Reviews of Bel Ami (1986)
by Hermès

The Eighties are over ! Move over for Moss Breches!

I recently revisited Bel Ami (it was my first Hermes). Leather dominated on my skin - an offputting mixture of indian masala, raw green lemons, and artificial plasticky leather. To my at-the-time inexperienced nose, it was a little too much to handle. I may have been less shocked by the urinal masterpiece that is Kouros. A 100 fragrances (from 10 different houses) later, its still too much for me to handle. I don't get much vanilla. It was my first Hermes and put me off the line for a long long time - till I sampled Terre D'Hermes and Hiris.

Sorry Bel Ami, there are many other top tier leather fragrances which need more love from me.

I swapped for Bel Ami blindly, based on some positive reviews I had read about it. I was needing something assertive and masculine in my collection, and a lot of people swear by it. Upon receiving the bottle, without even spritzing, I sniffed the top portion of the bottle, and instinctively turned away and muffled a gag. I have never reacted this strongly to a frag before in a negative sense. It is insanely sharp, overwhelming, relentless in its attack. Albeit, I am not a fan of leather scents to begin with, but this was beyond anything I had encountered. I don't think I could be within 10 feet of someone wearing this scent. Infact, just thinking about it makes me want to curl up in the fetal position and suck my thumb. I should probably bring up my Bel Ami exeperience in therapy.

Loved big time by most basenoters, Bel Ami just isn't for me. Watching the pyramid + adding the strong leather it should be close to the fragrance of my dreams but it isn't. It smells stuffy and dated to me, If in the mood for smoke, check out Eaud de Fier or Bulgari Black instead. Bel Ami is very unknown in my country, which is great - cause frankly I think I'd be sick if I was on a bus or subway with someone wearing this. The only Hermès I clearly dislike.

Really strange fragrance! I had never smelt something like Bel Ami! Pretty strong top notes, remind me medicinal drink!! Maybe some kind of licour too... I smell a lot of herbs here!Strange herbal fragrance! Not for me!

Gotta disagree with the majority here. This really smells rotten to me. Whatever floats your boat. keep it far away from me please.