Hermès has long been celebrated for its exquisite fragrances, especially its garden series. Jardin à Cythère is curated by perfumer Christine Nagel, promises a unique olfactory experience inspired by the Greek island of Kythira. However, my recent encounter with this fragrance left me with mixed feelings.
Exploring the Fragrance
Described as neither green nor floral but “blond,” Un Jardin à Cythère offers a citrus and woody composition, blending grassy notes with the warmth of olive wood and the freshness of pistachio. The concept of an unspoiled island paradise as the muse behind the fragrance is certainly intriguing.
The Initial Disappointment
Eager to explore this new addition to Hermès’ garden series, I purchased a small 2 ml sample. Unfortunately, my experience with Un Jardin à Cythère fell short of expectations. Upon application, the fragrance felt overwhelmingly cloying and intensely floral. Instead of being transported to a serene garden, it felt as though I was enveloped in a cloud of overpowering floral scent.
As the fragrance progressed, I noticed little change in its scent profile, except for a slight reduction in its cloying intensity after several hours. However, this transformation occurred only in the dry down, which took an astonishingly long 12 hours to manifest.
Comparative Longevity
One positive aspect of Un Jardin à Cythère is its longevity. Compared to other fragrances in the garden series, such as Sur le Nil, Un Jardin à Cythère lasted significantly longer on my skin. However, this was not enough to redeem its overpowering floral character.
A Disappointing End
Ultimately, my disappointment with Un Jardin à Cythère was such that I could not bring myself to use the entire sample. Instead, I repurposed the remaining fragrance as a bathroom spray. While Hermès’ exploration of the Greek island of Kythira is commendable, Un Jardin à Cythère may not appeal to everyone’s olfactory preferences. Its potent floral notes and lack of evolving scent make it a challenging fragrance to appreciate. Despite its longevity, I found little to enjoy in this particular addition to the Hermès Jardin series.
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