Surfari

One of the few fragrances I've received repeated compliments for, a truly beachy scent. Smelling it genuinely transports you to lying on a beach somewhere covered in sun lotion baking in the heat with a citrusy drink in hand. As someone who HATES all things coconut, I was surprised at how much I enjoyed this, there's just enough coconut to push it into tropical territory without ending up in cheap body spray territory. Lasts ages, and has amazing sillage, I got stopped repeatedly by customers and colleagues. The full size bottle is expensive at nearly £100, but I got more compliments on this than I did on my JPG Paradise Belle which is over £100 and meant to be in the same theme from a household name.

This has become one of my favourite summer perfumes, but I do have to be in the right mood for it! To me, it perfectly encapsulates the smell of holidays, instantly transporting me to a sunny beach bar somewhere exotic! The coconut comes through strongly, and I’m surprised by some other reviews slating the longevity, because it lasts really well on me and stays quite linear. I only ever use a couple of sprays, as too much of this one could easily become overpowering. It layers well with citrusy scents that give it a lift. It’s also one of the rare perfumes that earned me an instant compliment from my partner the first time I wore it!

I’m really surprised this hasn’t got better reviews. I love coconutty suncream type fragrances and this is probably my favourite one I’ve ever tried, it lasts all day, this morning I layered with palmers Brazilian coco cream and sol de janeiro 59 and I’ve had 4 people stop me to tell me I smell nice! I love it so much!

Surfari is an example of how to push coconut to it's limits. I am well versed in the Saltworks universe, so I know that their perfumes often come with decent sillage and superior longevity. Surfari has neither of those, but when you look at the composition, it is obvious why. The good thing about Surfari is how much wellie they've squeezed out of the coconut. In most other perfumes in the world, coconut is used as a background/supporting note. But in Surfari, it takes center stage, like a pissed up actor that has forgotten their lines. It sort of doesn't know what to do with itself, as it isn't often used in such a role. The notes that "support" it (I use that term VERY loosely) are all extremely flighty ones. Apple, bergamot and jasmine try to put the leg work in to keep Surfari from disappearing, but they all struggle to do so, which means the coconut dies a death at around the two hour mark. But, whilst it is around in the composition, it is BEAUTIFUL. I can see why they have chosen the name Surfari, but I think it would be better themed on the idea of how beauty does not last. It's fucking fannytastic when all components are present, but once the coconut dies, it all sort of falls into a black hole of nothingness. The very faint sandalwood and the microscopic amount of ambergris do their best to pick up the pieces, trying desperately to keep the fragrance alive, but they only give it a few more moments, like chemotherapy for someone who is absolutely riddled with cancer. Three hours in, it has nothing left to give. 6/10. Whilst it is around, it is absolutely stunning. But it doesn't go the distance or punch people in the chops.

If you love coconut, you will enjoy this fragrance. It's not overpowering, it is rather sweet and slightly floral. Almost suncreamy. When I wear this I don't really get the top-notes very strongly, it is more of a milky, musky fragrance to my nose. There's something delicate about it. On a tester strip, the apple/citrus notes become apparent to me. It's a great combination. There's not a great deal of sillage, but I think that's nice for a fragrance of this kind. Very summery. It has formidable staying power. I could still smell in on my skin after 12 hours.

I want to love this one.. especially as I very rashly bought a full bottle after a quick sample without letting it go the full scent cycle. That was a mistake. I like it, but it doesn't like me very much. The beachy summer opening really is a big and bold and vibrant and lovely (if a bit sweet) but in the dry down it just gets a bit synthetic and overly heavy on me. It isn't terrible at all, but it is not a safe blind buy, and when you sample do the full scent journey before you decide.

This one is a difficult one to rate. At the start it is this warm and sweet truly beachy scent with lots of coconut, green apple, bergamot and vanilla. It envelops you in this cloud of sweetness. However, as it settles the cloud begins to suffocate you a bit, becomes heavy, cloying and artificial.

I recently got the Saltworks Discovery Set, so this is based on a few tests from a 2ml sample. No, just no. I don't really like coconut or vanilla anyway, so maybe I was already biased before trying this one, but its absolutely unwearable on me. I don't get any of the apple or bergamot, there's no refreshing or light note at all. From the outset, this is overwhelmingly sickly sweet coconut ice cream like cheap suntan lotion with candy floss on top. Really cloying, really dense, hopelessly overpowering and unsubtle. Definitely migrainous. After 3 hours, it calmed down to a warm basic musk which was ok. If you like coconut, its a realistic version of it, but if you're not a coconut or sweet notes fan, probably best avoided.

Beautiful coconut note, I also smell the apple and sea cotton and vanilla.... The jasmine is non existent, but that's fine with me as I think a strong jasmine would spoil the blend. ..apple/cotton/coconut is a perfect pairing for me . Now for the downside, I received a discovery set as a gift of a dear friend who knows I'm perfume mad 😃. Ive been enjoying and evaluating these little testers. However .... Many of these are so weak ! (And still not much better, maybe slightly, after letting them macerate/mature for 2 months ) I was expecting them to be a more affordable brand... NOPE ,When I went on the actual website, all the 100mls are £95!!!. ... Not a chance I'd spend £95 on something with this level of weak strength, when I could a great designer or indie at that price. They are having a laugh !!! Lots of reviews on their site. In the 1000s of 4/5 reviews for every perfume. ... Strange ... Doensnt match up with what I've read here and on my Reddit frag subs. ..,.strange indeed. Surfari is still a beautiful scent, but I sprayed it 10 mins ago and can smell nothing already. £95 for that , they are having a laugh.

this smells EXACTLY like my best friend’s mum