Stash
Sarah Jessica Parker (2016)

I'm hoping I just got a bad batch because the performance of this fragrance is very poor; it only lasts a few hours on my skin. In terms of scent, I find it to be a lighter version of Tom Ford's Santal Blush. The scent profile is decent, especially considering the price point. If others have better luck with the performance, then this fragrance is definitely worth considering.

I recall early on in my exploration of perfume making a number of years ago that I decided to create a concoction using an ungodly amount of massoia bark essential oil. Now those of you who are familiar with it may already have an idea where this is leading. I decided to wear it and man, did I regret it: my skin was left red and irritated for a good several days. It turns out that the oil was recommended for use at only 0.01% and bozo here put it in at 10% (nowadays it is prohibited by IFRA). The scent however, was heavenly: coconutty, unctuous sweet sandalwood/cedarwood with spiced and leather undertones.

A few years later, I am walking through Ulta Beauty because my partner was buying Jack Black there and I noticed the color of this juice. What a beautiful cognac color, what does this smell like? I then was thrown off: SJP? Sarah Jessica Parker? At the time, I refused to believe that any celebrity could release a respectable fragrance (in time, Luciano Pavarotti proved me wrong as well). So, I figured, why not, let's give this just a small spray on the card. What did I notice first but that lovely massoia scent. Massoia bark, how did they get away with it?? It turns out that they were able to reconstruct it with other lactones (massoia lactone is also prohibited). So that brings me to Stash. Ahhh, Stash. As I write this, my roommate asked me: "what is that, I really like it, is it sandalwood?" Yup, Stash. It gets compliments from roommates.

This is a wonderfully composed fragrance and I can tell that great care was taken to put this together. The supporting notes of sage and olibanum flesh it out and give it a incense vibe without being an entirely incense scent. Also, the pistachio note is evident to my nose, giving it a savory quality. Lastly, ginger lily (I have the solvent extracted absolute as a reference) imparts a spicy and almost sour facet that makes Stash really raw and natural-smelling.

I THINK this might be discontinued, which would be unfortunate. No impressive newer mainstream releases seem to last on the market for very long. Fickle consumers, shame on you.

10/10

Just received a small, roller-ball, edp elixir. Cost less than £10
It immediately reminds me of a Very Expensive, Artisanal fragrance, which I own.
Eau My Goodness! It's sexy, woodsy, androgynous and filthy. May not be to everybody's taste, but I'm wearing it For Me.
I'll be repurchasing this, for sure.

She’s a little bit dirty
…and I like it.

I love the unapologetic nature of this. It’s spicy, gritty/dirty, woody and warm. And my God she’s loyal…over 24 hours and she’s still going strong (dry skin in dry climate).

Opens with the heat of peppercorn that catches you at the back of your throat. Then a rush of strangely enticing unwashed skin (amber and patchouli) mixed with warm resinous woods.

This honestly makes me think of someone doing “the walk of shame”, but without any shame…just enjoying every minute of it. Go ahead and stare and judge, it’ll just make her smile bigger.

A bit like the new Pasha Parfum with a dash of Le Labo aesthetics: woody, boozy, warm. A nice creation, to be sure.

the better more wearable version of santal 33. This is a woody aromatic. It's warm, it's cozy on a cold day. It's an lovely smell you want to wrap up in.