Perfume lovers - I want smoky, woody, sandalwood fragrance. Ideas?

[SarahAndQuack]

I am still in mourning for Boadicea the Victorious 'Exotic,' which was amber and sandalwood and a tiny bit of patchouli, with some florals.

I have (I assume!) really odd skin chemistry, and a lot of perfumes that smell lovely on other people just refuse to work on me. I tend to find that in any given perfume, it'll be the sweet florals or citrus notes that stick.

In about 2008 I loved Boadicea the Victorious's 'Exotic' - despite it being quite a shonky perfume line with an overly high price - and I've never found anything as nice. I recently lost weight and started fitting into my clothes from then, and of course they're full of the ghost of that perfume, which is making me miss it! Since then I've to wear nice fresh one-note spritzes (my DD and I share the L'Occitane lemon verbena spray), and that's fine, but I would really like a grown-up perfume.

Thoughts? Thank you!

Tom Ford santal blush

Definitely not. It's vile. Acrid and not even a bit smoky/woody/library-ish.
Another one to try @SarahAndQuack is Clinique Aromatics. NOT the actual perfume but the body lotion (its called body smoother). Its just divine and lasts all day and night. The shower gel is heavenly too and makes the bathroom smell insane!

I do like Clinique Aromatics! The perfume is super-strong, but I can imagine the lotion might be more wearable.

It is so interesting how differently we all experience perfumes, isn't it? What is delicious on one person can be awful on someone else.

On my skin it actually smells rather like a bonfire onto which someone has recently poured petrol! I would absolutely blame my skin rather than the perfume, mind.

Byredo Oud Immortel might be worth a try. One of my favourites. Smoky and exotic with hints of sandalwood but not too harsh.

Miller Harris L’Air de Rien might fit your bill. It was my first ever blind buy about 12 years ago and I am now on about my fifth bottle. It was concocted based on Jane Birkin’s scent memories growing up.

Penhaligons Halfeti
4160 Tuesdays Take Me To The river

Patchouli Oil. Cheap as chips from most natural shops. Very 70's too! 😊

Inevitable Crimes of Passion by 4160Tuesdays https://www.4160tuesdays.com/4160tuesdaysscentshop/cat_1476619-Inevitable-Crimes-of-Passion.html

The notes wouldn’t have sold me but the scent is fabulous.

I thought I’d love Black Orchid but it is horrendous on me. Like melted plastic.

Darling Nikki is glorious, I also like Aromatics and Obsession.

Mancera - Aoud Exclusif. It's woody, with oud, tobacco, patchouli, dirty but with a floral rose note. I absolutely adore it! And it lasts all day.
Also agree with posters suggesting Andy Tauer.

Miller Harris Scherzo. It's a woody amber with oud, rose, patchouli and I think it's cedarwood rather than sandalwood but similarly woody. I adore this one.

I tried a couple of Boadicea fragrances in Harrods once. Fell in love with one only to discover it was over £600 a bottle I can't remember its name now, I didn't buy.

Have you tried Diptyque's Tam Dao? I adore it

Just found this when googling smoky perfumes!

Occurs to me you might like Rituals L’Eclat. It’s not smoky but think the light woody pencil shavings smell may suit you. It’s recommended as a base for other things,but I like it on its own. The best thing is that you can try a mini bottle for £15 or so.

Maison Margiela by the fireplace.

I love smoke! I need to try everything on this thread.
My favourite smoky/woody scents:
Fille en Aiguilles Serge Lutens
A City on Fire Imaginary Authors
Cuir Fetiche Lvnea
Avignon CdG

Opium by Yves Saint Laurent

Serge Lutens "Feminite du Bois"
It's my fav scent ever. Though more cedar than sandal

sergelutens.co.uk/products/feminite-du-bois-eau-de-parfum-spray

Boredom Biblioteque

That should be Byredo 😅