Our 15 top Woody Fragrances For Women

Woody fragrances for women feature essences of wood and bark. They are usually warm, earthy, and grounded.

It is hard to say what makes a woody fragrance, particularly for ladies. Usually, it is the combination of one or more woody notes like sandalwood, patchouli, cedarwood, oud (agarwood) vetiver, pine, etc with a blend of soft, subtle, or sometimes intense notes to create something alluring, sensual, and classy for ladies.

Note: most of the fragrances on this list are marketed as unisex fragrances, but I picked the ones that lean well toward feminine territory.

1. Santal 33 by Le Labo

Santal 33 was created by perfumer Frank Voelkl and was launched in 2011 from the niche perfume house: Le Labo. The fragrance is marketed as a woody unisex fragrance.

What Does Santal 33 Smell Like?

This fragrance opens strong with some peppery spiciness, then a slightly medicinal woody smell with a hint of creaminess envelopes the fragrance.

You’d expect Santal 33 to be very earthy and heavy

Actually, it smells clean and fresh, with some very green vibes filling your nostrils. The green forest vibes are quite prominent here for me.

The Sandalwood here is not as prominent as one would expect. But you will get the creamy sweetness of Sandalwood through the scent profile.

At the dry-down, there is a comforting fresh woody-violet vibe that is creamy with a hint of soft leather that blows my mind away.

Performance

This fragrance exceeds my expectations. It lasts for hours on the skin and days on the clothes.

The projection fills a room, and the sillage will last hours after you leave.

This fragrance is light enough to do well in the summer and strong enough for winter.

It is an all-year-round, everyday fragrance, everywhere scent. If you can afford its high-end price.

Note: This fragrance smells distinct on different skin types–usually stressing some notes on some people more than others.

You might want to try a decant before investing in a bigger bottle.

Price

On the Le Labo website, the 15ml size costs $99. The 50ml costs $230, the 100ml costs $322, and the 500ml costs $1090 at the time of writing this review.

De Los Santos by Byredo

De Los Santos was launched in 2022 as a woody-aromatic unisex fragrance by the perfume house Byredo.

De Los Santos shares some DNA with Santal 33 but then goes its own way with its scent profile.

What Does De Los Santos Smell Like?

At first burst, you get this sharp woody smell almost like incense, with spicy accords surrounding the following.

It does not last long. Right after, you might get something that smells like black tea.

There is an herbal green note, which is like the most prominent note, and envelopes all other notes.

As the fragrances progress, there is a minty/menthol accord that stays throughout in the background.

At its dry-down, you get sweet, creamy, and earthy accords with musk.

This has to be one of the most enthralling fragrances I have sampled in a while.

Performance

The longevity for De Los Santos is above average with at least 8 hours on skin. Projection is about arm’s length, while the sillage is moderate.

This fragrance is well-suited for summer. De Los Santos can be a signature scent for any event or occasion.

Might not do well in a work environment, because it can be quite punchy.

Price

Byredo is not cheap, priced at $205 for the 50ml bottle and $290 for the larger bottle.

3. Carved Oud by Thameen

Carved Oud is an Amber Woody Fragrance released in 2013 by Thameen London. It is marketed as a fragrance for men and women.

Carved Oud does a better job of being a woody fragrance suitable for women than Tom Ford, Oud Wood.

What Does Carved Oud Smell Like?

Carved Oud smells like the better improved version of Tom Ford Oud Wood.

Carved Oud smells like the fresher, cleaner, refined version of Oud Wood.

It is hard to call an Oud heavy fragrance fresh or light, but Carved Oud does it.

Carved Oud opens up with some earthy, woody scent.

There are some surrounding green accords you might get a hint of in the background.

There’s some peppery sweetness accompanying the woody scent as the scent progresses.

The woodiness stays through the progression, leaving behind the earthiness, and becoming dry and refined.

The dry down is where everything blends well together in this fragrance.

You get different facets of woodiness, not individually but in harmony.

There is some woodiness, and the vetiver stands a little more rounding this fragrance as one of the most sophisticated and well-done Oud fragrances on the market.

I get it when people say this fragrance smells like Tom Ford’s Oud Wood. Oud Wood leaves a lot to be desired. Carved Oud gives you everything.

Performance

In this category, Carved Oud does not leave anything lacking. Longevity on the skin is over 10 hours.

The projection and sillage are moderate. People will love smelling this fragrance for you. No complaints here.

It performs better during the fall and winter.

You can wear this fragrance to any event and occasion or even as your everyday signature perfume during the

day or at night.

Price

Carved Oud costs £180 for the 50ml bottle and $280 for the 100ml bottle on Thameen’s official website.

4. Resonance by Chris Rusak

Resonance by Chris Rusak is an amber woody fragrance for men and women. It was launched in 2021.

What Does Resonance Smell Like?

Resonance opens up with dark, earthy, and smoky.

Soon after you get fruity brightness from the fresh, recognizable scent of tangerines.

Pine and cypress also come through with some green and woodiness.

The aromatic scent of incense comes through rounds of the fragrance with warmth and coziness.

You still get the pine and cypress notes as the scent dries down.

Cedar notes come through the background like wafting through the forest on a cool breeze.

This fragrance smells very natural and feels just like you are walking through a real forest.

You have to get a sniff to realize how divine this fragrance smells.

Performance

This fragrance easily lasts over 10 hours on the skin. The projectivity and sillage are strong.

it will perform better in fall and winter, and you can wear it on cool summer days and evenings.

Price

With only 125 bottles made, it was hard to find any information about the price of this fragrance on the internet. That puts this fragrance between $12 – $20, or even more, seeing how hard it is to find. If you lay your hands on one, you are in luck.

5. Falling Trees by Regime des Fleurs

Falling Trees by Regime des Fleurs is a woody smoky fragrance for men and women that was launched in 2016 and created by Matthew Nardin.

What Does Falling Trees Smell Like?

Falling Trees is a very subtle, relaxed yet expressive woody fragrance.

It opens with hints of woody cypress pine surrounding bold and resinous incense accords.

Juniper scents come and stay to dry down with a hint of smokiness.

The incense here is light. It is not as mysterious as you’d expect with dry, slightly spicy, and balsamic accords in the profile.

During the dry down, you’ll notice a stronger presence of bright spicy accords with a woody scent that gives off a more synthetic aroma, reminiscent of pencil shavings, rather than the forest vibe it aims to create here.

Falling trees is a linear, relaxing, clean, woody fragrance.

If you want to try out a safe woody fragrance, Falling Trees is a blind buy to consider.

Performance

The performance is average. The longevity is about 6 hours on the skin.

The projection is about 1-2 feet, then it stays close to the skin throughout the end of the day. The sillage is fine.

This fragrance is great for women, and best suited for a casual, everyday fragrance.

Falling Trees perform better during the cold seasons and days, but can also be worn all year.

Price

This fragrance is expensive. It comes in a 75ml size and it costs $240.

6. Sacred Wood by Kilian

Sacred Wood is an extremely woody fragrance for women (and men). Calice Becker created it and launched it in 2014. Sacred Wood by Kilian is part of the “Bois de Caves” collection.

What Does Sacred Wood Smell Like?

Sacred Wood is a sandalwood-dominant fragrance. Sacred Wood opens up with some creaminess and a blend of green accords — more like leaves.

I also get a whiff of cardamom. Shortly after, I got the Sandalwood. Which smells quite dry and raw.

At the heart, the sandalwood carries on with hints of creaminess surrounding it. There’s some other woody note (cedar, I think) that joins the sandalwood as a backbone.

There is a rich, incense (or oud) note that gives the scent profile a darker, dirtier, and resinous vibe.

Sacred Wood is a warm, linear, well-blended take on Sandalwood.

Performance

What Sacred Wood lacks in dynamism it makes up for in performance. It can last up to 10+ hours on the skin. The projection is up to 5 feet, and the sillage can last up to two hours.

But the performance of this fragrance is based mostly on your skin. For some people, it does not perform as well on their skin. I have read in some forums it smells like pickles on others.

Price

Sacred Wood is costly. The 50ml refillable bottles start from $225, $290 and $360. For different 50ml refillable bottles.

For most people, Sacred Wood might be worth the steep price tag because it works so well with their skin chemistry and smells divine.

For others, they’re better off getting some other sandalwood-dominant fragrance.

7. Ébène Fumé by Tom Ford

Ébène Fumé is a woody-smoky fragrance launched by Tom Ford in 2021 and created by Rodrigo Flores Roux.

What Does Ébène Fumé Smell Like?

Ébène Fumé opens up with some floral accord, which is prominent for a second, and then the peppery notes take over.

The pepper stays dominant while some sweet leathery notes join the black pepper note on stage.

A few minutes later the fragrance becomes bitter herbaceous with a heavy incense. Some airy smoky notes join the lingering incense.

The dry down is rich with woody resinous notes with hints of rose and leather. It is a must-love luxurious woody scent.

Performance

The longevity of this Ébène Fumé is quite impressive, with up to 10 plus on skin. The projection is bold, and the sillage is long-lasting.

This fragrance will perform better in winter and fall. This fragrance does not have a lot of versatility but does well in laid-back casual outings.

Price

This fragrance costs $185 for 30ml, $295 for 50ml, $425 for 100ml, and $850 for 250ml on the Tom Ford website.

8. Cape Heartache by Imaginary Authors

Cape Heartache is a woody-fruity fragrance launched in 2013 by Imaginary Authors and created by Josh Meyer

What Does Cape Heartache Smell Like?

Cape Heartache opens up fruity notes with a very prominent strawberry note, but not overly sweetly.

The strawberries here are earthy. I should say that the strawberry accord plays out more synthetic than realistic.

Before the strawberry accord disappears, a whiff of smokiness joins it that does not last too long. Before it fades into the background to give way to some rich, realistic, coniferous pines accords.

The dry down still gives the mountain forest accords filled with pine needles, resin wood, and moss.

At the dry down, the vanilla note emerges, bringing some warm creaminess.

Performance

The longevity of this fragrance is pretty impressive. You can get up to 9 hours plus.

The projection starts strong for up to 3 hours before it settles close to the skin.

The sillage here is moderate, leaving a nice trail when you walk by.

This fragrance is best suited for cool summer evenings. But will perform best during the winter.

Price

Cape Heartache prices start from $6 for the 2ml sample size, $42 for the 14ml Traveler size, and $105 for the 50ml bottle.

You can find them on Imaginary Author’s website.

9. Winter Nights by Dasein

Dasein launched Winter Nights in 2016 as a smoky woody unisex fragrance. The perfumers behind this fragrance are Josh Meyer and Samantha Rader.

What Does Winter Nights Smell Like?

Winter Nights starts with a rich balsamic wood scent. Right behind is a thick sweet resinous, and somewhat dark fruit or hemlock resin.

Shortly after, a fresh smokey woody note becomes obvious, and balsamic fir mixed with some aromatic cardamom surrounds the woody notes.

Through the smokiness, I got a whiff of some spices.

As the fragrance progresses to the mid and early dry down. The cardamom forms a base and a beautifully rich blend of the resinous wood and smokey accords.

The musk and lavender come out in the dry down, giving a chill, winter night vibe.

Performance

Winter Nights exceeded my expectations in performance. The longevity is 6-7 hours on the skin. It was intended for the projection to be average, while the sillage is moderate.

It makes sense to wear Winter Nights to events where family and friends are (it gives that kind of vibe) or special occasions where you want to leave an impression of being warm and welcoming.

Winter Nights, I believe, are best during cold or chilly nights. After all, it is in the name.

Price

You can get Winter Nights on Daseins’s website for $125 for the 50 ml bottle.

10. Santal Austral by Matiere Premiere

Santal Austral is a woody creamy fragrance that was launched in 2019 and also created by the perfumer behind Bois d’Ébène, Aurélion Guichard.

They market it as a fragrance for both men and women.

What Does Santal Austral Smell Like?

Santal Austral opens up slightly sweet. I can smell powder and creamy notes through the first few minutes—soft and enveloping. At the mids, the Sandalwood takes center stage.

I get a hint of spiciness, which comes in whiffs as the fragrance progresses to the dry down.

At the dry down, the almond milk, Tonka bean, and benzoin provide the creamy, vanillic, and balsamic accords the Sandalwood sits upon.

The powderiness from the iris is still present here, delivering the soft powderiness to the creamy.

I must say, I find Santal Austral really appealing. It just gives this coziness and warmth for such a pretty linear fragrance.

Performance

Santal Austral has a shy and soft projection, but it is very long-lasting.

Most wearers should get at least 10+ hours on the skin. The sillage is moderate.

Santal Austral fragrance performs well on all ladies and can be worn as a signature fragrance during the fall and winter.

Price

You can buy Santral Austral on the Matière Première website. The 6ml size for €35, 50ml bottle for €155, and the 100ml bottle for €220.

10. YSL Splendid Wood

Perfumers: Amandine Cleric Marie and Marie Salmagne created Splendid Wood.

Since its launch in 2014, Splendid Wood, a woody-spicy fragrance, has been marketed by L’Oréal.

Perfumers Amandine Clerc Marie and Marie Salmagne are the creators.

What Does Splendid Wood Smell Like?

Splendid Wood opens up dark and pleasant with Frankincense. Soon after, I picked up the cardamom adding freshness to the opening.

This fragrance blended at the opening gives an intriguing spicy mix.

The fragrance profile goes into the heart and I got the green floral scent of the Sambac variant of Jasmine.

I got some woody notes that bring some creaminess and warmth.

The Nagarmotha here gives this fragrance a deep, rich, woody vibe rounded off with hints of smoky leather.

The woodiness becomes prominent in the dry down, beautifully blended with patchouli scents and hints of Tonka-like sweetness.

Trying to delineate how Splendid Wood smells. It is one of the most well-balanced fragrances on this list.

Not too dark, not too fresh, not too sweet, not too spicy, but there’s the right amount of each scent.

Performance

For its performance, it varies from weaver to wearer. On some it performs longer for others, it performs averagely.

You can expect 7 hours of longevity on the skin. The sillage is adequate, and the projection is moderate.

This fragrance will perform better in the fall and cool evenings. And it is suitable for laid-back events like dinners or special nights out.

This appears as a favorable woody fragrance for women.

Price

I am uncertain, but I presume they have discontinued this Splendid Wood fragrance. But you can still find an 80ml for $179.00 on eBay.

11. Forest (2020) by Rook Perfumes

Forest (2020) is the updated formulation to the 2018 version by the same perfumer, Nadeem Crowe.

It is a unisex forest fragrance. If you love natural piney wet forest scents, you will love Forest by Rook Perfumes.

What Does Forest by Rook Perfumes Smell Like?

With Forest, you feel like you are being transported to a real pine forest and there’s a wet soothing pine smell lingering in the air.

This lingers then it segues into the middle notes, with the frankincense coming in heavy and the pine accords still present.

There are some sweet herbaceous accord and spicy notes as the fragrance goes towards the dry down, this piny, earthy, and woody accords come through that reminiscence of Christmas in the most natural and sophisticated way.

This fragrance might remind you of Imaginary Author’s Cape Heartache but without the synthetic cloy strawberry note of Cape Heartache.

Performance

Forest is one of the most natural-smelling, woody fragrances I have ever reviewed.

It is not an overwhelming fragrance but an all-round, appropriate fragrance.

The longevity here is a little below average for about 4 hours. The projection and sillage are about 2-3 hours.

Price

Forest comes in 50 ml at the time of writing this article. And a falcon costs $135. An expensive bottle, but worth a blind buy.

12. CDG Series 3 Incense: Kyoto by Commes Des Garcons (CDG)

Commes Des Garçons Series 3 Incense – Kyoto (I would refer to CDG Series 3 Incense: Kyoto as just “Kyoto” throughout the rest of this review).

Bertrand Duchaufour created Kyoto and released it in 2002. And the marketing presents it as a woody-spicy fragrance.

What Does CDG Series Incense: Kyoto Smell Like?

Kyoto is more natural than synthetic.

It opens up with a deep, dark woody smoky scent with some patchouli vibes surrounding it.

As the fragrance progresses, some floral notes have a tinge of citrusy sweetness.

The dry down reveals an airy yet warm incense that provides comfort and reassurance, making this fragrance suitable for professional settings.

Performance

Kyoto lacks in this department. The longevity on the skin is about 2 hours. The projections last about 20 minutes, and the sillage is almost non-existent.

But when applied directly to your clothes, it performs averagely. I suggest spraying it liberally on your clothes and on your skin––might perform better during colder seasons.

Price

Kyoto comes in 50ml bottles and costs between $105 to $125. Though performing this fragrance can be underwhelming.

The scent profile and the glorious smell of this fragrance make it worth every cent you might spend to get one.

13. Gaiac 10 – Le Labo

Gaiac 10 by Le Labo is a unisex woody fragrance that leans feminine. It was created by Annick Mernado and launched in 2018.

What does Gaiac 10 smell like?

Gaiac 10 opens woody with some smokiness wafting in the distance. The smokiness comes with some bacon or BBQ scent in the beginning.

As the fragrance progresses, I get this soapy/detergent whiff, giving some clean, fresh vibes before it sweetens with some powdery and musky notes. It is simple yet unique.

It is hard to mention any other fragrance that shares many similarities with Gaiac 10.

Performance

Gaiac 10 performs satisfactorily. Since it is a light fragrance, the silage is average, the projection is mild, and the longevity is about 4-7 hours long, depending on where it is applied, it works well with most skin chemistries.

Price

Gaiac 10 is expensive. I did not find the current rate at which this fragrance is sold on Le Labo’s website.

According to reviews. This fragrance costs between $250 – $500 for the 50ml size.

14. No. 02 Le Long Fond by Maison Louis Marie

No. 02 Le Long Fond was launched in 2014 as a woody fresh fragrance created by Marie du Petit Thouars.

What Does No. 02 Le Long Fond Smell Like?

This fragrance is very green and coniferous. It smells like a wet forest after the rain has gone through. As it progresses, heavy cedar kicks in with some musk, which in this fragrance is light.

As the Le Long Fond dries down, the sweet smell of patchouli with more woody notes.

If you love the smell of Christmas, you will love this fragrance.

Performance

I’d have to love the bright green opening to last longer, but it dissipated quickly.

This would have been a solid 10 on my list if this fragrance lasted longer. I’d say the sillage and projection are slightly below average.

The longevity is 3 hours max.

If you really like this fragrance and want it to smell all day.

You might need to chuck it in your bag and respray the thought out the day.

It is a fragrance best suited for the cold months and evenings.

Price

This fragrance is pocket-friendly at $93 for a 50ml bottle on Amazon.

15. Bo by Liis

Bo is a woody-creamy unisex fragrance that leans more feminine.

It was released in 2021 and created Jérône Epinette.

What Does Bo by Liis Smell Like?

Bo is a woody fragrance with a prominent vanilla creamy sweetness.

Its wafts are delicate and airy through the fragrance. The woody notes here smell like pencil shavings with a hint of smoke. The blend here is airy and soft, making it comforting and uplifting.

Performance

Bo would perform better during colder months. The longevity is above average up to 8 hours on the skin. The projection is about 4 feet in all directions; the sillage is also very good for a fragrance this soft.

Price

You can get a 50ml bottle of Bo between the prices of $170 to $185.