Hey Posse, I’d like to take a quick moment today to sing the praises of the original Eau des Merveilles by Hermès. I’ve loved it for years and had a decant that I used most of and came back to find it dried to a smear of oil in the bottom. Serendipitously, not long after I found a very well priced 70% full bottle on a Facebook Sale doc in the Aussie group. It’s been on my desk ever since and is getting at least a weekly spritz. That’s really regular for someone with a LOT of perfume. So I thought you should all hear why I’m loving it so much.
Eau des Merveilles by Hermes 2004
Fragrantica gives these featured accords:
Top: Orange, Elemi resin, Lemon
Heart: Amber, Pepper, Pink Pepper, Violet
Base: Fir, Cedar, Madagascar Vetiver, Oakmoss
Having the bottle has also meant that I’m spritzing with WAY more gay abandon that previously. The ride is still not overwhelming but the seaside aspect is bolstered and I find myself getting lovely whiffs even after a long day. The whole experience is very low key, which makes Eau des Merveilles unbelievably versatile. Dressed up or down, office or party, dinner or music festival; it fits all seasons and is totally unisex.
I think I’ve told you all that Jin and I are renovating a new investment apartment? Well there have been a few very long days and all quite physical. At the end of the day Eau des Merveilles mixed with my natural man sweat is just bloody gorgeous. We are so close to getting it all done and tenants in. A few major jobs are Strata and we have very little control over the timing on that stuff. Also, when I say we, Jin has done the lions share of tradesman work and I play apprentice. What I excel in though is the cleaning, painting, organising and ideas. So, it’s a two man team.
Eau des Merveilles has been around for 18 years! It still seems so new. That bottle is one of the all time most beautiful for me too. It looks like the fragrance smells. Like a sniffing a sparkling effervescence while looking at a sunset on the beach.
For a full review I talked about Eau des Merveilles lovingly here a few years ago.
Surrender To Chance has a selection of the Hermès Merveilles range to sample.
Are you an Eau des Merveilles fan, or any of the flankers?
Portia xx
I wore and loved E de M years ago, and it slipped from my radar. Too much perfume! At the time it smelled so clean and fresh, and yes the bottle still is beautiful and looks exactly how it smells. I sampled the Ambre version more recently and have it on my FB wishlist.
Congratulations on your near completion of your investment property!
Hey Kathleen,
Another vote for the amber, you all are pushing me towards the plunge. I probably don’t need much prodding to be honest.
Thank you.
Portia xx
I have a bottle of Elixir des Merveilles, which reminds me of summer vacations in England. Also have Ambre des Merveilles as a winter scent, the only amber I wear on a regular basis.
AnnieA,
The amber has been on my list for a long time too. I find it really hard to justify ANOTHER amber though, it may be my best represented note.
Portia xx
I remember liking this but somehow not enough to buy. And then I got my attention diverted by something shiny or lunch or something. I will have to brave the hordes on Rodeo to see about this one..
HA! I love you Tom,
Portia xx
I’ve used up a sample vial. Thank you for inspiring me to pick up a nearly full bottle (minus a few spritzes) that someone was selling for US$59 + postage on Mercari.
My tendency toward melancholy has been in the ascendant lately. The Water of Wonders will remind me of the beauty that is out there to be sniffed.
If any perfume will do it I think Eau des Merveilles could be the one Virago,
Portia xx
Petunia! Congrats on being so close to done on this project!
Also, I gave Eau de M short shrift when it first came out, convinced that it Simply Wasn’t Me. Alyssa Harad was instrumental in changing my mind on that score – she dragged me through the entire experience at Barneys in NY, back in the glory days. From there it was a short hop to Love. I do not own a bottle but that’s mostly because I have too much perfume as it is – but I do love it!
xoxoxo
That must have been an eye opening day Musette, Was Alyssa Hard as fab as she seems in print?
Portia xx
Big fan of Eau de Merveilles! I have a little mini bottle on a long thin cord that can be worn as a necklace. It’s so cute. I also have & enjoy L’Ambre des Merveilles, but I like the OG the best for the reasons you stated: it’s very easy to wear, undemanding, unisex, and earthy.
OOOH! That little necklace bottle sounds super cute DinaC!
Portia xx
I remember how absolutely … different this felt at the time, and how surprised I was to like it as much as I did, as it didn’t seem like I would? Too salty? But your descriptions make perfect sense, and it’s fun to have that bottle vs. decant where you can spritz with abandon! I also really like the bottle; Hermes bottles are mostly gorgeous (as they should be!)
Yeah. I agree on the bottle (and the scent) – Hermes presenting a less-than-gorgeous bottle is.. unacceptable.
xoxo
100% March, the Hermès bottles are very luxurious to handle, this one goes above and beyond.
Portia xx
I really like EdM, I think it’s unique and easy to wear at the same time. Great in the heat!
Hi TaraC,
I’ve just come back from a tropical Bali holiday and wished I’d brought Eau des Merveilles so often,
Portia xx