Thread: Where can I find real sandalwood?

Originally Posted by richardhead

I've tried several 'sandalwood' scented products, but each one smells so different, I can't really say what sandalwood is supposed to smell like.

Here are some of the sandalwood scented products I've used:
Mama-Bear sandalwood scented aftershave
Mama-Bear sandalwood scented shaving soap
TGQ Sandalwood bath soap
Creed Santal cologne
QED Sandalwood shaving soap

Between all of those, I'm guessing the QED is closest to the real deal.

So what products have the most 'pure' sandalwood scent?

Based on my experience with Connaught Shaving Cream, I would recommend that you purchase a sample of the Sandlewood from Paul at Connaughtshaving.com. It may be just what you are looking for.

As has been said, I think the QED is about as close as you can get to pure sandalwood scent. I can't remember if the TGQ bath soap is EO or not. I like the AOS Sandalwood soap - I think that is EO?

It's been discouninued, but Floris Sandalwood EDT is the closest scent I've found to "real" sandalwood.

Jordan

I have found a love for TGQ Sandalwood shave soap. To be honest I have never smelled the E.O. of Sandalwood, but the scent of her Sandalwood shave soap is wonderful.

Sandalwood Sandalwood Sandalwood
Oh yes.. (just dreaming...)

Ahemm....
You can get a genuine sandalwood at essential oil university.
Out of addicitive motives I have made a bathing soap from that stuff three years ago.
There's never been a soap I have been more disappointed with.
The scent almost vanished and IMO it even felt harsh on my skin.
So I've let it sit on the shelf for two years. Occasionally handed out a sliver for testing purposes. Still wasn't convinced.

Lately people pestered me to bring it up and I have to ask a whopping 12.50 Euro per 3.5 oz to get the price of the oil covered. Some love it, even I do in the meantime. I would not have expected many people to fork out so much money for one bar of soap, but some really do.

What makes it different from other sandalwood products I've seen and I'm carrying is a very decent scent, but with a very subtle effect on body and soul.

You cannot get this effect with other natural varieties like amyris, australian or african sandalwood and of course not with fragrance oils, even if they come real close to the real thing when you smell them. For some people this effect is priority, but for the majority their nose and their purse is. That is probably why products with real sandalwood from Mysore are not just pricey but also really hard to find.

Originally Posted by brothers

Based on my experience with Connaught Shaving Cream, I would recommend that you purchase a sample of the Sandlewood from Paul at Connaughtshaving.com. It may be just what you are looking for.

Yes. Paul only uses real Sandalwood EO, and his cream is excellent, as is his Sandalwood AS milk.

(Hi Gary, by the way!)

Give the SRD Sandalwood soap a try. It's made with very high grade sandalwood EO and Don is an absolute nut (in a good way, of course) when it comes to meticulously sweating the details.

I have tried Crabtree and Evelyn sandalwood soap and have found it to be quite good. This was my first shaving soap some years ago. You may like to try this too.

Just my 2c.