Santal Blush by Tom Ford

I love woody fragrances, so I had to try it even though it was far from my budget. Unfortunately for my wallet, I ended up buying it after testing it. I can’t describe how captivating it is, but its scent reminds me of my childhood at my grandfather’s house, listening to him play the bandoneón. It’s totally for cold weather, unisex (leaning masculine, nothing sweet), and for personal enjoyment. Yes, it smells a bit like a wedding buffet in the Middle East due to the spices, and yes, it’s invasive for being sandalwood, but it remains elegant. Yes, despite projecting little while the spices last, when it fades, you’re left with a subtle skin scent of sandalwood and pepper. Yes, it’s brutally expensive, but I haven’t found sandalwood I enjoy as much for less. I love the opening, I love the dry down, I hate the price. Pleasant: 10/10 Interesting: 7/10 Versatile: 8/10 Original: 8/10

From Tom Ford, this is the first and only one I haven’t liked. It starts intense but fades abruptly. After a short while, it just smells like ylang-ylang, light but annoying, accompanied by a very spicy and woody aroma, like excessive sandalwood. I don’t see a good balance, little sillage, and poor longevity. It reminds me a bit of Lolita Lempicka’s Elle L’aime due to the ylang-ylang, but even that one I like more; it has a better composition. I perceive coconut, even though the notes don’t list it. I don’t know if it’s just me, but I swear I smell it. I expected more, since Tom Ford always creates complex works of art. But Santal Blush just doesn’t work for me; nothing like its siblings Tobacco Vanille or Neroli Portofino…

Santal Blush is in the ‘incense stick’ line like Zadig&Voltaire, but I like this one more because it’s softer and less punchy. It leaves a warmer, more woody aroma over time. It’s less obvious than Zadig&V, I like it much more, even though it’s not my style. It’s very unisex, very masculine. I don’t want it for myself, but Tom Ford surprises me with its personality-driven scents. Basically, you smell it and it doesn’t smell like any other perfumery. It has presence. And that, in these times, is something to appreciate. You have to try perfumes from this house, because they aren’t for everyone. And they surprise.

Santal Blush was my favorite for a long time. It’s elegant, sophisticated, and full of personality. It’s not for everyone: it’s a spicy, intense, and unique sandalwood scent—you either love it or hate it. It doesn’t try to please everyone or go unnoticed. It’s clearly a nighttime, cold-weather fragrance, deep, enveloping, with incredible longevity. A perfume with character, presence, and a distinct identity. ✨ Incredible perfume.

Santal Blush was my olfactory fetish for a long time. Elegant, sophisticated, and full of personality, it’s not for everyone: a spicy, intense, and unique sandalwood that you either love or hate. It doesn’t seek to please anyone or go unnoticed. It’s clearly a nighttime and cold-weather scent, deep, enveloping, with brutal longevity. A perfume with character, presence, and a distinct identity. ✨ Incredible.

I love it! A curious thing is that it’s one of Taylor Swift’s fragrances, and she definitely has good taste. For me, it’s a delightful woody, spicy, and floral scent; the oud is quite ‘friendly,’ clean, and very woody, bringing sandalwood to mind. I recommend testing it before buying blindly, as many people don’t like it. In my opinion, it’s a hidden gem.

I love you, Taylor; I tried this just for you, but no. It’s very spicy and woody; if you like it, give it a chance, but if you’re looking for something vanilla and fruity, stay away. An invasive cinnamon with sandalwood and spices, plus oud, makes it formal and not very youthful. PS: Taylor Swift wore this perfume at the Grammys!

An uncommon perfume where the sandalwood is framed within floral fragrances, making it special and different from other sandalwoods. I liked it…