Santal Vanille by 7 Virtues isn’t just another warm-and-sweet perfume—it’s a mood, a moment, and maybe even your new signature scent.

In this review, we’re breaking it all down for you: how it smells (spoiler—it’s delicious), what the bottle and packaging bring to the table, and whether the price matches the magic inside.

We’ll even talk about how you can snag a sample so you can experience its creamy, sandalwood-vanilla goodness before committing to the full bottle. Let’s dive in and see if Santal Vanille deserves a spot on your fragrance shelf.

About Santal Vanille

Who’s behind the scent?
Santal Vanille comes from The 7 Virtues, a Canadian clean‑beauty brand founded in 2010 by author-activist Barb Stegemann. Known for their powerful mantra, “Make Perfume Not War,” the brand crafts luxurious aromatherapy perfumes using fair‑trade, vegan, and cruelty‑free ingredients. They partner with farming communities in post‑conflict regions like Haiti, Rwanda, and Sri Lanka to create fragrances that uplift both spirit and society.

The brand even earned B‑Corp certification, making it one of the most ethically vetted fragrance houses out there.

Perfumery details:
Santal Vanille was introduced in 2021 as part of The 7 Virtues’ Peace Perfumes collection, timed to honor International Women’s Day. The creative mind behind its creamy, enveloping scent is perfumer Kamila Lelakova.

What is this scent all about?

• Launch Year & Positioning: Released in March 2021, it joined the brand’s Peace Perfume line—a fragrance family rooted in healing and purpose.

• Perfumer: Crafted by Kamila Lelakova, giving it a distinct and artisanal signature.

• Brand Ethos: Vegan, cruelty-free, Leaping Bunny certified, and free from phthalates, parabens, sulfates, formaldehydes, and UV inhibitors.

• Ethical Sourcing: Sandalwood from Sri Lanka supports environmental education for women; other oils are sourced via fair-trade networks in developing regions.

The Bottle

Santal Vanille’s bottle mirrors the fragrance’s uplifting yet comforting vibe—minimalist, modern, and refreshingly not overly busy.

The clear rectangular glass lets the perfume shine through, while the front label features a vibrant floral illustration against a soft coral backdrop, hinting at both the creamy vanilla sweetness and the lush botanicals inside.

The crisp black cap adds a sleek contrast. It's chic. It's fun. It's a great gift for any occasion, really. 

What Does Santal Vanille Smell Like?

Santal Vanille opens with a lively kick; think freshly cracked black pepper and aromatic cardamom swirling together for a warm, invigorating start.

The spice is balanced by olibanum (frankincense) helping it smooth out.

The middle notes of the fragrance leans into creamy sandalwood, adding a milky-wood softness that plays beautifully with the vanilla in the base. Together, you've got cozy and snuggly and all the warm fireplace things.

Despite the listed coconut note, many wearers find it elusive, making the scent less tropical and more meditative. No big deal unless that's the reason you buy it.

It’s unisex, with a slight feminine lean, perfect for cooler days or whenever you want to wrap yourself in comfort. If you’ve ever wished Le Labo Santal 33 smelled less like cucumber and more like actual sandalwood with spice—this might just be your holy grail.

Price & Value

Santal Vanille sits in the mid-to-premium niche fragrance range. At Sephora, a 50 ml (1.7 oz) bottle typically retails for around $88 USD, while a travel spray (11 ml) comes in at a more budget-friendly $32 USD. Given its 25% fragrance-oil concentration and the fact that it wears beautifully for hours, it delivers solid value for the quality.

Still, this isn’t the kind of scent you want to blind buy if you’re unsure about warm, spicy woods. Thankfully, fragrance samples are widely available, including through specialty fragrance sample sites, so you can test its peppery-cardamom sparkle and creamy vanilla base before committing to a full bottle.

Final Notes

Santal Vanille by 7 Virtues is proof that warm, spicy-woody fragrances don’t have to be heavy or overbearing. Its pepper-and-cardamom opening feels energizing, the sandalwood and vanilla heart is cozy yet refined, and the frankincense lends it a meditative depth that makes it stand out in a crowded niche market. The bottle reflects the brand’s ethical elegance, and the price, especially for the travel spray, offers a relatively accessible way to wear something that feels truly luxurious.

If you’re a fan of sandalwood fragrances, or if you’ve been let down by other cult scents in this category (looking at you, Santal 33), this could be your new go-to. And because The 7 Virtues backs its perfumes with a meaningful mission and clean, fair-trade ingredients, you’re not just smelling good—you’re doing good.

Bottom line: sample it first if you’re unsure about spicy woods, but if it clicks with your nose, you’ll have found yourself a signature scent that’s equal parts cozy hug and confidence boost.

FAQs

1. Is Santal Vanille by 7 Virtues unisex?
Yes. While its creamy vanilla and sandalwood may lean slightly feminine, the pepper, cardamom, and frankincense give it a balanced warmth that works beautifully on all genders.

2. How long does Santal Vanille last?
With a 25% fragrance-oil concentration, you can expect 6–8 hours of wear, with the woody-vanilla base lingering longest on skin and clothing.

3. Does Santal Vanille smell like coconut?
While coconut is listed in the notes, many wearers find it subtle or undetectable. It’s more of a creamy background note than a tropical beach vibe.

4. Where can I buy Santal Vanille?
It’s available at Sephora, The 7 Virtues’ official website, and select niche perfume retailers. You can also purchase fragrance samples from specialty fragrance sites before committing to a full bottle.

5. How does Santal Vanille compare to Le Labo Santal 33?
If Santal 33’s cucumber-violet leaf twist wasn’t your thing, Santal Vanille offers a warmer, spicier, and more resinous take on sandalwood without the “pickley” vibe some detect in Santal 33.