If you are looking for a new fragrance that will transport you to a Greek paradise, you might want to check out ESCADA’s Santorini Sunrise. This limited edition eau de toilette is inspired by the stunning island of Santorini, where the sun rises over the azure sea and the white-washed houses. Santorini Sunrise is a fruity floral scent that captures the freshness and vibrancy of this magical place. In this article, we will give you a comprehensive review of ESCADA’s Santorini Sunrise, from its inspiration and packaging to its notes and performance. We will also help you decide if this fragrance is your next signature scent, or if you should pass on it. So, let’s dive into the mystique of Santorini Sunrise and see what it has to offer.
The Inspiration Behind Santorini Sunrise
What inspired ESCADA to create Santorini Sunrise, a fragrance that evokes the beauty and charm of the Greek island? In this section, we will explore the allure of Santorini and how ESCADA translated it into a scent that captures the essence of a Mediterranean escape.
The Allure of Santorini
Santorini is one of the most popular and picturesque destinations in Greece, attracting millions of visitors every year. The island is famous for its stunning caldera, a volcanic crater that was formed by a massive eruption about 3,600 years ago. The caldera is filled with water and surrounded by steep cliffs that are dotted with white and blue houses, churches and hotels. The contrast between the azure sea, the black volcanic beaches and the whitewashed buildings creates a breathtaking scenery that is unique to Santorini.
But Santorini is not only about the views. The island also has a rich history and culture, dating back to the ancient Minoan civilization that flourished here before the eruption. You can visit the archaeological site of Akrotiri, where you can see the remains of a prehistoric town that was preserved by the volcanic ash. You can also admire the frescoes and artifacts that were excavated from Akrotiri at the Museum of Prehistoric Thera in Fira, the island’s capital.
Santorini also offers a variety of activities and experiences for every taste and budget. You can enjoy the sun and the sea at the black, red or white beaches, or take a boat tour to the nearby islands of Nea Kameni and Therasia, where you can see the active volcano and the hot springs. You can also explore the traditional villages of Oia, Imerovigli, Pyrgos and Megalochori, where you can discover the local architecture, cuisine and wine. And of course, you can’t miss the spectacular sunsets that Santorini is famous for, especially from the village of Oia, where you can watch the sun dip into the horizon behind the caldera.
ESCADA’s Vision for a Mediterranean Escape
With such a diverse and enchanting island as a source of inspiration, ESCADA wanted to create a fragrance that would reflect the spirit and atmosphere of Santorini. Santorini Sunrise is part of ESCADA’s Summer Limited Editions, a collection of fragrances that are launched every year since 1993 and are inspired by exotic destinations around the world. Santorini Sunrise was launched in 2023 and is described as “a fruity floral fragrance that celebrates the beauty of a Mediterranean summer morning”.
The fragrance aims to capture the freshness and vibrancy of Santorini, as well as the warmth and sensuality of the sun. The bottle is designed to resemble the shape of the island, with a gradient of colors that go from yellow to pink, representing the sunrise. The cap is adorned with a gold ring that symbolizes the sun, and the name of the fragrance is written in a font that evokes the Greek alphabet. The packaging is also inspired by the island, featuring a photo of the caldera and the village of Oia.
Santorini Sunrise is a fragrance that invites you to escape to a dreamy destination, where you can enjoy the beauty of nature, the charm of culture and the magic of romance. In the next section, we will take a closer look at the fragrance itself, and see what it smells like and how it makes you feel.
First Impressions: The Unboxing Experience
Now that we have learned about the inspiration behind Santorini Sunrise, let’s see how it looks and smells when we first open it. In this section, we will share our first impressions of the design and packaging of the fragrance, as well as our initial scent reactions.:
Design and Packaging
As we mentioned before, the bottle and the box of Santorini Sunrise are inspired by the island of Santorini, with its blue and white colors and its iconic architecture. The bottle is shaped like the island, with a gradient of colors that go from yellow to pink, representing the sunrise. The cap is adorned with a gold ring that symbolizes the sun, and the name of the fragrance is written in a font that evokes the Greek alphabet. The box features a photo of the caldera and the village of Oia, with the same color scheme as the bottle. The overall design is elegant and eye-catching, and reflects the theme of the fragrance very well.Some reviewers have praised the design and packaging of Santorini Sunrise, saying that it is beautiful, classy and feminine. They also liked the details of the bottle, such as the gold ring and the font. However, some reviewers have also pointed out some drawbacks, such as the bottle being too bulky and heavy, and the cap being too loose and easy to fall off. They also wished that the box had more information about the fragrance, such as the notes and the ingredients.Initial Scent ReactionsWhen we first spray Santorini Sunrise on our skin, we are greeted by a burst of fruity and citrusy notes, such as sorbet, mandarin orange and bergamot. The fragrance is fresh, sweet and juicy, and reminds us of a refreshing drink or a sorbet. The opening is very pleasant and uplifting, and makes us feel happy and energized.After a few minutes, the floral notes start to emerge, such as bougainvillea, jasmine and pink pepper. The fragrance becomes more floral and spicy, and adds some depth and complexity to the fruity opening. The floral notes are not too strong or overpowering, but rather blend well with the fruity notes, creating a balanced and harmonious scent. The fragrance is still fresh and sweet, but also more feminine and sensual.The base note of Santorini Sunrise is earthy notes, which are supposed to add some warmth and richness to the fragrance. However, we find that the base note is very subtle and barely noticeable, and does not change the character of the fragrance much. The fragrance stays fruity and floral for most of its duration, and does not evolve much on our skin.Our initial scent reactions to Santorini Sunrise are mostly positive, as we enjoy the freshness and sweetness of the fragrance, and the way it makes us feel. We think that Santorini Sunrise is a perfect scent for summer, as it is light, refreshing and cheerful, and evokes the beauty of a Mediterranean morning. However, we also think that Santorini Sunrise is not very unique or original, as it smells similar to other fruity floral fragrances on the market, and does not have a distinctive personality or signature. We also wish that the fragrance had more longevity and sillage, as it fades quickly and stays close to the skin.Diving Deeper: The Notes of ESCADA’s Santorini SunriseIn this section, we will explore the notes of ESCADA’s Santorini Sunrise, and see how they create the fragrance’s character and mood. A fragrance is composed of three layers of notes: the top, the middle and the base. The top notes are the first ones to be perceived, and they usually last for a few minutes. The middle notes are the heart of the fragrance, and they emerge after the top notes fade. The base notes are the last ones to be detected, and they linger on the skin for hours. Let’s see what notes are in ESCADA’s Santorini Sunrise, and how they work together to create a fruity floral scent.Top Notes: A Citrusy FreshnessThe top notes of ESCADA’s Santorini Sunrise are mandarin sorbet and bergamot. These are citrusy notes that give the fragrance a fresh and juicy opening. Mandarin sorbet is a sweet and tangy note that evokes a refreshing frozen dessert. Bergamot is a bitter and aromatic note that adds some zest and sparkle to the fragrance. Together, these notes create a lively and uplifting impression, and set the tone for the rest of the fragrance. The top notes of ESCADA’s Santorini Sunrise are inspired by the freshness and vibrancy of a Mediterranean summer morning.Middle Notes: The Heart of the FragranceThe middle notes of ESCADA’s Santorini Sunrise are jasmine petals and pink pepper. These are floral and spicy notes that give the fragrance some depth and complexity. Jasmine petals are a delicate and luminous note that add some femininity and sensuality to the fragrance. Pink pepper is a warm and spicy note that adds some contrast and excitement to the fragrance. Together, these notes create a balanced and harmonious blend, and enhance the fruity notes of the top layer. The middle notes of ESCADA’s Santorini Sunrise are inspired by the colorful and fragrant flowers of Santorini, such as the bougainvillea.Base Notes: A Lasting ImpressionThe base note of ESCADA’s Santorini Sunrise is earthy notes. This is a vague and subtle note that is supposed to add some warmth and richness to the fragrance. However, the base note of ESCADA’s Santorini Sunrise is not very noticeable or distinctive, and does not change the character of the fragrance much. The fragrance remains fruity and floral for most of its duration, and does not evolve much on the skin. The base note of ESCADA’s Santorini Sunrise is inspired by the earthy and volcanic nature of Santorini, but it does not capture it very well.Wearing the Fragrance: Longevity and SillageSo far, we have seen how ESCADA’s Santorini Sunrise looks, smells and feels when we first apply it. But how does it perform throughout the day? In this section, we will examine the longevity and sillage of the fragrance, and see how they affect our experience of wearing it.From Day to Night: The Fragrance’s EvolutionLongevity is the term used to describe how long a fragrance lasts on the skin. It depends on many factors, such as the concentration, the ingredients, the skin type, the weather and the application. Santorini Sunrise is an eau de toilette, which means it has a lower concentration of perfume oils than an eau de parfum or a parfum. This usually means that it has a shorter longevity than those types of fragrances. However, longevity can also vary depending on the individual notes and how they interact with the skin.According to some reviewers, Santorini Sunrise has a moderate to good longevity, lasting for about 4 to 6 hours on the skin. However, some reviewers have reported that the fragrance fades much faster, lasting for only 2 to 3 hours. This may be due to the fact that the fragrance does not have a strong base note, and relies mostly on the fruity and floral notes, which tend to evaporate quicker. Some reviewers have suggested applying the fragrance on moisturized skin, or layering it with a matching body lotion or oil, to extend its longevity. p>The fragrance does not change much on the skin, as it stays fruity and floral for most of its duration. The citrusy notes of the opening fade after about an hour, leaving the floral notes of the heart more prominent. The earthy notes of the base are barely noticeable, and do not add much warmth or richness to the fragrance. The fragrance does not have a distinct drydown, and does not evolve much on the skin. Some reviewers have liked this consistency, saying that the fragrance is simple and pleasant. However, some reviewers have found this lack of evolution boring, saying that the fragrance is linear and predictable. p>The Sillage StorySillage is the term used to describe how far a fragrance projects from the skin, and how much it leaves a trail behind. It depends on the same factors as longevity, as well as the amount and the location of the application. Santorini Sunrise is a light and fresh fragrance, which means it has a low to moderate sillage, and does not project very far from the skin. It is not a loud or overpowering fragrance, and does not fill a room or offend anyone. It is more of a personal and intimate fragrance, that can be smelled by those who are close to you.According to some reviewers, Santorini Sunrise has a soft and subtle sillage, that stays close to the skin and does not leave much of a trail. However, some reviewers have reported that the fragrance has a moderate and noticeable sillage, that can be smelled by others and can leave a pleasant impression. This may be due to the fact that the fragrance has some spicy and floral notes, that can add some depth and character to the fragrance. Some reviewers have suggested applying the fragrance on the pulse points, such as the wrists, the neck and the chest, to enhance its sillage.Conclusion: Is Santorini Sunrise Your Next Signature Scent?We have reached the end of our review of ESCADA’s Santorini Sunrise, a fruity floral fragrance that is inspired by the stunning island of Santorini. We have seen how the fragrance looks, smells, feels and performs on the skin, and how it reflects the spirit and atmosphere of a Mediterranean summer morning. But the ultimate question is: is Santorini Sunrise your next signature scent?
The answer to this question depends on your personal preferences and expectations. Santorini Sunrise is a fragrance that has many positive aspects, such as:It has a fresh and juicy opening, with notes of mandarin sorbet and bergamot, that are uplifting and energizing.It has a balanced and harmonious heart, with notes of jasmine petals and pink pepper, that are feminine and sensual.It has a beautiful and eye-catching design and packaging, that are inspired by the island of Santorini, with its blue and white colors and its iconic architecture.It is a light and refreshing fragrance, that is perfect for summer, as it is not too heavy or overpowering.It is a simple and pleasant fragrance, that is easy to wear and enjoy.However, Santorini Sunrise also has some drawbacks, such as:It has a subtle and vague base note, with earthy notes, that are barely noticeable and do not add much warmth or richness to the fragrance.It does not have a long longevity or a strong sillage, and it fades quickly and stays close to the skin.It does not have a distinct personality or signature, and it smells similar to other fruity floral fragrances on the market.It does not have a lot of evolution or complexity, and it stays fruity and floral for most of its duration.It is a limited edition fragrance, that may not be available for a long time.Therefore, Santorini Sunrise is a fragrance that may appeal to you if you are looking for a fresh and sweet scent that will transport you to a Greek paradise, and if you do not mind its simplicity and short performance. However, if you are looking for a more unique and lasting scent that will capture the essence of Santorini, you may want to look elsewhere.We hope that this review has helped you decide if Santorini Sunrise is your next signature scent, or if you should pass on it. Thank you for reading, and we hope to see you again soon.
