Santal Carmin

This. Fragrance. Right. Here. The warmest, cuddliest hug. It envelopes you, protects you in it’s scent bubble, but reaches out to subtly draw the attention of those around you. A quiet yet confident, demure compliment getter. So very creamy, so elegant, Just pure class! I discovered Atelier cologne years ago. Those travel size bottles helped a lot, they minimized risk, and soon enough I had a collection. Rose Anonyme really stood out to me, loved it’s uniqueness. I also loved that they were all created to be layered with each other. My rose anonyme, pomelo paradis, vanille inscensee, were my go to layered combination. Garnered lots of compliments. Then I discovered Santal Carmin right here while browsing Fragrantica around 2015. I had to have it! Found a bargain of it online and purchased it. At first I wasn’t sure I could smell much of anything. I really struggled with that! I put it away for a while, came back to it some months later and wow! I immediately added it to my 3 layer combo, as first one I sprayed, -the base. It anchored all the rest and the compliments doubled. I then started wearing it on it’s own as I ran out of the other Atelier fragrances, and decided to not repurchase them, but move on to other fragrances. That’s when I realized it’s true power and potential. It layers greatly with anything!! It’s my number 1 layering scent. On it’s own though it is just as beautiful. What a hidden gem! I was so in love, I purchased a backup. My fragrance collection grew and I am now only half way through that first 6.7 fl.oz bottle, so I sold the backup to my coworker who loved the smell. He wore it as his signature and I realized that in it’s soft cuddly way it has longevity and sillage. I can smell it on him 10-16 hours after he first sprayed it. Yes we keep really long hours sometimes, and no, he doesn’t reapply during the day. I first heard of Baccarat Rouge 540, in 2019. I was late to the game. I looked at the notes, saw the saffron and woods in it and immediately mentally compared it to SC, before I ever smelled it. I then had the chance to smell it, and I thought it was very different. Sweet, cotton candy, airy, some saffron... BR540 Extrait however, is similar. But, BR540 Extrait is loud and boisterous, and a complete beast of a fragrance, I should know, I own a bottle, whereas in contrast my description of SC above shows their main difference. They both layer really well with other fragrances, both great on their own, and both have lovely Saffron which I’m partial to, and cook regularly with. So I feel they are somewhat similar. SC hands down wins the battle though, for it’s cozy, fuzzy, huggable, netflix and chill, wear anywhere anytime versatility. With BR540 Extrait I have to be in the mood for it, and it can very easily be headache inducing -2-3 sprays tops! Now that Atelier has left the American market, I just repurchased a backup for Santal Carmin, before prices really get inflated. I’ll store it in the fridge! I store all my Atelier fragrances and Creed fragrances in the fridge because they use lots of natural ingredients. I’ve done this for years, and they have all fared well. Santal Carmin is in my top 10 for life fragrances!

When I went through the Atelier discovery kit, this was the fragrance that I smelled and immediately said, "I have to own this." No other fragrance jumped out at me like this one did. Absolute Love. Santal Carmin opens with the scent of fresh leather: new shoes taken straight out of the box. Then, you notice the saffron. As it settles, the leather blends with the sandalwood, vanilla, and bergamot. The dry-down is total creamy, sweet, sandalwood. I placed a drop of Santal Carmin on the paper postcard that was included with the sample. For the next two weeks, every time I walked past that postcard, I picked it up to sniff it. SC has such great longevity on paper, but unfortunately, that longevity isn't there when it is worn on skin or fabric. On skin, it lasts about 4-5 hours (with low sillage), and on clothing, it lasts about 10 hours. Not nearly long enough for the beauty of this one, but also, it's the type of fragrance you WILL pick up to reapply when it fades away. Santal Carmin is so distinct. I've never smelled a better leather note. But at the same time, it's versatile. I'd wear it out, I'd wear it to bed, I'd wear it to work. An all-rounder, I'd say, and it's a fragrance I'm so excited to add to my collection. I want to bring up two last things: 1. The oil dupe. Controversial, absolutely. But with SC's $300 pricetag, I know you're curious about the $10 oil dupe, so let's talk about it. I bought a 100ml bottle of SC, but, I like this fragrance so much that I picked up the oil dupe to see about making homemade bath products with it. I thought, if the dupe was good, it'd be nice to layer this fragrance to try to improve its longevity. Sometimes oil dupes of fragrances can be just as good as the original. However, in Santal Carmin's case, the dupe is not close enough to the original. Atelier is using the highest quality components. A cheap oil dupe cannot compete. The dry-down on the oil dupe is similar to SC. But it has an interesting black-pepper-y opening. Not bad, just different. Maybe its the cheap leather note? TLDR: If you like the dry-down of SC but don't care too much for the leather note, or if you need SC but it's not in your budget, the oil dupe should tide you over but I wouldn't say it's a substitute. 2. BR540. I don't own it, and I haven't sampled it. However, I have been sampling a decant of Cloud by Ariana Grande, which is a perfume that many people also compare to BR540. I would like to state for the record, that there's zero similarity between Cloud and SC. If SC does have similarities to BR540, it must be in the saffron, a note absent from Cloud but present in both BR540 and SC.

Stop the presses! I'm stunned by this fragrance it is nothing short of magnificent! I have never smelled anything like it before, very sweet but with a creamy, woody understated edge. The way Atelier Cologne's Santal Carmin comes on is very much like other quality sandalwood fragrances, it seems to creep up. Very minimal in the beginning and so reminiscent of other fragrances I've tried with sandalwood and papyrus (except for the occasional unpleasantness) this has sweet notes and a hint of citrus in the opening which elevate it so something else entirely. As it develops the sandalwood becomes both spicier and creamier combining with a gorgeous vanilla note which comes on stronger too. What is evident is one of my favourite, complex notes saffron which gives any fragrance a classy edge. The overriding scent I get however is a sweet berry, like strawberry or raspberry in this scent it's kinda the heart of the whole thing and I just can't see how that's bergamot and lime? Whatever it is, it's wonderful and contributes to a perfect storm, which combines many elements I love. The drydown is dense guaic wood and creamy sandalwood with sweet long lasting vanilla. It's strangely reminiscent of a few things Scent story 24 Gold just in style terms... maybe it's the sweetness, vanilla, and woods then Le Labo Santal 33 and Decennial Santal Sacre for papyrus and how tranluscent the Sandalwood is at first but then builds. Also reminds me a touch of Xerjoff Ivory Route but with gorgeous sweet and inviting gourmand touches of fruit added in making it totally different. It has what I've termed 'secret sillage' because hours after application and despite never being a powerhouse you get glorious wafts of it every now and again. My girlfriend thought it was 'very ordinary' and was surprised I was raving about wearing it so much but she said that about Ivory Route which I thought was amazing, maybe she doesn't like sandalwood? Santal Carmin is fantastic, great longevity, not the longest lasting but several hours puts it right up there and it does project softly. It just as innovative as Gold leather which is a brave boozy scent and these two alone make me rate Atelier Cologne as a house. If you don't like sweet, or gourmand fragrances it may not be for you but I can't even say that for sure as the sandalwood might just hypnotize you. I adore this fragrance and want a bottle pretty bad.

A Captivating Fragrance Journey: Santa Carmin by Atelier Cologne I recently acquired the mesmerizing fragrance of Santa Carmin by Atelier Cologne, and I must say it has quickly become one of my all-time favorites. This exquisite scent embodies elegance, sophistication, and a touch of mystery that has left me utterly captivated. Upon my first encounter with Santa Carmin, I was immediately enchanted by its unique combination of notes. The fragrance opens with a burst of zesty Calabrian bergamot, which adds a refreshing and uplifting touch. This initial citrusy embrace is quickly followed by the enchanting and seductive allure of Moroccan jasmine. The floral heart of Santa Carmin is truly divine, exuding a delicate yet intoxicating aroma that lingers beautifully. What sets Santa Carmin apart is its skillful blend of warm and sensual base notes. The rich and creamy vanilla from Madagascar adds a hint of sweetness, while the earthy and woody patchouli leaves a subtle trail of intrigue. These base notes create a harmonious balance, leaving a lasting impression that is both comforting and alluring. One of the aspects I truly appreciate about Santa Carmin is its remarkable longevity. The fragrance holds its presence throughout the day, gradually unveiling its various layers and evolving into a captivating symphony of scents. Each time I catch a whiff of Santa Carmin, I am transported to a world of elegance and sophistication. The bottle itself is a work of art, simple but reflecting the brand's commitment to craftsmanship and attention to detail. The sleek and minimalist design, adorned with the label's signature leather cap, exudes a sense of luxury and refinement. It is a true statement piece that beautifully complements the fragrance it contains. In summary, Santa Carmin by Atelier Cologne is a fragrance that has stolen my heart. Its captivating blend of notes, remarkable longevity, and impeccable presentation make it a true gem in my collection. Whether you're seeking a scent for a special occasion or simply want to indulge in a moment of luxury, I highly recommend experiencing the enchantment of Santa Carmin for yourself.

No it doesn’t smell like Baccarat Rouge 540 not until you get way way down (skin scent time) into the drydown of both of them then the underlying mild sweetness of BR is mildly reminiscent of SC if you really try to find it but SC is smooth and BR is sparkle. I have 200 ml of Santal Carmin and an 11ml travel of BR 540. On the first spray they are completely different and this continues until the above. So anyway comparison aside Santal Carmin is imho the best of Atelier. It goes on like falling into a suede and vanilla cloud, the saffron here mixing with the sandalwood and vanilla is incredible. The slight background of citrus, very faint adds into this at the beginning to give a kind of orange creamsicle feel that then begins to drift away to leave the suede like texture. It is such a smooth and beautiful fragrance, after sampling I immediately bought the 200ml bottle and have no regrets...even though the longevity is only ok and the projection is mild. But it works for this one as occasions where you want to smell incredible but do not want to put a potentially offensive scent out into the environment around you is where something like this really shines. When you want more, reapply and maybe keep some on the back of your hand for yourself to bury your nose in. In its soft and “safe” but beautiful manner in which it operates this I can agree it compares to Baccarat Rouge but in terms of scent itself, no.

There some special fragrances in my collection that literally made me sit up and go 'Oh wow" and Santal Carmin is one of them. After chasing my perfect sandalwood for what seems like ages I finally and very reluctantly tried Santal Carmin. Reluctant because I always thought Atelier Cologne offerings would be more, well, cologne-y but boy oh boy was I wrong and I finally found the beautiful sandalwood of my dreams! This opens with tarte citruses but sweetened by the most delicious vanilla which I get from the go. BUT I think what really makes this fragrance special is the most delicately beautiful saffron note, which is present from start to end and is intricately intertwined with the star of the show, a beautiful creamy, almost lactonic sandalwood! There is also just slightest hint of a smokey leathery nuance from the gaiac wood. This is on the sweet side (but in just right amount) and therefore, to my nose and senses, a feminine scent. One would think, because of all the notes I've described, that this would be a heavy and dense scent but the musk in here brings a certain lightness, an elusive airiness that stops it from going there. Performance is good bordering on great on me with 7-8 hours longevity, good projection and sillage. This has very quickly become my favorite sandalwood.

Before I wear a fragrance, I normally spray it on a paper test strip, then on a cotton/fabric strip and let it sit while sniffing it as it dries down to see how the fragrance develops. Santal Carmin is one of those fragrances that I liked better and better as time passed. I actually didn't like it on the fabric strip until after about 8 hours. On first spray on the test strips, all I got was a sharp, woody/tangy scent that blasted my nose. I immediately thought I'd paid for a fragrance that I wasn't going to wear (this was a blind buy). I left the test strips and came back to them a few hours later. What a difference!!!! The sharpness had died down and what was left was a nice, warm fragrance that I wanted to keep smelling. This is day 3 of wearing and I love it!!! On my skin, the fragrance develops quickly and the sharp notes I got on the test strips are gone in the first 20-30 minutes. I like the way it develops differently on my clothing and my skin. It provides a perfect balance between the tangy and sweet notes. I know it lasts on my skin because it transferred to clothing I changed into in the evening, but I couldn't smell it any longer than 6-8 hours. It lasts on my clothing 24+ hours in the cooler weather. I do not detect any similarity to BR540.

let's start with the negative first - the longevity of most atelier cologne fragrances is a huge issue for me. none of them lasts long and i am always so hesitant to invest in them. is there any hope that they are reading our reviews and paying attention? however, santal carmin is the one i splurged on - i've got a big bottle of it. it is great, sophisticated yet unusual perfume, not your typical sandalwood scent, it rather belongs to spicy/balsamic group. what has stricken me here as something different was the air of newness that comes with every spray - i think some of the reviewers below refer to 'new car interior' smell - remember the ones with same carmin red hue as on the bottle quilted leather seats from the eighties? it also shares some elements with bois d'armenie - mainly, the powdery, woody almost paper-ish whiff that probably comes from guaiac wood. both perfumes have very similar drydown. it starts with an almost metallic sandalwood blast that evolves into creamy, woody drydown. if the initial blast was a bit sweet and feminine, the drydown somehow becomes more masculine. it is great unisex scent that i love to share with my partner. perfect for rainy weather days in the city.

Ok, so after getting my nose on this and cedre atlas, I am VERY impressed with this house. They also appear to make scents for every season and are very diverse in their line up. I love a house that is able to be that creative and above all is NICHE! Atelier is nothing new and collectors know all about the house, but if your like me and always seen them but never got your nose on anything from them, you are missing out. This is a fragrance where the name is a little misleading. I was expecting a sweet sandalwood. I get a new car leather smell, but not a cheap leather smell, a very prestigious leather like Italian or something with a base of quality vanilla to sweeten it up. As it drys down there is a mild creamy sandalwood just to do that only, make the overall scent have a delicious creamy vibe to it. This is best worn in the cold weather. It will cut right through it and you will smell so delicious. I wouldn't say it gourmand, but its a few drops of something away from it. I highly recommend this fragrance if you are one who likes the genuine car leather smell or leather jacket type leather smell that is sweet and creamy.

I’ve held off reviewing this fragrance since I fell in love with it two years ago because it’s so pricey. Everything about this perfume is perfect. It smells like home, a leather covered, book-filled, tea stained home. Your loving, older brother who is a professor of anthropology lives there. I don’t know how else to describe it. That’s what it evokes for me. As for the scent itself, I definitely get vanilla, sandalwood, papyrus, bergamot, and the imaginary leather. If I think about the saffron I can pick it out, but it’s not readily apparent on its own on me. I’m going to assume it’s the saffron, cedar, and musk that’s creating the sweet leather, but I’m really just guessing. The papyrus is my favorite note, it adds something a little dirty, like an ancient linen, mellowing out the sandalwood and vanilla into something soft and calming. Silage is moderate, longevity is very good. It lingers on clothing forever. It’s warmer on me than it would probably be on a man, but I’d lean it more toward masculine for reasons I just stated above.

I really like Santal Carmin. I wish I didn't, because now all Atelier Colognes are going to be harder to find, but this is a magical scent, even though it is understated. Santal Carmin has this mysterious nature of smelling like different perfumes to me at different times. In the opening, up close, the humid white musk smells like the backbone of Sudu Te. This same musk can also have a sharp plasticine facet, like in BR540 clones. In the air, the bergamot plus musk and sandalwood smells like Cashmere Mist. But in the drydown, it smells like Chanel No 5 Eau Premiere to me - that perfume has dreamy sweet sandalwood in the base as well. It gets so warm and creamy at this stage, but not gourmand. Santal Carmin does not smell like any one of these perfumes, so I don't think it can easily be replaced by any of these. It has a witchery, where it can show facets of all these fragrances with the turn of its head. It's like all my favorite fragrances in one bottle, throughout the development...gorgeous.

I deleted my previous review because I don't think it was entirely accurate, and I'm revisiting this scent long after my sample had gone. This is a saffron and sandalwood BOMB. Something was also creating a cinnamon accord, because I definitely smelled cinammon despite it not being listed in the notes. The cinammon accord does make this similar to Maison Margiela's "By the Fireplace," but Santal Carmin is more versatile, imo (less "Christmas-y"). This fragrance is most at home in cool autumn and cold winter, nice and cozy, and even then provides decent longevity (6 hours) and killer projection / sillage. (Do not wear this in warm weather, you will choke people.) So why am I revisiting this if I don't even have it anymore? Well, I've been getting disappointed by things I've tried, lately. And most of my perfume collection is better suited to warm weather. So I started thinking about Santal Carmin and I realized... I actually *miss* it. I miss the spicy pirate's chest full of treasure.

il y a une ressemblance presque complète entre ces trois exemplaires de parfums modernes qui se considèrent comme une tendance qui porte la joie énigmatique du coté sucré! C'est la sucre de la vanille, safran, et musc, qui se mélangent d'une façon ensorcelée avec le bois de santal, gaïac, et le papyrus; une harmonie qui me rappelle d'une type de bonbon qu'on a eu l'habitude de manger beaucoup dans la période d'enfance même d'avant; vraiment cette odeur est une invitation de vivre une "Flash Back" de deux extrémités de mémoire, c'est une alliance entre le conscient et l'inconscient! Ce sont des moments ou on trouve des raisons pour faire appeler l'enfance et le faire exister a des moments présents d'absurdismes et de fantaisies; voilà c'est le cas entre Santal Carmin 2014 Atelier Cologne de "Jérôme Epinette" et Olfactive Studio 2014 de la maison Olfactive Studio "Mylène Alran" et bien sur avec Lithium de maison NU-BE "Nicolas Bonneville". J'adore ces trois chefs d'oeuvres!

So, I sold my BR540 extrait to my co-worker and friend. Prior to that, I sold my backup Santal Carmin to him, and then I got him a large bottle with my points, just before they left the U.S. market. He alternates between the two frags in winter, and I want to make it clear, that Santal Carmin is a quiet, demure, monster of a fragrance with sillage comparable to BR540 extrait, except BR540E is screaming “look over here,” and Santal Carmin is subdued, and confident, knowing it doesn’t have to try hard to impress. I come in on the second shift, and my friend is still strongly radiating either fragrance. Sometimes he pulls a double shift and I can still smell him at the end of 16 hours, with this fragrance, on the days he wears it, or with BR540E on the days he wears that! These fragrances are not similar at all apart from the saffron note they share, but I'm mainly comparing the performance, and the longevity and sillage of SC. It’s fantastic!

Years ago I asked for a decant in Sephora. Then another day , I was in my classroom and I had the tentative feeling to spray a little bit all over my agenda, and I loved the result. If you want the effect of “ expensive scent” in your belongings , then use it, but do not overapply because it can be cloying and intrusive, particularly with people that are not familiar with middle eastern aromatic compositions. It would ideal to wear it directly over the skin , during fall and winter seasons, with clothes in nude and brown colors. Leather jackets & goods will be the perfect match for this perfume. It has something that reminds me a deep rouge tone lipstick and also formal men’s smoked boots. It provides a very pleasant warmness and middle eastern feeling. NEWS: I mixed it with Cafe Tuberosa , and the aromatic composition is like tasting and perceiving a rose-coffee candy with middle eastern spices, while looking a sandalwood fireplace.

Santal Carmin was set aside after I tried the sample once. Thought it was weird, and not close enough to Santal de Mysore, which was my mental benchmark for sandalwood perfumes. Lately, though, it has really captured my attention. What it does is waft up in unpredictable waves for over 12 hours. I get beautiful, soft, evocative, vanillic wisps. If I put my nose to my arm, it's not particularly satisfying. I don't love the scent of actual saffron. My mind calls it "plastic," or maybe even vinyl. The strands are off-putting, and food seems inedible. But in Santal Carmin it is really pretty. For comparison, I have found the current formula of Bois des Iles EDP kind of boring, and I liked Santal 33 for a while but didn't get through my sample before I was over it. The Lutens sandalwoods, Mysore and Majascule, are my favorites, and I treasure my decants. Santal Carmin is more diaphanous than either of those, but it floats my boat.

I usually just browse on Fragrantica but this one just deserves a huge compliment so much... I've tried hundreds of different perfumes on me, but Santal Carmin is the first one that almost made me cry out of excitement. It is utterly amazing and beautiful. The sandalwood is not really explicit here, instead fused with saffron and vanilla. I don't like saffron because it usually smells too sensual, but the saffron here is warm, gentle and reserved because it's well blended with sandalwood. Also, adding vanilla to the mixture is really a genius idea. The creamy essence of vanilla makes the sandalwood mellow and soothing. Santal Carmin is quite sweet, but it's not cloyingly sweet. It is rare, attractive, sexy and of course, very wearable. It is a perfect unisex scent on a cold winter day. To me Santal Carmin is more than just a perfume. It is a piece of art.

There is an almost complete resemblance between these three modern perfumes; as a trend that bears the enigmatic joy sweet side! This is the vanilla sugar, saffron and musk, which mix a bewitched way with sandalwood, guaiac, and papyrus; a harmony that reminds me of a type of candy we got used to eat a lot in the period of childhood; really this smell is an invitation to live a "Flash Back" for both ends of memory is an alliance between the conscious and the unconscious! These are times when there are reasons to call the children and do exist in the present moments of absurdismes and fantasies; Here is the case between 2014 Carmine Sandalwood Cologne Workshop "Jerome Epinette" and Olfactory Studio 2014 home Olfactory Studio "Mylène Alran" and of course with Lithium house NU-BE "Nicolas Bonneville." I love these three masterpieces!

THE BEST SANDALWOOD SCENT EVER . Smooth, semisweet, beautifully blended, high quality. Unique and interesting but also inviting. Fresh without being floral or aquatic. Approachable, professional, and understated. Perfectly unisex. Suitable for all seasons. Timeless. Ageless. A modern classic. Perfect signature scent. P.S. This is one of the few sandalwood fragrances that don't have that nasty dill note. I don't know why I kept wasting time/effort/$$ testing others like SANTAL 33, Commodity's BOOK, 7 Virtues SANTAL VANILLE, and Van Cleef & Arpels SANTAL BLANC, which all have a hint of pickles (I like pickles but don't want to smell of them!). I'm done trying other sandalwood scents. UPDATE I just bought a back-up bottle of SANTAL CARMIN in the gorgeous Lunar New Year bottle and I'm good.

Oh hello, Atelier Cologne Santal Carmin...I am in love ! I want to wear this and have anyone near me wear it. Is that possible ? Yes, this is love ! I would like my kids, my cats, my dog, my gardener and my next-door neighbor to wear it. My suggestion would be it would be a rainy day or after the rain fragrance. So winter rain sort of fragrance. In the summer time, I have no opinion about it. Sooo nice and very delicate fragrance. Although not very strong and not one to offend the naive nose, this scent will last a good 6-8 hours. The sillage is quite good too. This is my second try at Atelier Cologne. The first one would be Rose Anonyme, which I also get such delight but Santal Carmin is the winner.