Hesperys

This is very green, aromatic and fresh scent. Very likable, modest and unobtrusive too. Perfectly unisex. Mostly agree with @archivist that it is reminiscent of original Herbal Essences shampoo (which I could consider to be best smelling mainstream shampoo of all time). Not as candy-like sweet as shampoo though. It is not projection beast, as it isn't heavy - quite opposite, it is very airy scent, but at the same time it projects well as for soft scent for first 6-7 hours, and quickly settles as skin scent by 8th hour. I could clearly detect it as soft skin scent for at least 4 more hours after that. Could be used both indoors and outdoors in Spring-Summer on most occasions and any type of outfits. Would make great office scent due to its soft and unassuming quality. Very few people would love it, but I don't see why anyone would hate it. It is safe blind buy, and it's full bottle worthy if you already don't have something similar in your collection. Scent 7/10 Originality 8/10 Projection 7/10 Sillage 5/10 Versatility 8/10 Bang for buck 7/10

Green, herbal soapy. Softens into a beautiful musc that stays close to the skin. Reminds me of Songes Mandragore but less citrus. Lovely.

Green, herbal soapy. Softens into a beautiful musc that stays close to the skin. Reminds me of Songes Mandragore but less citrus. Lovely.

The Phaedon line is a tricky one in that its offerings seem so humble, almost to the point of initially invoking a "that's it?!" reaction from the wearer. To approach the line with expectations of elaborate, whirling, powerhouses of boozy balsamics or woozy woods would be a recipe for immediate disappointment. There needs to be an openness to the simplistic and subtle to "get" what's going on here. I can't help but wonder if the name Phaedon is taken from the philosophical text which suggests the soul is made up of simple substance. If not, it should have been, because that idea seems to represent the line to a T. Hesperys delivers an interesting and chipper addition by Phaedon. Although I was expecting a strong citrus out of the gates, it's surprisingly soft. Merely hinting at the petitgrain which is deftly cloaked in amongst sweet green notes. From there it transforms into its musky phase, which is wonderfully reminiscent of a lot of 80s masculine musks. Towards the drydown the thyme becomes apparent, and I'm heavily reminded of the thyme component in Diptyque's "Oyedo". I have to admit that the Hesperys drydown just seems to fit me better, though. At the core of it all Hesperys is really nice. There's very little to be polarized about in its composition. Though there are definitely three main moments in its evolution, it's not as though any one of them betrays the other. There's a common thread throughout, and a steady breath from one stage to the next.

According to Greek myth the Garden of Hesperides lay at the edge of the known Western world. It was a golden apple from the Garden of Hesperides that Paris famously gave to Helen of Troy sparking the Trojan War. Conjuring the many fruits of this plentiful and bountiful garden, Hesperys uses orris butter and chamomile to give an aromatic powdery opening, accompanied by fresh and soft lemon and bright petitgrain. Sage, bergamot and lavender create an aromatic heart note that is revitalized by musks and patchouli before a base of red thyme, coriander and nutmeg.

Very herbal at first, big blast of chamomile and herbs, and it smells just like walking into a lush store. Doesn't really last, and besides the herbal tones and slight sweetness I'm not getting much, so all in all not super impressed. Soft fragrance.