By Dane
Before I start, I have two sample of Vanille Galante up for grabs, so please leave a comment if you're interested. I'll post the two randomly-drawn winners at the end of the week. No personal info please, I'll contact you for that. EDIT - I do need your name though if you don't comment using a Blogger account. :)
Ah, the latest Hermessence...the boards were in frenzy when this was announced. Jean-Claude Ellena working with a typically sweet, gourmande note? How would that turn out? Well, both good and bad. The good - a lovely scent in all. The bad - not really about vanilla at all, and not an original idea at all.
Vanille Galante opens with a lovely, soft lily note. The heart of the scent presents more of an amberish, raspy quality, and finally, the vanilla makes a brief appearance in the basenotes. All in all, very pretty. My problem is with the competition. Serge Lutens already did a beautiful (albeit uninteresting) lily and vanilla combo with Un Lys; Frederic Malle already has a stunning, true-to-life lily with Lys Mediteranee; and finally, Donna Karan has a superb lily-amber scent with Gold. Why on earth would we pay up to three times more for Hermes' interpretation? I admit the bottles are pretty and the white leather accents are darling, but in this economy, Vanille Galante wouldn't even come close to being in the running for a full-bottle purchase for me.
For vanilla lovers, disappointment will no doubt be in your future. For lovers of all things lily, you're in for a treat. Don't expect miracles though.
Hermessence scents are sold exclusively in Hermes boutiques, and Vanille Galante is in store now.
Ah, the latest Hermessence...the boards were in frenzy when this was announced. Jean-Claude Ellena working with a typically sweet, gourmande note? How would that turn out? Well, both good and bad. The good - a lovely scent in all. The bad - not really about vanilla at all, and not an original idea at all.
Vanille Galante opens with a lovely, soft lily note. The heart of the scent presents more of an amberish, raspy quality, and finally, the vanilla makes a brief appearance in the basenotes. All in all, very pretty. My problem is with the competition. Serge Lutens already did a beautiful (albeit uninteresting) lily and vanilla combo with Un Lys; Frederic Malle already has a stunning, true-to-life lily with Lys Mediteranee; and finally, Donna Karan has a superb lily-amber scent with Gold. Why on earth would we pay up to three times more for Hermes' interpretation? I admit the bottles are pretty and the white leather accents are darling, but in this economy, Vanille Galante wouldn't even come close to being in the running for a full-bottle purchase for me.
For vanilla lovers, disappointment will no doubt be in your future. For lovers of all things lily, you're in for a treat. Don't expect miracles though.
Hermessence scents are sold exclusively in Hermes boutiques, and Vanille Galante is in store now.
Year: 2009
Perfumer: Jean-Claude Ellena
Notes: Green Notes, Ylang Ylang, Lily, Spicy Notes, Salicylates, Sandalwood, "Touch of Vanilla"
Post a Comment
I tried it and liked it. Although in this economy the price is daunting. Please include me in the drawing.
ReplyDeleteEven after reading your excellent review, I still want to try it. Please enter me in the drawing for the sample! I like transparent and curious to see what Ellena does with this one. Sorry so untechy - not sure how to do this unless I do it anonymously.
ReplyDeleteI love your blog...read it every time you post. :) The sample offer brought me out of lurking to say 'hi' and please enter me in the drawing.
ReplyDeleteCheers~~ dea
Are employees and their families eligible? Kidding; I am more interested in the white leather bottle. ;)
ReplyDeleteI'd love to give this one a try-- lilies are lovely, and I am a slave to Elena's perfumes... ;)
ReplyDeletewould love to try it.
ReplyDeleteGuido
Hmmm....disappointed in something vanilla? I accept the challenge and also the opportunity to sample this sent. Thanks! Lisa
ReplyDeleteMe!!! Me!!! Me!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat does Vanilla smell like anyway???
(kidding, of course)
Dane: I would love to be entered in the drawing. Glad to see a post on this President's day holiday, I thought maybe you guys would take a vacation. PdeP is my first blog stop every morning!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad everyone's taking the time to say hello! We all (Mark, Thomas & I) love reading your comments, so please continue!
ReplyDeleteTo Anonymous 1 & 2 above, you are now officially named 1 & 2 (respectively).
So sorry about the late post today...I figured I would leave this post up today and tomorrow...look for a new post on Wednesday!
Oh yummy, please enter me as well! -- fountaingirl
ReplyDeleteI would love to try this - I've been wondering when and how i'd get my hands on some. Please enter me in the drawing! I love your blog, BTW.
ReplyDeleteThis actually sounds more interesting now that you mentiones it doesn't smell like vanilla. :)
ReplyDeleteI'd like to try it so please enter me in the draw. :)
I would LOVE a sample, please enter me!
ReplyDeleteKayliana
I am a lily girl. It was the lily that perked up my ears, and got my tale 'ta waggin. I wouldn't mind a sample, first, tho.
ReplyDeleteDear D, I'd love to try this - can't avoid seeing mention of it everywhere in the blogosphere - so pretty please do enter me in the drawing.
ReplyDelete(Btw, I'm wearing Eau de Cartier again today, and again getting that weird incense note. WTH is that?)
T
P.S. I hate that I spelled "tail", "tale".
ReplyDeleteSo that was pretty silly that I didn't leave my name - I think I'm Anonymous #2 (my first sentence was "Even after reading your excellent review..."). So don't enter me in the drawing twice, I just wanted to say my name is Debby and I really enjoy this blog! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI'd love to fragrance myself like pre-recession times, and what better way to do it than with Ellena's olfactory masterpieces. A sample of this would be most welcome!
ReplyDeleteSince you seem to have a magic source for samples...
ReplyDeleteHave you been able to get your hands on Brooklyn or Astor Place (Bond No. 9's upcoming scents)?
Anyone?? I'm feeling very impatient for some fab newness.
Please enter me in the drawing :)
ReplyDelete