16 Best Esthetician-Approved Sandalwood Perfumes Of All Time For Women (2024)
A few spritzes of these perfumes shall fill your surrounding with a relaxing woody aroma.
Becky Sturm is a multi hyphenate beauty maven who has been in the salon and spa industry for 30+ years as a hairdresser, esthetician, as well as product development and product expert. After graduating in the HORST/Aveda Institute Advanced Training program in 1985, she went on to do an apprenticeship at The Red Carpet Salons for three years in Minneapolis and Saint Paul, and then 1 year at Regis Corporation.
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Experience: 2 yearsOyendrila holds a master's degree in English Literature from the University Of Calcutta, West Bengal, and is a certified skin care coach. As a beauty and lifestyle writer with two years of experience, she writes about everything that the modern woman needs to know about grooming and self-care.
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Experience: 4 yearsShiboli has a master’s degree in English literature from The English and Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad, and is a certified skincare coach with four years of experience. As a commerce editor, she guides her team members on the best practices to create crisp and authentic content.
Read full bio of Shiboli Chakraborti
Experience: 7 yearsAnjali is an associate editor at StyleCraze. She specializes in hairstyles and hair and skin care and has written over 200 articles in these domains. She has 7 years of experience, and her philosophy about hair and skin care is simple: if you love and care for it, it will be healthy.
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Sandalwood is known for its unique woody and earthy fragrance. It has been a part of many perfumes used by women since ancient days. The best sandalwood perfume is enough to keep you refreshed throughout the day. Musk, patchouli, cedar, and vanilla are usually added to sandalwood for a rich fragrance. In the article, we have compiled a list of the 16 best sandalwood perfumes and oils that add an oriental touch to your perfume collection. Check them out and choose the one your heart desires!
In This Article
16 Best Sandalwood Perfumes Of All Time For Women
1. Best Special Occasion: Sofia By Sofia Vergara
This perfume was created by Bruno Jovanovic. The notes and scents are based on Sofia’s signature scents. The top notes of blackberry, plum, and cassis buds allure your senses. The mid floral notes consist of purple-violet flowers, Columbian rose, and orchids. The base notes are sandalwood, vanilla, and earthy woods. This juicy floral-oriental perfume works well in fall and winter. It is perfect for daytime use and special occasions. Take a look at this video to get more information on the product and the reviewer’s experience with it.
Pros
- Oriental fragrance
- Beautiful packaging
- Long-lasting
Cons
- Slightly overwhelming
"This perfume is a mix of floral, fruity, and woody notes. The floral notes of rose and orchid refresh my mind, while the juicy plum and blackberry notes surround me with joy. The sultry notes of vanilla and sandalwood feel warm and seductive. The fragrance lasts for a long time on my skin."
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2. Best Woody Fragrance: Pacifica Sandalwood Perfume
The Pacifica Sandalwood Perfume has a woody fragrance and can be worn by both men and women. It contains natural and essential oils from all over the world. The top notes of this sandalwood perfume are tangerine, sweet orange, and mandarin. The mid and base notes consist of Indian sandalwood, which imparts a warm and velvety woody aroma. This perfume has a natural grain, alcohol base. It is vegan, cruelty-free, and does not contain parabens, phthalate, gluten, sulfates, propylene glycol, mineral oil, petroleum, peanut oil, and triclosan.
Pros
- Attractive packaging
- Contains skin-friendly ingredients
- Ideal for daily use
- Vegan
- Cruelty-free
Cons
- Not long-lasting
"I love the calming scent of this perfume. Its woody patchouli note feels warm, and the soothing sandalwood note appeals to my senses. It lifts my mood and keeps me going through tough days. I like its colorful glass bottle, which looks nice on my side table."
3. Best Hydrating Formula: Wild And Free Amber Sundance
The Wild And Free Amber Sundance is a hydrating fragrance for the body and hair. It is infused with the fragrance of citrus, coconut cream, gardenia petals, sandalwood, and amber. This perfume also has a luxurious fragrance of coastal bergamot and white cedar that pairs well with the vanilla and musky undertone.
Pros
- Good sillage
- Sweet fragrance
- Floral scent
- Ideal for gifting
Cons
- None
"This perfume mixes well with my body’s chemistry. It has a warm, refreshing scent that lifts my mood instantly. The vibrant citrus and coconut notes energize my mind. The formula does not leave my skin feeling dry."
4. Best For Day Time: Byredo Blanche Eau De Parfum
The Byredo Blanche Eau De Parfum has a pure, light, and clean fragrance. It has top notes of white roses, pink pepper, and aldehydes, which impart a floral and light aroma. The heart notes of this sandalwood perfume are violet, neroli, and peonies. It has strong base notes of blonde woods, sandalwood, and musk. This perfume lasts for 6 hours and is recommended for day time and casual wear. This video will take you through the reviewer’s experience and offer a more detailed explanation of the product.
Pros
- Unisex
- Floral aroma
- Good sillage
- Ideal for casual wear
- Long-lasting
Cons
- None
5. Best Musky Fragrance: Diptyque Tam Dao Eau de Toilette
The Tam Dao by Diptyque has a light floral, musky, and woody scent suitable for both women and men. It has floral notes of rose myrtle and Italian cypress as its top layer. The rich mid notes are sandalwood and cedar, while the strong and captivating base notes consist of spices, amber, white musk, and Brazilian rosewood.
Pros
- Good sillage
- Woody musk fragrance
- Long-lasting
- Unisex
- Value for money
Cons
- None
"This Diptyque perfume is one of a kind. It has a mild, woody aroma that transports me to a serene landscape. A few whips of this fragrance make me feel energetic. It comes in a basic glass bottle, which looks elegant. The best part is that the fragrance lasts a good while, and I do not need to re-spray it repeatedly."
6. Best Unisex Fragrance: Le Labo Santal 33
This perfume was inspired by the spirit of Western America. The Santal 33 by Le Labo has a spicy, floral, and woody scent that suits both women and men. The top notes feature violet accord and cardamom, while the mid notes consist of iris and ambrox. Cedarwood, leather, and sandalwood form the base notes. Further, this fragrance is not tested on animals. You may check this video for the reviewer’s experience and a better understanding of this product.
Pros
- Good sillage
- Ideal for gifting
- Long-lasting
- Unisex
- Exotic fragrance
Cons
- Might feel overpowering
- Expensive
StyleCraze Trivia7. Best Spicy Fragrance: Chanel Coco Eau de Parfum
The Chanel Coco Eau de Parfum was designed by Jacques Poige. It has an oriental, spicy fragrance. The top notes are coriander, mandarin orange, jasmine, peach, and Bulgarian rose. Mimosa, cloves, clover, orange blossom, and rose constitute the relaxing mid notes. These scents are set in a base of labdanum, amber, sandalwood, tonka bean, opoponax, civet, and vanilla.
Pros
- Ambery scent
- Ideal for gifting
- Contrasting notes
- Good sillage
Cons
- Expensive
8. Best Vanilla Fragrance: Frederic Malle Dries Van Noten
The Frederic Malle Dries Van Noten is designed by Bruno Jovanovic and has a rich oriental and woody scent. It has a strong scent of Mysore sandalwood infused with the essence of vanilla, Peruvian balm, and sacrasol. This perfume contains rich hints of jasmine, musk, saffron, and patchouli. This perfume is suitable for both men and women.
Pros
- Skin-friendly ingredients
- Ideal for sensitive skin
- Long-lasting
- Cute packaging
Cons
- None
9. Best Oriental Fragrance: Byredo Mojave Ghost Eau de Parfum
The Byredo Mojave Ghost Eau de Parfum has an oriental, floral, woody sandalwood fragrance. It has heady top notes of musk ambrette and Jamaican sapodilla. The middle notes are violet, sandalwood, and magnolia. Ambergris and cedar make up the base notes of this perfume. It is a unisex musky and floral fragrance.
Pros
- Woody, wild aroma
- Good sillage
- Ideal for gifting
- Elegant packaging
- Medium intensity
Cons
- None
10. Best Sophisticated Fragrance: Guerlain Samsara Eau De Parfum
The Samsara Eau De Parfumis designed by Jean Paul Guerlain is a sensuous and sophisticated scent with woody hints. It has fruity and fresh top notes of bergamot, ylang ylang, lemon, peach, and green notes. The mid notes are floral – jasmine, rose, narcissus, violet, and iris. Sandalwood, vanilla, tonka bean, musk, and amber comprise the classic base notes.
Pros
- Amber woody fragrance
- Elegant packaging
- Suitable for all skin types
- Good sillage
Cons
- Not long-lasting
11. Best Floral Fragrance: Estee Lauder ‘Pleasures’
Estee Lauder ‘Pleasures’ has a refreshing floral fragrance on a sandalwood base, reminiscent of springtime. It was launched in 1995. This sparkling parfum comes with top notes of white lily, violet leaves, and green accents. It has middle notes of black lilac, white peony, karo-karounde blossoms, baie rose, pink rose, and jasmine, while the base notes are of musk, sandalwood, and patchouli. It is available in 50 ml and 100 ml.
Pros
- Skin-friendly ingredients
- Mild intensity
- Good sillage
- Unisex
- Perfect for creating impression
Cons
- None
12. Best Long-Lasting Perfume: Amuze Fragrance
The Amuze Fragrances is vegan, long-lasting, and cruelty-free. It has top notes of musk, cedarwood, and clove. The middle notes are patchouli, amber, and sandalwood. Vanilla makes the base note. It does not contain alcohol, parabens, or phthalates.
Pros
- Vegan
- Alcohol-free
- Cruelty-free
- Paraben-free
- Phthalate-free.
- Long-lasting
Cons
- None
13. Best Fruity Fragrance: SwissArabian Amaali Perfume Oil
The Amaali Perfume Oil bySwiss Arabianis a part of their exotic range of concentrated perfumes. It has a sweet gourmand floral and fruity fragrance balanced by an oriental woody fusion. This perfume did not undergo animal testing. It is long-lasting and all-natural with hints of citrus rose, apple, lemon, pineapple, and jasmine. The base notes are cedarwood, sandalwood, musk, vanilla, and amber.
Pros
- Phthalate-free
- Alcohol-free
- Long-lasting
- Vegan
Cons
- Might feel overwhelming
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14. Best Sillage: Swiss ArabianEdge Intense
The Swiss Arabian Edge Intense perfume has heart notes of freesia, magnolia, and peony that impart a tender floral and woodsy fragrance. It has strong base notes of musk, iris, and sandalwood. The top notes are apple, rose, and tangerine. This exotic perfume did not undergo animal testing, is long-lasting with high sillage, and is suitable for everyday wear.
Pros
- Phthalate-free
- Ideal for sensitive skin
- Suitable for everyday wear
- Perfect for layering with other fragrances
Cons
- Overwhelming scent
15. Best Feminine Notes: SwissArabian Florence
The SwissArabian Florence has a strong feminine fragrance with notes of zesty Italian lemon and bergamot. It also has hints of rose and vanilla, paired with a sweet praline. The velvety base notes smell of aromatic sandalwood, patchouli, and musk. This perfect scent is long-lasting and has high sillage. The perfume did not undergo animal testing, making it ideal for those looking for cruelty-free options.
Pros
- Value for money
- Dark woods and citrusy scent
- Cute packaging
- Long-lasting
Cons
- Expensive
16. Best For Warm Seasons: Swiss Arabian Zahra
The SwissArabian Zahra is a concentrated perfume oil that has a sandalwood fragrance with floral and fruity notes. It is long-lasting with high sillage. This perfume is infused with all-natural and organic Oriental Oudh, which has strong sandalwood notes. It has notes of rose, jasmine, marigold, mimosa, saffron, berries. The perfect base notes are sandalwood, vetiver, and vanilla. It is best suited for regular wear in warm seasons. The perfume is not tested on animals, which makes it a perfect guilt-free fragrance.
Pros
- Alcohol-free
- Ideal for gifting
- Elegant packaging
- Long-lasting
Cons
- None
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The overwhelming 1,338 positive reviews on Amazon show how popular this product is with happy users.
Sandalwood is one of the most expensive wood extracts used in perfumes and fragrances. Creamy sandalwood provides a lasting, sweet impression. However, because it is a woody note, it is quite strong and overpowering. So, be mindful of certain aspects before buying a sandalwood fragrance. Go through the following buying guide for a better idea.
Things To Keep In Mind While Selecting A Sandalwood Perfume
- Fragrance-Blend: The sandalwood has soft and subtle notes that work wonderfully as a carrier for other aromas. The sandalwood scent creates an uplifting fragrance when blended with other woody or earthy scents like cedar, rosewood, patchouli, vetiver, and vanilla. Therefore, invest in fragrances with such combos to experience a rejuvenating and fresh aroma.
- Concentration: Before purchasing perfume, it is important to check the perfume concentration. The oil concentration in the fragrance determines its lasting power on the skin. Choose a perfume type according to your needs:
- Pure perfumes- They have the highest fragrance concentration ranging from 20% to 30%, and last up to 6-8 hours.
- Eau De Perfumes- They have a fragrance concentration ranging from 15% to 20% and last up to 5 hours.
- Eau De Toilette- They have a fragrance concentration ranging from 5% to 15% and lasts up to 2-3 hours.
- Eau De Cologne- They have a fragrance concentration of up to 2% to 4% and lasts up to 2 hours.
- Notes: The sandalwood fragrances and scents you adore are made up of three notes. The base note, the middle note, and the top note. They all contain different and independent combinations. Oriental extracts, flower extracts, and fruit extracts can be used in stronger and more specific combinations to make you feel charming and fresh. Look for the notes before selecting a fragrance.
- Season: Although sandalwood fragrances are ideal for the winter months, you can also invest in those with milder notes to wear in the summer months. Additionally, look for sweat-resistant and long-lasting odors for warmer days. For the monsoon season, select a sandalwood aroma consisting of orange and lemon notes for a cozy experience.
- Brand: Purchase perfumes from trustworthy and well-known brands to get the finest fragrances. Popular brands maintain quality and composition. They manufacture their scent without toxins and irritants. Some of them also offer fragrances that are vegan and not tested on animals.
In addition to all this, check the reviews of the perfume you wish to buy online to get an insight into the reviewer’s experience. This will help you make an informed decision.
Infographic: Facts About The History Of Sandalwood Perfumes
For ages, perfumes have incorporated sandalwood as an essential component to elevate their fragrance. Various researchers and perfumers have raved about its woody, musky, and enticing notes, deeming it the perfect ingredient for creating exquisite scents. Check out the infographic below for some fun facts related to the history of sandalwood perfumes. Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team
Sandalwood scent adds natural depth and fullness to a fragrance. This woodsy scent can fit into any mood and occasion. It can be combined with fruity notes like orange blossom or black currant for a more sophisticated aroma with musk, patchouli, cedar, and vanilla. Try the Sofia By Sofia Vergara for special occasions during the daytime, the Byredo Blanche Eau De Parfum for casual and long wear, and opt for the Chanel Coco Eau de Parfum if you’re looking for spicy and contrasting notes. The sandalwood perfumes reviewed in the list will keep you refreshed and smelling great all day long without worrying about body odor. The best part about these perfumes is that they do not have an overpowering, woodsy scent!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is sandalwood a feminine scent?
No. Since it is primarily used in men’s fragrances, sandalwood was once perceived as a masculine scent. However, sandalwood is now widely used in women’s fragrances.
Is sandalwood a good perfume?
Yes, sandalwood is an excellent perfume because it has a rich, sweet, warm, and woodsy aroma that is sensual, erotic, and calming. Sandalwood is a beautiful base note that enhances and complements other scents.
Does sandalwood smell like oud?
No, sandalwood does not have an oud-like scent. Instead, sandalwood has a distinctive aroma that is sweet, creamy, smooth, and warm, unlike oud, which has a strong musky scent.
How long does sandalwood smell last?
Sandalwood has a strong scent that does not fade quickly. Typically, the scent of sandalwood lingers for 12 to 24 hours.
Is sandalwood a summer or winter scent?
Sandalwood perfume is suitable for both summer and winter.
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