Santal Gray

I'm surprised this perfume hasn't blown up yet. I'm really quite surprised by it. My scent profile these days is fragrances like You, Another 13, JHAG Not A Perfume, etc., and this slots in so easily into that family -- the suave older sibling of that family, if you will. It's reminiscent of the pervasive Santal33, but it's not a dupe of it. Santal33 pulls a lot of dill on me, which it does for some people. The first spray of Santal Gray smells like nothing but dill, but give it an hour, and it blooms into this gentle, warm, expensive cardamom-and-sandalwood (but never hippie) scent. Violent comes out at times, a soft sort of sad, a powedery grey smell (I know, how does grey have a scent? but it does, here) -- It's truly unisex, it would be alluring on anyone regardless of gender, and it really just blossoms wonderfully on skin. It also lasts and lasts, unlike the more common offering from this house, 11:11. I dunno man. This scent is really wonderful and I'm really glad I've found it.

I am absolutely obsessed with this fragrance. I spent a lot of time in Mexico recently and copal santal was such a key fragrance during my time there that I wanted to find something that was the embodiment of that for me. Le Labo's approach is much more sharp and spicy than the blanket warmth of the mexican copal and so when I came across this fragrance, I was immediately in love. It's more approachable, but still distinctively santal. I find the fragrance evolves to give an air of mystery to the wearer. I think a lot of the credit goes to the cardamom for adding balance to the sandalwood. I don't get much violet, and typically I avoid overly musky scents, but they have balanced it here very well. It is long lasting and definitely a head turner. I recently smelled Santal Vanille The 7 Virtues to see how it compares, and I think Santal Gray is kind of like the baby of that fragrance and Santal 33. Not as soft as Santal Vanille and not as harsh as Santal 33.

This is a super lovely warm, creamy sandalwood scent that is squarely unisex (a little pickley at first spray), and I think it's somewhere between Santal 33 and Gris Charnel as a frame of reference. There's a creamy undertone that almost feels fig-like, though I know there is no fig in this! It's very smooth and clean with a distinct warmth that is really lovely during the colder months. If you are more in the woody, spicy, clean arena of scents, give it a try, especially on skin. Its creamy and warm and so cozy!

Lake & Skye describes this as "a discreet sexiness with an uplifting warmth." I think the sexiness is debatable, but I do agree that it has warmth. There is a chicness to this fragrance, but also a comforting coziness as well. The sandalwood is quite prominent. I think the scent is versatile - you can wear it to the office or out on a date. However, I think this is a fragrance best suited to fall or winter so it is limited in that regard. It is a unisex fragrance and works well for both men and women, but I feel it has a slightly more traditionally masculine impression. If you asked me who I picture wearing this, I would say a charming man in a tailored suit or a very chic woman with a bold but classic fashion sense. The wear-time for this fragrance is crazy - it has immense staying power! Depending on what you're looking for, you should definitely be aware of that. I went to bed after wearing this scent all day and when I woke up in the morning, I could still smell it on me. Despite that, it is not overpowering and the sillage appears quite moderate. I was not a fan of 11 11 and I do think this is a much better offering from Lake & Skye. Despite that, I think it is overpriced as the scent is relatively simple and somewhat generic. There is nothing all that special here, but I would recommend it.

This was not love at first sniff. But like a true love story, it needs to unfold. This is now one of my favorite perfumes to wear. There is a depth to it. Not your typical type of fragrance. This makes me feel like a rich woman draped in cashmere, who lives in Northern California with a home overlooking the ocean. And the staying power on this is incredible! 8+ hours on my skin. And I will smell it on my clothes the next day.

I really liked how this smelled in the bottle / on a blotter (reminded me of Gris Charnel), on the skin the scent is an alert and fresh, sweet dill that becomes rounded from the musk and violet. It's pleasant and not too shouty - as others have noted, a milder version of Santal 33. I prefer Gris Charnel's double gauze blanket, personally, but Santal Gray is definitely worth a sniff.

This is indistinguisable from santal 33 to my nose. However, santal 33 (being much, much more expensive) does have much better performance. However, if you are looking for a santal dupe and don't want to spend that much, I think this is a great dupe. I decluttered this from my collection since I already have santal 33; you don't need both.

upon application Santal Gray is very dry, almost astringent. on my skin it never goes creamy or powdery and remains very dry and papery. the sandalwood and the violet leaf dominate; I don't really pick up any warm spice from the cardamom. overall it's not my favorite sandalwood but it's a good option if you like dry woods.

Like a muted, less intrusive version of Santal 33

First spray is harsh. sharp and painful smelling citrus rind/pith. like the nasty part of a lime you accidently grind down into when cooking or if you were to bit into a rind. that's all I smell for 2 or so hours before it settles down into the sandalwood and cardamom. I want to like it since I love so many santal blends out there and love a smooth sandalwood- but the dry down to get to there doesn't seem like its worth it for this one.

Tried this in the discovery set - I have to start by saying I hate Santal 33. This is less offensive to me than that, and definitely gets better as it develops (it just feels more complex) but it's a hard pass from me. Great staying power.

If you are one of those people that really enjoys Liam Grey by lattafa.....Then I think you would also enjoy this....

Lake & Skye's Santal Gray is another 'dilly' sandalwood scent, clearly comparable to Santal 33, though I'm not comparing them side-by-side. I am really coming to think of the dill pickle aspect that many sandalwood scents carry as more of a style issue, ...rather than an out-and-out flaw,...and I really do enjoy sampling that impudent, herbal-woody tang on blotter or wrist, All the same, I must admit, ...when I do smell a 'classical' powdery-creamy spiced sandalwood, my heart skips a beat and flies fast again to what I can only perceive as a truer and finer love. Also, I will say, the assertiveness of sandalwood's dill aspect can vary in different settings.

This kinda smells like gris charnel from BDK. The opening smells almost identical but dry down is different. Hits with a very strong Sandalwood in the beginning like gris charnel . Not a dupe by any means.

I got the slight pickle smell in the opening for sure. The dry down is a soft creamy clean scent that's pretty nice. I probably won't reach for it often.