This £33 Santal Perfume Is Giving My Luxury Fragrances a Run for Their Money

Now and again, a trending perfume note takes over and everyone wants to get their hands on a similar scent. For a few years, this note has been santal (otherwise known as sandalwood). Found in some of the best perfumes on the market, such as Le Labo Santal 33 and Dior Santal Noir, these sandalwood fragrances often have a creamy, woody, expensive aroma. That being said, they often also come with an expensive price tag.

While I truly believe that a good perfume is worth the investment, you can imagine my delight when I came across a more affordable santal scent that still carried all of those cool-girl vibes. The perfume in question is Le Smash Santal from Beauty Pie, which comes in at just over £30 for members.

Below, I've gone into every detail I want you to know about my new favourite fragrance, including exactly what it smells like, how it lasts and more. What are you waiting for? Keep on scrolling for one of the best affordable perfumes on the market...

Beauty Pie Le Smash Santal Review

The Scent

As mentioned, this is a santal scent, but there are a lot of other notes to unpack. It opens with almond, cardamom and tea leaves, before revealing a heart of vanilla and lavender. Once it dries down on the skin, you get that creamy base of sandalwood, musk and suede, that makes you want to nuzzle your nose into the perfume again and again.

It's a complex, expensive-smelling scent that can sometimes feel hard to put a finger on, but overall, it feels warm and inviting thanks to the herbaceous quality that it carries. It manages to make a statement while also feeling somewhat familiar, like that bold pair of shoes you've had for years that you can never bear to part with. It's chic, timeless and utterly divine.

The Longevity

Interestingly enough, this perfume was recently reformulated to create a more intense fragrance, allowing it to linger on the skin for longer. While I find that it doesn't wear as well on my clothing (I like to carry the bottle with me to top up on the go), at the end of the day, I can always still smell it on my wrists or décolletage, depending on where I have spritzed it.

It's not the sort of perfume that enters the room before you do, but it is the kind of scent that friends will be asking about straight after they hug you.

The Packaging

One thing that really impressed me about this perfume was the packaging. I often gravitate towards luxury fragrances as the bottles themselves are just as chic, but this minimalist design is definitely giving the rest of my perfumes a run for their money.

The Verdict

Overall, this expensive-smelling scent would be a beautiful choice as we transition from summer spritzes to autumn perfumes. It's a far cry from your typical gourmand fragrances or fruity florals, but this is why I love it so much. For just £33, it feels unique and luxurious, and you'd never guess that it wasn't designer.

Shop Beauty Pie Le Smash Santal

Shop More Beauty Pie Perfumes

Why Trust Us

At Who What Wear UK, we know that beauty isn’t one-size-fits-all. Our editors have tested thousands of products over the years—spanning skincare, makeup, hair and nails—and work closely with trusted experts including dermatologists, makeup artists and leading industry insiders to ensure every guide is well-researched, inclusive and relevant to you.

We focus on formulas that deliver, whether they’re affordable favourites or luxury investments. Our product selection is based on tangible results, ingredient know-how and what we’d truly recommend to a friend.