Best Sandalwood Perfumes and Colognes

By note

Sandalwood is the soft side of woody perfumery. Where cedar is dry and sharp, sandalwood is creamy, smooth and a little milky, which makes it comforting and easy to like.

It sits in the base of a fragrance and lasts for hours. These are the fragrances in our catalog that use it.

How we picked. We took every fragrance in our catalog that lists sandalwood among its notes and ordered them by how long they last and how many occasions they cover. The list shows up to 10. Prices are typical US retail prices and may differ at checkout.

1
Lancôme
Trésor
$125 · 3.4 oz · EDP · Women · Floral
Rose, peach and powdery vanilla. A warm, romantic embrace: the great floral of the nineties.
Key notes:
Peach, Apricot, Rose, Vanilla, Sandalwood
Style:
Classic, Romantic, Cozy
Longevity:
Very long-lasting
Projection:
Strong
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2
Chanel
Bleu de Chanel
$155 · 3.4 oz · EDP · Men · Woody
A woody aromatic of quiet elegance. Sparkling citrus settles onto incense and creamy sandalwood: the navy suit of perfumery.
Key notes:
Grapefruit, Lemon, Ginger, Incense, Sandalwood
Style:
Elegant, Urban, Fresh
Longevity:
Long-lasting
Projection:
Strong
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3
Calvin Klein
Obsession
$62 · 3.4 oz · EDP · Women · Amber
Dense amber, spices and incense in the bold style of the eighties. Rich, warm and impossible to ignore.
Key notes:
Mandarin, Bergamot, Spices, Amber, Incense
Style:
Seductive, Mysterious, Classic
Longevity:
Very long-lasting
Projection:
Strong
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4
Aramis
Aramis
$50 · 3.7 oz · EDT · Men · Leather
Bitter herbs, patchouli and a big leather and moss base. A confident, old-school scent with real presence.
Key notes:
Bergamot, Aldehydes, Patchouli, Leather, Oakmoss
Style:
Classic, Elegant
Longevity:
Very long-lasting
Projection:
Strong
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5
Dior
Hypnotic Poison
$135 · 3.4 oz · EDT · Women · Amber
Bitter almond and vanilla with a creamy, almost edible warmth. A sultry classic for cold evenings.
Key notes:
Apricot, Plum, Tuberose, Vanilla, Almond
Style:
Seductive, Mysterious
Longevity:
Very long-lasting
Projection:
Strong
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6
Le Labo
Santal 33
$330 · 3.4 oz · EDP · Unisex · Woody
Creamy Australian sandalwood, dry leather and a touch of violet. The scent of a generation of design cafés and exposed-brick lofts.
Key notes:
Cardamom, Violet, Iris, Sandalwood, Cedar
Style:
Urban, Natural, Mysterious
Longevity:
Long-lasting
Projection:
Strong
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7
Azzaro
Azzaro Pour Homme
$52 · 3.4 oz · EDT · Men · Fougère
Anise and lavender over a warm base of leather, moss and amber. A Mediterranean classic with charm and confidence.
Key notes:
Lavender, Anise, Sandalwood, Leather, Oakmoss
Style:
Classic, Seductive
Longevity:
Long-lasting
Projection:
Strong
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8
Jean Paul Gaultier
Le Male
$85 · 4.2 oz · EDT · Men · Fougère
Barbershop lavender and creamy vanilla: an amber fougère with the soul of a classic. Comforting, sensual and very nineties.
Key notes:
Lavender, Mint, Cinnamon, Vanilla, Tonka bean
Style:
Seductive, Classic, Cozy
Longevity:
Long-lasting
Projection:
Strong
Buy on Amazon Full profile
9
Chanel
N°5
$185 · 3.4 oz · EDP · Women · Floral
An abstract bouquet of rose and jasmine lifted by aldehydes. More than a perfume, a timeless symbol of glamour.
Key notes:
Aldehydes, Neroli, Rose, Sandalwood, Vanilla
Style:
Classic, Elegant, Romantic
Longevity:
Long-lasting
Projection:
Strong
Buy on Amazon Full profile
10
Chloé
Nomade
$140 · 2.5 oz · EDP · Women · Chypre
Mirabelle plum and freesia over oakmoss. A modern, sunlit chypre with a free-spirited feel.
Key notes:
Plum, Bergamot, Freesia, Oakmoss, Amber
Style:
Natural, Elegant
Longevity:
Long-lasting
Projection:
Moderate
Buy on Amazon Full profile

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Frequently asked questions

What does sandalwood smell like?

Warm, creamy and softly woody, with a hint of sweetness. It is smoother and rounder than cedar or vetiver.

Is sandalwood a unisex note?

Yes. It is one of the most common notes in unisex and niche fragrances and appears in both men’s and women’s classics.

When should I wear sandalwood?

It works all year. In warm weather it stays close to the skin, and in cold weather it feels cozy, especially with vanilla or amber.

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