Niche sandalwood perfumes: 7 creamy, woody bottles

Sandalwood is perfumery's soft wood. Creamy, a little milky, never harsh. It sits close to the skin and makes you want to stay in your jumper. Niche houses love to put it centre stage, on its own or in good company.

We picked seven perfumes where sandalwood really takes the lead. The notes we mention are the ones on our perfume pages, nothing more. Your call whether you want a plain sandalwood, a sparkling one or one that makes some noise.

Pure sandalwood: Santal Austral

At Matière Première, Santal Austral keeps it simple: our page lists a single note, sandalwood. It's the ideal pick to find out whether you really love the material, with nothing around it to hide it. There's also an extrait version, with a touch of black cardamom. See Santal Austral.

Sparkling sandalwood: Orange x Santal

Essential Parfums pairs two notes and not one more: orange and sandalwood. The orange brings light, the sandalwood rounds everything off. A daytime sandalwood, fresh and easy, perfect to start with. See Orange x Santal.

Warm sandalwood: Original Santal

Original Santal, from Creed, brings together sandalwood, lavender, cinnamon, tonka bean and vanilla. The lavender gives it an aromatic side, while cinnamon and vanilla warm it up. A more enveloping sandalwood for autumn and winter. See Original Santal.

Gourmand sandalwood: Santal Majuscule

Santal Majuscule (2012), from Serge Lutens, pairs sandalwood with cocoa, rose and tonka bean. The cocoa makes it gourmand without making it sweet, and the rose adds elegance. For you if you like woods with a hint of chocolate. See Santal Majuscule.

Spiced sandalwood: 301 Noces de Santal

At Bon Parfumeur, 301 Noces de Santal brings together cumin, cardamom, jasmine, ylang-ylang, sandalwood, benzoin, patchouli, amber and cedar. Spicy, floral and warm, it's the richest of the selection. See 301 Noces de Santal.

Floral sandalwood: White Sandalwood

White Sandalwood, from Goldfield & Banks, pairs pepper, thyme, rose and white flowers with sandalwood, patchouli, vetiver, amber and saffron. A brighter, more floral sandalwood with an aromatic opening. See White Sandalwood.

Rosy sandalwood: Contre-Jour

Contre-Jour, from Frédéric Malle, brings together immortelle, a "punk" rose and sandalwood. The immortelle adds a honeyed side, the rose a touch of character. A soft, original sandalwood, for a change from the classic woods. See Contre-Jour.

What sandalwood brings to a perfume

In most of these perfumes, sandalwood isn't there to shout. It softens the other notes, gives them a creamy base and helps the scent last on the skin. That's why it pairs so well with very different partners: bright orange, aromatic lavender, sweet cocoa or warm spices. If you already own a perfume you love with sandalwood in its base, look for the partner notes you enjoy in it, and pick the bottle above that shares them.

How to choose your sandalwood

• You want to discover the material: Santal Austral.
• You want a fresh sandalwood for daytime: Orange x Santal.
• You want a warm sandalwood for winter: Original Santal or 301 Noces de Santal.
• You love gourmand notes: Santal Majuscule.
• You prefer flowers: White Sandalwood or Contre-Jour.

Sandalwood wears well in light layers. It stays close to the skin, so feel free to use a little more than usual. And on every perfume page you'll find the partner shops' offers to compare before you buy.