Shades

The Scent Profile

Shades by Armaf goes for Creed's Original Santal. Right away, you get that creamy sandalwood with a good dose of cinnamon. It's pretty similar, maybe 89% there. The opening is a touch harsher, a little more synthetic than the real deal. The lavender and ginger kick in next, adding a spicy freshness. Dries down to a warm vanilla and tonka that’s smooth and pleasant. Original Santal has a richer, more natural feel, but Shades gets surprisingly close.

The Verdict

If you want that Original Santal vibe without dropping serious cash, Shades is a solid choice. Is it a 1:1 clone? No. But it captures the core scent profile effectively. Considering you can snag a bottle it's hard to complain about the slightly synthetic edge. Perfect for everyday wear, especially in the cooler months. Skip the Creed hype and save your money. This gets the job done.

Projection Power

This stuff actually performs pretty well. I get a solid 6-7 hours on my skin, which is respectable. Projection is moderate for the first hour or two, then it sits closer to the skin. Good for office wear where you don’t want to gas everyone out. It's a workhorse, not a statement maker.