60+ Good Smells: From Vanilla to Coffee to Freshly-Cut Grass

As you search for your signature scent, you might find yourself running into ingredients in fragrances that you’ve never even heard of, or you might want a refresher on some of the best smells out there. 

Regardless of what you’re looking for, we’re here to talk you through 60+ of our favorite smells (with a few fragrance recommendations along the way). 

Why Do Scents Have Positive Effects?

Maybe you’ve noticed that when you catch a whiff of one of your favorite smells, you feel more energized and ready to start the day — or like all the tension has evaporated from your body. 

This happens because when you inhale a spritz of your favorite scent, certain parts of your brain that are related to mood get triggered. 

Along with boosting your mood, fragrances can also trigger memories. Your sense of smell is directly connected to your amygdala and hippocampus, two parts of your brain that are related to memories and emotion. 

In fact, some of your strongest memories can be triggered by different smells. That’s why you might notice that when you try a new lotion or deodorant you’re immediately reminded of something or someone you haven’t thought about for years. 

60+ of the Best Smells

Now, without further ado, our list of 60+ of the best smells — and keep in mind, you can trial many of our Snif fragrances if a particular scent piques your interest! 

1. Vanilla

Vanilla has a creamy, sweet smell that also has slightly woody base notes. If you want a signature scent that features vanilla, try Sweet Ash, a lowkey sweet, addictive vanilla fragrance rounded out with juniper and patchouli. 

2. Coffee

There’s nothing as enticing as the smell of coffee brewing in the morning (and when it’s paired with a slice of fresh bread, we’re in heaven!). Coffee is loved for its distinctive nutty and caramel-esque scent.

3. Eucalyptus

It’s hard to find a scent as soothing as minty eucalyptus. This fragrance is fresh and woody and can turn any space into a spa. 

4. Lavender

Speaking of spa scents, lavender has a distinct smell that is floral, green, and herbal all at the same time. 

5. Pumpkin

Pumpkin is the unofficial ambassador of fall, and for good reason. The rich, earthy smell of pumpkin takes center stage in our Half Baked Pumpkin Smash candle. This pumpkin candle blends pumpkin spice with cinnamon stick, cardamom, and whiskey for a warm, inviting scent. 

6. Pine 

When you’re looking for an energizing scent, look no further than pine. This woody smell is bright and crisp, like a forest just after it rains. 

7. Sandalwood

Sandalwood offers a smoother take on a woody scent. With a creamy, buttery side, sandalwood is one of the more mellow wood smells. 

8. Lily of the Valley

A soft, delicate floral, lily of the valley has a fresh, sweet smell that’s evocative of springtime. 

9. Peppermint

Peppermint is one of the stronger scents on this list. Cool, refreshing, and bright, the smell of peppermint is often associated with minty freshness and cleanliness. 

10. Cherry Blossom

Aptly named, cherry blossom has a smell that’s equal parts fruity and floral. This sweet aroma is light and subtle, ideal for a low-key fragrance. 

11. Lilac

Lilac is one of the more complex floral fragrances. It brings together powdery, creamy, and green notes in an utterly irresistible way. 

12. Apple

Think of a steaming cup of cider or a warm apple pie that’s fresh out of the oven, and you’ll know why this sweet, crisp scent has a place on our list. 

13. Cinnamon

While we’re on the topic of apples, we have to mention one of the scents it pairs best with: cinnamon. 

Spicy, warm, and woody, cinnamon can add depth and richness to any fragrance. 

14. Lemon

Lemons have a fresh, citrusy smell that will give you a bolt of energy as soon as you catch a whiff. Ace Ace Baby is a citrus, woody fragrance that incorporates lemonade accord with ginger, timur pepper, white freesia, and green apple for a modern classic that helps you serve aces. 

15. Musk

Musk is one of the more elusive ingredients in the fragrance world. The easiest way to describe musk is to say it smells like the cleanest, powderiest skin. 

For this reason, it’s no surprise that it’s a key ingredient in the new musky fragrance Snif Me. This skin scent blends musk with peach skin, plum, caramel, and sandalwood for a smooth, sensual, shape-shifting scent. 

16. Fresh-Cut Grass

The green, crisp smell of fresh-cut grass is emblematic of springtime and another one of our all-time favorites. 

17. Black Tea

Black tea has a floral, herbal smell that’s both relaxing and energizing. Golden Ticket is a tea fragrance, blending black tea with green tea, sage, incense, and amber for a magical scent that takes you to another dimension. 

18. Amber

For a combination of vanilla, tonka bean, and frankincense, look no further than the woody smell of amber. 

19. Black Cherry

Black cherry is a sweet, fruity fragrance that can instantly transport you to summertime. Tart Deco is a sophisticated cherry fragrance with black cherry, raspberry, rose, jasmine, and vanilla for a timeless but playful scent. 

20. Cedarwood

Cedarwood combines the smell of wood with citrus notes to give this wood a strong, aromatic smell. 

21. Incense

Incense can have a variety of smells, but it usually brings a spicy, resinous scent that can help make a fragrance smell richer and more complex. 

22. Coconut

Subtle, tropical, and sweet, coconut is one of those fragrances that is impossibly creamy. This delightful creaminess is on full display in Coco Shimmy, a tropical fragrance with coconut, pineapple, sandalwood, and surf wax for the perfect summery scent.

23. Rose

One of the most famous floral scents is the delicate, powdery smell of rose. Rose Era offers a modern take on a rose fragrance, melding rose, strawberry, and clean laundry accord for a new twist on a timeless scent. 

24. Tonka Bean

You can think of tonka bean as an almond-like cousin of vanilla, delivering a sweet, warm, slightly nutty smell. 

25. Sunscreen

Like summertime in a bottle, sunscreen has a distinctly sweet, fresh, clean smell. 

26. Clean Laundry

Next time you do a load of laundry, take a second to inhale the crisp, cotton smell of clothes fresh out of the dryer, and you’ll know why this scent made it on our list. 

27. Strawberry

Strawberry has a sweet, fruity smell that makes it a star ingredient in many fragrances and pastries. 

28. Soft Serve Ice Cream

To catch a whiff of the delightful smell of soft serve ice cream, try Vanilla Vice. This fragrance blends ice cream with Madagascar vanilla, jasmine sambac, and musk for a complex, rich base rounded out with sparkling sugar. 

29. Pistachio

Pistachio is one of the sweetest nutty fragrances, with notes of almond and vanilla. Heal the Way is a pistachio fragrance that features pistachio, palo santo, vanilla absolute, musk, and amber for a grounding scent experience. 

30. Jasmine

Reminiscent of a nearly ripe banana, jasmine smells sweet and floral. 

31. Raspberry

Raspberry, much like strawberry, has a fruitiness and sweetness to it, but it’s rounded out with a slightly bitter edge. 

32. Chocolate

Chocolate is one of the few rich scents that we’ll never get tired of. House of 8 is a chocolate vanilla fragrance that features chocolate, vanilla, lavender, and heliotrope for a dark, mysterious scent that’s sure to leave them wondering. 

33. Sage

Sage has an herbaceous smell that somehow manages to be both warm and piney. 

34. Bergamot

Next time you make a cup of Earl Grey tea, take a whiff and bask in the citrusy deliciousness of bergamot. 

35. Rosemary

Rosemary smells like a cross between eucalyptus and lavender… which is to say it smells amazing. 

36. Caramel

Incorporate the sweet depth of caramel into your signature scent with Soda Snob, a soda scent with fizzy lime, cinnamon, secret cola accord, jasmine, caramel, and vanilla for a crisp, creamy fragrance. 

37. A Slice of Pizza

Cheesy, tangy, and fragrant, it’s hard to beat the smell of a well-made slice. Slice Society is a pizza fragrance with black currant, basil, tomato sauce accord, iris, crust accord, and sandalwood. 

38. Apricot

Apricot has a soft smell that’s just as juicy as it is floral, bringing you a sweet and playful scent. 

39. Leather

When you want a smell that’s earthy, woodsy, and rich, turn to any fragrance that features leather. 

40. Basil

Basil is another herbaceous smell that leans a bit sweet and peppery, but has a fresh, green edge to it. 

41. Peach

One of the sweetest stone fruit smells, peach is sugary, juicy, and reminiscent of summer. 

42. Pink Pepper

As you might have guessed, pink pepper has a spicy scent that’s balanced by rosy notes. 

43. Gingerbread

Experience the cozy, rich smell of gingerbread with Gingerbread Smash, a gingerbread candle with baked gingerbread, chai, cinnamon swirl, and sugared leather for a gourmand, spicy scent.

44. Fresh air

It’s hard to describe the smell of fresh air, but there’s a crispness to it that merits a spot on this list. 

45. Cardamom

Cardamom has a complex, spicy smell that combines lemon, mint, balsamic, and woody notes. 

46. Fir Balsam

Fir balsam smells like Christmas trees, and that’s one of many reasons why we love it. 

46. Plum

Plum is a fruity scent that’s sweet but also intriguingly rich and deep. 

47. Honey

When you want a little sweetness in your life, reach for Honey Suite, a honey fragrance blending crystallized honey with lavender, incense, and vanilla bourbon to create a scent that’s warm, woody, and spicy. 

48. Moss

Moss smells like a patio full of plants just after it rains.

49. Tobacco

Tobacco has a rich, smoky scent that will warm you up immediately. 

50. Champagne

Subtle and luxurious, the smell of champagne is on full display in Big Flirt, a chocolate strawberry candle.

51. Orchid

Orchids have a delicate scent that’s often described as refreshing and pleasant. 

52. Spiced Rum

Sinfully delicious, the smell of spiced rum brings together cinnamon, vanilla, caramel, and nutmeg. 

53. Donuts

Donuts smell like two of the best things in this world: sugar and butter. 

54. Gasoline

If you’re one of those people who loves the smell of a new car or a gas station, try Dead Dinosaur, a gasoline fragrance with gasoline accord, pink pepper, ginger, and cedarwood for an ode to garage hangouts and simpler times.

55. Cider

Apple cider is another scent that’s become synonymous with fall. If you want to experience the joy of fall all year, try Apple Cider Smash. 

This apple candle with sparkling apple cider, honeycrisp apple, caramel glaze, and Madagascar vanilla has a savory, crisp, cozy scent.

56. Croissants

Very few things are better than a freshly baked croissant, which is why we made Crumb Couture. This fragrance features croissant accord, wild berry jam, blackcurrant, toasted vanilla, and tonka bean for a scent reminiscent of your favorite golden pastry.

57. New Books

New books have an irresistible smell thanks to the paper manufacturing process, the ink used to print the text, and the adhesives in the bindings that can turn anyone into a bookworm. 

58. Honeysuckle

When it comes to honeysuckle, it’s all in the name. Honeysuckle smells like a blend of honey, jasmine, and citrus fruits, a fresh, sweet blend. 

59. Freshly Baked Bread

The yeasty, nutty smell of freshly baked bread is what greets you when you walk into a bakery, and it’s one of our favorite scents to encounter. 

60. Rain

Petrichor is the official name for that earthy scent that comes from rain falling on dry earth. To bring a little bit of this natural fragrance indoors, try the Rain Check Everything Wash, a blend of bergamot, geranium, pink pepper, moss, orcanox, and vetiver that has a clean, crisp scent reminiscent of fresh rainfall. 

61. Orcanox

Orcanox is a woody, warm scent used to mimic the smell of ambergris in fragrances. It comes from the clary sage extraction process and can be found along with vanilla, juniper, white moss, and cedarwood in Sweet Ash. 

Everything, Everywhere

There you have it, our official list of 60+ of the best smells out there. Hopefully, you’re feeling motivated to start your search for a scent that combines the smells on this list that intrigued you the most. 

If you are, check out our collection of genderless Snif fragrances.

Sources:

Scents Can Have a Positive Effect on Your Mood | National Candle Association

How scent, emotion, and memory are intertwined — and exploited | Harvard Gazette

Lavender and the Nervous System | PMC

The smell of desert rain may be good for your health | University of Arizona News