Prada has a host of iconic perfumes. From the gourmand lover’s dream that is Prada Candy, which launched 15 years ago, to the internet-famous triangular Prada Paradoxe, these fragrances are instantly recognizable from just a glimpse of the bottle or a single spritz lingering on a passerby. But there’s one scent in Prada’s fragrance lineup that feels seriously underrated: Prada Infusion de Santal Chai.
Ahead of Cosmo’s Holy Grail Beauty Awards, I was tasked with testing spicy perfumes—a scentfamily typically defined by notes of cinnamon, cardamom, or pink pepper. Over the last few months, I rotated through countless spicy fragrances in search of a standout, and I kept coming back to Prada Santal Chai. It has this woody, slightly creamy spice to it that feels warm without being too heavy or overly gourmand.
Keep reading for my full Prada Santal Chai review—it just might become your new favorite spicy perfume the way it did mine.
About Prada Santal Chai Eau de Parfum:
Why It Won a 2026 Holy Grail Beauty Award
| Scent profile | Its combination of chai and sandalwood make it a unique and addictive combination |
| Value | A large 3.3 oz. bottle goes for $190, which is actually a pretty fair price compared to other luxury fragrance houses |
| Longevity | The scent lasted on skin and clothing for hours on end, from morning until night |
Key notes: Chai latte accord, sandalwood, cardamom, citrus, musks
Fragrance type: Eau de parfum
Scent family: Warm and spicy
My Prada Santal Chai Eau de Parfum Review:
I’ll admit, I’m a bit of a fragrance snob—my bathroom has an entire four-shelf display dedicated solely to my favorite perfume bottles—and I’m very particular about which scents actually make the cut. Upon first sniff, Prada’s Santal Chai smelled unlike anything else in my collection.
Its opening notes of warm chai blended with sandalwood create the perfect balance of creaminess and spice. Cardamom adds a fresh, sharp kick, while hints of citrus brighten the fragrance and keep it from feeling too heavy. As it dries down, base notes of musk leave behind an additional layer of warmth that lingers on the skin for hours. And while Prada’s Infusion line is known for its more minimal, emotion-evoking scents, the longevity here is especially impressive.
As someone who typically gravitates toward fresh, juicy fragrances, Prada Santal Chai is officially the first spicy, woody perfume to earn a permanent spot on my beloved perfume shrine—which is exactly why it earned a Cosmo Holy Grail Beauty Award. If it can convert a fruity-fragrance devotee like me, that says a lot. Just two or three spritzes leave behind the warmest, spiciest sillage that genuinely lasts all day long.
Final thoughts:
If you’re a chai lover, this luxe perfume is a no-brainer to try. And if you tend to gravitate toward spicy or woody fragrances, you can’t go wrong with the unique chai-inspired take on the scent family. It is smokey, creamy, and spicy but still has a freshness to it, thanks to the citrus notes, which keep it from feeling too woody and campfire-esque.
And while $190 is pretty standard territory for a luxury-house fragrance these days, the 3.3 oz. bottle actually feels worth the investment, IMO. A few spritzes go a long way, and because the scent lingers all day, you definitely get your money’s worth.
Why trust Cosmopolitan?
Jasmine Hyman is the assistant beauty editor at Cosmo who loves all things fragrance. She tested several different spicy perfumes for months ahead of Cosmopolitan’s Holy Grail Beauty Awards, where she spent months spritzing, wearing, and sniffing fragrances. And Prada’s Santal Chai Eau de Parfum came out on top as the best spicy scent.
Jasmine Hyman is the Assistant Beauty Editor at Cosmopolitan, where she writes about the latest beauty trends and must-have products. Her most prized beauty possessions are a meticulous skincare routine and salon blowouts. You’ll also likely find her in bed reading a good book or endlessly scrolling TikTok (spoiler: it’s usually the latter) while listening to Harry Styles’ entire discography on repeat. Follow her on Insta to be inundated with pictures of her meals.
