Sandalwood is the name given to the wood of trees belonging to the genus Santalum. The woods in this class are fine-grained and heavy but what makes them most notable is their fragrance. Unlike some aromatic woods, the fragrance of sandalwood can last for decades.
True sandalwood trees are medium-sized and hemiparasitic. Fully parasitic plants cannot survive without a host plant but hemiparasitic plants like sandalwood are still photosynthetic to some degree – they may only obtain water or certain nutrients from their host. In this way, sandalwood is similar to other members of its botanical family which includes European mistletoe.
Widely used in the cosmetic industry in India, sandalwood oil acts as a fixative to enhance the longevity of other fragrance oils. Here’s what you need to know about what sandalwood smells like as well as its complementary scents and where to find this fragrance in LAFCO products.
What Does It Smell Like?
Several plants outside the sandalwood genus bear the name sandalwood, such as false red sandalwood (Adenanthera pavonina). These plants have scented wood, but the concentration of fragrance oil is much lower than true sandalwood.
Indian sandalwood (S. album) is the primary commercial source of true sandalwood, but because it is a protected species, demand outpaces production. The volume and quality of the oil depends on the age of the tree and Indian sandalwood isn’t considered commercially valuable until it is at least 15 years old.
True sandalwood has a distinctively woody fragrance that is often described as warm, smooth, and rich. The fragrance profile of the oil is highly influenced by the age and location of the tree.
Some terms used to describe the fragrance of sandalwood include:
- Smooth
- Woody
- Warm
- Soft
- Creamy
- Musky
- Earthy
- Sensual
- Slightly spicy
- Slightly sweet
When used as a base note in perfumery, sandalwood is commonly combined with oriental, fougère, chypre, and other woody fragrances. It is also used as a fixative to enhance the longevity of fast-fading fragrances like floral and citrus scents.
Notably, sandalwood is a key element in scents belonging to the “floriental” fragrance family which is characterized by floral and amber notes. It’s typically blended with white florals like ylang ylang, plumeria, and jasmine for this application.
28 Complementary Fragrances
With its warm, earthy fragrance, sandalwood is similar to patchouli and other woody fragrances like cedar, cypress, and vetiver. It makes an excellent base note, especially for fruity, floral, and earthy fragrances. It is also commonly used in men’s fragrance, though its uses have expanded.
Sandalwood blends well with the following fragrances:
- Bergamot
- Cardamom
- Cedar
- Clary sage
- Cypress
- Eucalyptus
- Frankincense
- Gardenia
- Geranium
- Grapefruit
- Jasmine
- Juniper
- Lavender
- Lemon
- Magnolia
- Myrrh
- Orange
- Orange blossom
- Palma Rosa
- Patchouli
- Pine
- Plumeria
- Roman chamomile
- Rose
- Tuberose
- Vanilla
- Vetiver
- Ylang ylang
In aromatherapy applications, sandalwood may help to relieve stress and promote calmness. By promoting relaxation, the scent of sandalwood may also help alleviate symptoms of insomnia. It may even have benefits for anxiety and depression.
Enjoy Sandalwood in 4 LAFCO Products
The warmth and woodiness of sandalwood contributes a grounding effect in fragrance blends, especially when combined with quality ingredients like sustainable soy wax in scented candles and hand-cut reeds for reed diffusers. Enjoy the scent of sandalwood in these 4 LAFCO products.
Lemon Verbena Scented Candle
The Lemon Verbena scented candle from LAFCO is a refreshing and uplifting fragrance that is perfect for creating a bright and inviting atmosphere in your home. This fragrance blend is a unique combination of high-quality essential oils that work together to create a light and airy aroma that is both soothing and revitalizing.
Once you light the candle, you will immediately notice the bright and refreshing top notes of verbena and lemongrass. These scents create a light and airy first impression that is perfect for the spring season. The notes are complemented by the grounding and earthy scents of sandalwood and herbal tarragon, which add a sense of depth and complexity to the fragrance.
As the scent unfolds, you will notice the soft and gentle heart of white floral musk. These scents bring the fragrance together to create a peaceful and tranquil ambiance that is both soothing and revitalizing. The bright and refreshing top notes are perfectly balanced by the warm and grounding base notes, creating a sense of harmony and balance that is both refreshing and invigorating.
This candle is presented in a cream-colored glass vessel with a delicate white rim. It is available in the 15.5-ounce Signature size.
Feu de Bois Reed Diffuser
The Feu de Bois Reed Diffuser from LAFCO is a luxurious and inviting fragrance that is perfect for creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere in your home. This fragrance blend is a unique combination of high-quality essential oils that work together to create a warm and smoky aroma that is both soothing and captivating.
Once you first inhale the fragrance, you will be greeted by the top notes of cedar leaf, mountain spruce, and pine. These scents create a bright and uplifting impression that is reminiscent of a warm and cozy cabin in the woods. These notes are complemented by the warm and woody heart of patchouli, sandalwood, and Virginia cedar, which add a sense of depth to the fragrance.
As the scent profile evolves, you will notice the smoky and grounding notes of frankincense, amber, and myrrh. These scents give the fragrance character, creating a warm and welcoming ambiance that is both soothing and captivating. The blend of warm and smoky notes creates a sense of balance and harmony that is both invigorating and calming, making it perfect for creating a cozy and inviting atmosphere in your home.
This reed diffuser is presented in a cream-colored glass vessel with hand-cut reeds. It is available in the 6-ounce Classic and 15-ounce Signature sizes.
Sage & Walnut Scented Candle
The Sage & Walnut scented candle from LAFCO is a unique and luxurious fragrance that is perfect for creating a sense of comfort and relaxation in your home. This fragrance blend is a unique combination of high-quality essential oils that work together to create a warm and inviting aroma that is both soothing and indulgent.
Once you light the candle, you will immediately notice the bright and uplifting top notes of sweet orange. These scents create a bright and fresh first impression that is perfect for lifting your mood and creating a sense of positivity. The warm and comforting heart of star anise, walnut, and juniper sage perfectly complements these notes.
As the fragrance begins to unwind, you will notice the warm and inviting base notes of smooth sandalwood, warm oud, and guaiac woods. These scents create a lasting impression that is both soothing and comforting, creating a sense of calm and relaxation in your home. The blend of bright and uplifting top notes and warm and comforting base notes creates a sense of balance and harmony.
This candle is presented in a forest green handblown glass vessel. It is available in the 15.5-ounce Signature size.
Big Sky Scented Candle
The Big Sky scented candle from LAFCO is a unique and luxurious fragrance that is designed to evoke feelings of warmth, comfort, and relaxation. This fragrance blend features a carefully curated selection of high-quality essential oils that work together to create a rich and complex aroma that is both invigorating and soothing.
At the heart of this fragrance lies the warm and spicy notes of pink pepper and clove bud, which blend effortlessly with hints of elemi and ylang ylang to create a truly unique and invigorating scent. These notes are complemented by a rich and luxurious base of cognac, sandalwood, and amber, which add depth and complexity to the fragrance.
As you light the Big Sky scented candle, you will immediately notice the warming and comforting aroma that fills the room. The spicy and invigorating top notes of pink pepper and clove bud create a bright and uplifting first impression, while the heart notes of elemi and ylang ylang add a sense of depth and complexity to the fragrance.
Once the fragrance begins to develop, you will begin to notice the rich and luxurious base notes of cognac, sandalwood, and amber, which create a lasting impression that is both warm and inviting. These scents combine to create a sense of comfort and relaxation, making the Big Sky scented candle the perfect choice for creating a cozy and inviting atmosphere in your home.
This candle is presented in a deep brown glass vessel with a 100% cotton wick. It is available in the 15.5-ounce Signature size.
Layer Fragrances with 3 Complementary Products
Sandalwood has a smooth, grounding ambiance that pairs well with a variety of other fragrances. By combining the scent of sandalwood with other LAFCO products you can create a custom fragrance profile that suits your mood. The right combination can amplify the calming and relaxing benefits of a sandalwood-based fragrance.
The following LAFCO fragrances can be layered with the products above to complement the calming effects of sandalwood:
- Amber Black Vanilla – Warm and welcoming, this fragrance blends bright top notes of citrus and berry with a light floral heart and a rich, sweet, and musky base.
- Vetiver Sage – At once herbal and floral, this soothing scent combines aromatic sage and lavender with the earthiness of vetiver and the warmth of sandalwood and amber.
- Forest Oakmoss – Part of the Absolute Collection, this fragrance features oakmoss absolute blended with sweet notes of cognac, floral violet blossom, and warm amber.
One of the easiest ways to layer fragrance in your home is to create a base using the Pura smart diffuser. Control the timing and intensity of the scent through the Pura app add your favorite scented candle or reed diffuser to further customize your fragrance experience.
Shop the collection of Pura Smart Device refills to find your ideal combination of fragrances.