Santalist

As a perfume-loving American living in the Czech Republic, I've decided I need to "czech" out (painful, I know ;-) ) some of the amazing Czech made perfumes around here, as not all are easily available worldwide (Pigmentarium and Kintsugi can be found now in the states, but not Oraculum as of yet that I know of). I'd never considered myself into sandalwood, until I tested Santalist on my skin one fortuitous day in a perfume shop in Prague. It was SO beautiful, and immediately had my heart: the sandalwood here is blended beautifully with cucumber and bergamot, giving it freshness and brightness, and jasmine and mimosa for the perfect touch of florals. Radiant! After falling for Santalist, I realized I needed to give sandalwood another chance (I'd always liked Tam Dao, but it left me bored in the end), so I stepped into the Le Labo store one day to (finally!!!!) smell the ultimate sandalwood: Santal 33. I'd NEVER smelled it! I was shocked how closely this resembled Santalist, and no wonder - besides sandalwood, they share quite a few notes: cardamom, cedar, amber, and iris. I loved it as well!!!! But, in the end I decided to put my money down for Oraculum's Santalist. Santalist is a touch sweeter and more feminine-leaning due to the additional florals. I've also found this layers exquisitely with Oraculum's Sensualist perfume oil (21:03), to kick up the jasmine notes. So gorgeous!! I love this Czech house and highly recommend anyone visiting this country to pick up some perfume from Oraculum - they're beautiful!!

It was a love from the first smell - when I tried Santalist for the first time, I was amazed by warm tones on sandalwood complemented by the fresh surprising twist of the cucumber - I have never met such an unique combination! Since then this perfume got my heart and I wear it with pride and often I am asked what is the perfume I use. Definitely recommend to try and fall in love

I bought a set of samples and from that, only Santalist smells good to me (the others were Helenist and Katarzist). I am still looking for a perfume with sandalwood, but the ones I have had the chance to try smell a lot like cucumber. The cucumber is also present here and the perfume is quite interestingly airy. After all, the cucumber starts to irritate me after a while. If you have any recommendations for a nice sandalwood perfume, I would be happy - Tam Dao (Diptyque) or Santal Austral (Matiere Premiere) are often recommended. There is something about Santalist that really attracts me and it reminds me of plowed fields in the Indian summer / fall, when the warmth of the soil radiates into the sunny early evening air. It is really beautiful - such dryness.

Santalist does a nice reputation to its dominant note. Nonetheless, this perfume isn't just about it - at the first sniff it is refreshing, spicy scent with distinctive cucumber aroma. After some time mimosa, jasmine and iris frame it, but only as sweet, flowery heart. The cucumber is still very present, slowly continuing in sandalwood greenness. Sandal becomes creamier later, combined with musk. This perfume is definitely original, balanced and in fact, addictive. Sadly, cucumber is not my favorite, I won't use it, however quality is unquestionable.

Such a pleasant surprise! Usually, I do not like sandalwood or anything incense-like on myself. But this one was so nice! I get the cardamom, the eucaliptus and the cucumber. These fresh elements make it so enjoyable and fresh and give the perfect counterbalance to the sandalwood. And it still retains that mysteriousness and seductiveness without being too "in your face". I really enjoy this one.