De Los Santos by Byredo

I have an extra table from an IKEA piece of furniture, okay? I didn’t want to throw away the solid wood, so I left it on top of the washing machine on the terrace in the sun. From time to time, I wiped it with a damp cloth, and wow, that unmistakable scent of wet wood (like the planks at the beach bar when people who have just had a shower walk on them) is De los Santos. At first, it is lovely, a realistic impression of water falling on beach planks. And then… it turns into that wet wood of a summer storm dragging something dirty along. In fact, it is the pure scent of the Tajín on a michelada. There is a third phase, tested on blotting paper (not on skin, where it develops crystal clear and luxurious), which is the scent of a car that is not very new, nor old, after being parked in the sun on the coast in September following a holiday. You open the car and there is that mix of overheated upholstery, remnants of rain, calima, and the dusty residue of a worn-out air freshener. It is strange, but exactly as it is. De los Santos is original and passes through unsettling moments. As an olfactory rollercoaster, it is a marvel. I have not seen similar perfumes.

De los Santos is a perfume without artifice, simple and a perfect example of less is more. Everything revolves around intelligent choices with the materials, proving it is well-crafted by the perfumer. It is one of the few with a very marked Palo Santo note, beautifully rounded. It has sweet and slightly green nuances. Accompanied by simple woody accords, mainly Ambroxan and Iso E Super with a touch of vanilla, it creates a woody and slightly sweet fragrance that is easy yet very enjoyable to wear. To balance the green notes of the Palo Santo, the perfumer adds sage sclarea, with a fresh character and spicy nuances. This sage, very present at the start, gives it a touch of formality and its own character. Simple but chic, it does not need to mix a multitude of notes seeking something overly complex. It is a good scent that denotes quality, perfect for everyday wear, although it has enough presence for special occasions. Best wishes.

I belong to the generation that played in the streets, and even luckier because I lived near the countryside. Right where the road met the grass, there was a poorly sealed pipe outlet that slowly leaked water. We’d all go there to drink when it was hot; the ground would always stay green and blooming around the puddle. I forgot that scent until I found De los Santos by Byredo: it smells identical to that corner of my childhood. To me, it’s a miracle; I bless it every time I wear it. It smells green, lush, of damp nature and solitude. It’s not sophisticated, but it is very intimate, or that’s what it conveys to me.

Totally green and spicy, a delight for me, but if you are of the ‘vie belle’ persuasion, forget it, hahaha, this is not for you. It is very unisex, not very feminine, but I wear it even as a man without any problem. It is enjoyed personally; when I sweat, the spice aroma emerges. It is not a beast, so do not expect a minimum duration of six hours; if you want to get an idea, buy Sam Edelman Signature 😄. Another piece of information: my mother used to say it smelled like medicine.

Delightful, with an amber base, warm and with a sweet touch.