Santal 33 Le Labo for women and men

I really like its unique blend of leather and santal. Absolutely keep refilling it.

I love it. Unfortunately, I am preferring delicious gourmands at the moment. I have a 50 ML bottle available if anyone is interested in swapping or buying.

the dry down is really nice

Horrible. Warm, enveloping and generous sandalwood ruined by leather. I tested this while looking for a new sandalwood-based perfume and this was definitely not it. This needed a nice white floral note to be good.

This scent is my very first Le Labo purchase. I bought it for the following: fragrance, look, and experience. I tested this scent by purchasing a sample through Microperfumes. I didn't want to go to my local Le Labo boutique until I was ready to purchase something. I wanted to save the full experience when I made my purchase. I tested this scent right after I took a shower and got ready for bed. By the time I woke up the next morning, I woke up to smelling this scent all over me. It was refreshing and opened my senses to a new day. I was immediately in love with this scent. Later that morning, I sprayed myself with it to see how long it would last. I was surprised that it lasted for at least 6-7 hours. To me, the scent would come and go. Now and then it would subtly hit me. It's an interesting scent. It changes now and then between the mid-tones and has a nice dry-down. It's creamy and woody at times. I can also smell a little smoky quality and spiciness. Now, I'm not a woodsy fragrance type of guy but this one sold me. I've learned to be very selective before I make a purchase. If you're going to spend over $300 you better be sure you like the scent.

The look of the bottle is simple and minimalistic. I like that. It's straight and to the point. What I love is that they make it so personal by mixing the scent right in front of you. They prepare and label it with whatever you want it to say. The experience is like no other. My sales associate, Hunter, was so nice and we had a great conversation about Le Labo. He told me a short history of Le Labo while he mixed my scent. He knew exactly what he was doing and that they were fully trained to follow a strict preparation process. Hunter even put his name on my bottle label showing that he was the SA that mixed my scent. I thought that was so cool. That way I can always refer to him whenever I'm ready to make another Le Labo purchase. At the time of writing this review, my bottle is only 3 days old. I've heard that one would need to allow the scent to steep for a few days or up to 14 days to get the full effect. I compared it to my sample and the sample smells so much stronger. You can tell that the sample was beyond its steeping duration. So if you purchase this scent, they say to give it some time to steep.

Overall, I like this scent as an everyday scent. It's a niche scent so expect to pay a hefty amount. I purchased the 100ml along with their full Discovery Set of scents so I could try all of them on my skin. Testing scents on your skin is the best way to see how well it compliments your body chemistry. My next purchase will be Bergamote 22 which I'm looking forward to. I highly recommend this scent for both sexes.

Smells very warm. No pickle juice detected. My only problem is the longevity- I get about 3 hrs max, not sure if its my batch or the quality I got.

This really doesn’t smell nice. Not sure why it’s so hyped up.

I need to try this for myself because I'm starting to suspect some of the negative reviews may not be genuine. Comparisons to pickles, cat pee, dust, wet dog, hardware store lumber, unpleasant leather, air fresheners...none of these things smell remotely the same and hardly anyone seems to agree on why it's bad. No pun intended but something about a handful of the negative reviews doesn't pass the smell test for me. I'll update if I ever get my nose on it, but it might be wise to take chatter about this scent with a grain of salt--both positive and negative

On the test strip it was alright, still wasn’t sure what the hype was about.
On my skin the opening was okay. Smelled like fresh cucumbers.
After a while all I smelled was leather. I smelled like a leather shop and did not like it at all.
The scent has long longevity and big sillage. It holds really well. Which was awful because I hated it and couldn’t bare it.
Don’t understand the hype tbh.

Holyyyy sh***^*{?[ this is what is endlessly being duped? This is “the scent of New York”? lol that’s pathetic, this literally smells like dust bunnies. Literal dust with that pickle juice opening. Develops green? Sure a sharp green but with a side of DUST. Quintessential scent for dusty hipsters, it all makes sense now. Why on earth would anyone want to smell like this, ever? Everyone saying this smells like a hotel must be staying at the 80$ a night motel 6 off the highway. No thanks.

Smells like the inside of an Urban Outfitters circa 2012.

Anyone else here because Bailey Sarian said she smells like this?

Walgreens has a clone of this and it smells really great. Not good longevity but mehhh I'll deal. Anyway, it smells really bright and fruity like watermelon in a ice bath or something i really like it. I don't get woody at all but it is Aromatic. I'll definitely by a sample of the original and if they smell the same then I'm adding this to my summer/spring rotation I really like it.

I finally ordered a sample of Santal 33, because of course we try before we buy, and I am still conflicted as to how I feel about it. I read all of the reviews about how it smells like pickles; however, I am happy to report, I did not smell like pickle juice at any point! LOL I think this is a nice, clean, "out-the-shower" fragrance but I am unsure as to whether or not this is full bottle worthy. Honestly, I think that this is a great unisex fragrance but I would pass on purchasing a full bottle. - 7/10

Yesterday I went out to dinner with friends and at the end of the night two women literally chased me down the street to ask me what I was wearing. I often get complimented for my fragrances, but to be literally almost followed home (lol) - I've never had that happen to me before. It's a classic for a reason! Such a cool girl scent.
Also, I know some people complain that it's overplayed - maybe in New York, but I fortunately live in the south of Italy so no one ever smells like me. Yay :)

I really wanted to like this one, and I did, at first whiff. The lasting leathery scent is MUCH MUCH stronger than the opening. I made the mistake of spraying it on my wrists just before having a meal… I felt like throwing up every time I lifted my fork and brought it close to my face with each bite…

I am going to get flak for this, so here it goes..two words....wet dog. I don't get the hype - I went into the store with excitement but instead I left deflated. Instant No..NO!

This falls into same scent as Jo malone mimosa and cardamom, Lune Feline etc
This is a warm cardamom scent
South Asian cardamom chai
It is nice if you love cardamom

Update: it smells like cardamom
I am not getting the creaminess
I will play around a bit more
But overall not my scent.

As I don't want to smell like cardamom

Idk what happened. First time I sampled it I got very lactonic type creamy cardamom chai...I guess the opening only?

Update smells just like drydown of Mimosa and Cardamom which is just cardamom without any creaminess nor sweetness
I dont like it

Never had anyone tell me I stink when I wear it. 🤷🏾♂️

fresh and woody, pleasant cause sandalwood is a pleasant note cause it's a bit sweet-woody, plus there's some fresh spice from cardamom
unisex, masculine leaning, close-to-skin-scent, but SUPER long-lasting - I smell it on the wrists the day after.
that's about it for me - I don't feel any leather or amber...

I'm usually pretty open to most perfumes I've tried over the years, but to say I hate this would be the understatement of the century. Every review I heard or read said it was fresh and unisex, that the iris made it cozy, etc. but I don't get any of that. To me, this smells like a bad version of the Lowe's hardwood section in a bottle. Definitely leans very masculine and WAY too realistic of wood scent!!

As a positive note though (if you like the scent), it projects amazingly and lasts! About 5-6 hours later, I could still smell it like I'd just sprayed it even after scrubbing in the shower.

Santal 33 boasts a pronounced iris note, which is unmistakable upon first sniff. Personally, I don't find myself drawn to iris as much. If you're particularly fond of iris, it might be worth giving this one a shot. Santal 33 leans more towards the feminine side than the masculine in my opinion.

Unfortunately, this is so far the only perfume I had to give away. I really tried to like it but it reminds me of a smoker covering up the scent with strong perfume and air fresheners. Maybe it's just not working with my skin chemistry, but this is not for me.

I cant get with it because when I traveled to California last winter the bathroom soap smelled exactly like this and it was so strong the bathrooms smelled like it and the whole back of the plane smelled like it and now I can't smell anything but a bathroom. Also a restaurant I work at has an air freshener that smells like this too and its just too strong. Hurts my head and makes me nauseous. I get it, it's a popular scent so companies are using it for soaps and air fresheners but like STOP. Better yet stop using air fresheners in general and just clean you space

I really wanted to like this, but unfortunately on every occasion I have trialled this (on tester strips, fabric, on my skin) it smells like cat urine. Additionally, it lasts for a very long time and projects decently well - personally, smelling strongly of cat urine for hours on end is not my favourite and I would not be willing to purchase a bottle.

I definitely don't smell pickles, but rather nauseating insecticide. I couldn't put my finger on what made it so gross to my nose at first, but yeah, really reminiscent of bug spray. Gives its wearer obnoxious vibes.

I can see why people like this …
This gives me :
I like to drink kale smoothies and I like holistic medicine .
I like to go to retreats to cleanse the soul . I like to do Pilates and drink cucumber water.
This is definitely an acquired scent and I can see this for summer . This isn’t something I would reach for regularly .. it’s for specific times .
To me this isn’t full size worthy… this is a very specific scent you need to like- like burnt wood/ palo santo.

THE New York scent. Whether it's a sleazy art boy, or an autumn core girlboss, chances are high you'll smell this on someone, it's quite unisex (but also...hot take...all perfume is unisex). It also has the unfortunate reputation of being a ubiquitous office fragrance, so it reminds many people of their soul-crushing 9 to 5s. An office building I used to frequent in Atlanta must have had this shit pumped in through the vents. And god bless you if you are trapped next to somebody in a car, on a bus, or on the subway who applied a bit too much.......

HOWEVER - despite its ubiquitousness, it still hits home for me every time the opening hits my nose! This scent launched my fragrance journey for sure, an old girlfriend gave me a 1.5ML for my birthday, and I fell in love with this scent. It made me uncomfortable at first, and that's what you want from an aesthetic experience.

It's not a night-out perfume in my eyes. It's an earthy, spicy, little guy for a chill day at home with your significant other, or a nice walk in Prospect Park or a trip to the library on a fall or spring day. It's also quite nice as a bedtime perfume. However, if you show up at the bar with this bad boy on strong, I can guarantee some people might be roasting you behind your back, if only because you may lack imagination.

Starts with ISO. Then can smell some cucumber and might be make out some cedar despite the ISO. Then goes back to ISO.

! NO PICKLES NEGATIVE REVIEW !

As a fan of salty and herbal smells, I would've loved a perfume that smells like pickles. However, first of all, it is SWEET, which I was not warned about. The sweetness is greatly unpleasant and chemical, and also is somehow flowery - must be violеt + iris combination, which in actuality reads very much like a women's perfume so typical it's reserved for children's cosmetic packages. Second of all, the leather in it smells like a car seat, and not like a leather jacket or a belt; so, stuffy instead of sexy. And thirdly, it still somehow manages to smell like men's cologne. After hearing so much about a "unique" and "not for everyone" perfume, all I get is a smell of a very boring woman and a very boring man sitting in silence in their annoyingly new car. Greatly disappointed.

if santal 33 has 100 haters, i am one of them. if santal 33 has 10 haters, i am one of them. if santal 33 has 1 hater, it's me. if santal 33 has 0 haters, it is because i have died.

Applies strong, leaning feminine soft floral/violet.

Candy sweetness calms, becomes realistic. Even though sandalwood is subtle/too far in the back - the warm, faintly incensed amber is cozy. Creamy iris and sweet leather pairs in an appealing way that pops.

Dominant floral is still more female than unisex. Occasional soapy powder detracts, but may be responsible for improving depth/contrast. Overall, light and pleasant, but craving more strength. May be the fault of my sample, so will also try Perfume Oil.

I prefer bois de balincourt

This perfume is not over rated, it is that good. Sadly, though this means that it's incredibly common and I smell it often and if I ever do wear it, everyone knows exactly what it is. Sort of takes away the mystique, sorry. It smells like a lovely misty clean perfect scent though. It's probably my favorite le labo fragrance still objectively. The notes wouldn't particularly interest me on their own, but I still love them in this perfume. It's incredibly creative and lovely.

Grown-up version of Glossier You

smelled like a moldy basement in the beginning, then the dill note took center stage for a couple of hours, I kept hoping for a more tolerable dry down but unfortunately it smelled like exhaust fumes at the end! I'm traumatized!

I get more cucumbers than pickles. Surprisingly pretty potent and long lasting.

I bought this before it became a major trend perfume in my country. Now I can smell it everywhere and it's so easy to se who's the person wearing it. Yes it's beautiful and used to be a very unique scent. I love the leather and the wood and the drydown is the best part but I just can't se myself wearing it anymore because it's everywhere. Way to many dupes that smells similar and it's way to trendy now. Nothing against the perfume but scent is a very personal thing and who wants to smell like everyone else, especially when it's a perfume with such a specific profile as Santal 33.

Opens with the dill pickle smell then immediately (within a minute) dries down into the smell of leather. Not a scent for me but if you like this scent profile, you will love it!

smells like a leather couch at your local dental office

I wanted to hate this so baaaaaad 😭😭😭
But it got me. Need a full bottle…

LOVE LOVE LOVE my favorite sandalwood perfume all times! Besides the sandalwood, iris and powdery notes blend in perfectly. Perfect for windy/cold days rather than in summer.

Potentially one of the most controversial and polarising fragrances on the market, and yet I bloody love it. Santal 33 has all the sour, sharp and pickled gorgeousness that a lot of people hate, and while it does smell out of the ordinary there’s something about it I can’t resist.

Sometimes you come across a sandalwood fragrance with that slight pickled vibe, but overall leans into its creamier facets. Not this one, this fragrance celebrates that honking pickle juice aroma and I think it’s stunning. There isn’t really much else going on scent-wise, it’s fairly straightforward but there’s something so addictive about it.

As it begins to dry down it starts to get smoother and creamier, but always remains strong with the sharp sourness. This scent is like marmite at the end of the day - you either love it or hate it.

I don’t pick up any dill pickles. This is a slightly creamy well-blended sandalwood with a good sillage and projection, and I got a good dupe from Amour Scents for $25/100 ml.

You open a jar of pickles. The lid doesn't pop off. You try and try, and suddenly, the lid flies off. Some of the pickle juice escapes and falls onto your clothes and skin.

Santal 33. 🥒🥒🥒

Does anyone smell eucalyptus?? It doesn't list it, I know, but it's got to be there! Still, there is this menthol type scent ..and I find that, for what ever reason, perfumers are CONSTANTLY pairing Sandelwood with eucalyptus! I generally HATE that pairing. Yuk.
BUT, this is an exception to my rule. This is made with really quality ingredients and you can smell that. The dry down and longevity are exceptional. Dossier makes a decent dupe, if you can't afford the genuine article. But, the is nothing quite like this one. I let it macerate for a out 6 weeks and it smells divine.
As a female, this scent isn't for every girl. Nothing femme here ..I'm very unisex with my scents, so I can wear it and love it. Plus, if I want it more girly, I use an iris lotion and that works nicely. If you are female, go sample it first.
10/10 performance
8/10 overall ...without the eucalyptus, it would be a 10...

people are missing the point. it's supposed to be weird, it's niche. it's like jazz, weird but good and not meant for everybody to understand.

Santal 33 has grown on me. What an understatement.

I’ve smelt this rarely over the years. It’s not as popular in London as it is New York. I’ve always been intrigued due to its popularity amongst celebs. Do they know something we don’t? Whenever I did smell on someone I just thought “meh woody, weird, it’s not as good as aventus for the money”

Then last year I went to a 5 star hotel in Mauritius. The room toiletries were a santal 33 clone. My memory of that holiday is triggered by that smell. After holiday I ordered a sample. I didn’t really test the sample properly and moved on. 6 months later I decanted it all into a 5ml and applied it properly with a few wearings. Wow!

The smell after a few wearings has become intoxicating. It’s addictive. I crave smelling it. I smell it when I haven’t even applied it. Rather than being just another sandalwood/cedar fragrance that dill pickle nuance makes it so much more interesting over something much safer. It’s fresh and clean, but rich and dense.

I tested it side by side with H24 edt and asked my wife which she preferred. I find they’re both similar in situation and profile. Both unusual woody scents but highly versatile. She preferred santal 33 and said H24 is closer to toilet cleaner.

I now get it. I think it’s one of those that needs time. You have to persevere with wearings until that dill pickle goes from weird to interesting.

Update: there is some batch variation. I originally bought a sample from LL in 2023. Very good but heavy on the pickle. I then got a bottle of 2022 batch which had a noticeable fresh cucumber note with poor performance. I returned it. I then got a 2023 batch which has a more subdued dill pickle note and the iris is very noticeable. The 2023 bottle is by far the best. It’s so good.

i went to lelabo a couple of weeks ago . i was expecting to smell a piece of wood , it smelled like cucumber ?
I KNOW RIGHT ?? CUCUMBER , i might re try it maybe my nose wasn't working well

edit: im not crazy some reviews say they smell cucumber

I tried to like this & go into sampling this with no bias and an open mind, however as some reviews say, the cucumber/pickle scent really does come through.

Although I can understand the appeal for others, I can't get away from the imagery of those small diced onions & slimy dill pickles stuck to a £1.39 McD's cheeseburger wrapper. Imagine this is what most people would get from this too.

It's nice. At the start its really dry grassy scent, then quickly after it starts to resemble JPG Le Beau Le Parfum in its deep drydows minus the coconut.

I see how it can be someone's signature scent, but for this price?? Insane.

don’t get the hype, smells like cucumber on the beach, and reminded me of nautica voyage? not for me

This smells like marihuana burning... Why so much hype???

I love this stuff so much. I had a full bottle a few years ago and now I’ve come back to it from a small sample I have, it lasts forever and after 7-8 hours it becomes a beautiful floral skin scent. Will definitely be getting another bottle soon!

One of the worse smelling, headache causing fragrances ever!!! Don’t waste your money on this overrated trash.

!!!!!!!!! Why Le Labo Santal 33 Will Become Your Signature Scent (Guys, Seriously)

Forget dusty cologne counters and generic "manly" musks. Le Labo Santal 33 isn't your grandpa's fragrance. It's a modern masterpiece, a liquid wanderlust bottled in a sleek, apothecary-inspired vial. And trust me, as someone who's sniffed enough colognes to make a Sephora employee jealous, this one stands out like a lone wolf howling at the moon (in the coolest way possible).

Imagine this: You're sprawled beneath a vast desert sky, a crackling campfire warming your face. The air whispers with the scent of sandalwood smoke, laced with hints of spicy cardamom and earthy cedarwood. That's the magic of Santal 33. It's not just a fragrance; it's an experience.

But fear not, cowboys: this ain't your typical campfire cliché. No pine needles or burnt marshmallows here. Santal 33 is sophisticated, with a touch of intrigue. Iris and violet weave in, adding a cool, powdery elegance that makes you feel like you've got a secret up your sleeve (and let's be honest, you probably do).

More than just words, let's talk specifics:

Longevity: This bad boy lasts. Like, "survives a sweaty dance floor" kind of lasts. One spritz goes a long way, so your dollar (and your scent) stretches further.
Versatility: From a casual day out to a romantic rendezvous, Santal 33 adapts to any occasion. It's like that chameleon leather jacket in your closet – always appropriate, always stylish.
Uniqueness: Forget smelling like every other dude at the bar. Santal 33 is distinct, complex, and guaranteed to turn heads (and maybe get you a few compliments).
But is it for you? If you're a man who:

Appreciates quality and craftsmanship (Le Labo hand-blends their fragrances, people!)
Doesn't shy away from something a little different
Wants a scent that reflects your confidence and individuality
Then, my friend, Santal 33 is calling your name. It's an investment, sure, but it's one that pays off in spades. Consider it your olfactory wingman, the secret weapon in your charm arsenal.

So ditch the drugstore dregs and embrace the American Dream (in a bottle). Trust me, Santal 33 will have you feeling like the most confident, intriguing version of yourself. And who knows, maybe you'll even land your own campfire rendezvous along the way.

P.S. 3 Sprays goes a long way Cowboy!!

Super long lasting and distinctive and once you smell it you’ll probably notice it on other people as it projects well. Performance is not an issue. I find the cedar dominates over the sandalwood especially at the open. After a while the leather comes out more, the rest of the notes take a backseat to the wood and leather.

It lacks nuance and won’t be for everyone. The pickles? More like a cucumber accord if you have that in your mind. I mainly get wood.

Perfume snobs are ridiculous. No point in gaslighting or name calling people if they don’t agree with you on a scent. Not everyone likes your $300 jar of pickles. Deal with it.

For me personally I don’t get pickles here. It’s unique, piercing, long lasting, and unnatural. In fact I find all Le Labo scents similarly unnatural in a robotic/3-legged-alien kind of way. Like this is what I imagine Mark Zuckerberg would wear. And he probably buys Rose 31 for his wife.

I love this. So different. Projection is soft and longevity 2 hours. There is a $30 100 mil dupe on Amazon called stallion 53. It's just as good if not better. I've ordered 2 bottles of it. It's my signature scent. I'm addicted!

I was (and still there) among the people thinking it smells like pickles :)
But gosh, it's a masterpiece anyway! I love its sillage, it is just divine!
However, not for faint-hearted and to be tested on skin!

This should really be called Cedar 33 because to me, I get cedar, cedar, cedar, papyrus, leather, cardamom, sandalwood, cedar, cedar, violet, CUCUMBER.

The real Santal 33 smells like cucumbers, not pickles. I have Woody Sandalwood from Dossier and I get pickles in that one but Le Labo's pulls cucumber. I got my Santal 33 from Le Labo so it is authentic.

Pickle juice parfum. An overrated fragrance within the community. Not worth the $322 price tag. The blend and scent profile are not niche nor pleasant in the slightest.
Scent: 1/10
Performance: 6/10
Price: 1/10
Overall: 2.6/10

This is super interesting and not what I expected from reading about it. I was not sold at all from the initial spray; it reminds me of the acetone I use in the lab to clean optical fibres (which, to be honest, I quite like the smell of but don't want to wear. As it dries down though, it's soft and leathery and slightly woody, not too sweet, and very unisex. Really pleasantly surprised by this. I live off decants but if this was affordable I'd consider buying a full bottle

Smells like a jar of sweet pickles. Awful.

So assuming the majority of the haters who have gone all out on negative reviews here are either trolls, newbies, just downright bored with nothing better to do than sit back and leave nasty negative reviews on perfumes, the plants who are trying to direct you to other scents that might be similar etc etc. All in all we can group them all into one big common group and call them idiots.

Now, for an honest review from someone who actually knows what they’re talking about when it comes to fragrances and has no hidden agenda other than to share their experience with a community of fragrance lovers. There is no pickle here. It is cucumber knowing that pickles are made from cucumbers. I can get the confusion when it comes to the common and ordinary individuals who don’t know the difference. You may have saved a few dollars and purchased their first niche designer fragrance and all you know how to communicate this scent is pickle ..But it is cucumber 🥒 you morons not pickle !

Now With that out-of-the-way this is a beautiful, pleasant, soft scent that stays with you for the majority of the day catching widths of this throughout the day after putting it on hours ago, keeps me in a transcendent calm that one could not imagine the sandalwood is light and envelopes, the cucumber in a way that is quite pleasing to the olfactory.

I finally got this! I had expectations based on many many reviews, plus I have smelled Comm Book and other comparables.

This smells like a goofy art installation of stacks of new cardboard, leather purses, wood chips, concrete, and a plant or two. All in some pretentious art gallery of minimalist nothing space.
But what a smell once put into a bottle. Class. Simple. Elegant. Rich. Refined. Effortless. Chic.
All of which I'm not, I was wearing this with yoga pants on a lazy Saturday. :P

Reminds me of this FANCY hotel in Minneapolis where I stayed for a Rammstein concert. XD

I recently also bought Book Bold from Comm. I find these woody scents so calming. Zen. This smells like someone who has no worries, and therefore it's very calming. Lasts all day with good application (maybe 2-5 sprays on skin and clothes) and to my knowledge doesn't OVERPOWER a room or cause side eyes/sneezing. It doesn't SMELL like a perfume per se.

S33 was the least pickle-y compared to the 4 Books by Comm (original and 3 scents spaces). I find it charming as long as it goes away or calms/blends into the perfume.

Handsome, confident, to the point.

I seem to enjoy the idea of this fragrance a lot more than the actual application on my body. I love it on other people. That attractive light leather and old west fire is captivating. The sandalwood is finely composed. The dry down is consistently seductive. Sex in the library is fun. This is such a high quality fragrance, and I am sad to say goodbye. Hit me up if you are interested.

Soft and light leather scent, but too synthetic for my liking, smells even unsettling to me

Upon first encounter, I feared a grave mistake had been made,
A scent of Santal Le Lebo, its opening note laid.
"My senses deceive," I thought, "What folly have I bought?"
A fragrance so bewildering, with disappointment fraught.

Yet, as moments passed, an alchemy took flight,
From the depths of doubt, arose a wondrous light.
What once seemed a misstep, a regrettable choice,
Unveiled its true essence, compelling me to rejoice.

Santal's heart, a masterpiece, began to unfold,
A story of warmth, of richness untold.
Its initial guise, so misleading, so stark,
Gave way to a beauty, igniting a spark.

In this transformation, a lesson was found,
Patience reveals, where true marvels abound.
A fragrance not rushed, but savored in time,
Reveals its full glory, sublime, and divine.

Santal Le Lebo, you taught me to see,
The value of waiting, of letting things be.
From skepticism to wonder, my journey was vast,
In the realm of scents, a love that will last.

Of all the dupes I've seen recommended, none of them truly smell like Santal 33 to my nose.
The leather note in this fragrance is prominent for me, especially on initial spray. There is something so stunning about the expertly blended violet, leather and sandalwood... that isn't to say I don't like some of the dupes (Ranger Station's Santalum for example), I just don't find them to be accurate clones.
I find Santal 33's cowboy themed scent story to be spot on and love this fragrance on both men and women.
Projection is strong, longevity is freakishly good.
I like to spray 1 spray in my car and it smells incredible for the rest of the week.

@Shaun Michael - not sure if you're gonna be able to hear me all the way down from your high horse, but you can find a LOT of good shit at TJ Maxx, higher price does not necessarily mean higher quality, and it definitely doesn't guarantee a fragrance being objectively better. Lastly, 1 million and Sauvage are super popular for a reason. They are objectively good fragrances. I'm so tired of uppity wealthy people who have the need to put more accessible and popular products down so they can feel more special wearing a perfume that at least 90% of the world population can't afford. It's okay, Shaun. You can still pretend owning expensive things is a substitute for a personality even if many of us ordinary, TJ Maxx people don't like your perfume. Not that I've tried Santal 33. But comments like yours sure do turn the excitement of entering the world of niche fragrances pretty sour.

I don't get dill or pickles but I do get a scent that I just don't like. Don't really know what it reminds me of per se but it's definitely not good.

As someone who likes sandalwood, I had high hopes. It smelled like shit and vinegar mixed, maybe stirred with a sandalwood spoon.
The hype around this is a lie. Don't buy any Le Labo's IMO. Very linear and boring.

Just your run-of-the-mill common, cheap, 'sports' cologne. Reminiscent of a chav looking for a fight at McDonald's (dill, pickle).

beautifullll, definitely pickle-esque in thee best way possible, most of the pickle vibe disappears in about 15 minutes and your left with an almost sawdusty wood which smells amazing on skin gives off a real natural vibe. Imagine a young hipster with a twiddly moustache walking down the road on a bright day in a beige and brown outfit holding a jar of pickles in each hand. That’s Santal 33

Projection is INSANE received a compliment on it from 4 metres away around 30 minutes after spraying it OUTSIDE. That’s how good it is people

I get a strong 8+ hours of longevity on skin and infinite hours on clothing. If you spray this on your clothes be prepared to wash them or they will stinkkkk of santal 33 for the next year.

It smells like new shoes from the store and pickles.

Not for me and my body chem. Smells like old wood and rotten pickles. It’s giving a kimchi vibes. I smelled it on others too and i feel like i’m gunna throw up. No hate, it just doesn’t work for me.

This a sensationally complex, beautiful, mature, all grown up scent. Totally unisex. Not granny-like and outdated, au contraire, very timeless. I can't stop smelling it when I wear it. It's a chewy, heavy bodied but not at all overwhelming scent if that makes sense. Not for juvenile, impulsive, activist type of personalities. It's for systematic and organised individuals who make a serious impression and have a certain presence. This is for very confident people of both sexes. Very hot and sexy, smells salty, with elements like the fresh sweat of a perfumed lover. NOT mainstream at all. Do not blind buy.
I do understand what people mean when they smell the dill pickle but it's not gross or anything. It's delightfully intriguing and sophisticated, a compliment getter, and makes me drool. Very wet scent in my perception.

I like this a lot. It's one of three Le Labo scents that I own. Le Labo seems to be able to create good strong products that project and last well, and are also apparently (according to the reviews herein) very popular. Good for them. Not an easy task. Making good fragrances seems to be so much of a black art, and ultimately a great and wonderful mystery.

I live in Scandinavia so I never smell this on anyone. I would be happy to do so, anyway. I cannot understand nega comments only because "everone has it".
To me this is very exellent and stylish unisex scent. It it interesting, pleasant and comforting. I really enjoy as a woman to use it. One of my favourites.

This leans more masculine than I'd wear. I have a small sample and I'm going to have find someone it'll smell more amazing on than me to give it to. It's definitely a loud woody, leathery, manly scent.

The Matcha 26 felt like the little sister of this one and I think I'm going to find a bottle or a bigger decant of that one. It's more if a creamy woody scent than leathery woody.

Santal 33 has to be the most overhyped and overrated fragrance out there right now. At this point I’ve smelled this fragrance a million times as everyone wears it. To me it literally smells like if someone were to pour pickle juice into a designer leather purse. I don’t get why this is so popular, but different strokes for different folks.

Sour woodchips.
Mostly I get furniture store timber and some pepperiness from the cardomom.
Definitely a layer of dust over everything.
Amber and old leather lurk behind.

A lot of the reviews talk about dill pickle, and it is there, but I don't find overly-prominent, or particularly off-putting.

For me the star of the show is the dry, dry wood. It's authentic, but unique.
I close my eyes and feel like I'm in a log cabin.

It's definitely a very nice fragrance, however, a little too dry for me.
It's over-hyped, but it'd be difficult for anything to live up to the level of hype this gets.

I would like this more if it wasn't for Le Labo's bankruptcy-inducing pricing.

VERDICT:
This a leather jacket that has been sitting at the back of a timber wardrobe for years.
A good perfume, almost great, but not quite.

Hmmm , that’s the first thing that comes to mind: Hmmm… I get and I don’t, I like it and hate it at the same time. I bought a decant after reading all these reviews. Sprayed it once on my hand, closed my eyes and smelled… Dill pickle, yes. A open jar of dill pickle in a old leather purse (suede perhaps…) in a old thrift store. Nah, not good. Fast forward two hours, I smell a bouquet of flowers in a thrift store.. nice bouquet, but that damn thrift store is ruining it… fast forward 12+ hours ( I kid you not ) I can STILL smell it on my hand… even after showering and all… I now get flowers, but outside the thriftstore. It is one of a kind for sure. The dill pickle scent disappears and evolves in a flower like scent. If you like leather/flowery scents I can see you liking this.

Not for me though!

I followed the hype and the fact that I sometimes smelled it on others passing by, and I m disappointed.
To me, and others too, smells like pickle juice, leather shop and clothing thrift store.
The opening it s straight up disgusting smelling like a medicine/fertilizer, ends up making me feel so sick after a while that I just wash it off and layer something else on top instead. If you like it is good as a personal bubble, but not a compliment getter at all.
Now that is so common too, It lost the only thing it had, uniqueness.

I unfortunately get the dill pickle note from Santal 33, which is kind of off-putting for me. Without it, it'd be a nice woody-leather combo ideal for colder weather. For some reason, I can't stop smelling it on my wrist though.

6/10

I love it and don’t fully understand all the hate this fragrance gets. I don’t get pickles and I feel like it’s only there if you look for it. Maybe fresh dill but it works. It’s dusty, earthy, floral (violet/orris), woody, leathery, mature and sexy as hell. It’s a green fragrance. Rustic. Bright and airy but also deep, warm and complex. I just hugged someone I love on a cool summer night, glow of a fire pit next to us, rolling mountains in the distance, and they’re wearing a new leather jacket vibe. The opening comes in sharp (in a good way), with green florals, musk, woods and realistic leather and it evolves to the dry down which smells of a slightly animalic creamy sandalwood. Whenever I wear this I get multiple compliments from different people. I think it’s incredible and so does everyone else around me (so far). There is a small part of me that can imagine why this scent can be difficult for some but at the end of the day it’s my signature and there’s nothing else like it. Oh well, more for me I guess :)

@ShaunMichael Are you a troll or something???
If your nose finds it pleasant then good to you but why drag others down by indirectly stating that they have poor taste if they don't like it.
Please stick to reviewing fragrances not people's taste.

Awful, strong, nauseating, devoid of complexity, obnoxious, sour, and worst of all cheap-smelling.

How this is so popular is beyond me.

At first sniff I thought it was OK, but as soon as I had it on my skin and was forced to smell it for a few hours I found it intolerable. It's also completely linear and is indelible on clothes, so all in all it's a relentless, shouting, chest-beating, screeching baboon of a scent. Ghastly.

Pickles and pencil shavings on this end, to the point of being nauseating.

I think I get that from the overdose of whatever synthetic wood is in here. I just can't do it.

There is not one single particle of sandalwood in this, and it's quite obvious. A nope from me.

somedays its pickles other days leather and other days sandalwood

Bought this for my husband because he really liked it. But there is just.... Something..... That smells rancid or sour about this perfume. I scrunch my nose every time I smell it.

On the first spray, I already knew I loved it. One of the very first notes I smelled was leather, very heavy, very real leather. That could be a little off putting but the smell transforms, all the notes come out very soon after and join into one beautiful, intoxicating smell. I’m not good at describing smells but what I can say is that this perfume keeps surprising me every time I wear it and I keep wanting more. After the first week of wearing it every day, I got what people meant with the pickle juice. I wouldn’t say it’s that strong of a smell and if something, it’s that sourness that makes this perfume so special, cause mixed with the leather and one if the best powdery notes I’ve smelled, something very original and very easy going is created. If I was to describe Santal 33 as a person, it would be someone who knows who they are and are not scared to be themselves.

Pickles and pencil shavings. Tried it out on the folks around me (mostly women) and every single one went "Ew, yuck!" So for me it's a definite "nope".

Almost everyone who hates on this fragrance -surprisingly- has questionable taste in their fragrance choices. 1million, sauvage, something else from TJ maxx. You know the type! Look into their collection profiles and see for yourself.

Sooo offensive and unpleasant

My girlfriend enjoyed this cologne on me, was the first one that she noticed and liked a lot. I personally do not like it that much

My ex wore this for years & I loved it so much that after we divorced I bought my own bottle. A little goes a LONG way. I haven’t gotten the courage up yet to wear this in public because I feel like it’s a bit strong/masculine but I wear it all over the house and spray it on my sheets. A male coworker wears this and if I get in the elevator after he’s been in it I can smell him 😂
Cedar cedar cedar oh how I love thee cedar. I also like the amber & iris notes. I’ve never smelled dill pickle lol just a nice woody powdery green scent

Smells like a book store. Mature unisex scent. Wood & Herbs I’m getting. Can definitely see this being pulled as an office scent - for those in senior positions.

100% smells like dill pickles

What the hell? Floral dill pickle water. Ok on the opening but the dry down is straight up yuck. Not a favourable gourmand in my opinion.

If you think Santal 33 is too sharp/pickley, I have the perfect recommendation for you: “Bois de Santal” by House of Brandt. For me, it is the much better version of Santal 33, also waaaay less expensive ($160 for 100 ml). Absolutely incredible, can’t recommend it enough.

Rating: 🥺🥰
Do I like it: Yes
Who it is: office hipster, hipster girlfriend
Smells I get: dill pickle, realistic leather
Meyer's Briggs type: INTJ, ENFP

Imagine a super realistic new leather bag base smell balanced with the acidity of dill pickle liquid. I do love dill pickles but the point is - it works, because it's just the right ratio of fresh (acid) and heavy (leather). It's really well done, and an unusual combo. Addictive.

I really really wanted to like this, but it just falls short on a card, myself, and on my partner. Another reviewer described it as sandalwood without any of the interest that sandalwood usually brings. It smells a lot like dill and leather. I could believe that it might smell amazing on the right person, but so far it's a dud for me.

I believe sometimes that the perspectives and descriptions by fragrance hobbyists can become pretty detached from that of the average person. I feel the same way about wine enthusiasts. They'll harp on about notes of wet stone, or curry, or clover... while I just taste... wine. So when I've read years of reviews saying that Santal 33 somehow smells like dill pickles, I thought it was another example of that. Whenever I smell it, I get no pickles at all. I get a creamy, slightly spicy sandalwood. It's masculine, semi-sweet, and alluring. I really enjoy it. So, today, I decided to wear it for the first time.

You will imagine my surprise when one of my coworkers walked into my office and said: why does it smell like pickles in here? Have you been eating pickles? I laughed. There you have it. The pickle comparisons are real, guys. This will in fact smell like pickles to some people. Oh well, it will smell great to many others. If you enjoy it, wear it.

I mean, what could I possibly add to the chorus of one of the most popular and polarizing fragrances of our time?
In any case, I fell in love with Santal 33 in 2014, hoarding small samples as I couldn't fathom paying (how much???) for a full bottle. I spent the next few years attempting to find something that would scratch the same itch, trying dupes of all kinds, expanding my fragrance knowledge and hobby, and spending who knows how much on scents I'd hope would bring me the same feeling as Santal did.
Spoiler alert: nothing does it for me quite like the OG. It's a bit of a Catch-22 as well: had I just ponied up the money for a bottle all those years ago, I may not have gotten as deep into the fragrance world, spending far more time and money than a bottle would have cost.
Anyway, Santal 33 is one of my all-time favorites, and it's scent-memory is imprinted on a significant portion of my life. Love!

nah i blind bought the biggest size and was dissapointed. smells really like pickles. or i imagine old school laboratory with wood and plants in glass pots everywhere some plant sience vibes. after hour or more it smells different even i quite like it. definitely unique

Heard a lot about this fragrance and had to get my hands on a sample. It’s surprising that I’ve not seen many reviews talk about how leathery this scent is— to me it’s like opening a box of new leather shoes and sniffing them, or going into a leather goods store. Pure leather goodness with a side of aromatic wood. From a bit further it smells slightly citrusy, almost like mandarin peels. Inoffensive to me, but can understand why some would find it difficult.

On my skin, Santal 33 is nice enough, but it doesn't feel like anything special. Just a one-dimensional woody fragrance. I didn't understand the hype until I tried spraying it on someone else. Once I spritzed it on my partner, I immediately understood why so many people wear this as their signature. If it works with your skin chemistry, this is a full head-turner and has the potential to make those around you a lil feral.

If you live here in nyc you'll never have to buy this because it more plentiful in the air than nitrogen. Free Santal air bath. I bought a pretty dead-on clone, fu3king hate it, gave it to my wife, and leave the house when she wears it.

People seem to hate this mostly because it's obiquitous.
I like it. It has a easy-going, relaxing vibe to it. I don't care if everyone else wears it too.

I usually dont write reviews on samples but I guess I have to now because I can still strongly smell this on my wrist even after trying to wash it off hours ago. Santal 33 is very polarizing: some love it, some hate it. Unfortunately I hate it. I have been smelling this pungent scent on multiple people out at bars recently and I could not figure out what it was until I sampled Santal 33. They must be spraying too much, because I swear you can smell this stuff from 15 feet away and it is hard to miss. If you like the scent and buy this fragrance, make sure to only use 2 or 3 sprays or you will overwhelm anyone you come in close contact with. To me, it smells like some rotten vegetable or spoiled milk. I can see why people say it smells like pickle juice, but I would say it is more like if you left a pickle out in the sun for a week and then pissed on it. Smell is 3.1/10 for me, however performance is a 8.9/10. Very long lasting and projects well.

Everyone and their mothers are wearing this one to death. It's everywhere, every day.

been wearing this since i was maybe 16 and would fill a handful of nordstrom sample bottles every time i went to the mall, then i got a full bottle for my high school graduation present. i’ve never smelled the pickles, but the scent does change from bottle to bottle and develops over time. I do smell the pencil shavings at the end of the day, but it’s kind of intoxicating, I love it.

The scent of this perfume starts with a "sandalwood splash". As soon as I apply the perfume, I am immediately enveloped in the scent of sandalwood; savory and slightly sweet. At the same time, violet and iris begin to bloom, and somewhere from afar I hear notes of leather. The smell is magnificent!
When the sandalwood and floral notes become quieter, it is replaced by cedar and cardamom. In my opinion, this is not the best combination, because the hitherto wonderful smell is starting to give me vague feelings. The perfume begins to smell like a dentist's office where a jar of pickles was broken.
However, the note of amber, which wedges itself at the end, brings hope for salvation.
Quite an ambiguous perfume that is not suitable for everyone, and which takes some time getting used to. 8/10

New to Le Labo but decided to buy the 15ml of Santal as I kept hearing good things about it and was on holiday in new york. Such an unusual unisex scent that takes a while to grow on you but then you become addicted to it, so much so I am going through it too quickly. I am also going nose blind with it so find longevity isn't amazing but could be me. I can see why people say pickles and pencils but that is over simplistic for such a complex scent. Don't be put off. I think it's an autumn winter scent and will probably move to Lys 41 in the summer.

Just smelled this for the first time today. I really didn't want it to smell like pickles. I tried my best.

Unfortunately it really does smell like pickles. And pencil shavings. Not my favorite.

Pencil shavings and dill. I don't get the pickle juice many keep mentioning. Pickle juice will be vinegary which S33 is not - it's dry pencil shavings and dill.

Imagery that comes to mind - dry driftwood. Or pencil shavings.

I can't get on board with this brand. I've smelled many of their offerings and the scents are as dull and boring as the sterile sciencey lab aesthetic of their shops + bottling


**edit:
I finally did detect some sandalwood. It seems to come in at about 24 hours after initial application on clothing. So if you want a beautiful sandalwood note, plan on applying this a solid 20 hours in advance when you want to go out smelling like sandalwood.

@montgomery99 well reviewed IMO

I struggle with this a lot, but it is one I keep coming back to.

First out of the gate: Yes, there's a green (papyrus) note that may read a bit like dill, but "pickles" is ridiculous...pickles are vinegary, garlic-y even, Santal 33 is not. Secondly, the sandalwood here is the dried Australian kind, and bares no resemblance to the milky, rose-y white woods of now-banned Mysore Sandalwood. Additionally, I would say that sandalwood and leather are competing for dominance in this fragrance, I assume the perfumer wanted to smoothen out the rougher edges of Australian sandal with the leather, and he does that quite well--Santal 33 is soft and "creamy" in texture; plush, like suede, with green streaks running through--giving an almost fig-like impression (with no sweetness). I get 0 iris, a touch of cardamom, and I admit that I am not familiar enough with violets to pick them out here.

However, there is a signature Le Labo white/clean musk that is present in the base of this fragrance (and almost all of their woodier/warmer fragrances) that I cannot decide if I like. On certain days, in certain weather, when my skin chemistry is just right, that musk smells like clean, fluffy, warm skin ("your-skin-but-better"). However, on other days it's biting, synthetic and slightly screechy.

So for me, Santal 33 is something that I will continue to revisit, because when it's good it's fabulous, but when my nose/skin is off, it can quickly sour both on my skin and my mood.

I’ve been wearing this since about 2011. Before that I wore the Le Labo Santal room fragrance they had going on. Anyway I moved from a big city to smaller one and had no idea for a long time that it was so popular in other cities. It’s been basically my signature fragrance: dies down on me to clean cedar, constant positive complements - usually that something -the room?- smells good, not me, which is perfect. Also it lasts FOREVER and deodorizes all my clothes, so great when traveling and can’t wash laundry a lot.

absolutely love sandalwood and any woody scent in general and was torn between this and Another 13. but after someone on tiktok said it smells like pickles, I just can't get it out of my head. also so overdone IMO, will catch a whiff legitimately every time I round a corner in Soulcycle in NYC

My first Le Labo fragrance, and in my top 3. Has freshness while also having depth. A lot of people complain about how it smells, but on my skin, it works great. Performance is decent. It can be used all year, in my opinion.

I absolutely love Santal 33. I understand the critiques, but I fully disagree with all of them. Sure, it is not a scent for everybody, but I've gotten countless compliments from this one, if that's something you care about. Personally, however, I think this scent is a stand-out 10/10. Luxury in a bottle. Perfectly unisex, I think everyone can pull this one off. Smells like money in a way.

I do get a hint of pickle, but my nose goes blind to it the more I wear it… It’s one of those fragrances that I keep coming back to. I can definitely tell when other people wear it too. It’s very distinct and original. Good sillage as well, since I can pick it out amongst the thousands in a busy NYC subway station.

It is very dry woody fragrance. On my skin I don’t get anything warm just sour rough woods.I get a very dominant pencil shavings note. It is not an easy wear for me.

so... cheap vintage leather jacket ?

It's become trendy for folks here to jump on the bandwagon and bash this one. Pickle juice? It's actually violet, cypriol and cucumber. Why is Santal 33 their best seller worldwide? Everyone is dumb (except here of course) and wants to smell like pickles?

Another thing people say: It's weak. It's WEAK? People, STOP BUYING COUNTERFEIT BOTTLES or go see a doctor because it's not weak lol. I see so many people buying fake bottles on Ebay and Mercari. Genuine S33 is very, very potent, and lasts days with good sillage. If you don't like it that's fine, but it has become almost a weird peer pressure and snobbery thing to clown this fragrance.

I've worn it for years, I have received and still receive tons of compliments from complete strangers. Friends and family like it too, and I've decanted some for them. Not one single person has ever accused me of wearing pickle juice 😄 🥒. It's now extremely popular in the fragrance community, but still unique to the general public. I suppose it's getting the Dior Sauvage or Creed Aventus treatment and is a victim of it's own success. 🤷

P. S. If you're new to this fragrance and happen to read this review, don't let the lemmings influence you. Get a genuine (lots of fakes out there) decant directly from Le Labo, and wear it a few times. It's extremely popular for good reason; it smells good, and has excellent performance.

Gave my bottle to my dad. Every time I visit him, I give it a spray and think, dang why did I ever give this away? It smells so good, for about 30 minutes. It’s very linear and something about it just gets old and annoying/repulsive. It has incredible performance, so it doesn’t go away for a long time. Reading some reviews below, maybe it is a slight picklish smell. But more like bread and butter pickles. Now I remember why I gave it away, not a surprise the bottle has almost the exact same amount in it as when I gave it away 😆. Save your money on this one

Another overpriced stench that is labeled as a "Niche product" so the company could steal money from people. There is nothing in here that deserves your attention. The pleasant sandalwood is present for about first two-three seconds and then it's just your ordinary "The inside of a 5 year old snicker" smell. Just buy a cheap soap, invest your money smarter

I know it is extremly popular but I am a huge fan of this scent. It’s rough, creative, intriguing… I wear it when I want to be cool. I live in Amsterdam and I feel this scent fits the city perfectly. Also, you can smell it on your clothes the next day.

It’s 100% unisex but if worn by women: It’s not a „sweet girl” or „sexy girl” scent. It’s a scent of a girl who is „different”, „creative”, an outsider.

I give up. Le Labo as a brand is just not for me. I have officially tried every single fragrance from the house (samples purchased directly from their website) and they all just smell like crap on my skin. All I get from Santal 33 is a brief glimpse of cucumber, then just straight leather. Reminds me of a saddle in an uncanny way. I get zero Iris, violet, or cardamom whatsoever.

I will say, I am certain that these fragrances smell amazing on others, but their style of perfumery just doesn’t sync up with my tastes. Try out scents for yourself, maybe they’ll work for you, but dude, after spending over $100 on sample decants from Le Labo and not liking a single one, I’m so done.

it smells like those cheap candles that smell like what you’d imagine a lumberjack to smell like it also reminds me of the irish green soap in all honesty it smells like shit

“Negative review from a personal point of view for one reviewer”: isn’t this a review site? Aren’t reviews a personal opinion? how stupid is this artificial intelligence!?

first off, I am so grateful that my nose didn't pick up on the dill pickle that everybody has been talking about, this perfume is very complex to say the lease. In the opening, for me its a cardamom bomb, so much so that i feel like i bit into one, but for me the dry down is what's worth smelling. This perfume is woody, dry, creamy, slightly sour and very clean smelling. This perfume reminds me of those essential oils soaps and candles, maybe that's why it smells clean to my nose. I have yet to make a thorough opinion about it, I will need to wear it outdoors to fully judge it but so far it smells pretty good.

This scent frustrates me to no end because it's one of the best perfumes I've ever smelled but it disappears on my skin so fast. I get the opening notes, and then it disappears for most of the day, and then returns way later at full potency. Weird.

This one I have never smelled before anywhere else. It's like Palm Trees, the beach, sun tan lotion, down under the Miami or Cali sun. Absolutely incredible scent, I never smelled true sandal wood before so I'm not sure where or what its suppose to smell like (sorry American out in NYC) but I can tell you this is 100% a different type of woody scent that I love

all the people who call this a pickle juice scent are wayyyyy off, ive even gone as far as doing a 1 to 1 comparison and as hard as i possibly try i cannot smell pickle in this scent at all. not sure where it gets that reputation but i feel like because this is a niche scent, people have a hard time describing it and have jumped on that bandwagon but if you are interested in trying this do not be put off by that description

i can see why this type of scent wouldnt be for everyone but the people who wear it wear it WELL in my opinion and it is such a unique, clean yet earthy smell. i love the way it dries down into an elegant amber/sandalwood heavy scent and compared to other perfumes with similar notes, nothing really compares to this for me it's truly one of a kind

It smells like a candle or incense sticks.

I just used up my sample of this, getting 4 wears out of it. I kept hoping that as I wore it it would grow on me and stop smelling of pickles, but it did not. Nor did the scent evolve with wear. I could put it on in the late evening and still smell it the next day, so longevity is very good. The last time I wore it, I layered J’adore on top of it and while this scent outlasted the Dior, I appreciated it as a layering perfume and liked the addition of florals to the woodiness of Santal 33. Just as well that I don’t like it, as I’m still saving up to purchase Another 13, which I adore.

ugh, this is unfortunately great. i once went on a date with a girl who smelled beyond divine, like nothing i’d ever smelled before, and this was her scent — some peoples' skin chemistry goes insane with this. it definitely doesn’t smell THAT good on me but i am a sucker for a spicy powdery sandalwood scent and this one is so chic and refined. love the whiffs of leather and the vague floralcy.

If there was ever a "definitive fall time fragrance" this would be it.

Picture walking through a trail as the brown leaves fall, that is exactly what I get with this smell.

Not complexed, just simple and just smooth and nice.

As for the compliment seekers, you will definitely get them, without question.

A must have in the collection, no matter how old this gets.

Oh and one more note, this is sold as unisex but, this definitely leans more masculine so ladies, check it before buying it.

Love it. Woody papyrus dominates for me. Some sandlewood comes through. Fresh and light leather. Takes me to a journey to Ancient Egypt along the Nile. Perhaps to the Valley of the Kings and palaces and temples up and down the Nile. Beautiful.

I really wanted to love this!, Just got the scent yesterday. In a 8ml bottle. I was looking for a woody, leathery unisex perfume. Read all the pickle reviews. In my skin, I only smell Dill chips. It last about 6-8 hours on me, and don't change that much. Maybe a little less offensive, and dill scenty about 6 hours in.
I really wished I liked this. Maybe if I wear it more, my nose will pick up other scents too

I caaaannt smell it! I feel left out.

I second one of the below commenter's observation that this smells like a clean hamster cage. However, I will submit that I could only wear this an hour before scrubbing it off in the shower, so I did not experience the drydown. For the hour I wore it I smelled a masculine leaning, well-blended array of sawdust, leather, & cucumber. Just not for me.

Now I feel like eating dill pickle chips! 😋 and yes I know how it smells ,,, lol

I have a 2017 full 3.4 oz strong as balls

Smells just generically clean/violet/woody, light and inoffensive. I see why the Clean Girl Aesthetic influencers are so big on this one--it's very Clean Girl. The downside to that is that it's very nondescript. Not going to turn any heads, just sort of generically nice. I'll wear the sample, but it's not full bottle worthy.

To me, it smelled like a sweet cucumber deodorant and matching body lotion you can find in every Dutch drugstore. Nothing special and it wasn’t detectable neither on skin or clothes as in less then 6 hours, so for me a no, especially at that price range.

Edit: on my husband, it smells wonderful! Woody, powdery and expetional fresh. So that's what a different skintype can do....

I wanted to love it so bad! At first sniff it’s fairly complex to be enjoyable: spices, violette, papyrus delicately sweet but then it turns somehow plasticky and dull. It’s a no no. I love it on a colleague of mine, on her it remains alluring throughout the all day - not on me unfortunately. Another colleague of mine told me it reminded her of the scent of the Oysho store that I always found terrible and intrusive. It’s such a pity i adore the notes on paper…

I don't care how old or played out, how many dupes there are, I love this scent. I have recently layered it with Book from Commodity and like it even more.

Oh santal 33, how I wanted to like you. I forced myself to like you but i'm not just that into you. After I sampled it I bought several dupes, including Energetically new york (good dupe) and also Dossier's woody sandalwood (even better dupe) because I refused to buy Santal 33 at that pricepoint. Anyhow, I just couldn't stand it. It smells a lot like pickles to me, and I have a hard time picking up the other notes. I was excited about the iris because it's one of my all time favourite notes but it's nowhere to be seen. Unfortunately i'm not Alexa Chung that probably wears this like a queen. I respect all of you who like it though, it's definitely one of a kind.

smells like a cucumber. %100 cucumber

At first spray, I thought this was overbearing and wayyy too much spice going on, however after 5 minutes this does settle down. It’s an interesting scene, which I am intrigued by- but I’m not sure if I love or hate it 😂

Everyone in L.A smells like this one.
My partner and I used to be regulars at a kava bar and the owner and his wife would spray themselves and their bar with Santal 33 to the point where they and the bar always smelled like that. It's like they wanted a signature scent to be associated with the place. I always used to see the bottle that was noticeably planted on the counter top and could tell they coveted it. Sadly, we're no longer friends with them and don't drink kava there anymore, but smelling and thinking of Santal will always bring me back to those times.

This was a present, I like it but glad it wasnt my money. I definitely get Samudex clean hamster cage! its a nice sandalwood, a bit peppery/woody like frankincense. I get the gentle cucumber opening but no cardamom, iris or violet, just a nice inoffensive sandalwood hint of leather only just. I will wear but deff will not replace, It doesnt last on me so I will drown myself in it over xmas. Bit disappointed if I am honest.

This was not a love at first sniff, But after a spending an evening with it in -10 minus weather i found it to be immensely pleasant. It brings such a nice comforting warmness to a persons aura that make you wanna smell it again and again…

This perfume is nice for me, and unisex.
Reminds me smell into the club nightlife with elegance.

The first fragrance that broke my heart.

My ex lover had this and at the time I didn't love it but the more I yearned for him the more I would go out of my way to find replicas of this scent. At the time I couldn't remember the name or if this is even the exact one, but all I know is that I am still yearning.

I miss you and your scent no matter how much I wish I didn't

Cucumber juice

i can't think of this Le Labo being expensive and rich because the shopping mall that I often go to, uses similar scents for their toilets. I didn't know, but one time my friend used Santal 33 and I was shockingly thinking to myself: "why would she use toilet refresher???" until I had enough courage to ask her what she was wearing. LOL

Recently I had the opportunity to perceive it on the paper and on my skin.
It has a humidity smell like , wet sandalwood with fungus…I didn’t like that , too expensive for that accord.

I’m a fan of sandalwood , but I wouldn’t buy a bottle unless it was on a big deal discount, otherwise for my experience in sandalwood, this perfume is not worthy.

S33 reminds me so much of Williamsburg and the LES in the early 2010s that I keep finding myself caught off guard by its more mainstream renaissance. Surprised, but not confused! This is a delicious, sexy, complex, inimitable scent.

A mixture of fresh-cut wood, sandalwood, and iris.

This is what Northern California smells like. Not the cities, but the redwood forests, the foothills and into the Sierras. And not when it's piled with snow, when it's warm enough for the air to carry the scent. I don't know how I feel about wearing it on myself, but being a NorCal native, I sure can appreciate it.

My first foray into niche scents. The few compliments I received got to my head very early on.
You smell good. You smell like a luxury store. You smell like a rich lady.

2 years of bathing myself in this luxury pickle juice - created in a space reminiscent of the bathroom in Saw (I'm looking at you, interior designing mastermind of Le Labo) - and I've realised it's time for divorce. Or maybe not. Maybe I'll hang on to this like a toxic situationship. Ever present at my beck and call when the need arises. A warm cloud of olfactory comfort hugging me when my skin turns blue.

Santal - my sweet, sweet Santal. My pickle juice created by the hands of a hipster in the bathroom from the first Saw film. I love you my baby.

Sawdust and amber accord. It reminds me to a clean hamster cage.

Santal 33 is a guilty pleasure for me. I absolutely love it. I hate when people say “everyone wears this everyone wears that blah blah blah” when the reality is that 90% of men don’t even wear a fragrance at all so I’m never worried about smelling like someone else with this. Reminds me of the smell of luxury boutiques/jewelers and it’s super sexy/versatile in my opinion.

I love Le labo but this one just smells like spraying pickle juice on. Very pricey pickle juice.

Really smooth sandal scent

Well this is plain bad!
After initial spray I get some sandalwood but it is then choked whit something that is reminiscent of dirty unwashed rice and finally goes to the inside of a old, dirty shoe or snicker. Also some times I get a whiff of smelly noodles, apart from some sandalwood in the beginning I get no other notes listed, just this stale, damp stink like I'm in a noodle store where someone took off their snickers, and all the windows have been shut for days.
A hard pass

Another overhyped overly synthetic garbage of a perfume that nobody who has any sense or good taste in scents would ever be caught wearing. Le labo is laughing all the way to the bank at all the gullible ppl who actually buy their crap. SMH 🤦♀️

First smelled this on my manager and instantly fell in love. Enormous sillage throughout the whole day. I love the development of this fragrance: starts off super dry and woody, and becomes sweet and almost juicy, then woody again. Definitely signature scent worthy, and in my opinion worth the price tag. I get pickle juice on some days but rarely, and I'm assuming it has a lot to do with skin chemistry.

10/10 and definitely my top 2 from the house, alongside The Noir 29.

I do get cucumber, and somewhat dill, but neither like cucumber juice not like dill pickles. It's more like a cucumber gin and tonic for me. It does have a dusty "aftertaste" though, especially on my skin (on a test strip it's fresher). I like it and dislike it at the same time. Either way it's intriguing and makes me want to keep smelling it.

Smells like somebody poured their cucumber juice on a leather sofa

This fragrance divides opinions. Some people are fans, but others detest it. Some people smell of pencil shavings (not to that extent, I think), pickle juice (I haven’t smelled that yet, not sure), or something else strange. It’s very intense and dried, a powdery, woody, and animalic leather scent that makes me queasy. It feels like I’m back in the middle ages as a peasant, wearing leather rags living in a dilapidated, moldy wooden house. That doesn’t smell luxurious to me at all lol. I’m not sure if I should enjoy it or not. I think I prefer younger creamy, sweet and balanced woody leather scents more than this. It is kinda mature imo. Maybe I’ll give it a few more tries and see! 🤨

Samples on Le Labo's site seem to be cheaper than equal sized decants elsewhere. In fact, buying the 1.5ml sample size at $7 is cheaper by the ml than buying the 15ml size at $99. That said, when I got my sample, I really liked it. I didn't want to like it, though! Santal 33 is so... cliche. It's like every niche lover and their dog wears it. I can easily understand why. I love the violet note with the woodiness. It works well with my chemistry, wears well, and lasts. I'd buy more samples, but don't know if I'd buy a whole bottle, considering too many people wear it, and I like to be different.

opens with a soft, dry, unisex sandalwood note then dries down to a fresher floral scent. was kinda worried abt the pickle note every1 was talking abt but on my skin it smelled more like cucumber, which i wouldnt usually be very into either but rly liked on this 1 :-) the wood is quite strong and it feels a lot more explicitly woody than other woody fragrances ive tried, which can be a bit offputting if u want to smell like wood cologne and not wood. mysterious but comforting.... i liked it a lot!

Ah, yes, the fragrance that put Le Labo on the map. Even a decade after being released, it’s still wholly original, unique and has been unable to be truly replicated. This is my go-to everyday scent and it’s been everyone’s gateway drug to the addictive perfume house that is Le Labo.

It’s entirely unisex, entirely indescribable, and entirely appropriate for all occasions year-round. I haven’t met one person who actually dislikes the scent, but you probably already know whether or not it’s for you. Some liken it to dill or pickle juice. And while I suppose I can get a waft of that if I’m concentrating really hard, let’s also be honest with one another: pickles are delicious. If you disagree with that, well, then I must politely question your taste.

Don’t listen to what the perfumery snobs have to say about it being overplayed. Some say it’s ubiquitous to NYC and has oversaturated the city. But, at $230.00 a bottle, I can guarantee you that not everyone is wearing this scent and you will still stand out in a crowd (Have you seen the rent prices here? We can barely afford housing, let alone Le Labo.). In fact, I live in NYC and have been stopped many times by strangers asking me what I’m wearing. They are often discouraged after looking it up and seeing how much it costs, but here’s the thing: it’s worth it.

You know that scene in the movie Red, White and Royal Blue when they name drop Santal 33 and just a mere whiff of it leads to romance between the two main characters? Well, I had nearly the exact same experience while wearing this fragrance to a bar in Rome one year ago. Cut to six hours later, and the bedsheets reeked of Santal 33 while my Italian overnight guest kept asking where he himself could buy a bottle of this juice. And that’s the other thing about Santal 33: it never fails.

In five words or less: You already know it’s good.

This is such a classic & addicting fragrance from le labo! although, le labo’s owning parent company Estée Lauder is in support of the Israeli government’s genocide of the Palestinian people therefore I cannot support this brand anymore.
Vote with your wallet, free Palestine 🇵🇸❤️

This is one of the only perfumes I know of that I would rate between strong like and love based on the sillage when I smell it on someone else, but every time I have tested it myself the scent bubble that I carry around is between a meh for not being interesting enough and an bleh for being somewhat unpleasant (no matter how little I use, or even when I apply very far away from my nose to try to mimic the effect of catching someone else's scent trail). It just loses the magic somehow when I am immersed in it non-stop. It is very strong and does not require much, so if you love being the wearer a bottle should last a long time. For those who buy and wear this- maybe I'll catch your wake one day and smile, but this one is not for me.

The point of sharing this is to say if you've been enamored by the scent on someone else that still does not make it a safe buy- you should definitely test wear it on yourself. The experience is just not the same at all.

I am quite happy to say that this does not smell like dill pickles on me, though there are moments when I catch a slight whiff of something like that. Luckily my skin doesn't amp that, because I am enchanted with this one. I especially love how the cardamom is noticeable but not as strong as in, say, BDK Gris Charnel.The sandalwood is milky and smooth. I have difficulty smelling the leather. When I sniff my wrist after it dries down, I smell both a slight papery iris and sweet violet, which I think keeps things more unisex rather than masculine.
This is the most unique sandalwood I own, even though it's ubiquitous in many places. The longevity is impressive given my perfume eating skin, and the projection is noticeable from about 6 ft away. I have a 10 ml travel size bottle but I know I'm going to get a lot of use out of this, so I will order another or a full bottle. Worth the hype, IMO.

Lying beneath a wood chopper at a carnival.
Walking into an antique bookstore and nosing through a few dusty tomes.
Rolling around and scrunching wet grass and herbaceous weeds during light rain.

Unisex, med sillage, 4-6 longevity, overpriced.

Love it.

Santal 33 by Le Labo is a fragrance that tends to divide opinions. This unisex woody aromatic scent starts with a bold sandalwood note and evolves into a green floral dry down. It possesses a unique and memorable aroma that elicits strong reactions—people either adore it or strongly dislike it.

For those who appreciate it, it's suitable for afternoon wear throughout the year, particularly in moderate weather conditions. However, those who don't enjoy it often liken its scent to dill pickles.

Santal 33 boasts exceptional longevity on clothing and projects strongly, capable of filling even large spaces with its fragrance. Consequently, it's crucial to be mindful of the number of sprays, as its sillage can be overwhelming to some. Despite its high price, a small bottle of Santal 33 can last a lifetime.

Definitely signature worthy and unisex. Fresh, woody sandalwood and a your skin but better fragrance. Unfortunately in this I get the hint of pickle/dill and it throws me off a tad bit. I don’t want to smell sour! Sandalwood tends to do that sometimes in fragrances.

I am new to fragrance, but recently I purchased a dozen or so samples of well rated fragrances... one of these was santal 33 by le labo... when I first applied it, right away I got a woody scent.. not bad.. as it dried down it got drier and almost dusty smelling... reminded me of looking through grandma's attic and finding an old wooden chest with antiques inside... old books and photos

Le Labo's Santal 33 is a masterful blend that intertwines Australian sandalwood, leather, and cedar wood in its base notes, creating a deep and grounding foundation. The middle notes of violet and ambroxan add a touch of mystery and sophistication, while the top notes of cardamom and iris provide a spicy and fresh opening that is truly captivating. This fragrance is a harmonious symphony of leathery, green, and spicy elements that culminate in a uniquely enchanting olfactory experience.

I find Santal 33 to be a perfect companion for my weekends or moments when I seek a sense of calm, be it at home or in the office. The longevity of this scent is truly impressive, making it a worthwhile investment for those who appreciate a fragrance that lingers throughout the day. What sets Santal 33 apart for me is its ability to mesh seamlessly with my skin's DNA, garnering compliments from those around me. Despite the widespread hype surrounding this fragrance, it has earned its place on my shelf, becoming a signature scent that I reach for time and again.

In a world saturated with scents, Santal 33 manages to stand out, not just for its popularity but for the genuinely unique and captivating experience it delivers. It's more than a fragrance; it's a subtle yet powerful statement of individuality and style.

It smells like dry wood. Iris and violet have given a strong powdery smell to this perfume. Contrary to its brand name, which is very sophisticated; In my opinion, it does not smell interesting at all. It is only a bite that may be liked by certain people. But in my opinion, it is not popular at all. After half an hour, it emits the smell of sharpened pencil.



بوی چوب خشک خشک رو میده. زنبق و بنفشه بوی پودری شدیدی به این عطر داده اند. برعکس اسم برندش که بسیار گردن کلفته؛ به نظر من اصلا
بوی جالبی نداره. صرفا نیش هست که مورد علاقه ادمهای خاصی ممکنه قرار بگیره. ولی به نظر من اصلا عامه پسند نیست. بعد از نیم ساعت بوی مداد تراشیده ازش ساطع میشه

Santal 33, a truly polarizing fragrance…. As Grey Flannel by Geoffrey Beene .

This fragrance takes time to appreciate…. First time I smelled it, didn’t like it. On skin it behaves mysteriously…. At first it smells fresh and woody… I never felt the cucumber stated by many, nor any sourness. It is an unisex fragrance, but it leans more to the feminine side, as it is very floral.

When it dries, it smells more powerful…. I still don’t understand this Santal 33…. But this might be its appeal…. To be somewhat mysterious.

It smells like Plasticy new Stuff

Still my favorite. This scent blends perfectly with my skin 10/10

This is Le Labo's bestseller, and the perfume that really made them world-famous as a niche house. About a decade ago, after it was launched, it became so popular in Manhattan among the younger creative classes that the NYTimes even did an article about its ubiquity. Although what made it so prized was how unusual it was (there had been nothing quite like this before for conveying freshness at the office), it became commonplace, and people in New York City will now sometimes comment on that relative banality.

But if you've not smelled it before (and it did not become as popular in other parts of the country), it will seem very new to you. This is the rare sandalwood-dominant fragrance where the sandalwood is not made to smell creamy or otherwise opulent. Rather, this smells very raw and newly shaved, combined with cedar and cypriol (the fragrance's papyrus note). The result smells like a woodworker's studio. It's very dry, which paradoxically is why it smells refreshing in an unusual way. The cypriol note unfortunately smells to some people like a dill pickle (though it does not smell that way to me).

The projection on this is absolutely enormous. I shot just one spritz onto my wrist and a friend standing ten feet away could instantly smell it sharply. I should admit that though I admire this enormously, it's so unusual that it's a bit overbearing. (I prefer classic, creamier sandalwoods to this, as it turns out.)

This is not really something to be blind-bought (though I did foolishly buy it that way).

I've always smelled Santal 33 on others and was in awe. I tried my friend's bottle last year and wasn't crazy about how it was on me. Recently, bought a discovery set and I will say- I like it. I do not understand the hype though. This smells like my $12 Cremo beard oil. There are so many dupes and similar scents. I enjoy the smell, and I do think it's long-lasting and strong, but Le Labo has many better scents that deserve the hype. Good for any season- day or night. Good everyday perfume.

you know the CHEAP Stores that selling Leather woman shoes and Bags...this is very giving that vibe...

I love this even though it's a bit over played. I like it on myself and can clearly identify it on other people, and don't get any of the dill pickle smell that is so controversial. This is one of the best performing le labo perfumes I've sampled, with excellent longevity and sillage. I would wear this more if I wasn't worried about being heckled by snobs.

I had to scrub this off. That is all.

i have learned to love this perfume when it was half way finished already lol
will i repurchase? definitely no.

I gave this fragrance plenty of time to macerate and simmer. It smells like sandalwood yes but it also has a distinct dill pickle smell that I cannot get over. I really wanted to like this frag but 2/10. Gave it to my mom

If you like “Acqua di Parma Sandalo” you should try this one as well.
I love this fragrance. The smell is very magical.

The smell is perfect on clothes. It doesn’t work on the skin!