An everything shower routine

Smell vanilla without smelling like a tween

There’s nothing quite like committing to an everything shower—the kind where you know you’ll be in there for at least thirty minutes, scrubbing, shaving, exfoliating, and emerging lightheaded, slightly pruney, and profoundly thirsty. But the real payoff comes afterward: when you step into clean clothes, walk out the door, and are met with a trail of “you smell amazing” compliments. Suddenly, every second of that steamy, excessive feels completely worth it.

I wrote a while back about the quiet power of reclaiming the scents you loved as a kid. As a teenager, I was obsessed with Bath & Body Works Warm Vanilla Sugar (this is a canon event, I know I’m not special). It’s far too sweet for me now, but I’ve always had a soft spot for vanilla. I just hadn’t found a version that let me tap into that comforting nostalgia and feel grown up—until recently. After much trial and error, I’ve assembled a lineup of vanilla fragranced things that are both wonderfully nostalgic while still being distinctly elevated, adult, and dare I say… sexy? So today, I’m gonna walk you through what I use.

Today’s post is kindly sponsored by Function of Beauty — all of their products are 15% off this week! One of my biggest goals is to make Fun Little Treat my main focus, so I can spend more time writing about the things I love and care deeply about. Sponsorships like this help bring me one step closer to that dream.

Function of Beauty Caring Vanilla Body Wash
Function of Beauty’s Caring Vanilla smells like the grown-up version of your favorite nostalgic vanilla—warm, soft, and just sweet enough without drifting into cupcake territory. It’s a supremely cozy scent, like if a beige cashmere blanket had a fragrance. It’s not a pure vanilla, either—you get hints of rose and creamy sandalwood, which give it a more sophisticated, layered profile compared to most vanilla body washes I’ve used. The gel-to-cream formula is just as thoughtful: gentle, hydrating, and never stripping. It leaves your skin feeling soft, smooth, and genuinely cared for. Their stuff is all on sale this week, so if you’re gonna give it a try, now is the time!

Function of Beauty Balance Bodygoal Booster Shot
As someone with eczema-prone skin, I’m always a little wary of scented body products. One way I make sure this body wash helps relieve my often-temperamental skin is by mixing in one of Function of Beauty’s Balance body boosters. It’s like a calming elixir for your skin, formulated with aloe leaf extract and neem to leave skin feeling comfortable. It is dermatologist tested and contains 96% naturally-derived ingredients. It’s a real game changer for super dry, scaly skin. There are four boosters you can use to customize for your personal skin goals.

Tree Hut Vanilla Scrub
A few years ago, I was floored when an impossibly chic friend of mine casually mentioned that she swore by Tree Hut body scrubs. Don’t get me wrong—I’ve always liked Tree Hut—but she’s the kind of person you’d expect to exclusively use body care from places like Santa Maria Novella or Le Labo. She also always smells incredible, so I was stunned that one of her signature scents was something I could grab at a drugstore. The speed at which I ran out to buy Tree Hut’s Vanilla Scrub after she revealed it was her go-to was honestly comical—but I’ve never looked back. It’s a straightforward vanilla fragrance, but not in a tween, overly sugary kind of way. It lingers on the skin softly and subtly, and I love how fine and gentle the scrub itself is.

Daily Lotion: EOS Vanilla Cashmere
When I’m on a vanilla kick, I rotate between two body lotions—one for everyday use, and one for special occasions. My go-to daily option is shockingly affordable, easy to find, and smells far more elevated than you’d expect. EOS’s Vanilla Cashmere lotion has a soft, creamy scent that never veers into sickly sweet territory. It’s this barely-there vanilla that somehow still manages to linger on the skin all day. My skin is absurdly dry, so I take my moisturizers seriously—and this one is rich and nourishing without being greasy or heavy.

Special Occasion: Santa Maria Novella Vanilla Body Milk
For special occasions, I reach for the Vanilla Body Milk from Santa Maria Novella—a true indulgence. Like all of their creations, it offers an exceptionally refined take on vanilla: delicate, silky, and understated. It’s elegant and subtle, yet still incredibly memorable. My husband always compliments the way I smell when I wear it. It’s one of my all-time favorite scents, and I use it sparingly because, frankly, it’s wildly expensive (I received it as a gift last year).

CYKLAR Vanilla Verve Body Oil
When it comes to pure vanilla scents, I’m pretty selective. It cannot lean too gourmand otherwise I’m immediately out. I want the vanilla to be present, but it needs to be balanced by more complex notes to keep it feeling grown-up. Vanilla Verve from CYKLAR nails it. With notes of cardamom and bergamot woven into the vanilla, it has this earthy, spicy warmth that makes it feel both sophisticated and sexy. It’s a true date-night fragrance, and it sticks with you all day.

CYKLAR Vanilla Verve Perfume Oil
I recently picked up the Vanilla Verve perfume oil to toss in my bag for mid-day touchups, just in case I feel like the scent needs a little refresh. Same beautiful scent, just in a more purse-friendly format.

Phlur Vanilla Skin Deodorant
I used to think vanilla deodorant sounded kind of weird—I’ve always gravitated toward fresh, floral scents that mask odor more traditionally. But this one completely changed my mind. It’s a musky, skin-like vanilla that smells like you, but better—subtle, warm, and intimate. The blend of jasmine and just a hint of pepper adds a depth and sophistication that keeps it far from anything overly sweet. I’ve genuinely been complimented on how I smell when I’m wearing only this.

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Please let me know if you guys have any chic vanilla scents (that aren’t horrifically expensive!) that I should try out.