Santal Park

Santal Park opens fresh and green with a refined sandalwood base - serene, modern, and confident. It's like a calm breeze on a dewy rooftop garden under a clear blue, Spring sky. What I appreciate MOST about this fragrance is the intriguing paring of sandalwood and gardenia, a bold move that steers far from the usual amber, vanilla, or rose companions we've smelled a thousand times from other perfumers. Here, the perfumer gives sandalwood a new life- one that is creamy like it's Santal Sky sister (also by the brand), slightly floral but never girly about it, and calmly grounded (slightly masculine). Think of how Tam Dao or Bois des Illes experiment with woods, yet this one feels fresher, more urban, and dares to DO sandalwood different. For anyone who is a sandalwood lover, this is a must have for your collection if only for the experience. Kierin's website says this is a sustainably sourced, natural sandalwood oil from New Caledonia- so it is no wonder that it does not last eternally, like the synthetics and accords. Both the projection and the longevity are moderate to strong, limited by the virtue of being natural oil and the fact it is an EAU DE PARFUM not extrait. I think we need to keep that into perspective and not dock the brand for doing what's good and right-- offering high quality natural ingredients at a reasonable price.

This feels like being in a really nice, clean, trendy rooftop bar looking out over a sparkling city. Very light and airy, touches of moss and sandalwood, nothing sticks out too much, just a general sense of serenity and cleanliness. Peaceful, calm. No hint of pickles. Perfectly unisex. I actually received this as an unexpected gift with an order from Kierin. I'd placed an order for some samples that got lost in the holiday shuffle, and when I reached out about they were super sweet, got my order fixed up, and sent along additional samples and a whole 10ml travel spray of Santal Park. Things happen, especially in the busy season - but what a great way to save it! Very impressed.

Testing blind this opened up light and slightly grassy green with light elements of jasmine or some other fresh, but not so much flowery whitish florals. It says springtime, meadow, sweet dew. Or a very slight breeze of a seaside meadow cliff. It starts to lean feminine as it dries down, but just slightly. Sits a little pretty, a hint salty, or something, but doesn't say much. The projection is a bit stronger than moderate, but strangely at times fleeting. You smelled something, you thought, and then it's gone. No wait! There it is again. Or was it just your memory? While nice and fresh smelling, it at times feels reserved. You probably dated them but broke it off because they didn't have an opinion on anything. Even Jo thought they were kind of a bore. This feels similar. While nice and there are moments that are a pleasure, it feels more house fragrance than personal fragrance. Looking at the notes now, it feels more gardenia and oakmoss. The sandalwood hangs out behind, but the vetiver and saffron feel more under the earth. You smell nice wallflower but I need more than a pleasant pretty niceness. And at this price point, simply a more interesting date.

This is in the same vein as Santal 33, but not as synthetic smelling. I'm not a fan of the Le Labo, but I enjoyed this one, while it lasted. Unfortunately, this fragrance disappeared off my skin rather quickly. Regardless, I'm curious to try other offerings from this house.