Context matters

I have 8 or 10 full bottles in my collection, plus 50 or so decants at any given time. The decants usually are the result of reading about a scent here, and wanting to try it. I keep a notes file on my fine where I record my thoughts about each scent I try.

At one point due to all the love they get here, I bought decants of TF Ombré Leather (two different releases), TF Oud Wood, and TF Noir and Noir Extreme. The leather and wood variations were too much for me and not loved by my wife (a somewhat critical component in my decision ever to invest in a full bottle). For me, they wear off WAY. TOO. FAST. TF products don’t last a minute on my skin (yet my wife has long worn Tobacco Vanille and it lasts all day on her). My wife did not like them because they were too good at what they do: she thought I smelled like a dusty saddle in OL, and like a cabin in OW.

I usually take trip-appropriate decants with me when we travel - even the ones she doesn’t like - because it’s a great way to still smell better than unscented, and to use what I’ve purchased. Well, we are currently on safari in Africa, and I thought the aforementioned TF’s seemed fitting for the trip. And wouldn’t you know it: my wife has been digging them, and so have I!! It’s a good reminder that context is critical. You won’t wear a citrus freshy to the ski lodge and you don’t go leather shop at home in our large city life. But leather and wood on safari kicks ass. I’m still not getting any performance but enjoying this use of those decants for sure.

(Side note: the bush bugs haven’t noticed or cared about my colognes EXCEPT TF Noir - that one drew them to me in an unfortunate way!)