Rouge Hermès (2000)
by Hermès

I'm still amazed with Rouge Hermés. I should hate it, as I used to hate in the past. I already had a bottle of this fragrance in the past, in the old bottle, and I couldn't wear it despite the posh aura that the fragrance had. Rouge hermés used to be a dry, sophisticade, powdery floral fragrance to me, that seemed perfect for an elegant old lady, but not for me. I tried several times to like it, but I couldn't stand the powdery, dry flowery accord that the fragrance had.
But then, yesterday something happened. I tried it again on skin, in the new minimalist hermés bottle. At first, I hated it as usual. But then the fragrance started to grow on me. It was like discovering that you suddenly feel attracted for someone that you couldn't stand, and exactly by the same reasons that made you hate that person. It's what happened to me with Rouge Hermés. I should hate it, but why I cannot stop thinking of it? Rouge hermés has a difficult aura, a combination of dry spices, bitter resins and woods, but if you spray just a small amount of it on you, you'll see that the dryness of this strange creature it's cozy and enfolds you in a woody resinous spice scent that works like a protection against the cold weather. An amazing fragrance, hard to understand, but superb on the right amount used in the right days.

24th July, 2010.

This is the only Hermes fragrance I like apart from Caleche EDP. I'd love to know who the perfumer is. Its launch is here dated as the year 2000 but I have been wearing this scent since 1986, and my sister-in-law, who introduced me to it, purchased her bottle in 1984. 2000 might be the date of a re-launch. Certainly, the post-2000 bottle is different and the juice seems to be ever so slightly reformulated. The name has also slightly changed, from 'Hermes Rouge' to 'Rouge Hermes'.

Whatever, this fragrance in both its former and current incarnation is simply wonderful. It lacks all manner of sweetness and fruitiness. Instead, it is dry and leathery with a hint of rose and ambergris. It is a fragrance for the officianado, which is probably why it is not sold in main stream department stores (in England, at least), but only in those stores considered to be exclusive (like Harrods, Selfridges, and Liberty of London). I'm looking forward to my next bottle, and I'd like to see an entire range of body products launched. This scent is pure class!!

11th July, 2010.

If you enjoy the complexity of Opium, you may also like and be interested in this deep warm and misterious scent named Rouge.
This fragrance is very sophisticated and intense: Spices,Sandalwood and Ylang-Ylang are so well combined.

In my personal opinion I find Rouge a beautiful red gem, cuz today's fragrances lacks of personality and complexity. I don't think it's overwhelming cuz is an Eau de Toilette. It's retro but definitely not the old lady tipe.

Rouge is a Red Goddess to use in especial events, not an every-day fragrance.

Try it!

20th May, 2010.

I bought this on a whim when I was really craving some of that Hermes lushness, and it was the new offer at the time. Also, upon first sniffs, it sort-of evoked old china dolls, I guess; it has a resinous, old glue and hair quality that captured my old-stuff-lovin' attention.
But later, I regretted this purchase so much. This is one fragrance that actually "gave me the creeps"! (Usually, I am intrigued by associations with old musty things. I like them!) But to me, Rouge felt really wrong: haunted and depressing... like discovering a papery old dress in a musty attic where someone died. It reminded me of that movie "Flowers i the Attic". I think "Mother" wore this, in "Psycho". Yikes.

27th February, 2010.

An intoxicating and rich scent, Rouge by Hermès. First you are summoned by the smell of huge exotic notes of Amber and Cedar, then you experience the wartmth of deep shades of Red Valentine Velvety Roses and mystifying aroma of Ylang-Ylang. Then you taste the sweetness of Iris, Vanilla and Sandalwood. The perfume smells like a deep shade of Red and reminds me of the movie Eyes Wide Shut where people are wearing masks in plush setting doing strange things. To some this perfume may smell too "Powdery" even "Old Lady Like" perfume probably due to the presense of Myrrh. Either one loves it or hates it. This perfume is a close cousin to Youth Dew but not as sweet and much under-rated. Very Passionate, Mysterious, Powerful, Prestegious and Defiant. Not recommended for the Shy.

6th February, 2010.

Hermes Rouge is a very ladylike perfume that belongs to the floral-oriental family. The most identifiable notes are powder, rose, sandalwood and myrrh.

Hermes Rouge is not an immediately accessible floral in the way that Serge Lutens' Lys Med is, for example. Rather, Hermes Rouge is a fragrance for someone who enjoys a touch of formality and glamor, and who has the self-confidence to wear a perfume that is not necessarily the latest thing. It is also a fragrance better suited for the evening, most likely in the colder months. I would imagine that someone who likes Caron's Parfum Sacre (or that old discontinued Ralph Lauren favorite "Tuxedo") would appreciate and enjoy Hermes Rouge. Overall, the best way that I can describe Hermes Rouge is to ask you to imagine burying your nose in the most luxurious scented old-school powder puff. That sensation of delicate softness is what this perfume imparts to my nose.

30th April, 2008. (Last Edited: 4th May, 2008.)