Inspired by Asia’s splendor and opulence, Original Santal; an amber/woody/oriental fragrance for her was created by Olivier, Erwin Creed, and Pierre Bourdon. This fragrance was launched in 2005 and has since garnered compliments for its wearers. Aromatic, classical, robust, and warm are how I would like to describe Creed Original Santal.
If you prefer other notes, do check out our list of Most Popular Creed Perfumes for Ladies and Best Summer Scents for Men in 2023
Quick Summary- Creed Original Santal
- Unisex Scent but more Masculine
- Longevity- up to 8 hours
- Moderate Projection
- Woody and Spicy Scent
- Sandalwood, Cinnamon, coriander, and Vanilla
- Winter and Fall Scent
- Can be worn in formal and casual settings.
Original Santal by Creed was conceived and has been marketed as a women’s perfume. However, due to its composition, this perfume can be regarded as a unisex fragrance.
it is ‘equally powerful and masculine as it is sweet, daring and warm’. So not only women, but even men who are fans of rich oriental fragrances can don this gender-neutral fragrance. With that said, don’t expect something that is overly masculine/feminine, because that’s not what you’ll get
Thinking of purchasing a bottle for yourself? Keep reading my Creed Original Santal Review to decide if it’s worth your money.
How similar is Original Santal to other perfumes?
Users often compare Creed Original Santal to two other popular perfumes namely; Montblanc Individuel and Joop! Homme. So, are these the same?
Well, not really. Montblanc Individuel and Joop! They are very close to Original Santal as they share some similar base notes. Now this is where quality comes into play. Original Santal smells much more natural and realistic than its comparisons which might give off a synthetic feel when smelt. Creed is superior to the two in terms of the premium quality scent it offers.
Secondly, Joop! And Individuel is heavy, masculine scents whereas Original Santal is safely unisex. In conclusion, Original Santal is much better and has it all_ balmy, classy, and substantial.
I also like Creed Fleurs De Balgarie perfume and it is one om go to. Read my take on it.
Top Notes
Ginger (China), Juniper Berries, Bergamot, Rosemary, Coriander, Cinnamon and lastly, Mandarin make up the seemingly spicy profile of the scent.
The opening may come across as slightly harsh and sharp but it quickly smooths out as the sandalwood and cinnamon kick in; transitioning into a soft, sweet and cosy fragrance. The juniper berry provides a slightly fruity aroma
Middle Notes
Middle notes for Creed Original Santal consist of Lavender, Geranium (Egypt), Orange Blossom (Tunisia) and Sandalwood.
The middle notes are varied, making this fragrance versatile. The evergreen woodsy Lavender, calming Geranium, and heady and suave Orange Blossom paired with a slightly sweet, musky and spicy Sandalwood make up for an utterly bewitching scent. The sandalwood makes up the heart of the scent and stays from beginning to end.
Base Notes
Oakmoss, Musk, Tonka Bean (Venezuela) and Cedarwood lie at the base of this heavenly fragrance.
These ingredients are responsible for the sweet and creamy dry-down you experience after the scent has stayed on your skin for some time. The sandalwood and vanilla give the scent a slightly sweet and creamy dry-down but not too sweet, which is a plus if you’re not a fan of overly sweet scents.
What do I like about Original Santal?
- A warm and inviting fragrance
- Clean and balanced composition
- A versatile scent that can be worn by men and women
- Great sandalwood and cinnamon notes
- The natural scent does not smell synthetic at all
- Like always, Creed uses quality ingredients which are reflected in the fragrance
What I don’t like about Creed Original Santal?
- Overpriced compared to similar fragrances
- Poor chemistry with some people’s skin
- Unimpressive performance for the high price
- Lack of individuality in the fragrance
- Overbearing cinnamon note
Longevity
New to the word longevity? Well, it refers to the amount of time a scent stays on your skin.
Creed Original Santal has average longevity. Meaning, its staying power is not the best; on some people’s skin, it might even stay shorter. It has an average staying power of 4 to 6 hours, where your skin chemistry comes into a big play.
To enhance the longevity of your body, rub some petroleum jelly on your pulse points before spraying the perfume. This is the last resort to get a little more out of the perfume’s staying power.
Sillage
Despite the best quality ingredients and the softness of the composition, unfortunately, Creed Original Santal does not have a strong sillage. Its projection power is moderate and it mainly stays closer to the skin. For a couple of spritzes, you get about 1 foot of projection. If you desire more projection, you will need more than 5 sprays of the perfume for someone to detect the fragrance. Despite the sillage, Original Santal is a highly attractive scent and it is the type that draws people closer.
When to wear your Creed Original Santal?
Original Santal is a versatile and relatively safe fragrance. In my opinion, it works best in the colder months of the year owing to its warm and cosy composition. However, it is the type of fragrance that can fit almost anywhere. So feel free to test this in hot, humid weather to see which one appeals the most to you.
Since the projection isn’t large, Original Santal registers as a non-overbearing scent which you can even wear at work. It is a safe option to wear on any occasion; be it dress up, dress down, casual, semi-formal or day/night. It makes a great choice to wear in the evenings, for dinner parties, a beach bonfire or night outs. Original Santal has the potential to make it into your favourites list and could easily become your next signature scent.
Packaging
The perfume comes enclosed in a gorgeous coloured glass bottle with a silver shining cap and an engraved logo. The bottle is crafted in the typical Creed silhouette and is stained with a beautiful orange-red gradient reminiscent of the mesmerizing and magnificent Indian sunsets. Though the bottle is nothing new I love the colour. The stained glass looks amazing and the orange colour perfectly complements the warm vibe of sandalwood.
Loving the vibe of this bottle. This can easily be the star of your perfume collection with its beautiful cosy appearance.
Final Thoughts
To conclude my Creed Original Santal review, I must say that this is not a head-turner or a standout scent, but this has a wow factor. This isn’t a groundbreaking combination but it’s an excellent fragrance. A bit outdated but never too old! It’s smoother and fresher than its counterparts i.e. Joop and Individuel.
Original Santal is not your ordinary woodsy composition. From the relaxing cinnamon to soothing lavender, to zesty ginger and creamy sandalwood, all the notes are harmonious and very balanced. The scent is spicy, warm, luxurious and effortlessly indulgent all at the same time.
The only problem is its weak projection and longevity. It does not overwhelm your senses, which I wouldn’t want it to, but some kind of power would have been excellent. Except for a very faint sweetness, it is gone from my skin after 4 hours. I do love Original Santal, just not at that pricing point considering there are cheaper dupes for this fragrance out there in the market.
The impeccable quality of ingredients used by Creed is reflected in the scent but it is not enough to justify the sky-high price. This perfume is worth it but not at this price point unless you don’t mind the high cost.
