Hermes l’Ombre Des Merveilles is an amber woody fragrance for both women and men. Launched in 2020, this scent was created by Christine Nagel. The top note is black tea. The middle note is incense. The base note is tonka bean.
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Author’s note:
This is the most difficult review for me because I am deeply in love with the scent and cannot be unbiased. Except that the perfume is hard to describe. It’s both refreshing from the cooling feeling it gives off and cozy like a warm hug at the same time. Real Zen experience- calming, peaceful, and mindful. It’s intriguing but also comforting. It grabs your attention but feels very soothing. Truly a masterpiece.
It took me more than a week to complete this review. I hope I can describe the richness of the scent truthfully and memorably because this scent holds a special place in my heart.
Here you can find most common questions and answers about this fragrance.
Does Hermes l’Ombre des Merveilles have any interesting notes?
It contains black tea note – clean and refreshing, aromatic and enveloping. The scent can be too sharp for some people, but in this scent, it is very well-balanced.
What does this perfume smell like?
Black honeyed tea with earthy undertones, very smoky amber, and incense. Tonka bean at the base is blended with driftwood.
Is this perfume long lasting?
Hermes l’Ombre des Merveilles has excellent longevity, lasting all day. It stays noticeable and significant throughout the day.
Is Hermes l’Ombre des Merveilles suitable for all seasons or is it more appropriate for certain times of the year?
Given its ambery, balsamic, and incense qualities, it is best suited for the cooler months of spring, autumn, and winter.
How strong is the projection of this perfume?
Hermes l’Ombre des Merveilles The perfume has impressive projection; it’s noticeable and attention-grabbing, but in a luxurious way.
How does Hermes l’Ombre des Merveilles compare to other popular perfumes from this brand?
All the fragrances in the Merveilles line have a warm, sweet, spicy amber-orange base. Compared to the others in the line, it shares the balsamic accord of Eau des Merveilles and the ambery richness of L’Ambre. However, Hermes l’Ombre des Merveilles is woodier, featuring bitter tea and subtle smoke, reminiscent of temple incense mixed with the freshness of rain. At the end, l’Ombre is quite distinct from the original.
For what occasions is this fragrance most suitable?
Hermes l’Ombre des Merveilles is well-suited for various occasions due to its unique scent profile:
- Evening Events: Its rich, ambery, and woody notes make it a great choice for formal dinners, cocktails, or other evening events where a sophisticated fragrance is desired.
- Cool Weather: Given its warm and enveloping qualities, it is ideal for cooler months like autumn and winter, or during chilly evenings.
- Special Occasions: The luxurious and distinctive character of L’Ombre des Merveilles makes it perfect for special occasions such as anniversaries, celebrations, or whenever you want to make a memorable impression.
Where can I purchase Hermes l’Ombre des Merveilles?
It’s available for purchase everywhere.
What are users and reviewers saying about this scent? Are there common compliments or complains?
Some people detect a Coca-Cola-like scent, likely due to the tonka bean. Others note an unpleasant mineral quality that seems poorly blended. For some, the incense isn’t very smoky, and the citrus comes across as a bit too sharp.
What size bottles does Hermes l’Ombre des Merveilles come in, and what is the price range?
This perfume is available in a 30 ml/1 o.z., 50 ml/1.7 o.z. and 100 ml/3.40 o.z bottle size. You can find from 70 Euro/42 British Pounds/60 USD to 100 Euro/84 British Pounds/120 USD. The perfume was launched in 2020, and you can often find it at a great sale price.
Perfect Alternative to Standard Fresh Blue Fragrances
Hermès l’Ombre des Merveilles is a fragrance that embarks on a journey of enchantment, captivating the senses with its intriguing blend of notes. Explores contrasts between light and dark. Released in 2020, it is a modern interpretation of the iconic Merveilles fragrance line from Hermès. With its mysterious and alluring character, L’Ombre des Merveilles is a testament to the brand’s commitment to craftsmanship and elegance. Christine Nagel’s Hermès eau de parfum creates a realm of both brightness and mystery, drawing you into a dreamlike world of fantasy and imagination.
L’Ombre des Merveilles presents a balsamic, smoky, and woody tea aroma. It shares some characteristics with the Merveilles line but explores a new direction. The tea note is central, highlighted by incense, and it gradually dries down to reveal a soft, woody base.
At the core of Hermes l’Ombre des Merveilles is a refined blend of herbal, aromatic, and fresh dewy notes, enhanced by resinous and smoky elements. The fragrance begins with a freshly cut black tea, transitioning into a rich heart of tonka bean. As it develops, subtle hints of incense and woody undertones surface, offering a captivating scent journey.
The last addition to the Merveilles collection, L’Ombre des Merveilles, showcases the mesmerizing contrast of colors at dawn.
Packaging of L’Ombre des Merveilles
True to Hermès’ dedication to luxury and elegance, l’Ombre des Merveilles is housed in a sleek and minimalist bottle, adorned with the brand’s signature aesthetic. Features a design that is both modern and timeless, with clean lines and refined details.
The bottle is crafted from high-quality transparent glass. The glass has a smooth and polished finish, creating a sense of fluidity. The magnifying glass shape designed with little sparkling stars take us in the magic world of Hermes luxury.
At the top of the bottle, a silver-toned metal cap adds a touch of opulence and is adorned with the iconic Hermès logo, subtly embossed to ensure a discreet branding.
Fragrance Notes of l’Ombre des Merveilles
I’d like to provide some information about balsamic notes in perfumes.
What is a balsamic note in perfume?
I really enjoy balsamic notes in perfumes. These notes are known for their sweet, soft, and warm qualities, derived from balsams and resins used in the fragrance. They add a rich, comforting depth to the scent, which is why I find them so appealing. Oriental perfumes, in particular, often feature balsamic ingredients.
Fragrance Family: Amber, Woody
Listed Notes:
- Top Note: Black Tea
- Heart Note: Incense
- Base Note: Tonka Bean
Scent Profile of l’Ombre des Merveilles
When I first experienced this perfume, the opening was truly remarkable. It started with a burst of sparkling citrus freshness, followed by delicious black tea enveloped in a beautiful blend of incense and resins, with a tonka base providing depth. It’s a balsamic heaven. As a fan of balsamic perfumes, I can’t get enough of this scent every time I wear it. The blend is so well-crafted, adding a new level of beauty.
Spicy, gentle incense merges with refreshing, slightly bitter black tea. The incense isn’t smoky but rather soft, calming, and serene. The incense creates a calming, Zen atmosphere. The tonka bean note ties everything together, with its sweetness becoming prominent in the dry down. It’s both beautiful and cozy. The tonka also adds a hint of tobacco, perfectly complementing the incense’s smokiness. The spice, possibly from anise, is present but serves mainly to enhance the overall composition rather than stand out on its own.
I detect a hint of lavender and syrupy fig, even though they aren’t listed in the notes. There seems to be a juicy fruitiness present, as this perfume reveals more complexity than just the three listed notes.
It’s incredibly aromatic and dewy. What’s intriguing is that it’s not your typical oceanic or aquatic scent. Instead, it’s balsamic, herbal, and subtly resinous with amber. I also detect hints of fresh hay and a touch of spiciness—perhaps mint, basil, or lavender. It has a clean, refreshing quality that evokes the sense of fresh air.
As the scent develops, the incense becomes less smoky and more balsamic, transitioning into a lovely amber accord with green undertones. It gradually fades to a soft, woody finish.
Longevity and Sillage
L’Ombre des Merveilles boasts impressive longevity, lingering on the skin for hours. Its moderate sillage ensures that it leaves a subtle yet distinct trail, drawing others closer to experience its allure.
Versatility of Hermes l’Ombre des Merveilles
The perfume is best suited for colder weather, particularly early spring and autumn, and it’s exceptional for winter. It exudes elegance and can elevate any luxury evening event, setting you apart from the crowd.
Its exquisite blend of dewy, woody, and aromatic accords makes it a versatile fragrance suitable for any luxury occasion. With its captivating allure, it leaves a lasting impression that lingers in the memory long after it fades from the skin.
It’s more complex than the notes might suggest. This is an alluring fragrance that will definitely attract attention, and not for the wrong reasons. However, be mindful not to overspray, especially in confined spaces, as it can come across as strong and heavy to some people. It’s a unisex fragrance, with its nature and evolving facets making it occasionally lean more masculine or feminine at different times.
Hermes l’Ombre des Merveilles Overall
Hermès l’Ombre des Merveilles features a harmonious blend of notes that creates an intoxicating aura, balancing both timeless and contemporary qualities. It leans more masculine but can easily be worn by women familiar with these types of notes. However, women who prefer vanilla or jasmine-centric fragrances might not find this one to their liking.
I adore this perfume. When I wear it, I close my eyes and feel transported back to the time when my beloved grandfather was still alive. It was a stormy spring day, and I was scared of the lightning. He hugged me, and I remember his scent. This memory will stay with me forever, and this fragrance has a special place in my heart that will never fade. I don’t want to imply that this perfume feels old-fashioned; on the contrary, it is a masterpiece that bridges the wonders of Hermes l’Ombre des Merveilles.
This fragrance is perfect for those seeking a scent that is both elegant and intriguing. It exudes good taste, sophistication, and class. It’s an excellent signature perfume for someone like me who adores smoky, balsamic, and resinous notes. It’s one of the best tea scents available, offering luxury and impressive performance. Hermes l’Ombre des Merveilles is both beautiful and profound—complex and captivating. It’s slightly heavier than most tea scents, with a dark, veiled quality that differs from the campfire smoke, leaning more towards high-quality incense used in prayer. It’s incredibly underrated, with a very niche scent profile. While it may be challenging to understand, it feels deeply personal and intimate to wear.
Hermes l’Ombre des Merveilles Darker, Contemporary, Eternal. An absolutely mind-blowing, luxurious masterpiece!
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