Declaration Essence by Cartier

My God, what an olfactory masterpiece Cartier has created… Sublime! The tea, geranium, orange blossom, majestic lavender and citrus are divine, but on my skin, my eternal love for vetiver takes over. We’re a crazy couple: that root with its petrichor, dampness and wild beauty clings to my skin like the house does. It reminds me of Terre d’Hermès, a bit of Guerlain Vetiver and Lalique Encre Noir Sport. It’s glorious, rich and gives that tobacco-leaf note I adore so much.

A distinct and sophisticated scent, its elegance prevails. In this version, I find it more versatile than the original without losing its essence; it’s one of the best perfumes I’ve ever bought. Its originality makes it a true work of art.

Like with Narciso Rodríguez, sometimes I confuse the scent of this perfume with body odour, which is why I repel wearing it even though I love it sprayed in the air. In the end, I decided to sell it.

This Declaration Essence is drier and denser than the original. The opening is very citrusy and the dry-down leaves a citrus-mossy, dry air, very elegant. It lasts between seven and eight hours and its trail is quite good. The presentation is stunning: that gradient blue bottle and the unique details of the Declaration line make it phenomenal. Let’s see what flanker awaits us this year (the Haute is rubbish).

Reviewing this in mid-2022, I must assume it’s discontinued and those who get it are the lucky ones. I found it in a tester for around $28-30. Reading previous reviews, it’s no surprise they don’t recommend it for young people, but nowadays with new scents and modern preferences, I would use it from age 25, even a university student wanting to smell different. I’d recommend it for casual but tidy occasions, well-dressed, crossing the line between urban and semi-formal. Very good scent, I’d say it’s bitter orange with woods and musk, ideal for slightly warm days.

Déclaration Essence (2001): I agree it’s not for everyone, only for those who like to stand out elegantly and soberly, regardless of others’ opinions. That’s why they’re my favourites, especially the original EDT which is more iris-cedar. I don’t understand why Essence omits the iris note which is the central theme???

Many say it’s not for young people, but it’s my favourite among designer fragrances. Its trail is unique and lingers everywhere. I found it at Palacio de Hierro; the teal bottle won me over instantly. Upon application, bitter citrus, woods, ripe fruits and a touch of animalic notes envelop me, like an exclusive sunset you want to possess. It’s not for everyone, but for those who stand out with elegance regardless of others. Its facets make every experience delicious.

For years now, this has been my signature scent. It’s an intense, luminous green; it seduces like a velveteen young adult, yet with resin that never becomes cloying. Elegant, refined, and beautiful. If you focus, it sparkles discreetly—nothing intrusive, yet generous. Don’t be fooled by its exquisiteness; this little sprite seduces and is far from harmless. It is truly special. The only caveat: it dwells in a hard-to-reach forest in summer. Picture a damp, lush woodland, like Brocéliande or the jungle of Leticia, days after rain. Sunlight pierces through in rays that illuminate the dark green bottle, turning it almost fluorescent chartreuse. The light touches a trunk glowing like honey, refracting in puddles. It’s the moment when earth, herbs, and leaves release their scent of gratitude. This strong yet discreet tree, elegant and refined, bestows its perfume upon those lucky enough to be near. P.S.: I didn’t eat any mushrooms; it’s merely a declaration of love.

If I like a perfume that delivers exactly what it promises, this is Declaration Essence. It goes straight to the core without any strange variations, skipping the fresh citrus opening of the original to jump straight into the dirty, spicy heart. The projection is the same, but the longevity is astonishing; it never seems to end. It’s an overdose of Declaration. If you didn’t like the original, you won’t like this. If you’re a lover of citrus-spicy scents, you’ll enjoy it like a child with a candy. (Tested thanks to Jerry Drake.)

I have the bottle half-used and I love its rich, sweet citrus notes, but unfortunately its dry-down and longevity aren’t quite as spectacular; still, it’s lovely for summer afternoons or rainy days, though it stays close to the skin.

It doesn’t convince me. Ellena did a far better job with Terre d’Hermès.

To me it smells like an older person or someone trying too hard to scream maturity; it’s very woody. The longevity is brutal—I wore it one day and my pillow still had it soaked in the next. It feels invasive for my style and overly formal. Note: I have the Essence version.

I had been undecided for days whether to buy it or not but I finally decided because I couldn’t forget its palo santo scent on first impression. It seems ideal for daytime wear especially with many contacts. Now I think I need to shave tidy up and ditch the cap. I liked it.

One of the most peculiar perfumes I’ve ever smelled; it’s not common or for everyone. The first time I felt the same as with YSL’s Kourus: distinctive and hard to assimilate. This Cartier has a strong bitterness at the start (orange blossom musk geranium). Then tea and vetiver dominate but that trace of sour lime and geranium remains giving it an aged and dry touch. It brought me a deja vu of Terre d’Hermes; it seems to have Jean-Claude Ellena’s DNA. It reminds me of Palo Santo perhaps due to the blend of orange blossom geranium and tea; it smells like the temples in Machala where that plant is cultivated for rituals. In terms of longevity on my skin it lasts 7 to 8 hours with a moderate trail and skin scent for the last 3 to 4 hours. I see it as strictly summery for daytime in the heat aimed at mature men past 30 for that dry bitter classic touch. I associate it with a gentleman aged 32 to 40 in a semi-formal look at the office or out for a walk. It’s no ordinary scent; it doesn’t please everyone nor is it a best-seller which is why I love it although I wish for more trail.

Not much more to add about this lotion: if you like the original Declaration, you’ll surely love this as it keeps its essence but with greater intensity. Perhaps when I finish my original, I’ll switch to this. As others have mentioned, its trail remains moderate, but the longevity is excellent.