8 Best Santal 33 Dupes: Affordable Alternatives for the Iconic Scent

Find wallet-friendly dupes for Le Labo's cult-favorite Santal 33 perfume without sacrificing sophistication or style.

By Sneha Tete, Integrated MA, Certified Relationship Coach

Created on Sep 30, 2025

Find wallet-friendly dupes for Le Labo's cult-favorite Santal 33 perfume without sacrificing sophistication or style.

If you’ve ever walked down a busy city street and caught a hint of something woody, leathery, and impossibly cool in the air, chances are you encountered Le Labo Santal 33. Synonymous with sophisticated, unisex style, Santal 33 is often called the quintessential New York perfume. Its price, however, can leave your wallet less than thrilled.

Luckily, the fragrance world has responded with myriad dupes—alternatives that capture the character and aura of Santal 33 for a much more affordable investment. After testing and comparing months’ worth of contenders, we present the best Santal 33 dupes across price points and product types—all inspired by the cult-favorite original but with their own unique twist.

What Makes Santal 33 So Iconic?

Santal 33’s fame isn’t just marketing hype. This fragrance blends sandalwood, leather, papyrus, cedar, cardamom, violet, iris, and amber into a scent that’s woody, spicy, and subtly sweet—simultaneously soft and grounded with unmistakable character. Loved by both men and women, it’s renowned for lasting power and projection.

But with a price tag north of $230, Santal 33 isn’t for every budget. Thankfully, perfume lovers and brands have worked hard to deliver similar experiences at prices that invite daily wear rather than special-occasion restraint.

Santal 33 Dupes: Our Tested & Reviewed Favorites

Below you’ll find the most celebrated and editor-tested Santal 33 dupes—breaking down pros, cons, and standout features for each. Whether you’re after a wallet-friendly alternative, a body spray, or a candle for your space, you’ll find an option to match your desired vibe (and budget).

Le Labo Santal 33 Eau de Parfum (The Standard)

Key Notes: Sandalwood, leather, papyrus, cedar, cardamom, violet, iris, amber
Pros: Unmatched projection and longevity; irresistible sillage; instantly recognizable.
Cons: Expensive; some note slight differences between how it smells in the bottle and on skin.

Editor Notes: “Some might find Santal 33 ‘basic’ or overworn. Yes, I probably smell at least one person wearing this every single day in NYC. But there’s a reason people are obsessed: it smells damn good and lasts all day on my skin.”

Dossier Woody Sandalwood

Price: $49
Best For: Nearly identical scent at a much lower price
Key Notes: Sandalwood, papyrus, cardamom, musk, ambrox, cypriol
Pros: Nearly indistinguishable from Santal 33; not overwhelmingly boozy or synthetic as other dupes sometimes are.
Cons: Slightly less projection and longevity compared to the original.

Dossier’s take on Santal 33 brings all of the original’s best qualities to the table, with an extra hit of musk and warmth on the dry-down. It’s ideal for those who want a close dupe without splurging.

Fine’ry Jungle Santal

Price: $30 (Target)
Best For: Budget-friendly perfume lovers
Key Notes: Sandalwood, cardamom, papyrus, cedar (mirroring Santal 33’s core)
Pros: Extremely similar to Le Labo’s original in both scent and feel.
Cons: Slightly less complex in the drydown.

Jungle Santal offers a surprisingly faithful rendition for its price tag. For those craving Santal 33’s woody sophistication in everyday life, it’s a no-brainer.

Maison Louis Marie No. 04 Bois de Balincourt

Price: $64 (for perfume oil); $44 (candle)
Best For: Lovers of subtle, genderless scents
Key Notes: Sandalwood, cedarwood, vetiver, nutmeg, cinnamon
Pros: Available in multiple forms (perfume, rollerball, candle); projects well; clean beauty formulas.
Cons: May lack some of Santal 33’s depth and smokiness depending on your skin chemistry.

Maison Louis Marie No. 04 is widely acknowledged as one of the closest ‘twins’ to Santal 33. Whether you choose the oil, spray, or candle, you get an elegantly balanced sandalwood-rich scent that truly feels niche.

ALT. Fragrances – F’n Fantastic

Price: $39
Best For: Powerful projection on a budget
Key Notes: Sandalwood, leather, iris, papyrus, musk
Pros: Obvious Santal 33 inspiration; projects well; affordable bottle size.
Cons: Slightly more synthetic top notes, but dries down into a familiar base.

For fragrance fans who love a bold sillage and want a recognizable interpretation of Santal 33, F’n Fantastic is a can’t-miss dupe.

Urban Outfitters – The No. 05 Santal Supreme

Price: $20
Best For: Students and minimalists seeking style on a shoestring
Key Notes: Sandalwood, papyrus, musky undertones
Pros: Impressive likeness for the price; convenient rollerball format.
Cons: Slightly lighter than the original; may require reapplication for longevity.

This grab-and-go rollerball is a revelation for Santal-lovers seeking pure convenience.

Commodity Scent Space Book (Personal)

Price: $135
Best For: Niche scent aficionados wanting sophistication with a twist
Key Notes: Sandalwood, cedarwood, amber, vetiver, musk, violet, cardamom
Pros: Shares Santal 33’s DNA with additional creamy, modern nuances; understated yet attention-grabbing.
Cons: Higher price point among dupes, but still undercuts Le Labo significantly.

Though not an exact copy, Commodity Book carries a bookish sandalwood complexity reminiscent of Santal 33, especially in its ‘Personal’ version.

Nemah The Eau de Parfum

Price: $79
Best For: Clean beauty enthusiasts
Key Notes: Sandalwood, amber, musk, violet, soft florals
Pros: Understated, clean formula; shares Santal 33’s spirit with a touch of modern freshness.
Cons: Less projection, best for close-to-the-skin scenting.

Nemah offers a gentle take on the Santal 33 trend, perfect for those who want their fragrance to feel personal and non-intrusive.

Why Choose a Santal 33 Dupe?

Affordability: Get the signature scent at a fraction of the price.
Experimentation: Try sandalwood fragrances before investing in the full Le Labo bottle.
Product Variety: Experience the scent in everything from body sprays to candles to room diffusers.
Everyday Use: Wear your favorite aroma anxiety-free, knowing it won’t break the bank if you need to spray often.

How to Pick the Right Santal 33 Alternative

Consider your skin chemistry, preferences for projection and longevity, and desired application format. While some dupes echo Santal 33’s core almost exactly, others interpret its woody-floral DNA in unique, captivating ways. Sampling a few side by side is the best way to find your signature match.

Comparison Table: Best Santal 33 Dupes at a Glance

Dupe Name	Price	Best For	Notes
Le Labo Santal 33	$230+	The original, most iconic	Sandalwood, leather, papyrus, cedar
Dossier Woody Sandalwood	$49	Best overall dupe	Sandalwood, cardamom, musk
Fine’ry Jungle Santal	$30	Best budget	Sandalwood, papyrus, cedar
Maison Louis Marie No. 04	$64	Best luxury oil/candle	Sandalwood, vetiver, cedarwood
ALT. F’n Fantastic	$39	Best sillage	Sandalwood, musk, iris
Urban Outfitters Santal Supreme	$20	Best for students/travel	Sandalwood, papyrus, musk
Commodity Scent Space Book	$135	Best luxury niche	Sandalwood, amber, cardamom
Nemah The Eau de Parfum	$79	Best for clean beauty	Sandalwood, amber, musk

Additional Ways to Enjoy the Santal 33 Scent

Body lotions and creams: Layering the scent helps it last longer and gives new dimensions to the fragrance.
Home candles: Let your living room or workspace fill with the spa-like aura of sandalwood and creamy amber.
Reed or electronic diffusers: Safe for spaces where open flames aren’t allowed.

Many dupe brands now offer complementary products like body washes, lotions, and home scents for a cohesive scent profile in your life.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What makes a fragrance a ‘dupe’?

A: A dupe is a product intentionally formulated or crafted to closely resemble the scent profile of a well-known (usually high-end) fragrance, offering a similar look, feel, or experience at a lower price.

Q: Are dupes as long-lasting as the original Santal 33?

A: Some dupes have impressive longevity, but most fall slightly short of the original’s projection and wear time. Applying to moisturized skin or layering with matching products can help extend their scent.

Q: Is it worth still buying the original Santal 33?

A: If budget isn’t a concern and you’re pursuing the truest scent possible—plus the luxury experience and brand cachet—the original will always reign supreme. However, quality dupes offer 90% of the experience for a fraction of the investment.

Q: Can I layer dupe and original fragrances?

A: Absolutely—layering allows deeper complexity, longer wear, and can mask any subtle differences between the dupe and the original.

Key Takeaways

Santal 33’s magic is no longer reserved for elite budgets—these dupes prove high-luxury scents can be smart, accessible, and everyday-wearable.
Choose your dupe based on price, projection, and versatility; there’s a perfect fit for every fragrance wardrobe.
You don’t have to break the bank to smell iconic—experiment, layer, and enjoy.

References

Author

Sneha TeteBeauty & Lifestyle Writer

Sneha is a relationships and lifestyle writer with a strong foundation in applied linguistics and certified training in relationship coaching. She brings over five years of writing experience to thebridalbox, crafting thoughtful, research-driven content that empowers readers to build healthier relationships, boost emotional well-being, and embrace holistic living.

Read full bio of Sneha Tete