Déclaration Cologne Cartier 2010

Delicious citric for summer, mostly lemons and ginger from the beginning to the end.

Smells classy as original Declaration.

Average lasting power and good sillage.

If you enjoy Dior Homme Sport, you'll like this one.

Updated January 2014

With perfumes, it often behaves like in love. Sometimes complicated. From unrecognized charms that one discovers later to a slow development of affection, anything is possible. The simplest and most beautiful case is when you inhale the fragrance composition with the top note and realize for yourself: Wow, the chemistry is right from the start.

However, chemistry in connection with "Déclaration Cologne" is really discrediting, because this reinterpretation of the classic Eau de Cologne has nothing to do with synthetic-smelling fragrance components. On the contrary, when you perceive this fine and not sour citrus note, which in its mild appearance resembles lemongrass, you feel like you are in a Sicilian lemon grove during harvest time. Mind you, when you pick the fruit yourself and take in the fine, milder scent of the peels on your hands. This, combined with the scent of a ripe mandarin or orange peel, creates a very harmonious fusion of the citrus family, which must first be achieved in this form.

That is coherent, a famous Bavarian TV chef would probably say, especially when he discovers the subtle scent of ginger in the background for himself. Because not only is vanilla the best buddy of ginger, it also likes citrus fruits, and Cartier impressively shows this with "Déclaration Cologne." It is this simplicity of being that appears attractively fresh here and may seem a bit too "straight" for some, and indeed, in my opinion, not as many supposed notes as indicated in the fragrance pyramid emerge. However, for me, this is not false modesty, because citrus provides a harmonizing freshness that, as mentioned, does not come across as sour but rather mild. Ginger adds spice and a positive warmth, as if you had consumed the whole thing in tea form. "Herbaceous" components are not found in this cologne, and that's a good thing. If one were to assign it to a cardinal direction, it has an Asian touch, while being as reserved as it is subtly offensively smiling in its appearance.

Here, what belongs together is simply combined, and what has already found happiness is rounded off. If this fragrance had been created by that famous Bavarian TV chef and not Mathilde Laurent, he would probably have come up with the idea much earlier, despite the ginger, because before his spice shop stood at the Platzl in beautiful Monaco di Bavaria, he was even of the opinion that one should emphasize the quality of the base product and, if at all, combine it with relatives rather than distort it or, if you will, over-season it.

Times change, but this wonderful ginger nuance in "Déclaration Cologne" would probably still make our Bavarian master chef happy today, so we would both likely agree: You can't complain about that!

Today I had Déclaration Cologne shown to me at the small perfumery Schwope in Wolfsburg. They have a very clear, but intelligently selected range, and what is on the counter can confidently be regarded as pearls among mainstream fragrances.

So there is a Cologne from Déclaration, and it is well done. Let's set aside the original scent Déclaration, as it has nothing to do with it. This Cologne essentially consists of citrus notes. Nothing special, at first it seemed just to be a citrusy sport scent, but the citrus note seemed quite well done. Indeed, exceptionally well done. I had to think; the scent reminded me of something else. Finally, I figured it out: Passion Boisée by Frapin!

Passion Boisée is an excellent niche fragrance that combines bright woods with a wonderful mandarin and orange note. I really like this perfume, but I wear it rarely, as the woodiness is quite pronounced and the scent thus makes considerable demands. And now comes Déclaration Cologne: Here you have exactly the same wonderful mandarin and orange note! But it lacks the demanding woodiness!

Overall, the pyramid seems rather exaggerated again. This Cologne consists of the citrus note and actually nothing else. Something spicy, woody, and vetiver may be hidden in the base, but it doesn't disturb further. Thus, this Cologne is indeed one-dimensional, but very well made. It's interesting to see how the same scent note is used once in a niche perfume and another time in a common fragrance. Once demanding and challenging - another time, however, modest, straightforward, fresh, and wearable. I personally find this mandarin-orange note one of the most beautiful citrus notes currently available in a perfume.

Okay, I should also point out the possible downsides. In its one-dimensionality, Déclaration Cologne can certainly also come across as meager. Especially since the designation "Cologne" is to be taken seriously. After two hours, nothing of the scent remains. One has to consider whether they like it that way.

For me personally, that is a bit too little at the moment, especially since I already own Passion Boisée. I might acquire this Cologne next year as a summer scent.

Declaration Cologne starts off very fresh with citrus notes without being sour.
However, not much more happens.
I find the scent incredibly refreshing. Its home is therefore in my gym bag.
Since it is very light, I like to spray it all over from head to toe. Preferably once before working out and then again after working out and showering. A nice extra shower, so to speak.
For me, Declaration Cologne is definitely unisex and should not be reserved for men only.

Last Christmas, my brother received this fragrance as a gift after my mom and I went shopping, so he would have something nice to smell good at work.

After she had already asked me what we could consider for him, I pulled out a sample of Declaration Cologne from my collection, thinking it might be suitable for him. I tested it, and Mom was immediately thrilled with the scent.

Well, Christmas Eve came, and he received the fragrance. Every time he sits at the breakfast table in the morning, Mom is always smitten. :) She likes it.

Now I thought I would test it myself again to see how it comes across on me. But unfortunately, nothing remarkable comes through. Right after spraying, you only perceive a fresh accord. Bergamot, ginger, vetiver, it could all be that. It smells great, a fresh pleasant scent.
But, the whole performance doesn't last even 5 minutes on me, and there's nothing left to perceive.

Very, very unfortunate, it would have been a good candidate for summer, but with the longevity, it won't find its way into my collection.