02/15/2013

Greysolon
74 Reviews

Greysolon
Helpful Review
8
Almost infinitely beautiful
There is no way to write about L’Homme Infini without making comparisons to Terre d’Hermes because both have such closely matched cedar accords as their dominant theme. Beyond that it seems to me there are three obvious differences separating these fragrances...
First, do you you want your fragrance with or without a twist of citrus?:
L’Homme Infini has just a hint of citrus from elemi while Terre d’Hermes has an orange/grapefruit accord that can be as potent as the essential oil of real fruit rind and has, on occasion, made me drool involuntarily.
Second, Do you want a subtle, nuanced fragrance or one that makes a bolder statement with obvious notes and accords?:
L’Homme Infini is the more subtle of the two and comes across as more homogenous and polite. Although next to the skin I can tease out notes and I especially love the black pepper and just a hint of citrus from the elemi. Away from the skin it is simply a beautiful, nuanced cedar fragrance. Gorgeous. Terre Hermes, by contrast, has three elements that can be easily detected away from the skin, especially cedar, citrus and a flintstone/patchouli accord. It’s certainly not a fragrance with a huge sillage but those notes do come through.
The third difference can’t be detected in a single side by side comparison. It has to do with day to day consistency. Do you want a scent that is consistent when worn in varying conditions of temperature and humidity or do you mind a bit of unpredictability in the developmental journey of the fragrance?:
I’ve worn L’Homme Infini four times over the past week. Given the wildly varying weather conditions in the southeastern US during that time -cold and bone dry a few days ago to humid and mid 60’s today- I feel fairly confident saying that L’Homme Infini will have a consistent development and outcome no matter when you wear it. Terre d’Hermes, on the other hand, may take you on a different journey with each wearing even though all things seem equal. One day it’s flinty and arid, filled with the aroma of resin dripping from sunbaked cedars. Another day, same conditions, the acidy citrus notes take over and have a refreshing effect as the cedar hums along with a deeper, earthier chord.
Both L’Homme Infini and Terre d’Hermes are first rate fragrances and it’s hard not to covet a bottle of each. Unfortunately, they are so closely matched I can’t see owning both. However, as you can probably tell from my descriptions, I prefer Terre d’Hermes. I love the contrasting and distinguishable notes which give it greater character. I also love its shifting, kaleidoscopic unpredictability which gives me the feeling I’ve picked a slightly different fragrance each time I wear it. Nonetheless, L’Homme Infini is a beautiful creation and I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for something slightly different or more subtle than Terre d’Hermes.
First, do you you want your fragrance with or without a twist of citrus?:
L’Homme Infini has just a hint of citrus from elemi while Terre d’Hermes has an orange/grapefruit accord that can be as potent as the essential oil of real fruit rind and has, on occasion, made me drool involuntarily.
Second, Do you want a subtle, nuanced fragrance or one that makes a bolder statement with obvious notes and accords?:
L’Homme Infini is the more subtle of the two and comes across as more homogenous and polite. Although next to the skin I can tease out notes and I especially love the black pepper and just a hint of citrus from the elemi. Away from the skin it is simply a beautiful, nuanced cedar fragrance. Gorgeous. Terre Hermes, by contrast, has three elements that can be easily detected away from the skin, especially cedar, citrus and a flintstone/patchouli accord. It’s certainly not a fragrance with a huge sillage but those notes do come through.
The third difference can’t be detected in a single side by side comparison. It has to do with day to day consistency. Do you want a scent that is consistent when worn in varying conditions of temperature and humidity or do you mind a bit of unpredictability in the developmental journey of the fragrance?:
I’ve worn L’Homme Infini four times over the past week. Given the wildly varying weather conditions in the southeastern US during that time -cold and bone dry a few days ago to humid and mid 60’s today- I feel fairly confident saying that L’Homme Infini will have a consistent development and outcome no matter when you wear it. Terre d’Hermes, on the other hand, may take you on a different journey with each wearing even though all things seem equal. One day it’s flinty and arid, filled with the aroma of resin dripping from sunbaked cedars. Another day, same conditions, the acidy citrus notes take over and have a refreshing effect as the cedar hums along with a deeper, earthier chord.
Both L’Homme Infini and Terre d’Hermes are first rate fragrances and it’s hard not to covet a bottle of each. Unfortunately, they are so closely matched I can’t see owning both. However, as you can probably tell from my descriptions, I prefer Terre d’Hermes. I love the contrasting and distinguishable notes which give it greater character. I also love its shifting, kaleidoscopic unpredictability which gives me the feeling I’ve picked a slightly different fragrance each time I wear it. Nonetheless, L’Homme Infini is a beautiful creation and I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for something slightly different or more subtle than Terre d’Hermes.
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