As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This means that if you click on an Amazon affiliate link on my pages, I receive a commission based on that qualified purchase. It doesn't cost you any more money and it helps keep the site running.
Mod Vanilla was one that I bought a travel sprayer of (along with Mod Blush) back when it was first release. Maybe I shouldn’t be so surprised at just how popular of a perfume it has since become, but I kind of am.
With that popularity, has also come people searching for potential alternatives to this Ariana Grande scent. Whether it’s something that similar but a bit different, a cheaper substitute, or one that aims to try and match the same Mod vibe; here is my ongoing list keeping track of perfumes which fit the bill.
Fragrances that Smell Like Mod Vanilla by Ariana Grande
An Inspiration
Dark Plum Vanille by Dua Brand– So, the rest of the list after this will be perfumes that are similar without trying to be a near match to our target. However, the Dua Brand does have their inspired version of Mod, Dark Plum Vanille.
If you want a cheaper alternative that aims to be close to the original, this is currently your best bet.
Now, I have yet to try this one from Dua. They usually do a great job and I’ve owned over a dozen of their other ‘inspired’ fragrances, so I trust that they can make the most of this formula (and the reviews seem to think they did).
40 Sweets
Cheirosa 40 by Sol de Janeiro– This one from Sol de Janeiro often gets compared to Mod Vanilla and it is indeed similar. Not the same, mind you, but pretty close for a body mist.
Plum and cassis are notes up top which give this one a sweetness, while being a bit tart. To me, the fruitiness is the main distinction, 40 has a much greater influence with those notes than the plum that’s in the Ariana perfume.
It’s a light and sweet fragrance with some floral influence (jasmine mainly), musk, amber, and of course the vanilla. Actually, fairly creamy at times, and also a good stretch where it leans more powdery and musky.
Pretty nice as a potential substitute for Mod Vanilla, since it’s not too expensive. Again, don’t expect an exact match, just something quite familiar.
Cloud
Cloud by Ariana Grande– Yes, another release from Ariana Grande. There are lots of them with a ton of overlap, Mod Vanilla and Cloud are such a case.
To me, it’s mainly in the sweetness (praline) and the musk notes, with the vanilla that makes it a fairly close comparison between them. Now, they’re not the same, just similar. It’s difficult to not smell comparable, with so many common notes.
Outside of that, Cloud has a lavender and musky finish. While with Mod Vanilla, I got more of a powdery back half with a sugary/musky/warm aroma.
Either way, if you haven’t tried Cloud and like Mod Vanilla, this might be for you. Cloud review
Viva Delicious
Viva Vanilla by Bath & Body Works– This one comes in variants of body spray, perfume, and lotion. So, there’s going to be slight differences in how it comes across from each type.
This is a very much simplified fragrance compared to Mod Vanilla, but also quite similar in what it does.
Here, you have: vanilla, plum, and amber. Warm and somewhat smoky with how it comes across and the sweetness is toned down. To me, the plum note in the Ariana Grande perfume is already very light, so it not being too big of a factor here isn’t much different.
But, the sweetness of the floral notes, cocoa butter, and praline are absent. As is the musk. Not an exact match here, but what you get for this price point is quite beautiful and has enough similarities to be worthwhile to check out.
Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc, or its affiliates.
Best Men’s Colognes started back in 2013, as a way to share my learning experiences with the different fragrances that I’ve owned, as I dove head first into the hobby. Since then, that new hobby grew into a consistent passion, helping millions of readers along the way. I have personally written reviews for well over 800 perfumes and colognes for both men and women. This is along with writing hundreds of other in-depth fragrance guides.