Sandalwood perfumes
Sandalwood is creamy, smooth and softly woody, sometimes a little milky. It adds warmth without sweetness, which is why it turns up in fresh men’s scents and rich florals alike. Much of the sandalwood in modern perfume is built from synthetic materials, because the classic Indian oil is scarce. Editorial inference
Perfumes with sandalwood notes
Sandalwood is a key note
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Bleu de Chanel Eau de Toilette
- Woody / aromatic
- Citrus
- Cedar
- Sandalwood
Bright citrus over smooth, clean woods. Polished, and easy to wear to work.
Perfumer: Jacques Polge
-
Bleu de Chanel Eau de Parfum
- Woody / amber
- Amber
- Musk
- Sandalwood
Soft citrus over sandalwood, amber and a little incense. Smoother, warmer and longer-lasting than the EDT, and just as easy to wear.
Perfumer: Jacques Polge
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Miss Dior Eau de Parfum
- Floral / chypre
- Rose
- Vanilla
- Sandalwood
Honeyed Grasse rose over creamy vanilla, tonka and milky sandalwood, with a little patchouli underneath. Dior’s 2026 version: a soft, sweet, romantic rose.
Perfumer: Francis Kurkdjian
-
Vanilla Sex Eau de Parfum
- Amber / gourmand
- Vanilla
- Sandalwood
- Jasmine
- Orris
Creamy, almondy vanilla over sandalwood, with jasmine and orris. A rich, skin-close vanilla with no tobacco, and a warm animalic edge that divides people.
Perfumer: Not disclosed by the brand
-
Million Gold Eau de Parfum Intense
- Woody / spicy
- Mandarin
- Cedarwood
- Sandalwood
Juicy mandarin and warm spice over creamy sandalwood and cedar. A smooth, woody take on the Million line, much less sweet than the original 1 Million.
Perfumers: Christophe Raynaud, Quentin Bisch
-
Daisy Eau de Toilette
- floral / fruity
- wild berries
- violet
- jasmine
- sandalwood
- Floral / fruity
- Wild berries
- Violet
- Jasmine
- Sandalwood
Strawberry, grapefruit and violet leaf over soft jasmine and clean musk. Light, fresh and sweet in a gentle way, with the famous daisy-topped bottle.
Perfumer: Alberto Morillas
Sandalwood in the full note list
These don’t lead with sandalwood, but it’s in their published notes, usually in the base.
-
Le Male Eau de Toilette
- Amber / aromatic
- Mint
- Lavender
- Vanilla
Cool mint and lavender over warm vanilla and tonka, like a barbershop that smells of cake. Soft, sweet and comforting, and a 1990s icon.
Perfumer: Francis Kurkdjian
-
Gentleman Society Eau de Parfum
- Woody / floral
- Sage
- Narcissus
- Vetiver
Fresh sage and cardamom, a rich wild-daffodil flower and four vetivers over creamy woods and vanilla. Elegant and a little unusual.
Perfumers: Karine Dubreuil-Sereni, Maïa Lernout
-
Yum Pistachio Gelato 33 Eau de Parfum Intense
- Gourmand
- Pistachio gelato
- Hazelnut
- Whipped cream
- Cotton candy
- Marshmallow
Creamy pistachio and hazelnut with whipped cream, marshmallow and cotton candy over soft woods and tonka. A sweet, nutty dessert perfume.
Perfumers: Olivier Cresp, Sébastien Cresp
Comparisons
- Comparison Bleu de Chanel EDT vs EDP Bleu de Chanel Eau de Toilette vs Eau de Parfum: the notes Chanel lists for each, how they differ from opening to dry-down, and which to sample first.
- Comparison Sauvage vs Bleu de Chanel Dior Sauvage vs Bleu de Chanel: the two best-known fresh men’s scents compared, with the notes each brand lists, how they differ and which to sample first.
- Comparison Bleu de Chanel vs Acqua di Giò Bleu de Chanel vs Giorgio Armani Acqua di Giò: two fresh classics compared, with the notes each brand lists, how they differ and which to sample first.
- Comparison Miss Dior vs J’adore Dior Miss Dior vs J’adore: Dior’s two flagship women’s perfumes compared, with the notes Dior lists, how they differ and which to sample first.
- Comparison Le Male vs Eros Jean Paul Gaultier Le Male vs Versace Eros: two sweet mint-and-vanilla men’s scents compared, with the notes each brand lists, how they differ and which to sample first.
- Comparison Vanilla Sex vs Tobacco Chocolat vs Tobacco Vanille Tom Ford Vanilla Sex vs the new Tobacco Chocolat vs Tobacco Vanille: the notes Tom Ford lists, how the three differ, which to sample first, and how to layer Vanilla Sex with Tobacco Chocolat.