I Never Want to Smell Like Anyone Else in the Room—This Sneaky Fragrance Note Is My Secret

Key notes: Aromatic clean accord, cinnamon, hinoki wood, cedarwood

I tried this rich, woody fragrance last fall and fully got stopped by a stranger when I wore it out. It definitely isn't my normal scent MO. I usually go for sweeter, fruitier scents, but there's something so magical about the combination of notes here. Cinnamon pairs so well with hinoki wood and cedarwood. It's a really unique scent that promises endless compliments.

Key notes: Bergamot, orange blossom, hinoki

Hinoki is also known for being fresh and earthy with a warm, slightly sweet undercurrent. Salt Stone's body mist does such a good job at highlighting the note of hinoki here. Orange blossom and bergamot really bring out the earthiness of the scent profile. It's also a little more budget-friendly if you're looking for a way to smell unique and luxurious without hitting the $50 mark.

Key notes: Hinoki wood, cedarwood, patchouli, white musk

Hinoki is featured as the top note of this warm, woody fragrance, so it'll be the first thing you smell. This scent was inspired by founder Marie de Petit Thouars and her childhood in Belgium. Playing in her grandfather's plant nursery and experimenting with scents brought her to this unique combination of notes. Patchouli is a rich note here, but cedarwood and hinoki balance it out beautifully.

Key notes: Cardamom, pear, hinoki, cedarwood, oakmoss, smoked amber

This is a classic Boy Smells scent featuring hinoki. Honestly, I discovered this as a fragrance note because of this particular fragrance. I remember thinking it was so unique and interesting. It opens with a spicy-sweet zing of cardamom and pear. The dry-down is where you really start to smell the earthy, woody notes of hinoki, smoked amber, and cedarwood.

Key notes: Cypress, frankincense, vetiver

While Aesop's Hwyl isn't explicitly a hinoki perfume, its smoky, woody, and spicy scent profile is meant to evoke the aroma of an ancient hinoki forest. Basically, it's a serene forest-bathing session, bottled.

Low-key, this is my other secret to smelling luxurious and unique—a high-end hand cream with lush notes of hinoki. This hand cream's scent is inspired by the Buddhist temples of Mount Koya, which are surrounded by the mystical and relaxing scent of hinoki wood. If a full-on fine fragrance isn't in the budget right now, try this instead. You won't be disappointed. The notes in this cream are still strong enough for people to ask me what I put on when I use it, and the rich texture keeps my perpetually dry hands as smooth as ever.

Key notes: Japanese hinoki, cedarwood, Siberian fir

Your bodycare routine deserves a little aromatherapy. A hinoki-scented body oil will add so much longevity to your fragrance and doubles its projection power. Wonder Valley's oil is packed with a scent combination of rare Siberian fir and hinoki while deeply hydrating the skin with sunflower-seed oil, shea butter, and olive-fruit oil.

Key notes: Hinoki, basil, magnolia, vetiver

I love Nécessaire's bodywashes. The Santal scent has always been a favorite, but now, I'm determined to try the Hinoki one as well. This features gentle acids to really soften and cleanse the skin, resveratrol to soothe skin and provide antioxidant protection, and calming Japanese hinoki oil to bring relaxation.

A room spray might seem extra AF, but hear me out. Much like an essential oil diffuser, a room spray can bring instant clearing and relaxation. This particular spray from Cedar and Myrrh is ideal for grounding rituals and meditation or if you just want to spritz something uplifting before having friends over. You can even use it as a linen spray to make you feel like you're in a fancy hotel.