Not sandalwood
This is NOT sandalwood. [See update at bottom] I was really excited after reading the good reviews and having a ridiculously hard time finding an affordable sandalwood oil, so I ordered this. This is a blend of essential oils meant to smell like sandalwood, and it almost does — for the first second or two you sniff the bottle. Then it starts to smell like plastic flowers. If this is what some people think sandalwood smells like, they have a wonderful surprise coming when they smell a,real sandalwood or a good approximation.<br /><br />The bottle says 100% essential oil, it's labeled as simply "Sandalwood", but doesn't show the botanical names of the oils that are in it. It smells like geranium and rubber tree. If there's ANY sandalwood in this, I can't smell it. I don't even smell any Amrys. Just saw another reviewer who said the same thing, and I'll second her statement that it's "perfumy". (That's being kind. Perfume sprayed on a big rig's tire after a cross-country haul is more like it.) I wish I'd had seen her review before buying!<br /><br />And it's not just the scent that's concerning. I use oils primarily for aromatherapy, and when I sniff this, I get nauseated. A real sandalwood oil increases my appetite and makes me want to chase the scent. This turns my stomach and makes me want to run.<br /><br />I've noticed this same basic package branded with several different names and print designs. All of them that I've tried are either horrible or questionable at best. I don't know about the citruses, but even the florals, which smell okay, induce nausea in people. I tried this one because I thought the bottle size was different. I was wrong. BEWARE: there are several companies selling oils that come in 100 ml bottles that have a sleek, salon/spa style bottle with a golden ring around the dropper top. The boxes have to be opened from the bottom because the inner box pushes the outer box in such a way that to open the top, you have to almost tear the box. I got some from a company in Malaysia. This one says it's from China. So far, every oil I've bought in these bottles/boxes either smells horrible, nauseates people, or both. I'd beware of anything in similar packaging. I suspect they are coming from the same place or at least using the same, questionable processes to make these oils. (I just confirmed this to my discrimination. I went to an eBay listing of this item, and when I look at the full description, there are oils being sold under two of the three names I've found on these bottles, so I'm gonna call them out here as a service to all consumers of essential oils. The  names are all in all caps and are MAYJAM and PHATOIL. I know these are associated and highly suspect the HIQILI brand claiming to be Malaysian is another branch of the same tree. Look at the names, bottles, boxes, and prices and decide for yourself. I'm convinced. Especially after smelling then! I would advise people avoid the ones that smell wonderful,too. It's hard to make a bad smelling citrus oil, but who knows what's in these?<br /><br />The good reviews tricked me into ignoring my own wisdom on this one. I hope to spare others from the same disappointment.  There's someone who makes exquisite sandalwood essential oil blends that smell so close to the highest quality sandalwoods that only professional noses would know the difference, so I know it can be done. They cost 3x as much as this, but smell like oils that cost 3x more. I'm sure Amazon won't allow me to tell you specifics in this review, but I can say they don't come in these 100 ml bottles! This is my last attempt to try to save money on sandalwood. I can get 100 ml of that sumptuous, velvety, irresistible sandalwood for $47.40.<br /><br />UPDATE: A few hours have passed since i put this on my arm to test, and it just keeps getting worse. I washed it off, but that disgusting floral/plastic smell just keeps getting less like sandalwood and more like soap and … well … if alcohol and baking soda won't get this off … did you see the movie where the guy cut off his own arm to get out of a ravine?
Rating: 3 stars