Stink, Stank, Stunk
 By TomOkay, my friend Marietta insisted that I worked that phrase in somewhere into a review. I can't think of a scent that it works better with than with Hermes' Eau d'Hermes, in the best way possible. March reviewed this a few months ago and when I had the chance to try it I of course had to. Its initial blast is very clean, and that lasts about three seconds before the cumin hits. Right between the eyes it hits. March writes that if you don't like cumin you won't like this one. More like if you don't like cumin you will curse the day you ever met this stuff. I love cumin, so I was pretty happy with that drrrty opening. Sadly, that initial come-hither opening after an hour or so fades from Vin Diesel to Vindaloo; it smells on me like something from Taste of India. While I love that smell in take-out, I am not sure that I need to personally radiate it. Oddly, the final drydown is fairly dapper, a complete 180 from it's over-the-top opening. Luca Turin curses it as having a feeling of monagrammed slippers and warns men of my age away from it. I don't think that's quite fair; the scent is briliiant and I think I need a bottle. I just won't wear it to work. Image source, hermes.com |
posted by Marina |
12:03 AM
28 Comments:
TOM!!! Wear it to work!!! You'll be surprised how tame it is... After a while it seems to waft a certain cinnamon citrus simplicity that in the heat is really nice. Wearing fragrance to orchestra rehearsal is sorta taboo but I put this on and it couldn't possibly offend anyone, which is amazing considering that opening 30 minutes or so. I have never once been afraid that someone would think I didn't take a shower or prepared Indian food for breakfast hahaha :) This has surprisingly become one of my summer staples (where I live it starts to be summer in January).
-The perspicacious Anthony ;)
Anthony-
Considering that I have a 45 minute commute this might be perfection: stinkstankstunk opening ensures that I am alone on my bus, Vindaloo middle means that I'll skip the morning bagel and the dapper finish will just make my co-workers think I smell great! Mr. Perspicacity saves the day again!
ROTFL - Tom, I love this review! Perfect summation. I happen to love both cumin AND Taste of India. Now if I could just get someone to monogram my slippers for me....
This must be the men's equivalent of Tubereuse Criminelle - not safe for work!
I love your review and I love this scent. Like Anthony, I wouldn't worry a bit about wearing it to work. After a bit, it wears pretty close to the skin. On me anyway. I "accidentally" layered it with Jicky the other day and that was kinda intense. Skink, Skank, Skunk; I'm not gonna lie. I loved it. I didn't really get LT's bit about middle aged men and monogrammed slippers. It smells like sex and class on anyone, any age. You do need a bottle.
I've loved Ed'H from the first, its sweat-tinged yumminess... It's one scent I can recognize on strangers. In fact, I asked a dapper, slightly more than middle-aged man if he was wearing it, while waiting to pay for a book in Paris's poshest British book shop, Galignani's. He was a bit taken aback and very impressed, then he scooted away. Mad sniffer woman on the loose! Nah, the Parisians just aren't used to strangers talking to them... He *did* look a bit like Jean-Claude Ellena.
Cumin is a note I could mainline. *Love* this scent. Definitely think you should wear it to work, considering how long your commute is. And I, personally, would be delighted to be sitting on public transport next to you during that commute if you were wearing Eau d'Hermes.
Wear it, and come snuggle me.
Love at first sniff, many years ago.
Along with Bel Ami.
I need to re-buy both.
What a coincidence, I am smelling it right now! I agree about not being able to wear it, but what a genius fragrance.
Victoria/BdJ
I really like this one, although I'll admit it was more innocent on my skin than I expected. I was expecting more "rowr" somehow. I've only tried this once though... I'll try it again now that I've read your post!
Divina
I promise I wasn't trying to be contradictory but rather encouraging :) :) :) -Anthony
donna-
It's the Mirror of TC- I find TC's opening to be fine for work, the ultra-feminine tuberose, though, no. The slipper drydown of Ed'H is fine, just not the first hour or so
matts-
I will take that as a decree! Of to Hermes!
carmen-
I don't think a lot of men do; I had the same thing with a dapper gent who was wearing Royal Bain du Caron. He admitted he was wearing it but looked at me as if I'd correctly guessed the brand of underwear he had on!
elle-
I've become a lot more cumin-crazy over the years. I've ecen baked with it!
Chaya- if we both get to Chicago we'll cuddle it together!
Victoria-
It is like that isn't it? Even if you can't bring yourself to wear it you have to applaud it's briliance
divina-
give it another try, and write what you find!
Anthony-
I know- you've encouraged me to go get some more..
You make me giggle. I personally think maybe NSFW, but what do I know? You're right -- it's all stanky, then has that elegant drydown. I find it really stinky on myself, but I think I amplify cumin. Not that I am complaining.
March- I think I amplify it too, but I would need a comparison case to find out.
Volunteers? There's a Hermes of Rodeo..
Tom,
Great review as always!
I agree with other posters, you should wear it to work.
How does it compare with Declaration Essence?
Is this something a woman could wear?
I wear the Cartier sometimes. I have received several compliments.
Arwen
I've only tried this once, the only time I saw it in a store, but yes, it's wonderful! Doesn't it remind you a little bit of Jicky - the combo of warm skank and refreshing cologne/fougere notes?
I think it's the only Hermes I'll ever love. All of their other offerings tend to smell so "perfumey" to me, either in a "Hey, I'm old money!" kind of way or, with the newer creations, with that strong, linear mineralic or aquatic accord I can literally taste and which gets on my nerves and makes me a little queasy. But Eau d'Hermes, no, that's something else...
i liked the opening...and that was it (and i like cumin, seriously). on me, it smelled like an old musty fur coat of some old lady, not in a good way. although i do admire the composition as such, i can't wear it, no way. needles to say, because of the great reviews, i bought it unsniffed :D (but thanks god, found a nice person to swap it). a very good example of 'try before buy'.
Arwen-
A woman could definitely wear it, but she'd have to like cumin
Solander-
I have the Hermes one in the green bottle but find myself rarely reaching for it. I like 24 Faubourg on others but wouldn't wear it.
This I'd wear..
ula-
I wish I was there when you wanted to swap!
Every single remark on this site about eau d'Hermes has made me want to buy it: it smells of cumin, tigers, sex, monogrammed slippers, and the musty fur coats of old ladies! I am completely in love. I recently purchased a bottle of eau d'Orange vert without smelling it first and am addicted to it. I can't wait to do the same with eau d'Hermes!
I fell in love with Eau d'Hermes instantly. It's original and very wearable at the same time. And I did try it on a hot day.
Post a Comment
<< Home