Anyone else found it hard to figure out their signature fragrance family? I spent a long time faffing about with punchy floral scents and sweeter notes until I finally realised the common thread that tied pretty much my entire fragrance collection together was an aroma of woody notes.
No matter the season, nowadays lean in for a hug with me and you’ll be met with a woody fragrance. I love how they can be lingering but light. I love that they are very unisex but meshing with different body creams and pheromones elicit a unique scent. If you think that all woody fragrances are oud-y and rich, think again. Some of my favourites are a mix of floral or fresh, earthy notes that marry well with wood base notes for a fragrance that has more layers than a mille-feuille.
My gateway into woody scents was La Labo Thé Noir 29, 3 years ago. Santal 33 was everywhere but after whiffing Thé Noir I immediately bought the EDP and the body lotion layering my scent for longevity and richness. It was love at first whiff and after sussing out the notes (the black tea united with fig, then woody vetiver and cedar wood– delicious), I slowly noticed that a lot of the scents I opted for had a recurring theme. Nowadays I look for anything with creamy sandalwood, rich vetiver or a dry, intriguing cedar wood. Occasionally I’ll opt for an oud, but most of the time I won’t pick anything that heavy.
When I tell you I’m exclusively surrounded by woody perfumes, I’m not exaggerating. It’s stretched to candles and home fragrance too, where my chosen picks are Boy Smells Ash for a smoky yet dry aroma or Kalmar’s Peace candle for warm, wind down woodiness. Take a look at my top picks and get ready to revamp your fragrance wardrobe.
Diptyque’s Philosykos fragrance is not only the brand’s most popular perfume it’s also a beautiful woody scent. It encapsulated the smells of all parts of the fig tree – the name is literally Greek for ‘Friend of a fig’. The milky flavours of fig mix with the white cedarwood for a unisex crowd pleaser.
Mixing refreshing pomelo with earthier vetiver smoke and spicy papyrus gives this scent a blend of sweet and spice. The apple blossom in the heart note gives it a zingy kick and makes it a year-round woody favourite of mine.
I wear this perfume almost every day and I still get excited when I spray it on. The scent is heady but not overpowering with fruity, almost light, fig (not super sweet) mixed with the sexy depths of firey tobacco and dry hay. You honestly will never tire of this scent.
Despite launching 25 years ago this aftershave is as fresh as ever. Yes, it’s marketed to men and yes, it has a masculine air to the notes but no more so than a new age woody scent. It’s woody but the calabrian bergamot, neroli and green tangerine cut through the depth with an aquatic freshness.
This scent has a bit of a kick when first spritzed but as it settles on the skin it takes on a more powdery vibe with notes including Italian Cypress and rose at the top and Brazilian rosewood at the base.
Another EDT that’s marketed to male customers but smells sexy across the board. The warm cedar, patchouli and leather are a powerful combination so if you want to soften it, layer with a light floral scent like rose.
The wood sage at the base of this fragrance gives it a woody, earthy scent while the freshness is brought by the sea salt. Close your eyes, breathe it in and it’s a brisk walk slong the British coastline.
A woody scent verging on oud, this rich scent is based on the Turkish village of Halfeti evoking the scents of a spice market with leather, oud, amber, lavender, cardamom, cumin, nutmeg, saffron, violet and cinnamon all at play.
The milk mousse accord at the base and the coffee at the top of the notes in this fragrance create a comforting creaminess to this scent. Sandalwood and cedar wood essence provide the woody warmth.
A warm and sensual, upbeat fragrance. The base is Black amber, musk, vetiver, Moroccan cedarwood for richness but the top notes of bergamot, lemon, neroli, African marigold and bucchu combine for a fun and vibrant scent– it’s my go-to for a night out.
No words can express how sexy this perfume is. It’s an intimate dinner vibe. When I wear it, I really want someone to lean in a whisper in my ear so they can smell the black cherries, hazelnuts and tobacco leaf meshed with woody, sensual base of Madagascan vanilla, sandalwood, amber resin. It’s decadent and alluring.
This scent strikes a balance between fresh and woody. The cardamom at the top is punchy but it settles down into a warm and at times yielding vibe thanks to the soft musk and amber.
Probably the freshest woody perfume you’ll ever come across. With fresh lemon and ginger it’s a really spring-y scent but the moss and amber give it a woody richness.
A really unassuming scent that unravels the more you smell it. The woodiness is subtle and a little overpowered by the aromatic notes but the depth of sandalwood and cedar wood linger.
Imagine Glossier You but, sexier and genderless. The mix of bergamot, leather notes and bamboo create a warm scent that lingers. Super long-lasting for the price point.
It’s hard to come across a cool yet woody and smoky fragrance. The Moroccan cedarwood is of course warm and quite aromatic but the aldehydes and violet leaves give a crispness to the scent.
Hinged on essential oils, sandal wood and olibanum this scent is deep and comforting. A simple spritz goes a long way.
The striking notes of labdanum, ambrette and styrax make for an earthy and woody scent that evokes images of sea spray whipping the deck of a boat.
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