The Wedding Velvet Santal | 35

Okay wow I'm in love! This fragrance at first sniff isn't the most compelling scent to write home about, and neither is it on the mid and dry down, but it's a very well done sandalwood fragrance. Perhaps the best that I've tried aside from vintage Samsara, which to track down is nothing shy of a bloodbath (man those ebay bidders are cutthroat!) But I digress this fragrance upon its opening is complex, with the layers slowly peeling away as you wear it and get to the yummy drydown. I detected the benzoin right away, with a somewhat sweet/savory mix of an amber accord weaving through, could it be tea I was smelling that provided the sweetness? Whatever it was, I adored it but I was trying to put myself in the headspace of how I could write this review, because this scent, while it's still available on Kayali is worth getting your nose on, but it's not for everyone. This scent is what I'd classify as androdgynous, rather than unisex. By stating that both men and women could easily wear it would be misleading. Those that buy fragrances comfortably in one gender marketing camp and don't like venturing outside of it will find that for a major part of its development, its too feminine to be masculine and too masc to be fem. So who is it for? Well, it could be for anybody. But not everybody. As I approached the drydown and the final layers were stripped away I was delighted to find a creamy sandalwood note at its base with little else so that it is truly allowed to shine. The best way I can describe the scent is that it's everything I wanted Santal 33 to be and unfortunately on my skin, fell short. It was too much of everything else so that I got barely any sandalwood at all. The notes in the Labo drowned the sandalwood and took away it's voice, where the notes in Velvet Santal are like the opening act, they dazzle and put on a great show, then the main performer takes the stage and it's just as dazzling as the fjrst part. I find myself entranced in the entire production from opening to close, where the sandalwood solinote performs quite compellingly for hours until drying down into a hazy skinscent that feels like you've stayed after to meet the band and the lead singer embraces you in a big bear hug that smells like cashmere and feels even better. Smelling this fragrance I wish I could get married all over again (to my same husband!) just so I could make him wear this fragrance. With some sweet talking perhaps he may wear it on special occasions such as my Birthday or Christmas, but I know just from smelling it that it's not his style. I'm the one who has to wear the sandalwood pants in this household, and I'll do it gladly. But I understand exactly why Mona chose this scent for her partner (or at least the concept of this scent, because who know how much of that was all marketing mumbogumbo), because it smells exactly like the idea of what you hope to smell when you go to hug someone you love. If she brings back Silk Santal I'll be the proud owner of both, I just know that they're better in tandem than apart. But this is still worth trying out if you like Sandalwood scents.

I absolutely adore this fragrance! As someone who appreciates woody notes, I find this scent to be an absolute gem, especially during the summer season. Normally, woody fragrances can be overwhelming in the heat, but this particular blend of musk and benzoin creates an astonishingly airy and light composition. The fragrance delicately incorporates subtle woody facets, adding a touch of depth and intrigue to the overall experience, which becomes more pronounced as it settles into its dry-down phase. It truly embodies the essence of summer while maintaining an unmistakable woody allure. I've put away my beloved Gris Charnel Extrait for the season, and am glad to have found a hot-weather replacement. I also echo the sentiments of those who draw similarities between this fragrance and Lovefest Burning Cherry. However, personally, I made the decision to part ways with Lovefest Burning Cherry due to my lesser affinity for Palo Santo. What sets this fragrance apart is its remarkable creaminess and approachability, which, in my opinion, make it more appealing and enjoyable. Tldr; It's good. Light for a woody fragrance - so perfect for summer.

This fragrance is 🔥I imagine attending a wedding where the groom to be is wearing The Wedding Velvet Santal and the ceremony going something like this. Pastor: Friends and family, we are ... Bride: "I DO!" Me: "Well that escalated quickly." 😂 I acttually think this fragrance is unisex. My experience with TWVS is so different to most other people's. I don't get dirty diaper/urine/cherry at all from this. Instead, the benzoin coupled with the sandalwood and white musk comes across as a dirty musk on me and I'm here for that adjective 😍 It's a little bit Musc Shamal, a little bit Musc Ravageur and a little bit Dates Delight. It throws somewhat medicinal and somewhat animalic on me. That's why the bride in my story skipped the whole ceremony and went straight to "I do" LOL. It evokes that carnal desire. This is definitely one fragrance which could trigger a visceral effect and get you some WAP, or for the ladies wearing it, you already made him brrr brrr in his pants. This lasted on me for 25hrs but sat closer to the skin after about 7 or 8 hours. I give it a 9/10 for scent and 7/10 for longevity.

I've written some very harsh reviews about Kayali perfumes in the past, but I'm not a hater. I actually love Vanilla 28, Vanilla Royale, Oud Vanilla, Oud Café and Lovefest Burning Cherry (I haven't tried Invite Only Amber, but I think I might like that one as well). So I always approach Kayali perfumes with an open mind, but with caution. This was a smash hit with me. It's not mentioned in the notes, but I do get a strong tonka/coumarin smell from beginning to end. Also, despite having both cedar and sandalwood, I wouldn't particularly call it a woody scent. I'm also not the hugest fan of florals, but I can't pick out the jasmine. Also, this is 100% unisex. This is definitely sweet, but without relying on sugar or vanilla, which makes is softer and more refined and it's a refreshing change for Kayali. If you enjoy the same Kayali fragrances as me, I'd say give this one a try next time you pass by a Sephora.

This is one of my favorite perfumes. I bought both of the Wedding perfumes Kayali came out with (this and the Silk Santal) in travel sized. I enjoyed them both, but the Velvet Santal I actually ended up buying a full sized bottle. I do love a slightly masculine scent to wear as a woman, but I truly feel like this perfume is one that is genuinely unisex. My husband wears it sometimes and it mixes with his masculine chemistry so well and smells sexy, yet today when I wore it, he leaned and said, “You smell good.” I think it’s the jasmine that gives this just enough softness that it can smell feminine enough for me. But the whole composition is so perfect that it comes across suitable for each of us. The sandalwood is beautiful in this as well. I love a sandalwood base note, but some perfumes the sandalwood smells too harsh to me. I hope Kayali doesn’t discontinue this one.