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7 best woody perfumes if you love cosy, warm scents that smell expensive, starting from £10
There's something for everyone, whether you like it soft or intense
If you thought woody perfumes were relegated to your noncommittal Hinge dates, you just haven't been sniffing the right ones. I understand that these fragrances often get a bad rap, especially if you think you typically only like "feminine" scents. They can smell strong and heady, even cloying sometimes. But I, personally, believe woody notes are actually some of the most versatile out there. Depending on what you pair them with, they can bend into so many scent families. Woods add some body and really ground a scent, hence why you'll typically find them at the base. But they can also make for a soft opening too. It's really all about the full composition.
Which brings me to the best woody perfumes. Because the trick here is to hunt for the right combination based on your go-to scents. Don't think it's all about cedar and sandalwood perfumes, though (granted, many of our favourites contain these, of course). There are so many unique takes on woody perfumes, whether you want to evoke a cosy fireside vibe in a winter perfume or like an earthy scent filled with herbs and spices year 'round. Cosmo editors test perfumes for a living, and we've gone ahead and finally compiled the absolute best woody perfumes. From soft versions for woody newbies to the boldest and deepest scents for extra-cold weather, everything here is vetted and truly loved by our team. Lemme show some of our top faves:
Keep scrolling for full reviews of each scent, including call-outs on the key notes of each to help you choose which is right for you.
Maison Louis Marie No.04 Bois de Balincourt Eau de Parfum 50ml - Boots
One Cosmo editor says: "I first sniffed Maison Louis Marie Bois de Balincourt in the form of a candle years ago, and ever since it’s been one of my favourite scents ever. It’s woody and earthy, which usually isn’t my vibe, but it’s got some sweetness and spice that makes it smell more fresh and universal. Whether im dousing this on as a perfume or burning it in my home, the creamy fragrance is just so comforting."—JASMINE HYMAN, ASSISTANT BEAUTY EDITOR
Features at a Glance
| Notes | Sandalwood, cedar, cinnamon, nutmeg, vetiver, amberwood |
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One Cosmo editor says: "I'm such a sucker for both woody scents and skin scents and this is the perfect combo of the two. Anything too heavy isn't for me but I still love a hit of woodiness, in You Doux you get a soft balance of creamy, softness but without any sweetness so it gives excellent grown up luxury. I love it as a layering fragrance too."–KEEKS REID, BEAUTY DIRECTOR
Features at a Glance
| Notes | Palo santo, sweet violet, frankincense, myrrh, ambroxan, ambrette |
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One Cosmo editor says: "I saw so many TikToks raving about this perfume that I had to get my own bottle. Quickly, it became one of my go-to perfumes for the cold season. I get so many compliments every time I wear it. I often will layer my woodsy and sweet perfumes together, but this essentially combines my two favorite scent families in one. It's got a heavy gourmand vibe with apple and vanilla, but patchouli and cedar add a strength to give it major longevity. And there's even a little bit of damask rose for a cloudy softness."—BG
Features at a Glance
| Notes | Apple, damask rose, cedar, vanilla, tonka bean, patchouli |
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One Cosmo editor says: "This is such a stunning, soft woody perfume. If you think woodsy scents have to smell intense and heavy, sniff this one. The sandalwood is a soothing, grounding element amongst all of these creamy, powdery notes, like iris, milk, musk, and vanilla. It's a top contender for a wedding perfume (I am painfully single, but yes, I am already planning)."—BG
Features at a Glance
| Notes | Nutmeg, iris, milk, sandalwood, musk, vanilla |
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Maison Margiela Replica By The Fireplace - Eau De Toilette - 30 Ml
One Cosmo editor says: "Contrary to what the name suggests, this winter perfume doesn’t smell like smokey firewood. Instead, this eau de toilette perfectly replicates (lol, pun unintended) cozying up by a fireplace with a cup of hot cocoa, which is honestly the most quintessential wintertime activity. The notes of roasted chestnuts and clove oil are intertwined with a hint of wood and cashmere to give off a warm, comfy sweater vibe. But don't worry, there's still a tinge of smokiness that gives campfire aroma, just in a gentler way, thanks to sweet vanilla. Obviously, I also have the candle, bc I'm obsessed."—MARY HONKUS, CONTRIBUTING BEAUTY EDITOR
Features at a Glance
| Notes | Clove, chestnut, vanilla |
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TOM FORD Ebène Fumé Eau de Parfum 100ml
One Cosmo editor says: "This Tom Ford fragrance is a resinous, opulent woody perfume. It smells hella rich, tbh. It's perfect for spritzing all over a leather jacket before you walk into a dimly lit bar, or just on your pulse points before a date. The scent is strong and intense, and it lasts on me for truly a full day, if not longer."—BG
Features at a Glance
| Notes | Incense, palo santo, black pepper, violet leaf, leather, rose, resin, ebony tree, guaiac wood |
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One Cosmo editor says: "Everyone knows I'm a huge fan of M&S perfumes. They are so affordable and there's a great range of scents across all fragrance families, from gourmand to floral and, of course, woody. This scent is perfect for the festive season, it's like a hot cup of mulled wine by a crackling fire. It has a gentle sweetness with the apple note but the spicy, woodiness cuts through perfectly."–KR
Features at a Glance
| Notes | Apple, clove and cinnamon |
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Why trust ‘Cosmopolitan’?
Beth Gillette is the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan US with seven years of experience researching, writing, and editing fragrance stories.
Keeks Reid is the beauty director at Cosmopolitan UK and has over a decade of beauty writing and testing under her belt, including hundreds of perfumes each year.
Beth Gillette is the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan, where she covers skincare, makeup, hair, nails, and more across digital and print. She can generally be found in bright eyeshadow furiously typing her latest feature or hemming and hawing about a new product you "have to try." Prior to Cosmopolitan, she wrote and edited beauty content as an Editor at The Everygirl for four years. Follow her on Instagram for makeup selfies and a new hair 'do every few months.
Keeks Reid is the Beauty Director at Cosmopolitan UK. While she loves all things beauty, Keeks is a hair fanatic through and through. She started her career in beauty journalism in 2013 as editorial assistant at Blackhair and Hair magazines working her way to Acting Editor of Blackhair magazine at 23 years old. She spent much of her career working in trade hairdressing media at Hairdressers Journal, Salon International and the British Hairdressing Awards. Which is why she is a regular contributor to Cosmo's Curl Up franchise. Now, alongside her Cosmo work, she presents, creates content on social media and works with a range of beauty companies; from magazines and websites to beauty brands and salons.
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