Hermes Fragrances - better than LV?

TPF may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, and others

M

monipod

Member
Dec 11, 2018
196
481
#1
This might be a 'duh' question, but I spent a good few months playing around with LV fragrance samples to decide which full bottle to buy, and for those who know about LV fragrances, they are not cheap but most don't last so long.

In the meantime, I've gravitated towards H so much that my next big bag purchase will be an H. There's actually not a lot at LV I love at the mo, and now I'm finding myself questioning whether I should choose a set of Hermessence instead of one single LV fragrance as a treat. I have to admit that I'm not a one-perfume gal and like changing scents according to mood/occasion/season.

So, for those who have tried both H and LV scents, your thoughts?
 
#3
monipod said:
This might be a 'duh' question, but I spent a good few months playing around with LV fragrance samples to decide which full bottle to buy, and for those who know about LV fragrances, they are not cheap but most don't last so long.

In the meantime, I've gravitated towards H so much that my next big bag purchase will be an H. There's actually not a lot at LV I love at the mo, and now I'm finding myself questioning whether I should choose a set of Hermessence instead of one single LV fragrance as a treat. I have to admit that I'm not a one-perfume gal and like changing scents according to mood/occasion/season.

So, for those who have tried both H and LV scents, your thoughts?
Click to expand...
H all the way. Before I started using H fragrances I used to keep 5 or 6 different ones in rotation based on season/mood. I finally settled into just 2 from H - one for summer, one winter, switching in between as mood strikes, because I find the H scents so complex and lasting. I thought I might get bored and eventually replace or add to them but I'm still buying both after several years.
 
  • Like
Reactions: lvstratus and monipod
#4
As you’ve probably experienced too, there is a “matching” thing where not all scents work for everyone, including even the longevity part which you’d think would be same for anyone.

anyway I digress. Of the couple LV scents and 4 H scents I’ve tried/used, I’ve found LV lasts longer on me. However, I like the H smells better, so I just use two H ones now, and refresh midday if needed.
 
  • Like
Reactions: monipod
#6
Generalizing H and LV into two different categories as a basis for selecting scents isn't really meaningful. Hermes has a much greater range than LV, and the different scents do not last the same amount of time just because they're from the same brand. '

Getting a set of hermessence is a great idea, but do not expect all of them to last. Hermessence is eau de toilette and so is less concentrated than eau de parfum. Some of the floral heavy scents do not last for more than a few hours in my experience, but others like Ambre narguilé and Myrrhe Eglantine could last longer than a day. I would just get something I like and that you're comfortable paying for. Usually certain notes / ingredients last longer than others in perfumery (like amber or leather).
 
  • Like
Reactions: maxroxxherhandbags and monipod
#8
I have never tried LV perfumes so cannot comment on these. Some years ago (Eau des Marveilles had just launched and was my gateway) I went through a stretch of 4 or so years where I wore only H scents. It wasn’t deliberate, they just really appealed to me at the time.
My DH wears mostly H or Penthaligon’s but I am currently really into a few of Chanel’s Les Exclusifs and wearing mostly those. Having said that, right now I am wearing Rose Ikebana which is a lovely fresh summer scent that works well in the heatwave we are currently having. I found that all the H fragrances I‘ve ever owned had a pretty decent staying power
 
  • Like
Reactions: monipod
#9
Lejic said:
As you’ve probably experienced too, there is a “matching” thing where not all scents work for everyone, including even the longevity part which you’d think would be same for anyone.
Click to expand...

Thank you! Yes, I'm constantly amazed by how different scents work on different people, both in terms of how they sit and for how long. A scent that was amazing on a sample card for a month was super disappointing on my skin.
 
#10
Liberté said:
Generalizing H and LV into two different categories as a basis for selecting scents isn't really meaningful. Hermes has a much greater range than LV, and the different scents do not last the same amount of time just because they're from the same brand.
Click to expand...

Thank you. I guess I'm coming from having both experimented with LV samples and read various reviews for them, to have come to the conclusion that longevity isn't a strong point for LV, at least for the ten odd fragrances I had shortlisted. I'm not keen on going through that same process with H fragrances so figured I'd get a general idea of how most performed from those in the know, but I'm well aware that each scent will differ for each person.

Mostly though, I'm wondering that if I'm having doubts, then $440 (AUD) is a lot of money for 100ml of scent, when the 4-piece (choose your own) Hermessence set is $220 for 60ml (but at least I can try different scents). I'm glad you mentioned Ambre Narguilé as it sounds exactly 'me'.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Liberté
#11
Thank you for your replies everyone. Perfume is so very personal but it was good to get a gauge of H's range. I'm scared of falling down the Penhaligon rabbit hole but I can also see it happening. Ultimately I don't think I'm a one perfume person at all so I might shelve the idea of buying a full LV scent (those bottles tho...) and treat myself to a set of Hermessence.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Lejic and bagnut1
#13
obviously it totally depends on your skin - as written above, H perfums do not even stay for 15 minutes on my skin, which is why I won't buy them any longer, yet I love them.
LV perfumes on the other hand literally stick with me.

So I'd try it out, Hermès gives samples (not too generous imo. Yes I am looking at you Hermès.)
 
  • Like
Reactions: monipod
#14
I think its impossible to say which perfume is 'better' its very subjective.
When LV launched their fragrance range I was curious to try them (I LOVE Perfume and usually wear under the radar fragrance by niche brands But also dont mind some of the old fragrance houses like Guerlain and Robert Piguet)
I have to confess that there wasn't one LV fragrance that appealed to me.
With Hermes however I have always loved Eau de orange Vert and recently started to use Vetivert Tonka- I find they last pretty well but nowhere near as long as Piguet where I'll put on fragrance at 8am and by late afternoon I'll have someone ask me what fragrance I'm wearing (though I can no longer smell it)
 
  • Like
Reactions: monipod
#15
At the end of the day, fragrances are very personal. Apart from one’s taste it also very much depends on how certain scents react on an individual. LV is very generous with samples, Hermes not quite as but you can always request to spray on yourself, depending on Covid regulations where you are, as this is the most important test anyway. I don’t own any LV perfumes despite have a ton of samples gifted to me and tend to wear a range of everything from Hermes to niche brands. I hope you do find some you love. Have to say the Jardin and EDT ranges are quite light as meant to be refreshed through the day. (Have heard customers complaining they don’t last long enough for the buck.) For Hermes so far some of my faves are
Galop, Kelly Caleche, Cuir de Ange, Iris Ukiyoe, Eau de Orange Verte Concentrate and entire bath line, Jardin sur Le Toit, Eau de Narcisse Bleu. These are the ones I buy and wear a lot.
 
  • Like
Reactions: NavyRisa, beekmanhill, jwpianoboe and 1 other person
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top