Eau des Merveilles Bleue Hermès 2017

This begins like an aspartame aquatic - sweet and slightly powdery, which feels like it’s distantly related to New West, and with a touch of the later version of that unfriendly aldehydic Blue Grass - the messed about one which isn’t quite right.

Then it breaks down into something as natural feeling as Blue Monday, and with a sour chemical note that throws off it balance.

It’s a weird experiment and it doesn’t end well.

(Perhaps it works better on skin, but it doesn’t work on my shirt – that’s for sure.)

Unlike most fragrances I sample, this one is fairly unique in that the dry down is where the best of the fragrance lies (as are all fragrances in the Eau des Merveilles line) . This flanker feels like it retains all the aspects of the original, but with the sparkling minerality amped up and the temperature cooled way down.

The dry down consists of a funky salty amber, which although at times comes across as somewhat synthetic, is uplifting and ozonic. This is quintessentially the beach and quintessentially summer - except there is no coconut or seaweed to be found: just pure crisp salty ocean air and dewy mossy driftwood in abundance. The juxtaposition between slight sweetness and saltiness is perfectly balanced.

Like the rest of the Eau des Merveilles line, this is unisex, perhaps the most unisex of them all, and has surprisingly good staying power for an EDT. And despite being perfect for hot weather, I think this one could be used all year round.

For me, this is nearly a perfect scent, save for the times in which it comes across as a touch synthetic. The saltiness evokes a thirst, making me salivate for more, and although the salty mineral accord might be challenging for some, it never fails to surprise me upon each wearing, and fascinates me to no end no matter how many times I wear it.

Had to think of the song 'Rio de Janeiro Blue' by Randy Crawford testing this scent from a sample that I got along with an other purchase: 'The salty air, your wind blown hair, reflections on a dream....'.
This is a different, more subtle and 'sophisticated' take on other sea-notes forward scents I know, like Rem from Reminiscence. Eau de Merveilles Bleue also reminds of the sea, but it is not like a sea-wave, splashed in your face :-) and without those, more dirty, seaweed kind of notes. Also more feminine than those; I'd say: uni-sex, leaning feminine.
Feels like the aroma's of flowers (though no flowers are mentioned) and other beautyful things from nature are brought to you by a distant breeze from the sea.
Happy, but not euphoric like many beach-scents can be. It's about a more 'mindful' kind of joy.
Wearing this, you'll find the scent from time to time like lovely scented 'wind blown hair' and I think others will perceive it like that when you pass them by. Because the sillage is strong but not in ones face. People will be intrigued, asking themselves what that lovely scent is they're smelling.
Very different than the first and original Eau des Merveilles Eau de Toilette which is also lovely.
Beautyful!

Edit: So...no new jeans this month :-) Had to buy this instead! It matches my skin chemistry so well, it is intensifying by the hour and the scent is developing in such a beautyful, luxurious way. I feel like being on a very expensive vacation on the Côte d'Azur.
This really needs to warm up on your skin. Lovely versatile fragrance. I will reach out for this in spring and summer often!

Personal: 9/10 – Salty mineral water with soft woods. It’s crisp, airy, and beautifully refreshing. I love how unique this take on an aquatic freshness is. It's an amazing execution of an aquatic.
Mass appeal: 8.5/10 – Very clean, breezy, and subtle. Some might find the mineralic angle odd, but most will enjoy its refreshing transparency.
Performance: 6.5/10 – It doesn't project heavily or last too long, but you'll enjoy every minute of it.
Value: 8/10 – Hermès pricing is mid-luxury but fair here, considering the uniqueness and refinement. It doesn't perform the best, but you’re paying for elegance. It can also be found pretty reasonably priced on most discounters.
Uniqueness: 8.5/10 – A salty, mineralic aquatic that feels more like air and water than citrus or herbs. Very distinct compared to most mainstream freshies, and one of the best unisex freshies out there.

SCORE: 81/100

Full bottle buy? YES, this is one of my favorite salty aquatics, and I’d happily wear it often.
Blind buy? YES, if you like freshies. It’s clean, airy, and safe enough despite the mineral twist.
Recommend? YES, as one of the best refined summer aquatics on the market.
Date night? YES, for casual outdoor evenings. It’s fresh and unique enough to stand out without being heavy or strange in some way.
Office safe? YES, very subtle, clean, and professional. Built for the office.

Pros: Crisp mineral-aquatic vibe, refreshing and elegant, refined and unique among freshies.
Cons: Performance is weak, leans a bit “watery stone” which can feel strange if you prefer citrus-heavy aquatics. Meant for people with greener taste than a blue taste.

Eau des Merveilles Bleue is a perfect example of Hermès doing refinement better than almost anyone else. It’s clean, transparent, and evocative, like seaside air over sun-warmed stones. It doesn't have beastly performance, and it doesn't last for 12 hours, but it'll last through most of the work day, so you and everyone around you can enjoy the remarkably well blended beauty that is Eau des Merveilles Bleue. I think this is one of the cleanest executions of a blue fragrance that doesn't lean on the typical herbal or citrusy notes to make it feel fresh, bright, and summery. I think this could even be worn during the daytime in winter if you want something that morphs into feeling a bit icy and cool from the juniper note.

The epitome of a unique, refined blue fragrance. This should be on everyone's lists as a potential summer staple, and the prices on discounters means this is a very attainable freshie.

Review #143 in my fragrance journey – this fragrance I own as a decant

This was a blind buy based on people's comments and descriptions, and yes, it is definitely a unisex fragrance.

It is salty, but not much. I imagine Bleue being collected somewhere in brackish water, with this beautiful bottle containing more air than sea. There is something slightly ethereal about it, although it doesn't have the high quality usually required to make scents an otherworldly experience.

I'd be lying if I said I notice any wood or citrus here. Maybe some of the former in the later dry down, but it's more sweet than anything on my skin. When I say sweet, I mean in comparison with the first hour or two.

I notice pretty high marks for longevity. I'm afraid I disagree, but I'll give it few more tries.

Anyway, if you've got recommendations for similar fragrance, please let me know :)