Santal Journey

The orris and violet remind me of my mother's perfume (not sure what she wears), but that's not a bad thing. It's comforting and reminds me of nice dinners with my parents.

I'm wearing it from the discovery set from nearly 2 years ago and am just now giving it a full wearing. This lasted a surreal long time. I don't get some of the notes people mentioned. It finally went from almost pickled sandalwood bomb to a soft sandalwood bomb to finally a yellow skin scent. A bottle of this would last me a lifetime. I chose Velvet Royale out of the set to buy a FB. It has beast mode longevity as well. I think this Santal Journey is FB worthy I just need to spray a half hour before I leave so the pickle note dies off.

Definitely has that pronounced kinda cream based sandalwood. It has other things in it too but it really seems to become pronounced in the wearing on skin. The sandalwood smell is something I like...I have this mild suspicion that ladies may be split on this opinion. I have to get second opinions. It's something men will like I think but my hunch is that this profile while pleasant and has good performance, may not be considered mass appealing for some ppl. Get a sample and try it on skin. Ask you friends. It's worth trying.

It's like a sweeter, fruiter version of Le Labo Santal 33. Opens with warm sandalwood and violet with a touch of powder. Santal 33 is drier and smokier than Santal Journey. This isn't a bad fragrance, but it's nothing new and a DNA that has been emulated countless times (I'm looking at you, Book by Commodity Perfumes). If it were up to me, I would take Santal 33 over this because I enjoy the smokey, dry, hay notes you get from the Le Labo version and pass on this.

You have to like pear. I can only discern the pear and floral notes, the rest just combine into an average background scent profile. Unlike many fruit and citrus notes the pear note stays present well into the dry down. Some fragrances are quickly associated with a specific activity, date night or business and so on, but not this. I suppose I might wear it while conducting various daytime activities. This won't be my first choice as a general reach type of fragrance but I will use it. I don't see this being a large compliment getter but it won't offend. Lasts most of a work day. The presentation, like all Habibi bottles, is very nice and the bottle looks good on the dresser!