Eau de Narcisse Bleu

I wish there was an option somewhere in between like and dislike. How about non-active dislike? I certainly don't hate this fragrance. It's nice enough. But it doesn't appeal to me at all at first spray and while the drydown improves my impression, I can't envision myself walking around trailing this scent behind me. This perfume definitely evokes memories of the ocean for me. Yet it's somehow earthy and mysterious at the same time. It smells like being stranded on a deserted island - I suppose whether that's a good or bad thing depends on the sniffer's state of mind. It starts off cool and warms up to a deep, woody flavor. Somehow though, the narcissus maintains a light, airy, and for me, almost aquatic note. It's not for me personally, as it's a little too masculine for my tastes, but if you're looking for Fantasy Island, maybe give it a shot. EDIT: Okay, I may have to choke down a slice of humble pie on this one. Perhaps whatever else I was testing that day biased my nose. The opening notes *still* don't appeal to me. I wouldn't still call it aquatic but it is cool and, well, blue. Maybe that's why the association was there. But after about half an hour the drydown that I thought was just an improvement before is wonderful now. I only wish there was a way to get straight to that gorgeous, happy narcissus. This time the narcissus is almost all I can smell on my skin and it smells like spring. My opinion has definitely improved but I may have to give this a few more tries before I can tell if we belong together. I doubt we're soulmates though, since this is a lot of money to pay for a mere cologne that won't last the day *and* I have to wait so long for the part of it I enjoy. I think I'm going to have to sample L'Occitane en Provence's Vanille & Narcisse in hopes of finding a warmer, more feminine narcissus.

The opening smells like a lighter version of Geoffrey Beene Grey Flannel. Not a clone, but no doubt this is Hermes take on the living legend with some added green nuances to it. After that familiar opening, a light woody green citrusy (although no citrus noted) vibe comes out, which enhances the appeal of the original. To my nose, it was so gorgeous and masculine, but surprisingly gentle that makes it even more sexier. The narcissus and woody notes gives accent to the powdery green mossy floral dry down. Simply gorgeous, it evokes the mysterious scent profile Grey Flannel was legendarily known for in the fragrance world. My Take: I am a die hard fan of the timeless classic, the original and that's written in stone. But nowadays, I find this one more versatile and wearable compared to the original because of that fresh green woody vibe. If you like Grey Flannel, you might want to check this out. The downside: How I wish it last longer. My rating: I will give this wonderful creation a 9.5/10 My next step: Get a full bottle “Let us spread the scents of peace and kindness. The two most beautiful fragrance in the world that will cost you nothing and will get you a totally different kind of compliment” 🙏

This is definitely a fragrance with personality! It's really nostalgic, calm, fresh and is giving oxygen vibes. Unfortunately, it's one more discontinued fragrance while it stands out. You may find a few though. Hermès is a trusted company, with great quality products and somehow I never get disappointed even when I don't like them much. This fact justifies Hermès prices. However, Eau de Narcisse Bleu could have a reasonable price since the demand has decreased. inspiration in words: "If the soul itself had a scent, it would smell something like this. Like a garden in Narnia, where you've been transported, yet it's so alive. A fragrance from another dimension, yet so melancholic, with a touch of loneliness. If I can smell what exists beyond the reach of the mind, this bottle gives me a taste of it".

I had originally regarded Eau de Narcisse Bleu as being too similar to Grey Flannel, but after revisiting it following word of its impending discontinuation, I realized my original assessment was cursory. This time around, I found its similarities were mostly in the distinct narcissus accord interacting with violet-orris ionones, but Narcisse Bleu also has the delicious bergamot and neroli and a green, stemmy wildflower quality. It feels like an aquarelle, watery and humid, the inhalation of late-summer green foliage, a soft abstraction. It almost feels melancholy, hinting at a chill, especially in its somewhat powdery dry down, reminding me of that smell certain dry grasses give off in September. This is portamento in form, sliding from sunny and damp to twilight-dry in its development.

What a beauty! I agree there is some similarity with Hiris in terms of lightness and heavenly feeling it projects but where Hiris turns all earthy and carroty, Narcisse Bleu turns light and floral woody. The drydown is very floral woody, almost musk like on my skin. The longevity is pretty much the same as Hiris and so is projection. I expected some similarity with Caron Narcisse Noir or even Hermes Amazone Fraiche but there is hardly any, apart from the daffodil note. I would go as far as to say this falls somewhere between Amazone Fraiche, which is a spring mossy daffodil, and Narcisse Noir, which is a very woody and green daffodil. It is quite an expensive perfume, especially considering its longevity but I am well happy to own it and would not hesitate to purchase it again.