Le Labo Santal 33 is the haute couture of the fragrance industry, Le Labo’s beguiling range of perfume, home fragrance and botanical body care has become iconic for its unconventional yet luxurious handmade olfactory offerings.
A Le Labo cult classic, Santal 33 is known for its intoxicating aroma of spicy, leathery, musky notes that give this unisex fragrance its signature addictive allure.
Santal 33 by Le Labo is a Woody Aromatic fragrance for women and men.
Santal 33 was launched in 2011. The nose behind this fragrance is Frank Voelkl.
Most Common Questions About Le Labo Santal 33
1. What are the main notes in Le Labo Santal 33?
Le Labo Santal 33 is a woody, aromatic fragrance built around sandalwood and leather. Its key notes include:
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Top Notes: Cardamom, Violet
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Heart Notes: Iris, Ambrox
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Base Notes: Sandalwood, Cedarwood, Leather, Musk
The fragrance balances spicy, creamy, woody, and musky elements to create a distinctive, iconic scent.
2. How does Le Labo Santal 33 smell?
Santal 33 smells warm, smoky, creamy, and slightly powdery. It opens with a spicy burst of cardamom, followed by soft floral touches from violet and iris, and dries down into a rich, leathery, musky sandalwood base. It’s both minimalistic and deeply sensual.
3. How long does Le Labo Santal 33 last?
Santal 33 has excellent longevity, often lasting 10 to 12 hours or more. Its dry-down lingers on the skin and clothes, evolving slowly over time from spicy-woody to creamy-musky.
4. What occasions is Le Labo Santal 33 best for?
Santal 33 is extremely versatile and can be worn:
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Day or night, especially for artistic, fashionable, or professional environments
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Year-round, though its warmth shines best in fall and winter
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Formal or casual events, thanks to its chic, understated vibe
5. Is Le Labo Santal 33 unisex?
Yes! Santal 33 is completely unisex. Its blend of woods, musk, and spice appeals equally to men and women, and it’s often seen as a modern signature scent that transcends gender.
6. What is the sillage of Le Labo Santal 33?
Santal 33 has moderate to strong sillage. It’s noticeable without being overwhelming, creating an effortlessly chic scent trail that others can pick up on subtly throughout the day.
7. Is Le Labo Santal 33 considered a strong fragrance?
Yes, Santal 33 is potent but not overpowering. It has a strong presence, especially in the first few hours, but the creamy sandalwood and musk balance the intensity with softness.
8. Why is Le Labo Santal 33 so popular?
Santal 33 became iconic because it offers a unique blend of creamy sandalwood, fresh florals, spicy warmth, and soft leather — minimalist yet complex. It’s especially popular among creative professionals and has a “cool, effortless” aura often associated with art, design, and fashion circles.
9. Can Le Labo Santal 33 be layered with other fragrances?
Yes! Santal 33’s sandalwood-musky base makes it great for layering with lighter florals, spicy fragrances, or even citrus scents to customize and soften its woodiness.
10. Is Le Labo Santal 33 worth the price?
If you appreciate niche, high-quality ingredients and a unique, memorable signature scent, many people feel Santal 33 is worth the investment. However, if you prefer sweeter or more traditionally “pretty” perfumes, it might not match your taste.
Similar Fragrances to Le Labo Santal 33
If you love Le Labo Santal 33, here are some fragrances with similar woody, musky, and spicy profiles:
1. DS & Durga Radio Bombay
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Similarities: Features creamy sandalwood, musk, and a radiant woodiness that echoes Santal 33’s soft, enveloping feel.
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Notes: Sandalwood, Cedar, Copper, Ambergris, Coconut.
2. Comme des Garçons Wonderwood
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Similarities: A complex blend of woods and spices that captures the same avant-garde, artistic vibe as Santal 33.
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Notes: Cedar, Sandalwood, Vetiver, Oud, Pepper.
3. Byredo Super Cedar
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Similarities: Focuses on clean, airy cedarwood with a musky backdrop, offering a minimalist but impactful woody scent like Santal 33.
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Notes: Cedarwood, Rose Petals, Musk, Haitian Vetiver.
4. Maison Louis Marie No.04 Bois de Balincourt
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Similarities: A more affordable “dupe” often compared to Santal 33 for its creamy sandalwood, cedarwood, and slight spiciness.
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Notes: Sandalwood, Vetiver, Amber Wood, Cinnamon.
5. Diptyque Tam Dao Eau de Parfum
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Similarities: Centers around sandalwood and cedar, offering a pure, creamy, meditative woodiness similar to the dry-down of Santal 33.
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Notes: Sandalwood, Cedarwood, Cypress, Amber.
6. Replica Jazz Club by Maison Margiela
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Similarities: Though darker and more boozy, Jazz Club shares the warm, leathery-musk aspect that fans of Santal 33 appreciate.
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Notes: Pink Pepper, Rum, Tobacco Leaf, Vanilla, Styrax.
7. Memo Irish Leather
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Similarities: Combines leather, woods, and herbs into a dry, sophisticated composition — similar in spirit to the rugged elegance of Santal 33.
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Notes: Juniper Berries, Mate, Leather, Amber, Cedar.
These fragrances offer a range of experiences, from close sandalwood interpretations to creative woody-leathery spins on the Santal 33 style — perfect for anyone seeking that minimalist, artistic woody vibe!
