberry Jam is playful confidence and pure fun. It’s joyful, nostalgic and a little cheeky.

Candied Lychee is sparkling feminine energy with a modern edge. It’s bright, optimistic and effortlessly glamorous.

Together, they’re like building your perfect outfit. You start with Vanilla Woods, then add the mood you’re in that day. That’s the beauty of layering, you get to tell a different story every time you wear it.