L'Ombre des Merveilles: the new Hermès eau de parfum. To craft its emblematic Eau des Merveilles, in 2004, the Hermès house did not have to look far for inspiration. The label simply immersed itself in its own world, contemplating the finest pieces of its collection.
Before making a name for itself in perfumery, the Hermès house became known as an exceptional leather goods maker. The brand masters the craft of leatherwork like no other and stands out for its artisanal know-how and rigorous selection of raw materials. It is precisely this attention to detail and constant pursuit of perfection that is found in this fragrance. The new Ombre des Merveilles from 2020 is no exception to the rule. Although it is a modern reinterpretation of Eau des Merveilles, in a more oriental and woody register, it loses none of its splendor. Here is our review of this feminine fragrance.
Olfastory’s review
L'Ombre des Merveilles, an open door to wonder
Before anything else, let us begin by evoking the world of this perfume. L'Ombre des Merveilles is an enchanting essence, bordered by innocence and whimsy. Thus, even though it is a very oriental perfume, it preserves a certain lightness. From sensuality to authenticity, it navigates different registers, between childhood dreams and a more assertive femininity. Here, the extraordinary leaves the night and reveals itself in broad daylight. To convey this image, Hermès relies on a fascinating interplay of light and shadow. L'Ombre des Merveilles evokes the moment when the sky weaves a close bond between day and night. It resembles a subtle instant, the hour when constellations of stars are already faintly lit by the glow of the sun. The image is beautiful and cannot help but transport us…
The atypical scent of L'Ombre des Merveilles
L'Ombre des Merveilles does not settle for simplicity in terms of scent either. Indeed, it does not use the ingredients commonly employed in perfumery, but instead prefers more surprising raw materials. Forget fresh citrus for its top notes and make way for a more powerful, oriental black tea. L'Ombre des Merveilles immediately sets the scene and evokes sensuality while preserving a very airy quality. Then, its atypical breath is further reinforced by the presence of incense at its heart. Little by little, the gourmand character resurfaces, without ever becoming sweet. Here, it is rather a matter of roundness and voluptuousness. The recipe of L'Ombre des Merveilles ends with a breath of tonka bean. The whole is as astonishing as it is poetic. It took no more than that to transport us!
Hermès's sleek yet enchanting bottle
Finally, as for the bottle, L'Ombre des Merveilles comes in a bottle with a silhouette identical to that of the very first Eau des Merveilles from 2004. Rounded, it resembles a pebble set at an angle, its perfectly smooth glass seemingly polished by time. To evoke twilight, a gradient shifting from blue to pale yellow has been worked into its walls. A shower of stars also runs across its glass, while its name is written in orange lettering. Captured in a magnifying-glass-shaped bottle, L'Ombre des Merveilles is like a window left ajar onto the world, inviting us to see it from a new, more wondrous angle. For variety, the fragrance comes in three spray bottle sizes: 30, 50, and 100 ml. Undeniably, L'Ombre des Merveilles is a very fine achievement, like a source of stars in broad daylight.