Perfume Review: Balsam by Agraria
Agraria is a San Francisco based luxury home fragrance line. I first became familiar with it after smelling their Bitter Orange cologne a couple of years ago. It didn’t do much for me back then, so I didn’t even notice there were other scents as well. Happy was my oblivion until Marina from Perfume-Smellin’ Things once again inspired an uncontrollable desire to commit the Unsniffed Purchase crime (she’s rather infamous for that). The object was Balsam cologne. All she had to say was that it would be her staple this fall, and how she couldn’t believe nobody had told her about Balsam before. In the following half hour or so I was on Beautyhabit placing my order. I’m normally not rash to such shameful extent but $36 for 100 ml didn’t help the matters either.
Balsam is “a refreshing and luscious marriage combining the essence of sweet balsam, California Redwood, a hint of French sage & the bouquet of white flowers” (Agrariahome.com). There’s not much else I can add other than it smells like fresh pine needles, smoke, and wood. It dries down to a soft, slightly powdery, balsamic scent with just a whisper of flowers and overall mellow sweetness. It has an extremely comforting effect on me. Since I got it last week, I’ve been faithfully wearing it to bed every night as well as vigorously spraying the rooms, causing Mr. Aromascope to choke and sputter profusely.
The cologne can be used as a home spray as well. It has an average lasting power, so frequent reapplying will be necessary if you want it to last through the day. Balsam is also available in other products (I’m seriously desiring the candle now).
Image source: www.your-cosmetics.com
12 comments September 10th, 2006