Occasionally sultry, too often harsh, just plain difficult to wear
Histoire d'Eau doesn't seem very oriental to me, much less floral. Where is the leather, orange, myrtle, and ylang-ylang?
I've had a rough road learning how to wear Histoire d'Eau. Over the last few months, I found it inconsistent, unreliable, & changeable. In fact, the first review that I left was not too kind, calling HdE a scent reminiscent of old, dusty books and of old, crusty professors. Let's just say, trial & error and luck & patience have paid off.
For me, Histoire d'Eau reveals its wonders in warm weather and is a steamy & sultry, almost incense-like. (Think Kathleen Turner in the movie Body Heat.) This is one that I've applied on a hot summer evening and stepped out for a stroll or a beverage on the veranda - WONDERFUL! If only Histoire d'Eau was like this each & every application. At other times, it's been nearly unwearable. For now, summer wear only -- the hotter, the more humid, the better. It intensifies as its worn, although it lasts only 3-4 hours on me.
Histoire d'Eau is hard to wear, but it's even harder to pass up. It's worth the risk on a blind buy imo, provided it is at a good price.
Rating: 4 out of 5 when it decides to be sultry on me.
Rating: 1 out of 5 all other times, when HdE is harsh, when the spices are combative, and when it reeks of dusty, dark places. Unfortunately, that's most of the time.
I adore most of Nagel's creations, but I find HdE very difficult to wear. For an everyday fragrance, I think HdE is better suited for those who can carry masculine scents. Unfortunately, I can't.
