Ylang 49 vs Oud Wood — Fragrance Comparison | Fraganty
Ylang 49 vs Oud Wood
Side-by-side comparison of Ylang 49 by Le Labo and Oud Wood by Tom Ford
Le Labo
2015feminine
3.84(1,335)
Accords
Tom Ford
2007feminine
4.29(16,368)
Accords
Comparison Summary
Shared Accords (2)
WoodyWarm Spicy
Attribute
Ylang 49
Oud Wood
Brand
Le Labo
Tom Ford
Year
2015
2007
Rating
3.84
4.29
Concentration
—
—
Gender
feminine
feminine
Total Notes
0
0
Community Sentiment Pulse — Ylang 49
Mixed
18 opinions · Source: r/fragrance community
6.5
/10
Ylang 49 is a divisive fragrance with strong opinions in both directions. The community appreciates its modern chypre composition and unique floral-earthiness, but notes that its patchouli-forward profile and earthy, somewhat dated character make it not universally appealing. Best suited for fragrance adventurers who enjoy intense florals and earthy notes rather than mainstream audiences.
Positive
Unique and interesting composition with strong floral-chypre character
Excellent longevity and projection
Great for those who love ylang ylang, gardenia, and oakmoss notes
Negative
Patchouli-forward which may be off-putting for patchouli-sensitive wearers
Polarizing scent with a love-it-or-hate-it quality
Department store aesthetic that some find dated or old-fashioned
Community Sentiment Pulse — Oud Wood
Positive
70 opinions · Source: r/fragrance community
7.8
/10
Tom Ford Oud Wood is genuinely well-regarded by the community as a beautiful, unique woody fragrance that deserves its reputation despite hype concerns. However, poor skin longevity (especially post-reformulation) is a consistent frustration for the price point, leading many to recommend cheaper alternatives like Nishane Kredo or Thameen Carved Oud for better performance.
Positive
Unique, elegant woody scent with cardamom and sandalwood warmth
Well-liked by others, receives compliments
Versatile for everyday wear and professional settings
Excellent performance on clothes (lasts 10+ hours)
Negative
Poor skin longevity (1-4 hours) for the premium price
Doesn't smell like traditional oud—more synthetic and sweet
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between Ylang 49 and Oud Wood?+
Ylang 49 is a feminine fragrance (marketed to women, though wearable by all) from Le Labo (2015) dominated by Woody accords. Oud Wood is a feminine fragrance (marketed to women, though wearable by all) from Tom Ford (2007) leaning on Woody accords. They share 2 accords: Woody, Warm Spicy.
Woody
100%
Earthy
69%
Yellow Floral
52%
Patchouli
50%
Mossy
46%
White Floral
41%
Best: Fall (100%)Day (91%)
Woody
100%
Warm Spicy
69%
Oud
68%
Aromatic
50%
Vanilla
44%
Balsamic
41%
Best: Fall (100%)Night (90%)
Which is better, Ylang 49 or Oud Wood?+
By community rating, Ylang 49 scores 3.84/5 vs Oud Wood at 4.29/5. On r/fragrance, Ylang 49 sits at 6.5/10 (mixed) while Oud Wood is 7.8/10 (positive). Ylang 49's standout strength: Unique and interesting composition with strong floral-chypre character. Oud Wood's standout strength: Unique, elegant woody scent with cardamom and sandalwood warmth. The "better" choice depends on what you value — longevity, projection, season fit, or signature character.
Do Ylang 49 and Oud Wood smell similar?+
They share a small fraction of their ingredients — expect noticeably different experiences. Ylang 49: Ylang 49 is a divisive fragrance with strong opinions in both directions. Oud Wood: Tom Ford Oud Wood is genuinely well-regarded by the community as a beautiful, unique woody fragrance that deserves its reputation despite hype concerns.
Which lasts longer, Ylang 49 or Oud Wood?+
Ylang 49: Excellent longevity and projection Oud Wood: Excellent performance on clothes (lasts 10+ hours) Longevity varies by skin chemistry, concentration, and application method.
Which season suits Ylang 49 vs Oud Wood?+
Ylang 49 scores highest for fall wear; Oud Wood scores highest for fall wear. Ylang 49 leans daytime, Oud Wood leans evening.
Dry down on fabric can smell like wet dirt and moss, which not everyone enjoys
Recent reformulation weaker than original version
Expensive with cheaper dupes and alternatives available
