Sensus Absolute Santal by Avon

Watch out from the start: it’s a catalogue fragrance. Longevity is a 5, but the scent gives a 10 out of 10. The sandalwood is creamy, not like Santal 33, but that spicy opening with cardamom is both peppery and sweet. After half an hour, you’re left with that exquisite sandalwood trail. For the price and quality, highly recommended. If longevity fails, buy two bottles and use one every two hours without any problem.

Along with its brother ‘Absolute Sensus’, this is another gem. That cardamom note and the sandalwood base are a treat. Every time I put it on, it’s to relax. I use it to go to work during my night shifts (I work in a hospital), and my guard duties feel much calmer when I smell my own perfume. Another gem that doesn’t envy any designer scent.

Personally, I didn’t like it. In the reviews, I saw it’s a good option to start familiarising yourself before trying more expensive sandalwood options. I hope to smell a higher-quality one like Santal to know if this note isn’t for me, or if it’s just the quality of this perfume.

My Avon receptionist gave it to me. I regularly use strong perfumes, citrus, spicy, or woody ones; this is very subtle, intimate, and warm, reminding me of my mother’s dressing table while she was getting ready. It felt a bit feminine, but I’m still using it. It’s very rich, subtle, like pastries, nothing invasive, and with great longevity. A few weeks ago, I smelled Santal 33 on a nephew, wow, it’s rich, strong, and delicious, I think it earned its reputation. Absolute Santal is a blatant copy, synthetic smell and small sillage, but the longevity is good and it manages to be more masculine than S33. To be from Avon, I’m surprised by this quality. It’s a good copy and I recommend it.

Good heavens, Avon, what’s happening to you lately? Your perfumes are improving so much. Are you changing perfumers or have you added better-quality ingredients? I don’t know, but keep it up. It smells like old wood, from a fine barbershop, very vintage and with character. The sandalwood is felt with all its beastly force, preceded by a timid milky violet, and finally a sweetness balanced by cardamom. No other perfume comes to mind right now, and that’s good. It really does smell so cool and refined… Keep it up Avon, improve to get rid of that slight artificial look that was bordering on room deodorants. Bravo Avon!

This is a gem and too good for such a low price. It’s a milky, fresh, and slightly powdery sandalwood. The main note is the sandalwood itself, showing its milky side more than creamy, so it feels almost refreshing. There’s a violet leaf/flower note that adds a slight sweetness and a green/fresh touch, just a touch. That powdery sensation from the violet flower isn’t heavy or cloying. I think it’s a very good fragrance with good sillage and medium-to-high longevity, and the best part is that they give us all this for a simply ridiculous price.

Unlike the Absolute by Sensus, this one has less sillage and longevity. It’s good, fresh, creamy, and woody. It reminds me a lot of Marc Jacobs Men and Calvin Klein Obsession Night due to that creamy woody character.

I tried both the Absolute by Sensus and this one. The Absolute Santal wins hands down: much better scent and longevity. I swapped the other one because people said it was good, but it smells generic and doesn’t last at all. The first time I smelled it at the counter, I was surprised. It smells expensive without being so: starts woody and sweet, and ends with a rich sweetness. 100% recommended.