I'm in the mood for Sandalwood

I spotted that thanks to your post the other day (and meant to respond as the Vetiver would likely float my boat, too). I got the LEA as an impulse purchase tacked on to an order as it was cheap and cheerful, but really doesn't suit me - it's sticky and tacky, like much of the aftershaves you get from the continent. Good old M&S is probably more likely to suit ...

Yep! I'll grab those! Cheers!
 
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I use Trumpers' Sandalwood skin food, which smells divine. I decided to try their Cologne and Cream. The Cologne smells nothing like the skin food (sadly), and their shave cream smelt like a dirty ashtray. I never purchases the cologne but I did have a tube of the cream. Couldn't wait to finish it. I can't remember the smell of the Cologne to give any advice though. Just thought I'd post my pointless encounter with Trumpers Sandalwood.

The cologne used to smell exactly like the skinfood, but back in 2010, I bought a bottle and noticed that it smelled slightly different then the sample I had tried earlier that year. I was disappointed.
 
Can’t stand TOBS sandalwood for one main reason. It smells absolutely nothing like true Mysore Sandalwood whatsoever, not even a trace. Proraso Red aftershave is way closer, a much better aftershave, the scent lingers well and is a tenner a bottle delivered. No brainer.

My fiancée has visited India many times on business and has brought back various artefacts with the true Mysore sandalwood scent, chiefly incense sticks. Don’t burn them but put them in a cupboard and every time you open it you are greeted with the warm, seductive scent of real sandalwood.

I bet D R Harris do a much better job than TOBS. And yes I’ve tried the TOBS iteration having had the aftershave, cologne and shaving soap. Said aftershave is just stink with alcohol and closer to cats pee than anything resembling actual sandalwood. Soap and cologne smell identical. I’d also put money on Trumper’s Sandalwood cologne being better than TOBS but I’d still stick with Proraso red. My fiancée can smell the true sandalwood in there and I’d trust her nose more than my own.

I also can’t understand your aversion to shea as Proraso red is not exactly stuffed full of it and it’s probably the best performing aftershave I've ever used. However I’ll let you off since you’ve turned the world of DE blades upside down for me with your fantastic recommendations of Personna Platinum Chrome, Lord Silver Star and Super Shave X. The first two being my #1 and #2 respectively. Huge thanks for that but TOBS Sandalwood smells more like Gandhi’s sweaty sandals than Mysore sandalwood! :ROFLMAO:

As far as the Lea Classic range is concerned, their sandalwood & moss combination is divine and the cream an absolute stellar performer. I’ve yet to try the matching aftershave but it’s on my list. Proraso red after t using the Lea Classic cream is a wonderful, lasting combination.
 
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Can’t stand TOBS sandalwood for one main reason. It smells absolutely nothing like true Mysore Sandalwood whatsoever, not even a trace. Proraso Red aftershave is way closer, a much better aftershave, the scent lingers well and is a tenner a bottle delivered. No brainer.

My fiancée has visited India many times on business and has brought back various artefacts with the true Mysore sandalwood scent, chiefly incense sticks. Don’t burn them but put them in a cupboard and every time you open it you are greeted with the warm, seductive scent of real sandalwood.

I bet D R Harris do a much better job than TOBS. And yes I’ve tried the TOBS iteration having had the aftershave, cologne and shaving soap. Said aftershave is just stink with alcohol and closer to cats pee than anything resembling actual sandalwood. Soap and cologne smell identical. I’d also put money on Trumper’s Sandalwood cologne being better than TOBS but I’d still stick with Proraso red. My fiancée can smell the true sandalwood in there and I’d trust her nose more than my own.

I also can’t understand your aversion to shea as Proraso red is not exactly stuffed full of it and it’s probably the best performing aftershave I've ever used. However I’ll let you off since you’ve turned the world of DE blades upside down for me with your fantastic recommendations of Personna Platinum Chrome, Lord Silver Star and Super Shave X. The first two being my #1 and #2 respectively. Huge thanks for that but TOBS Sandalwood smells more like Gandhi’s sweaty sandals than Mysore sandalwood! :ROFLMAO:

As far as the Lea Classic range is concerned, their sandalwood & moss combination is divine and the cream an absolute stellar performer. I’ve yet to try the matching aftershave but it’s on my list. Proraso red after t using the Lea Classic cream is a wonderful, lasting combination.
I'm not going to say I can't stand TOBS sandalwood but let's just say that is not my favourite, although I admit it's growing on me ever so slowly.

I have the TOBS and the D R Harris aftershaves and neither are in my top picks, I have Fine, PAA and Proraso ahead. I really like D R Harris Marlborough soap so I should try the aftershave too.

I can't remember off the top of my head how many sandalwood soap variations I have and to me what really matters is whether the scent agrees with my nose or not. I'm not really a purist when it comes to sandalwood scent :)

As a soap, the scent of Proraso, PAA, Caties Bubbles, Fine Santel, Arts of Shaving cream and Stirlings are all from the same family / related IMO and Proraso is my least favourite although the aftershave is one of my top favourites... it just doesn't linger long enough for me otherwise it would be my número uno.

Then there are other soaps I have that don't seem to belong in the list above but I like a lot.
Art of Shaving original soap being my favourite of all
Crabtree and Evelyn Indian Sandalwood original soap also up there with AOS original soap.
St James of London Sandalwood and Bergamot grew on me to the point I now like it a lot.
D R Harris Marlborough also a lovely sandalwood scent specially for people that prefer mild scented soaps/ AS
OSP also different. I haven't used this soap in over a year so I'm going to dig it out for my next shave.

As for aftershaves... Fine Santel is my favourite, followed by Proraso red.
 
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I'm not going to say I can't stand TOBS sandalwood but let's just say that is not my favourite, although I admit it's growing on me ever so slowly.

I have the TOBS and the D R Harris aftershaves and neither are in my top picks, I have Fine, PAA and Proraso ahead. I really like D R Harris Marlborough soap so I should try the aftershave too.

I can't remember off the top of my head how many sandalwood soap variations I have and to me what really matters is whether the scent agrees with my nose or not. I'm not really a purist when it comes to sandalwood scent :)

As a soap, the scent of Proraso, PAA, Caties Bubbles, Fine Santel, Arts of Shaving cream and Stirlings are all from the same family / related IMO and Proraso is my least favourite although the aftershave is one of my top favourites... it just doesn't linger long enough for me otherwise it would be my número uno.

Then there are other soaps I have that don't seem to belong in the list above but I like a lot.
Art of Shaving original soap being my favourite of all
Crabtree and Evelyn Indian Sandalwood original soap also up there with AOS original soap.
St James of London Sandalwood and Bergamot grew on me to the point I now like it a lot.
D R Harris Marlborough also a lovely sandalwood scent specially for people that prefer mild scented soaps/ AS
OSP also different. I haven't used this soap in over a year so I'm going to dig it out for my next shave.

As for aftershaves... Fine Santel is my favourite, followed by Proraso red.
I only get cedar with the DR Harris Marlborough.
 
I find the TOBS aftershave and cologne to be pleasant, soapy, slightly sweet old school scents, but with a general warm woods vibe rather than specifically Sandalwood. The Geo. F Trumper interpretation is more creamy, classy and upmarket, but again a general woods vibe (although very nice indeed).

D.R. Harris is a dry scent whcich to me with a more specific and pure sandalwood note. This is a scent that could be used for formal occasions.

Proraso Red surprised me. I took a while to get around to trying it, and thought it just OK to begin with, but it has really grown on me. I don't mind the shea butter, as it absorbs very quickly into the skin and doesn't leave a greasy feel, and the sandalwood note is faithful and has excellent longevity for an aftershave.

I never really took to the Lea Classic scent.
 
A friend of mine bought me the TOBS aftershave a while ago. I think it's one of the nicest aftershave lotions that I have ever worn. I've tried to find out where they got it from, but they won't tell me. It's quite hard to find in shops where I live. I am beginning to suspect that they got it from Duty Free, the last time that they went abroad...

I have never tried the other one that you mentioned, though. Sorry.
 
There's a superb frag shop on Malta which carries a comprehensive stock of British perfumers, like Penhaligons, TOBS & Trumpers. I suppose a trip to London would be closer; probably not cheaper.
That's good to hear. Unfortunately for me, Malta is a bit too far out for me, and I also don't live anywhere near London. I guess that my shopping options will have to remain with Boots, Superdrug, The Perfume Shop and The Fragrance Shop....
 
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