6 Perfumes Similar To Santal Calling Ex Nihilo [2024]

My cousin became a huge fan of Santal Calling by Ex Nihilo after trying it from me.

She really loves the smooth essence of sandalwood and vanilla in this fragrance, but being a student, the expensive fragrance goes way over her budget.

Watching her sad face, I started to find some alternatives to this fragrance that fall easily into her pocketbook and also offer great performance.

So, in this article, I’ll be sharing some dupes of Santal Calling. And to know them in detail, tag along!

What Does Santal Calling Ex Nihilo Smell Like?

Santal Calling by Ex Nihilo is a woody aroma that offers a perfect spicy, aromatic start from the nutmeg. The powdery iris mingling with the creamy milk notes makes a comforting smell in the heart. In the end, it flourishes a woody, musky aura collaborating with sweet doses of vanilla.

Before moving to details. Let’s see what the perfumer chose while blending Santal Calling by Ex Nihilo:

Top Note: Nutmeg

Middle Notes: Iris and Milk

Base Notes: Sandalwood, Musk and Vanilla

Launched in 2022, Santal Calling is a creation of the great perfumer Antoine Maisondieu. He artistically formulated the aroma in a way that evokes a bright, soothing sensation, ultimately leading to addiction.

In the first sniff, you will perceive a strong, spicy aroma hovering around as nutmeg kicks in the top.

After a while, an enchanting floral hint of iris mixed with the sweet, creamy milk notes. I feel the milk in this layer perfectly compensates the dry powdery accord of the iris and amazingly makes a soothing, lingering trail.

Finally, once the fragrance settles, you’ll get a sensual, musky smell infusing an addictive vibe while blending with woody yet creamy sandalwood.

Nevertheless, vanilla is an added bonus in the dry down. The sweet gourmand aroma makes the finishing line more interesting and long-lasting.

With just 3 to 4 pumps of Santal Calling, you will experience 7 to 8 hours of longevity, and its moderate projection is enough to make your presence noticeable to the people standing at your arm’s length.

What Are The Perfumes Similar To Santal Calling Ex Nihilo?

By now, you are well-aligned with the smelling profile of Santal Calling. Even though this alluring smell is a desired fragrance for sandalwood lovers, its hefty price tag is a pain point for some.

However, in this write-out, I penned down the suitable budget-friendly replacements after lots of research and testing to make your purchase journey a bit easier.

So, here are the 6 alternatives of Santal Calling by Ex Nihilo:

1. Milky Musk 39 Parle Moi de Parfum

The first substitute on my list is Milky Musk 39, which is a beautiful, creamy sandalwood fragrance launched by Michel Almairac in the year 2016.

It is a well-balanced fragrance that doesn’t feel overly sweet, powdery, or synthetic on the skin. It consists of just two ingredients, which are sandalwood and musk.

After spraying for the first time, all you can perceive is a good dose of woody yet creamy sandalwood tint.

Then, the sensual smell of musk reveals its presence prominently, making the aroma smooth and buttery with a hint of sweetness.

On my skin, I got a solid 8-hour performance with just a few sprays, and my partner loves its delicate and fairly intoxicating vibe every time I wear it on our date nights.

When to Wear

Milky Musk 39 is a versatile perfume that can be worn in any season without thinking much. However, to me, it shines best on fall days, but it’s better to avoid wearing it during night occasions.

Why Should You Buy

2. Intime.Extime Pierre Guillaume Paris

I got Intime.Extime by Pierre Guillaume Paris from my bestie as a present at my bridal shower, and this amber fragrance literally enchanted me right from the first whiff.

Starting with the floral bouquet of fresh, powdery Italian iris and white tea, the aroma is a pure treat to my nose.

This is a type of smell that can never go wrong in any environment. It evokes a beautiful, energizing sensation and feels like fuelling your mood positively in each transition.

In the mid-phase, the fusion of celestial incense and powdery notes adds some warmth and depth to the perfume.

As the fragrance mellows, the aura settles on the base of sweet and creamy vanilla, where white wood draws the closing line by radiating a moist, earthy overtone.

Intime.Extime offers a decent trail that feels great when you want to smell fresh but classy. Its 6+ hours of longevity is enough to cheer up your mood throughout the day at the office.

When to Wear

The bright spring and fall days will be the best time to wear Intime.Extime. I love to wear this at family events and indoor parties.

Also, if you want, you can wear it during summer and winter by spraying accordingly.

Why Should You Buy

3. She Was An Anomaly Etat Libre d’Orange

I found the gem, She Was An Anomaly by Etat Libre d’Orange, on my social media feed while I was looking for the dupe of Santal Calling.

This woody-floral fragrance was brought to light in the year 2019 by the perfumer Daniela (Roche) Andrier, and its sailing hype says everything about the magnificent smell.

At the top, the sparkling, fruity-citrusy aroma of green tangerine injects a perfect, fresh, and lively touch, ensuring a great start.

The heart is full of a sweet rush from the melodious fusion of vanilla orchid and fruity, juicy plum. Alongside, you will get a smoky hint as the incense joins the show.

In the dry down, the woody, resinous smell of sandalwood and amber intensifies the aroma, taking you to a different dimension.

Furthermore, as it clings for some more time, the attractive creamy smell of musk will undoubtedly melt your heart at this phase.

When to Wear

She Was An Anomaly is a top-notch pick when you are looking for a perfect spring scent. It also projects really well during summer and fall, but I found it’s more daytime scent as it radiates less at night.

Why Should You Buy

4. Voile d’Ocre Yves Rocher

If you are a true lover of Santal Calling, then undoubtedly Voile d’Ocre Yves Rocher is your piece of cake.

It is a creamy sandalwood perfume that smells classy and luxurious. I absolutely love it, and even with a moderate sillage and projection, it never fails to pull compliments whenever I wear it.

Opening with a dusty, timbery nuance of sandalwood, the perfume begins its journey by channeling a ride into a deep, dark forest on a lovely winter morning.

As I dug deep, I got a warm, complex, yet inviting sensation from the woodsy cedar that lingered the whole time. Surprisingly, I also got a slight milky hint of fig at this phase, even though it was not listed in the note pyramid.

Overall, if you are looking for something quite elegant and unique but still easy to wear on a daily basis Voile d’Ocre is an outstanding alternative to Santal Calling.

Well, as this offers moderate performance, you need to spray a few extra pumps. But don’t worry, as this is affordable and doesn’t fall heavy on the pocket, so it feels perfectly okay.

When to Wear

Voile d’Ocre Yves Rocher is ideally suited for winter and fall when the weather is mildly cool. You can inoffensively wear it to a big family dinner,  birthday party, or hangout to portray your feminist trait.

Why Should You Buy

5. Katy Perry’s Indi Katy Perry

Upon the first spritz, Katy Perry’s Indi greeted me with a bright, fruity-citrusy splash of bergamot, plum, and the mood-lifting white tea aura.

Being a tea lover, both me and my mother love this type of refreshing opening.

In the core, the lily of the valley and cyclamen flawlessly leave an oriental touch, where the crispiness of white cedar extract rounds up everything to make it long-lasting.

Next comes the show’s star, musk. In this layer, you will sense gorgeous doses of different types of musky hints.

Moreover, I enjoyed how the collaboration of amber and gourmand nutty tonka bean smell amplifies the aura, making it more addictive and sensual as it reaches the finishing line.

My mother is a very picky person about her fragrances, but she says it blend well with her body chemistry and sits close to her skin with 9 hours of lasting power.

Doesn’t it sound amazing at this affordable price range? I know you are going to agree with me after trying this outstanding replica of Santal Calling.

When to Wear

Apart from the excessive heat of summer, Katy Perry’s Indi is a good fit for fall, spring, and winter. Plus, as it flourishes less during the night, don’t forget to spray a little extra at night events.

Why Should You Buy

6. 106 damascena rose, davana, vanilla Bon Parfumeur

To me, the last dupe, 106 Damascena rose, davana, and vanilla, is a sweet-smelling fragrance that brings back a lot of memories in each transition.

Initially, you’ll be stoked by the strong, fiery, sizzling smell of pink pepper that gives off a pungent and warm ambiance to the surroundings.

Moments ahead, the burning aroma is beautifully tamed down with the sweet, powdery aroma of damask rose and the green herbal nuance of davana.

The perfumer artistically created this layer, and you’ll see everything perfectly compensating each other to create a magical core.

In the dry down, the heartwarming combination of vanilla and musk offers a different, addictive vibe, which I really adore. All inclusively, you will get 10 hours of longevity and a captivating trail to impress people in your proximity.

When to Wear

106 is versatile enough to be worn throughout the year. This timeless scent will make you confident and evoke a sense of comfort throughout your journey.

Why Should You Buy

Parting Notes

Santal Calling by Ex Nihilo is an exquisite blend of quality ingredients that amazingly reflects your sophisticated, feminine nature without being too overpowering.

Still, if you want to enjoy the similar vibe more with some different twists and touches, then you can have a look at my suggested substitutes. They will surely mesmerize you with their smooth, refined composition.

So, check the list and pick the one that suits you best. Don’t forget to keep me updated in the comment box.

Till then, goodbye!