Ombre Mercure

I adore perfumes reminiscent of cosmetic scents, so Ombre Mercure became a must-try after reading all the positive reviews here and seeing comparisons to the discontinued Iris Ganache. This was a blind buy for me, and a very risky one at that because although I did save a lot of money, it was still pretty pricey! But I was so certain that I would love it. Thankfully I did and it immediately went into my Top 5 favorite fragrances list! My heart sank after I first sprayed it because the opening didn’t smell so pleasant to me, but as it dried down I fell in love! (UPDATE 10/22/2015: After trying Moulin Rouge and Lipstick On, I realized that the opening comprises of a very waxy iris note- giving this scent that lipstick feel! It does not last though, but I appreciate it more now!) I smell iris/orris, violet, vanilla/benzoin and sandalwood. The sandalwood adds a creaminess that is reminiscent of lipstick (think L'Oreal and Givenchy), while the orris provides the waxiness. I sense a little ylang and jasmine in the drydown, giving this very powdery floral fragrance a slight Chanel No. 5 vibe. Warm, sweet, soft, cosmetic-esque, and complex. Slightly reminiscent of Meteorites powder due to the violet/iris, but Meteorites powder is less sweet, more simple, and drier. Compared to Meteorites room spray/perfume, Ombre Mercure is drier, powdery, vanillic, and much more complex. But the one perfume this reminds me of is Insolence (both EDP/EDT, they smell the same to me except EDP is maybe a bit stronger), again because of the violet/iris combo. Ombre Mercure may be what Insolence could have smelled like if it was toned down, contained no berries, and included Guerlinade! I love that Ombre Mercure evokes lipstick in the opening, and face powder in the drydown. Usually perfumes with cosmetic accords evoke one or the other! Sillage is moderate, I can smell it on myself throughout the day and it lasts 10+ hours on me. Update 7/15/2015: I finally got my hands on a sample of Iris Ganache! The main characteristic the two share is the creamy soft vibe they both give off. OM is way more complex in comparison and way more floral, while IG is more gourmand and sweeter. I honestly wish Iris Ganache smelled more like Ombre Mercure. Update 7/23/2015: Amouage Opus III is essentially a dupe for Ombre Mercure, the perfumer behind it contributed to OM. Update 2/18/2017: I believe this is sadly discontinued. I'd snatch a bottle while it's still readily available. I already bought my backups, I just can't be without this scent!

God how i love this beauty. i have been wearing it a few times in different weather now to realy get to know it. This is so me, just my kind of fragrance. Im the queen of Violette especialy in spring time it happends every year ..the longing for Violettes . It took some time before this came into my life on my radar . But when i found it and read the note i knew this was for me. The waxy .lipsticky makeupy kind of darknes this has is so alluruing and so sensual. It makes me want to dress up in dark velvet and strut away into the night. strong, independent and sexy. It does remind me of guerlain Iris ganache .and Tom Ford Dark Violette a touch of incolense but just a bit. a hint of familiarity to Creed love in black .and pleats please . Violette done in the same way i guess . so so beautiful and so happy i found and bought a bottle of this one . I was lucky enough to be gifted a sample of the Mercure Goutee(follow up to this one) from a lovely fragrantican Jigglypop (Thank you again ) So i could compare the two. This is far better with the ylang ylang and rose . brighter and more refind. The goutee version feels abit flat and goes straight to the base note . So in love with this one . love my powdery Iris violette .<3

This was a blind buy for me based on the notes and positiv reviews and my friends recommendation. I am so happy I have this fragrance it moved strait to my top shelf . Being a lover of cosmetic scents , lipstick violet and iris perfumes as well as sandalwood and vanilla this really fits the bill. Ombré Mercure is so smooth and velvety , so well rounded and perfect to my nose , buttery iris and sweet candies violets on a bed of sandalwood , vanilla and benzoin, heavenly ! The benzoin adds to the vanilla and gives it a touch of a medical feel,which I adore! A signature scent , it's so easy to wear and soft buttery and waxy and smooth it's such a pleasure. I like that it has a soapy touch , makes it even better that way as soapy clean scents are another favourite category of mine. So this is a perfect combination for me , i get my violet fix , my love for iris and cosmetic powder notes , a traditional expensive feel , the soapy feel to make me feel clean and fresh and the warm vanilla sandalwood for comfort and warmth. , it really has it all. At least for me. Love it!!! The bottle is also extremely beautiful.

I have owned this perfume for a couple years and for some reason felt I needed to take a lot of time to dissect it. You don't have to agree with me, because chemistry is a very personal thing, but I own two bottles of Iris Ganache, and on my skin the two perfumes are completely interchangeable. I thought it the first time I wore it, and I still think it. Through all the sinus issues, viruses, changes in my taste in perfumes over the years, this still smells like Iris Ganache on me. Ombre Mercure smells like orris root, violet pastilles, lots of patchouli and the vanillic sweetness of benzoin. The patch is quite strong and really helps to tame the sweetness. The powder makes it feel elegant. It's luxurious and approachable at the same time. Beautiful for a night out or just lunch with the girls. Both Ombre Mercure and Iris Ganache remind me very much of Kôhl de Bahreïn, but the latter fragrance is a lot sweeter and creamier yet equally elegant. So if you'd like a more gourmand play on this theme, give KdB a try ;)

I got a blast of green and powder and white musk, surprised to see white musk is not listed in the notes section here. This has vintage vibes, don't think aldehydic green or smoky floral vintage, it's a powdery take on something from the past. It does kind of remind me of Chanel N° 19 Poudre but much heavier on the white musk. The iris here is both powdery and rooty, I wouldn't necessarily categorize it as waxy/lipsticky iris; it's a touch green or maybe in combination with something else it has turned green. There are some warm elements that linger down on skin for hours, which I think have modernized it. update: ok yes, i've been wearing this addictive concoction for the past few days and the dry down is indeed a warm vanillary scent w a healthy dose of waxy/lipsticky iris, it's powdery and resinous, which reminds me of UERMÌ OR +/- Kanabo mixed w something like MMM lipstick on, but this is exclusively a description of the drydown.