Santal Blanc by Van Cleef & Arpels

Just got it and it’s so fresh. If you like ripe figs, this is plenty. My Guanche babe loves it and we both wear it. It lasts forever on skin and clothes, almost all day. Smelling like this is like being under a fig tree loaded with fruit. Pure vibes. It’s fig, fig, and more fig…

Maybe for many it doesn’t last long or leave a trail, but everyone has their own skin and nose. I tried several fragrances from this brand and just sprayed this Santal Blanc on my wrist, and my god, I smelled it all afternoon. It managed to cover up the others I tried. Also, I accidentally dripped some on my jacket, and I can assure you that even after washing it, I still smell it. If you like milky fig and sandalwood, it’s a safe buy.

It’s a perfect blend of fig tree and soft woods that creates a creamy scent for any occasion. The violet gives it a floral touch, and together with the tonic part, it makes you think of a violet ice cream with delicious caramel. A fragrance appropriate for anyone looking for something soft, balanced, and charming.

The opening releases a milky fig and slightly fruity aroma, with a soft musk. As it settles, the sandalwood takes the spotlight, which in my opinion presents a perfect rendition: it’s a light woody scent, slightly floral and ethereal. On my skin, it lasted about 8 hours, projecting strongly for the first 2 or 3. I have to admit I have a weakness for the two main notes, but even within fig/sandalwood perfumes, this is a marvel. Compared, it’s more woody than Philosykos, less metallic than Santal 33, and less synthetic than Sunny Side Up (the last two go overboard with Iso E Super, which this one doesn’t). Despite resembling all of them, it’s an improved version, softer and cozier: a perfect signature perfume for all seasons except overwhelming summer. It dresses well, without being formal, totally unisex. If it weren’t for my minimalism process and having several similar ones, I would have bought it without hesitation. Highly recommended for lovers of scents that bring peace. Pleasant: 10/10 Interesting: 3/10 Versatile: 9/10 Original: 4/10

I confess I’m a lover of fig perfumes and was really eager to try the Santal Blanc. On paper, everything fits: lactonic fig, sandalwood with violet, comparisons with Philosykos, and decent performance. Lately, I’ve been guilty of impatience and letting myself be carried away by prior excitement, and that’s not good. The problem is that when I sprayed it, I thought: where is the perfume? It didn’t smell like anything, and it was only after a few seconds that it was felt very faintly. A powdery sandalwood and violet aroma, fresh and not fleshy; don’t look for the fruity side because it’s not there, only a very deep milky fig lactonic aroma that stands out in the dry down. I like the aroma a lot, it could be a signature, but its performance is terrible: I’ve felt it like someone searching for a perfume on the forearm 6 or 7 hours later, right up against the skin and soft the whole time, which has discouraged me. I thought the tester was bad and repeated with another bottle from the shelf with identical results: a softness and lack of power improper, even for perfumes for sale. The aroma is charming, maybe this exacerbates my anger, but I don’t understand how it can be sold like this. The tests were at El Corte Inglés so there are no doubts. Olfactorily it’s versatile, unisex, more woody than fruity. The powdery side comes from the sandalwood and the fig only refreshes the composition, with the same fresh tone (not fleshy) as Philosykos. Maybe that’s where the comparisons come from, but the Van Cleef one is rounder, less stationary, and more versatile. Definitely a pity, sometimes our gaze is illuminated by the excitement of a newly in-loved person, but meeting in person reduces all traces of emotion. Should look at Van Cleef, as in their private collection it seems that a large part of the perfumes has been victimized by reformulation.