8 Woody Scents to See You Through Autumn
Fall in love.
Light scents with fruity, aquatic, and beachy notes characterize the beginning of summer, but come September, we’re looking to fall. Fragrances for the coming months still feel fresh (we’re not yet ready for cozy notes like leather or woodsmoke) but quieter and more contemplative, without that bright and juicy feel.
“I absolutely love summer: the warm air on my skin, the bounty of food from the garden, flowers everywhere, heading outside without having to bundle up—especially that,” says Anne Du Bois, perfumer and founder of Ontario-based Savon Du Bois. “Yet when September arrives, and there is a sudden crispness in the air, somehow I welcome it. The edge is taken off the heat, the nights are wonderfully cooler, and sleep is deep. I actually welcome that cozy extra sweater. It is a time to sit by the campfire with a mug of something warm, or warming, and to absorb the new smells in the air.”
What does that shift mean for this upcoming season’s perfumes? Woody notes, whether the earthy petrichor of ginseng roots or the sweetness of the shiu tree. “Woody notes are a beautiful bridge between seasons because they bring warmth and depth while still maintaining freshness,” says Raphaël Gaspard, founder of Gaspard Premier. “Cedarwood, sandalwood, vetiver, hinoki, and green botanical notes can feel crisp and airy without moving into heavier winter territories like leather or tobacco.”
If you’re looking for a subtle fall reset, here are eight perfumes to try.
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7 Virtues Santal Vanille
Coconut top notes ease the transition from summer, while myrrh and sandalwood welcome fall. All perfumes from this Canadian brand are made from sustainably sourced oils and have aromatherapy properties. This scent is said to focus the mind, release tension, and leave the wearer with a feeling of peace.
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Gaspard Premier Chalet L’Huile Sauvage
First there’s sweet smoke and burnt wood, then earthy green vetiver, and finally moss and cedar. The oil, which has ingredients including squalane and jojoba, can be used as a nourishing hair and face treatment as well as fragrance. “It blends the grounding qualities of woods with a sense of softness and sensuality, making it a natural transition into early fall,” Gaspard says. It comes as a room spray and EDP too.
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Hermès Hermessence Ginseng Biloba Eau de Parfum
The woody bitterness of ginseng root meets the golden glow of ginkgo biloba leaves for a fragrance that suits both men and women. It comes in a refillable bottle with a mustard-yellow leather cap.
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Le Labo Shiu 25 Eau de Parfum
Shiu 25 is usually exclusive to Beijing, but until September 30—like all Le Labo City Exclusive perfumes—the scent can be purchased globally. The newest addition to the City Exclusive range, it is inspired by Beijing’s quiet artisan spaces. The heart note is shiu wood, and there’s also iris and olibanum (frankincense).
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Louis Vuitton Ambre Levant Cologne
Part of Vuitton’s Journey to the Middle East collection, this is designed to bring to mind the moment when day turns to night—the heat of the sun is still present, but the shadows are beginning to fall. Amber and oud wood are combined with mandarin, cinnamon, and white pepper in a woody scent. The personalizable bottle is refillable in Louis Vuitton stores that have a perfume fountain.
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Maison Martin Margiela Replica Autumn Vibes Eau de Toilette
A woody, spicy, crisp fragrance, perfect for September days when you feel the air begin to shift. It starts with cardamom and pink pepper, and dries down to cedar, moss, and balsam, with hints of red berry.
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Savon Du Bois Into the Woods Essential Oil Rollerball
Anne Du Bois says this essential oil blend is “gently nostalgic for summer’s sunny warmth but begins to draw me into all that I eagerly welcome about the next season.” It opens with bergamot and the musky floral of Spanish rock rose, then forest notes like juniper and balsam fir appear, and finally, earthy, woody cedar and oakmoss. “My objective with this fragrance was to create a sensory ecosystem, mirroring the transition from summer into autumn by moving us from the top fresh, airy notes, through resinous, woody middle notes, to arrive into the more elemental scents of the deep forest.”
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The Maker Stag Eau de Parfum
A rich scent, this has notes of palo santo, a fragrant wood from a South American tree. The scent itself was inspired by an antique ink flask, and the fluted glass of the bottle nods to that.
