Sandara

My favorite from Phlur is Greylocke. It's supposed to evoke the Northeastern forests, if I recall correctly. I was really excited when they announced Sandara as a woody fragrance meant to evoke the redwoods--trees of which I am very familiar, having been born in San Francisco and spending most of my life there. Sandara does not smell like literal redwoods. However, it does manage to evoke the redwoods for me. It's woody like Greylocke, but it's cooler and smells moist, almost misty. These qualities remind me of the bark of a redwood tree and of the sound of streams of clear water trickling nearby. Every time I smell it, it makes me reminisce on a particularly magical road trip I had in Northern California, near Eureka, about 15 years ago. It was winter, freezing cold. There was a lot of ice everywhere, although there was no snow. The air was so crisp and clean. The color of the puddles in the redwood forest looked like huge opals. Everything was damp. Sandara does the trick for me as an artistic rendering of the redwoods. The perfumer did a wonderful job! This fragrance represents the redwoods as well as Bois de Paradise (sadly discontinued) represents a walk in the Presidio. Notes taken from Phlur’s website: forest air, violet leaves, timur pepper, sandalwood, oak moss, bergamot, musks, iris, plum, lily of the valley, green notes, amber, rose. Vast majority are “safe synthetics”, and each ingredient can mimic a variety of things (eg sweet musk, spicy woody musk, greenish-floral notes)

This has to be one of the best creations from Phlur. It is one of the more creative inventions from the house and by far is my absolute favorite from the house. I enjoy the pepper the most in this scent. it is done in a way where it is not spicy, but, gives the fragrance a more masculine tone to pair with the florals. I actually pick up an iris note from the fragrance, I think it may be a nuance from the violet note in it. The sandalwood note is also very nice. it smoothes out the fragrance and makes it have a somewhat creamy nuance. Even though I love this scent on myself, I think that this would be even better on a pretty women wearing a nice dress with her hair out on a spring/ early fall day. The fragrance is also very simple, it only has one change where the pepper goes into the background. I get about 7-9 hours from this scent with about 2-3 hours of good projection. I was also fortunate enough to get a pre release bottle and have been able to have more time than most would. So, don't be surprised if you are smelling Iris in this fragrance. I think that this is sample worthy, try it out and let me know if you picked it up after reading my review. P.S, it also has a shampoo like smell to it.

Received this on a rainy day (unfortunately a blind buy after it's already been discontinued) and I'm obsessed. I grew up in the forest and I absolutely get forest vibes from this. It does seem like a cousin of Santal 33, but a little softer and less "in your face". Sillage is good. It makes me feel like I'm walking through a wet forest with some wild herbs growing at the base of the trees. I'm honestly sad that I love this so much as it's discontinued and I missed the discounted offer on the Phlur site. But I found it on Mercari. One of a very few blind buys that turned out amazingly.

I really enjoy this one and it definitely reminds me of a greener, fresher, and although it is not listed, a more citrusy version of Santal 33. It is not a dead ringer for Santal by any means but it shares similar DNA imo. I do get compliments on this one. It is a casual, daytime scent for me. Pairs perfectly with a well-fitted tee and jeans. Performance is solid with moderate projection and sillage. Would recommend it if you are looking for a more muted and fresher take on Santal 33 or simply enjoy woody scents with fresher nuances. Phlur is quality and reasonably priced for niche.

My signature scent. Smells like Le Labo's Santal 33 without the pickle juice scent people ascribe to it, and I find that Sandara has an extra boost of woods and greenery that reminds me exactly of growing up in Australia. Perfect year-round scent in a unique bottle. I was able to snag it during a 45% off sale too, so definitely keep an eye on their emails/Instagram! Long-lasting with great projection. Definitely unisex. I also have the body lotion and the aroma is so strong I can smell it when I walk by the bottle on my bathroom shelf. 10/10.