![]() For what it’s worth, the notes are generally agreed to be bergamot, orange, cedar, birch, oakmoss, cardamom, vetiver, rosewood, and moss. Many people say that in order for them to tolerate anything less than exemplary persistence, the price must be reasonable and the fragrance exceptional. The longevity is decent enough for an EDT. ![]() The fact such a response happens so infrequently is one of the things which keeps me looking.Īrkansas was so quiet, and my access to other perfumes so circumscribed this weekend, that I focused intently on Declaration Essence, its smoky nuttiness, an artful blend of woods and spice. She sprayed amply, drenching my skin, and when I smelled it, I had the kind of intense reaction most of us hope for when we pick up the next bottle. It was only because I decided to give the Declaration I remembered from Sephora a second smell that I allowed her to spritz my wrist with Essence. I didn’t realize it was a flanker at first and wasn’t interested. A saleslady at the mens fragrance counter, after trying to push some feminine on me as a gift for the woman in my life (I AM the woman in my life, I want to scream at these people) she pointed out Declaration Essence to me. Months later, when I was in Portland, I wandered into Nordstroms while my friend had her nails done. But the choice was between that and Terre D’Hermes, and the latter won out. Anything with cardamom seemed a sure fire winner to me. From the notes, it seemed like something I would be into. When I first smelled Declaration, at Sephora, I was impressed but underwhelmed. I knew I loved it but had forgotten with what kind of passion. The country proved an ideal setting for appraising this cologne. ![]() Declaration Essence seemed an ideal candidate for this special occasion, so along with Chanel Antaeus, Santa Maria Novella Iris, Washington Tremlett Royals Heroes 1805, and a busted-up bottle of Cuir de Russie, I packed it for the trip. Like cable TV, there’s so much to choose from. Smelling ten at a time, you very seldom get the true aromatic properties of any individual scent. I decided this was a singular opportunity to appreciate the merits of a small handful. M-M-M-M-Mommy! How could I possibly bring thirty bottles of perfume to Arkansas? On any given day I sit down after work with at least ten bottles and alternate holding one or the other under my nose like Frank Booth inhaling from his oxygen tank in Blue Velvet. Would one bottle for each day be enough? Or two? I had no idea. I rarely have to think about how much sniffing I’ll need or want to do. When I don’t bring anything, it’s usually because I know I’ll need the room for purchases I’ve made while away. Obviously, I’ve travelled before, but almost never to a place where I can’t shop for perfume. I packed efficiently (one and a half pair of underwear for each day, two t-shirts, soap, shampoo, laptop, books) until it came time to perfume. ![]() This weekend, I traveled to rural Arkansas to visit some family. This is the logic of an obsessive, and explains why many old women have closets full of dresses and hats and coats which have never been removed from the manufacturer’s packaging, and china which is saved for a dinner which is never served. I don’t ever want to be without Declaration Essence, so I never use it. ![]() The bottle is unwieldy and though I could easily replace it I resist using it for fear of running out. Declaration Essence has been pushed to the back of the cabinet. I won’t bore you or embarrass myself by saying just how many. Since buying it, I’ve acquired many more fragrances. My reaction to this cologne is unreasonable and indescribable, and for a long time I’ve avoided writing about it because its effect on me isn’t something a simple recital of its notes or an intellectual dissection of its dry down could convey. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |