Santal Blush is an enchanting amber woody fragrance released as part of Tom Ford’s Signature Collection in 2011. Featuring spicy top notes, rich florals, and a creamy sandalwood heart, Santal Blush is a wonderful option for cooler months. Tom Ford fragrances do, however, tend to be more expensive than most people would like to spend. For others, the accord is a bit too bold and they’re looking for a fragrance with a similar scent profile but less potent. The fragrance market today offers several excellent dupes and alternatives to Santal Blush. If you’re looking for an excellent alternative to this popular scent, here are 8 fragrances you’ll love.
What Are We Looking For in Santal Blush
Santal Blush smells like sipping a spicy chai latte in a chic coffee shop with creamy sandalwood incense gently burning in the background. This intoxicating blend of notes is unique, and the projection and longevity are pretty strong. When choosing a good dupe for Santal Blush, you’ll want to keep several things in mind. The fragrance should open with a spicy note. Cardamom and cinnamon notes can elicit a similar feel. Other spices like caraway and fennel seeds can also work. At the middle of the aroma, we want exotic floral notes. Ylang-ylang, rose, and jasmine are all potent notes that should be included. Sandalwood lies at the heart of Santal Blush, and a dupe perfume should carry this woody vibe throughout wear. Finally, the base should feature a mix of cedar, oud, and musk. With that in mind, let’s move on to my list of eight dupes that are similar to Tom Ford’s Santal Blush.
The 8 Best Dupes of Santal Blush
1. Our Impression of Tom Ford – Santal Blush by OilPerfumery
I usually enjoy OilPerfumery’s imitations of popular fragrances and was impressed with their impression of Santal Blush. The rollerball application system makes application a breeze, and it’s conveniently sized to be highly portable. After the initial application, I noticed a scent reminiscent of pencil shavings. However, this smell passed quickly. About thirty minutes into wear, I could detect a hint of florals that settled as it turned into a spicy skin scent a few hours later. I think this dupe leans a bit more masculine as the spicy wood notes strengthen and become the only detectable scents at the base. Those who prefer more masculine fragrances will enjoy this dupe.
2. Adam Levine by Adam Levine
The nose behind Adam Levine is Yann Vasnier, who also formulated Santal Blush. It makes sense that there would be several similarities between the two fragrances. The opening of Adam Levine is similarly spicy, though there is a slight citrus vibe at the top as well. The middle is sweeter and more floral than Santal Blush. I feel that Adam Levine is a much more feminine fragrance. It dries down quickly, and the projection is less potent than Santal Blush. The low price point means you can reapply all day long without feeling guilty.
3. Santal Crush by Alexandria Fragrances
Next on my list is Santal Crush by Alexandria Fragrances. I found the opening somewhat spicier than the original. The carrot notes were much more robust as well. As it moves through the middle, ylang-ylang, jasmine, and rose take centerstage. I found the floral notes stronger than in Santal Blush, and they linger much longer as well. The bottom is a bit muskier, and the oud notes last throughout the rest of the wear. I was very impressed with the longevity, and this fragrance had a powerful scent trail that matched the original. Overall, if you don’t mind a spicier opening and a slightly more floral middle, I’d suggest checking this one out.
4. Sensuous by Estée Lauder
If you’re looking for something with a slightly bolder sandalwood experience, try Sensuous by Estee Lauder. The opening is spicy and somewhat sweet, but it quickly settles into a powdery and creamy blend of woody and amber notes. A sweet honey note tends to appear at random. Despite this, the fragrance never becomes cloying or transforms its overall vibe. At the base, mild, sweet vanilla notes appear, and sandalwood remains throughout dry down. Overall, the sandalwood notes are most detectable, and the projection is soft and intimate. If you enjoy the overall vibe of Santal Crush but want something more subtle, Sensuous is a good choice.
5. Sacred Wood by Kilian
If you’re looking for something very linear yet creamy, you’ll enjoy Sacred Wood. I immediately detected a rich, milky quality with fragrant sandalwood shavings. Sacred Wood is much woodier than Santal Blush, and the projection is quite strong. You will have to watch out not to overspray this fragrance, as it can become overpowering if you apply too much. I was impressed by the longevity, and I could still detect hints of sandalwood after twelve hours of wear. Sacred Wood is a great cold-weather fragrance, and I think it works well as an evening scent. The price is rather expensive, so if you’re looking for something less expensive, you may want to look elsewhere.
6. Sunny Side Up by Juliette Has a Gun
If you enjoy the deep notes in Santal Blush but appreciate a brighter opening, you can try out Sunny Side Up from Juliette Has a Gun. The beginning is very sweet and floral, with notes of vanilla and jasmine. However, this sweetness quickly fades into the background as a mix of sandalwood and musky notes arise during dry down. What I enjoyed about Sunny Side Up is the bold coconut note that balances the woodier vibe. Although Santal Blush does not feature coconut, I think this note compliments the accord very well. It features a similar creamy vibe as in Santal Blush, but I feel this fragrance is a bit milkier overall. If you’re looking for an option that’s a little lighter than Santal Blush and that’s perfect for summer, try Sunny Side Up.
7. Eau de parfum 301 with sandalwood, amber and cardamom by Bon Parfumeur
As an alternative to Santal Blush, I think Bon Parfumeur’s fragrance is quite enjoyable. The opening is a bit different, and instead of featuring spicy notes initially, I can detect warm cloves and leather instead. The spicy notes evolved shortly after that, and I sensed a hint of whiskey that seemed to come and go throughout dry down. There is a strong cedar note like within Santal Blush, but the sandalwood heart is always present. While I rate longevity below average, the price point is much lower than Tom Ford’s fragrance. I think this is a safe try for those who enjoy Santal Blush but don’t want to spend the hefty price tag.
8. Santal Blond by Atelier Materi
Quite a few people I know enjoy the creamy sandalwood vibe in Santal Blush but feel a bit dazzled by its potency. If you need something a little softer but with a very similar accord, check out Santal Blond. The opening is sweet and airy, unlike Santal Blush. However, the middle notes of jasmine and sandalwood, followed by tonka, give it a very similar vibe as it dries down. The hinoki wood inside also gives it a subtle citrus scent that’s uplifting. I also think the cardamom notes add a gourmand quality. It’s almost as though I can smell a freshly baked cake with a spicy aroma. This scent leans masculine, but it works fine for women who enjoy such notes. It’s a softer take on Santal Blush that projects less strongly. However, it’s one of the more expensive fragrances on my list, too, so keep this in mind before you commit to it.
