11
Very helpful Review
My emotional encounter with the mysterious sandalwood
We all know that not all sandalwood sold to us is genuine. A staggering 80% of perfumes sold worldwide contain synthetic sandalwood scent. Other woods are also sold as sandalwood, often referring to "Amyris balsamifera," also known as "West Indian sandalwood," a lauraceous plant from the Caribbean islands that emits a scent similar to sandalwood.
Real sandalwood oil primarily comes from India, often from the area around the city of Mysore, and is then referred to as Mysore sandalwood. In Asia, sandalwood is used not only as incense but also for furniture making.
In our region, its use is limited to perfumes and incense, as well as oil for aromatherapy. It is said to have relaxing, protective, and harmonizing effects and has a balsamic, warm, and softly woody scent. In combination with sensual fragrance notes like ylang-ylang, jasmine, geranium, etc., it can develop a very erotic scent.
Sandalwood is a very dense wood that does not float in water and does not impart any color to the water. Since high-quality sandalwood can only be harvested from trees that are at least 30 years old, one can imagine how rare and precious this sandalwood is.
For perfume production, the essential oil is extracted from the shavings of the sandalwood and the root, with a yield of only about 1 kg of oil per 20 kg of wood. Therefore, sandalwood oil obtained in this way is used only for high-quality perfumes.
I have such a high-quality perfume in front of me: Secret Sandalwood. The scent starts off fresh and floral, with no trace of the bitterness or sharpness of bergamot or its citrus notes. Instead, it is more the Tiaré flower that spreads its beauty through its fragrance right from the top notes.
Like Wild Oud, Secret Sandalwood also has almost no progression. Directly following the floral, fresh, cheerful opening is the calm, gentle, balancing, and incredibly erotic ylang-sandalwood note, which remains for several hours. No significant ups and downs, no sharpness or heaviness, just the most beautiful sandalwood note I have ever smelled.
As beautiful as I find the scent and as perfectly crafted as it is, over time it would be a bit too tame for me. I would probably layer it with a fragrance that lacks this balsamic warmth and sensuality. Therefore, I can only give it 70%.
Anyone who prefers calm, balancing, and very skin-close scents would surely find their favorite fragrance in Secret Sandalwood.
Real sandalwood oil primarily comes from India, often from the area around the city of Mysore, and is then referred to as Mysore sandalwood. In Asia, sandalwood is used not only as incense but also for furniture making.
In our region, its use is limited to perfumes and incense, as well as oil for aromatherapy. It is said to have relaxing, protective, and harmonizing effects and has a balsamic, warm, and softly woody scent. In combination with sensual fragrance notes like ylang-ylang, jasmine, geranium, etc., it can develop a very erotic scent.
Sandalwood is a very dense wood that does not float in water and does not impart any color to the water. Since high-quality sandalwood can only be harvested from trees that are at least 30 years old, one can imagine how rare and precious this sandalwood is.
For perfume production, the essential oil is extracted from the shavings of the sandalwood and the root, with a yield of only about 1 kg of oil per 20 kg of wood. Therefore, sandalwood oil obtained in this way is used only for high-quality perfumes.
I have such a high-quality perfume in front of me: Secret Sandalwood. The scent starts off fresh and floral, with no trace of the bitterness or sharpness of bergamot or its citrus notes. Instead, it is more the Tiaré flower that spreads its beauty through its fragrance right from the top notes.
Like Wild Oud, Secret Sandalwood also has almost no progression. Directly following the floral, fresh, cheerful opening is the calm, gentle, balancing, and incredibly erotic ylang-sandalwood note, which remains for several hours. No significant ups and downs, no sharpness or heaviness, just the most beautiful sandalwood note I have ever smelled.
As beautiful as I find the scent and as perfectly crafted as it is, over time it would be a bit too tame for me. I would probably layer it with a fragrance that lacks this balsamic warmth and sensuality. Therefore, I can only give it 70%.
Anyone who prefers calm, balancing, and very skin-close scents would surely find their favorite fragrance in Secret Sandalwood.
Translated · Show original
4 Comments
Ergoproxy 11 years ago
It reminds me of another fragrance, but I can't quite recall which one. I find it very powdery and subtle.
Translated · Show originalShow translation
Ergoproxy 12 years ago
I can be a bit picky when it comes to pure sandalwood. :)
Translated · Show originalShow translation
Florblanca 12 years ago
It's only tropical floral at the beginning, dear Turandot. For about the first hour. After that, it becomes wonderfully soft, warm, and balsamic woody.
Translated · Show originalShow translation
Turandot 12 years ago
This reminds me of Santal by L'Oientaliste, although that one is supposed to have only sandalwood in it. I can imagine it being wonderfully tropical combined with Tiare flowers.
Translated · Show originalShow translation