Santal Blanc by Van Cleef & Arpels

Just picked it up and what a freshness. If you like ripe figs, this is more than enough. My Guanche girl loves it and we both wear it. It lasts a long time, on skin and clothes, almost all day. Smelling like this is like being under a fig tree laden with fruit. Pure vibe. It’s fig, fig and more fig…

Perhaps 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 with this Santal Blanc I sprayed myself on a wrist and my goodness, I spent the whole afternoon smelling it. It managed to cover the others I tried. Besides, I dropped a bit on my jacket and I assure you that after washing it I still smell it. If you like milky fig and sandalwood, it’s a safe buy.

The opening releases a milky fig scent and slightly fruity, with a soft musk. As it settles, the sandalwood takes the lead, which in my taste presents a perfect rendering: 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 that 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 latter two go overboard with Iso E Super, which this doesn’t do). Despite resembling all of them, it’s an improved version, softer and more welcoming: 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

It is a blend of fig and soft woods that delivers a creamy scent, perfect for any day. The violet adds a floral touch, and combined with the tonka, it evokes a violet ice cream with caramel that sounds absolutely delicious. It’s ideal for anyone seeking something soft, balanced, and charming.

I confess that I am a lover of fig perfumes and I was very eager to try the Santal Blanc. On paper everything fits: lactonic fig, sandalwood with violet, comparisons with Philosykos and a decent performance. Lately I fall into impatience and let myself be carried away by prior illusion, and that’s not good. The problem is that when I sprayed it I thought: where is the perfume? It didn’t smell at all, and it was only after a few seconds when it was felt very faintly. A powdery sandalwood and violet scent, fresh and nothing carnose; don’t look for the fruity side because it’s not there, only a milky fig milk aroma very in the background that stands out in the dry down. I like the scent a lot, it could be a signature, but its performance is terrible: I felt it like someone looking for a perfume on the forearm 6 or 7 hours later, close to the skin and soft all the time, which has discouraged me. I thought the tester was faulty and repeated with another bottle from the shelf with identical results: a softness and lack of power improper, even for perfumes on sale. The scent is charming, perhaps 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 carnose) as Philosykos. Perhaps that’s where the comparisons come from, but the Van Cleef one is rounder, less stationary and more versatile. Undoubtedly a pity, sometimes our gaze is illuminated by the illusion of a newly in love person but meeting in person reduces all trace of emotion. One should look at Van Cleef, as in their private collection it seems that a large part of the perfumes has been parasitised by reformulation.