Hot Sand

I really like this! A while back, I asked around a few forums for fragrances with a hot sand accord and most of the results I got were well made, but deeply inhospitable, creosote-driven, expertly harsh, and actually authentic to the desert's reality. I was embarrassed to realize that something like this is really what I was looking for when I asked for that accord: the friendly cartoon version of hot sand, a dessert desert. This feels like what hot sand would be like in a super mario game, or like what a sand dune would taste like in Candy Land. And that is no insult at all; I clearly get the atmospheric metaphor while also enjoying something sweet and different. There's just the tiniest fleck of spiciness/ginger that is not reflected anywhere in the notes, or may just be the intensity of the cedar. I do think the (nearly overrepresentation) representation of sandalwood and cedar are necessary to pull it out of strictly 'dessert' territory so that it lands more squarely in the much funnier 'dessert desert' territory. As for the orchid notes, they serve mostly to make the opening a hospitable short-term airiness in the sweetness before the sun-baked 'solid ground' notes take over. They are almost entirely blended into the landscape aesthetic and do not act as separate floral notes at all. I got 5ml of it to try and I will enthusiastically use it at that price point. I don't see any reason I'd move to a full bottle at its current price point; it's very fun as a sweet sand accord, but certainly not something I'm inclined to pay artistic level price for.

Very similar to Celine’s ZouZou and Bianco Latte. White chocolate, almond, milk. Not too offensive, gives me a bit vibe like Floating Island desert (the French one). I really wanted ZouZou but this is more authentic brand and 100 eur cheaper :) and after wearing it for a few weeks now, I know I finally found perfect almond milk smelling perfume! visit Univere in Paris (Rue du Louvre), they have pretty amazing selection of niche and are less exposed than Nose which is around the corner

Finally I see available in US. Bought this several months ago( + tariffs). This is a beautiful scent almond, milky vibe with a subtle hint of floral. So beautiful.

I feel musk, a bit of almond and lots of orchid. It smells familiar, like a designer’s fragrance. I definitely would not buy it. Very weak projection.

It’s similar to Zouzou but less in your face. Personally, I prefer Zouzou but this isn’t bad either. I think that for the price point, if you don’t own Zouzou, Hot Sand is definitely a great option. I do not get the similarities with ‘71 Sol de Janeiro. That one is nutty and extremely sweet. Hot Sand is more subtle and very pretty without giving toothache... Definitely a must try if you like softer sweet scents!