Vibrant Leather & Sandalwood Elixir

Bottom Line

If this scent were a character in a film, it would be the meticulously dressed but ultimately unconvincing con artist, all surface and no substance.

Olfactory Experience

Vibrant Leather & Sandalwood Elixir starts with an intriguing violet leaf that quickly turns soapy and reminiscent of freshly printed magazines. The cardamom is a ghost, barely detectable beneath a growing cloud of synthetic sandalwood. The heart is where it deviates most notably; the iris attempts a powdery elegance but is quickly subdued by a prominent, almost chemical ambroxan. Instead of genuine, creamy sandalwood, the drydown delivers a cedarwood-forward experience, layered with a somewhat plasticky "leather" accord. The overall effect lands closer to furniture polish than a luxurious sandalwood fragrance.

Wear time & Sillage

Longevity is surprisingly decent, clocking in around 5-6 hours on skin, though it fades to a skin scent after the initial two. Projection is moderate for the first hour, extending about one arm's length before retracting. It fares best in cooler indoor settings, as heat seems to amplify the artificial notes. I wore this during a brisk walk downtown, and it held up reasonably well against the wind, but it lacks the radiance or complexity to truly captivate.