For a while now I’ve been on a hunt for the ultimate green scent and I think I’ve finally found it. Un Jardin Sur Le Nil by Hermes is a unique combination of effervescent, fresh and slightly bitter. It’s sophisticated and brilliantly walks the line between feminine and masculine.
A sensory stroll in the garden islands of the Nile at Aswan is said to be the starting point for this olfactory voyage. Although I’ve never been anywhere close to the Nile, I’ve been around my share of lakes, rivers and lily ponds and this scent definitely conjures up that environment to me. I close my eyes and smell watery, green, earthy and floral notes, along with some indeterminate edible notes.
Flickr
According to the Hermes website, green mango, lotus, calamus and sycamore wood lie at the heart of this refreshing scent. Other notes are carrot, grapefruit, tomato, orange, peony, bulrush, hyacinth, labdanum, iris, cinnamon, musk and incense. The notes all play together perfectly and even though you can smell the individual notes it’s more about the overall smell of bright, clean freshness.
Un Jardin Sur Le Nil isn’t for everyone and if you don’t like cool, watery scents this may not make you change your mind. For me the magic is in the way that the scent moves from freshly sliced fruit to fragrant florals before settling into a very faint musk and incense.
The optimum way to fully appreciate this gem is to test it on your skin on a warm day. There’s something about heat that brings out the best in this refreshing, fruity, floral and musky scent. It can be worn in the cooler months but I see this much more of a spring and summer scent.
I haven’t personally tried the Jardin Sur Le Nil body lotion but that’s on my list. I’ve heard that it’s amazing and quite long lasting. Also on my to-do list is to read the book written by Chandler Burr called The Perfect Scent which covers the creation of this scent.
I’m obsessed with Egypt! It brings me back so many childhood memories taking library books out and reading everything I can about this mystical country. I like the imagery evoked by this perfume and it’s something, from what I’m reading from your description, that I surely don’t have in my collection. I’ll try to find a sample and test it. Thanks for sharing this.
Hi Vanessa,
Egyptian culture is fascinating and we know that they cherished their perfumes, especially Pharaoh Hatshepsut who supposedly used it as a demonstration of her power. Trying before buying is always a good idea. Hope you love it:)
Erica
I have been searching for a lighter perfume for day wear and Un Jardin Sur Le Nil sounds just right for me. I do normally go for more Jasmine undertones but they can be too heavy during the day.The list of ingredients sound quite romantic, maybe I will get a hint of the Nile 🙂 Pricing looks great too, can I purchase on the UK version of Amazon?
Sounds just what I am looking for.
Hi June,
I love jasmine perfumes too but they can be a little overbearing for an everyday scent. I wouldn’t spritz on Shalimar or Joy for a day in the office that’s for sure:) And you are in luck, Amazon UK does carry this. Hope you enjoy it!
Erica