Ombre Mercure Extreme

It took me awhile to get into this one as it can across initially like play-doh and plastic. It takes some time for the benzoin to warm up on your skin and the violet and iris to blossom. As strong as this is (do not over spray) this is understated and subtle as not one note screams out. The benzoin is pronounced but it is soft and rounded and the patchouli is slightly herbal and dirty but not green or bright at all. This smells like something vague, discrete and expensive smelling and it is so very unusual. I had people smell it straight from the bottle and they do not like it, but when I wear it I do get compliments. Wearing this I get the feeling like I am some kind of aristocrat or foreign diplomat attending a fancy dinner. Only downside is it can come across a little dated and stuffy. This works better in colder weather. Not really commercial as this has more of a European sensibility, but I do like this. I don't wear it all of the time but when I do indulge I feel taller, richer and more sophisticated than I actually am. This is a good one for anyone to have in their collection.

This probably isn't going to be a perfect review but OMG!!! I fell in love with Ombre Mercure at first sniff. AGAIN....I fell in love with this Extreme version. Wow...just amazing new fragrances to be introduced to the world. A fanTASTIC nose create these beauties.

Extreme smells very much like the original but lacks prominent violet. Softer. Also, little to no sandalwood. Heavier on the benzoin, still powdery. I think I actually prefer it over the original but it is currently out of my budget at $337.

This was not an instant attraction for me. In fact, I had trouble getting my head around what it was supposed to smell like or to tie my experience to the listed notes. It took around a week of wearing this every now and then until I could understand it and comment on it with some justice. And I am not sure I fully get it yet, but I am starting to appreciate and like it. It’s a unique fragrance, in a boozy, woody and sophisticated powdery kind of way. Violet leaf? I don’t know if that’s supposed to share the same scent as powdery violets, but I am not really getting that. I also am baffled by seeing extreme in the title, because this is anything but. It’s warm, and interesting, but it’s got moderate sillage and lasts about 2 hours at most. I admit I bought it blind out of curiosity, but I didn’t pay anywhere near the listed price...in fact less than half. Probably wouldn’t have bought a full bottle if I had the opportunity to try it first. I will continue to persevere and see if things develop differently due to weather, time of day, mood etc.

I think this pretty much sums up the notes listed although I wouldnt be surprised if there are more. I definitely get the cool iris note and bergamot on the opening. The benzoin and patch come to the fore at the end of the first hour as the iris and bergamot have faded quite a bit. I have to say I love it the most at the end of the first hour when it seems to be warmer, no doubt owing to the benzoin and patch. For a fragrance with the word "extreme" in the title I dont find it so but its all subjective isnt it. The longevity and sillage are moderate on me.