Le Labo Santal 33
- Cardamom
- Violet
- Iris
- Papyrus
- Ambroxan
- Sandalwood
- Cedarwood
- Leather
Smells like Le Labo
Perfumes that smell like Santal 33
The perfume most often compared with Le Labo Santal 33 in our sources is Zara Energetically New York, paired by two magazines. Both put cardamom over cedar and sandalwood; a magazine editor finds Santal 33 creamier and the Zara fresher and spicier.
- Woody
- 3 shared notes
- 1 alternative named by reviewers
Side by side
The notes, side by side
Shared notes are marked. Notes for Santal 33 come from Le Labo's description and retailer listings; Le Labo does not publish tiers, so the placement here follows one retailer.
Violet
Papyrus
AmbroxanZara Energetically New York
- Cardamom
- Jasmine
- Cedarwood
- Sandalwood
JasmineBoth magazines in our Zara comparison pair it with Santal 33.
A magazine editor finds Santal 33 creamier and the Zara fresher and spicier.
Notes: published retailer note lists.
In notes
Why they smell alike, and where they differ
Why they smell alike
Santal 33's signature is cardamom over a dry, smoky blend of sandalwood and cedar, with a leathery edge. Energetically New York takes the same cardamom and woods as its outline.
Where they differ
Santal 33 adds iris, violet, papyrus and leather, which give its creamy, powdery depth. The Zara one is described as lighter, fresher and spicier, with jasmine in the heart.
| Tier | Santal 33 | Zara Energetically New York |
|---|---|---|
| Top | Cardamom, Violet | Cardamom |
| Heart | Iris, Papyrus, Ambroxan | Jasmine |
| Base | Sandalwood, Cedarwood, Leather | Cedarwood, Sandalwood |
Before you buy
Similar is not the same
Comparisons are opinions
Smells similar to is a judgement by a person, and noses differ. We report who makes each comparison; we do not rate likeness ourselves.
Notes on paper are not the smell
Two perfumes can list the same notes and still smell different, because amounts and materials differ. Wear both, one on each wrist, for a full day.
What the law says
In the main European case the court recorded that making and selling a smell-alike is lawful; using the famous name to sell it as an imitation was not. Read whether perfume dupes are legal.
Short answers
Santal 33: short answers
Zara Energetically New York is the perfume two magazines pair with it. It shares the cardamom and sandalwood outline but reads lighter and fresher.
Cardamom, iris and violet over a dry blend of Australian sandalwood and cedarwood, with leathery, musky notes. The leather and iris are what most alternatives leave out.
In the main European case, L'Oréal v Bellure, the English Court of Appeal recorded that it is lawful to make and sell a smell-alike product. What was unlawful was using the famous brand names in lists that presented the cheaper products as imitations. Our article on whether perfume dupes are legal sets out the rulings. It is not legal advice, and the law differs by country.
Sources
- Le Labo's description of Santal 33 and retailer listings (cardamom, iris, violet, ambrox, Australian sandalwood, papyrus, cedarwood, leather).
- Fragnatique Journal, Zara perfumes that smell like designer scents (both magazines pair the two).
- A fashion magazine's review of Energetically New York (creamier versus fresher and spicier).
Love Santal 33? Find what else you would wear.
The AI perfume finder in Fragnatique can start from a bottle you already own and look for perfumes that share its character without repeating it, with the reason for each written out. Read how matching works.
