Le Jardin de Monsieur McGregor

Had meant to try this one for ages and wound up blind buying 50ml as it’s on sale ahead of being retired - amazing value for £40 and I’ve been addicted to wearing this since getting it to the extent I’ve not even tried the samples that came with the order out yet. Does really evoke a garden after rain - there’s a similar, dewy mint and hay accord used to evoke wet earth and leaves as Lush’s Smell of Weather Turning (I don’t know if Sarah was still at Lush back in 2010?). Though this is set apart by a really glorious, realistic ripe strawberry note and the contrast of the tobacco with all the freshness. I would say for anyone else considering the blind buy that the combination of hay, tobacco and earthy notes can feel a little “ripe” or funky especially in the opening (after all, you do have compost and manure in a garden!). If you bear with it as it dries down though it becomes a really delicious warm earth-y skin scent that contrasts with the “shimmery” hedione and green notes - it’s like a fresh aura with earth and smoke beneath it. The way it radiates also reminds me of Cacharel Eden which I might try layering with this. Performance is okay, really fades after a few hours but sticks around a little longer on clothing. I was hoping this would be as much of a beast as 4160’s Dandelion Musk which is one of the longest-lasting summery greens I’ve encountered. Keen to try it out as the weather gets cooler as it might last longer and I imagine the earthy notes will make this a really lovely autumnal scent. Wouldn’t say this projects strongly - as I’ve said, definitely has a radiant quality but it’s quite a delicate and soft scent overall.

Broke this out as the weather has been a bit dark and dank, too much winter to go and I needed something bright and springlike. Le Jardin is just the job, cheerful, fresh and fruity. I am layering it with L'Occitane Rose 4 Reines to bring out the rose garden aspect, and together they work beautifully as a mood lifter. DIY aromatherapy for the win!

I love how Sarah captures images in her scents, this fragrance instantly transported me into the book, I was like I had walking into Beatrix Potters garden and was walking up the path the cottage, incredibly nostalgic, I love it.

For a second there I thought Hermès had sneakily released a new garden collection perfume!