WHAT I SMELL: Oh my; Hera opens up with a sweet orange blossom that quickly moves to a warmed jasmine and ylang, ylang. It’s thick, rich, intoxicating and absolutely breathtaking. From the beginning, Hera is beautifully all woman and has a persona that feels all-knowing with its golden glowing countenance. As the perfume develops, the florals become more creamy as the Rose de Mai begins to bloom from the center. The rose is rapturous without dominating and it helps to create a dream like aura in its wake. After some more time, a hint of incense whispers in, but I am guessing its the narcissus that I am smelling vs. incense, but in any case it adds a dimension of mystery to this rapturous beauty. In slow and graceful development, Hera begins to powder and dry and a wonderful oakmoss note appears. And a bit later, the perfume once again becomes a bit more creamy with what seems to be a hint of violet. Here, the perfume is so soft and enticing and lyrical in nature. It’s strange, because Hera seems to quietly move, meld and morph at every slow turn so it’s quite hard to pinpoint any development in a chronological order. And as a result, every time it’s worn it feels completely different, but no less beautiful. Hera is a gift from the gods of which this mere mortal is not giving it justice in my description, because it’s just to hard to put rapturous beauty into adequate words.
From the Papillon Artisan Perfumes website:
The goddess of weddings, family and blessings, Hera possessed a majestic power. Here, she is celebrated in the opulence of orris and jasmine. Engulfed in flowers, you are invited by a burst of orange blossom, radiating a golden halo of warm white flowers. Delicate touches reveal a buttery, rich embrace. Rose de mai brings a whisper of drama and gentle musk offers a sensual caress for Gods and Goddesses alike. A bright and beautiful perfume, steeped in energetic luxury and effortless glamour.
Notes: Jasmine. Orange Blossom. Ylang. Rose de Mai. Orris. Narcissus
WHAT IT SMELLS LIKE TO ME: Perfectly named, Hera is indeed “Queen of the Gods.”
THREE WORDS THAT DESCRIBE HERA: glorious, captivating, breathtaking.
WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT HERA: Bonkers About Perfume, CaFleureBon, Taking One Thing Off
BOTTOM LINE: It’s not often enough these days that I am completely swept away by the beauty of a fragrance. I find many that are wonderful and interesting, but not ones that immediately grab my soul. Hera is a masterpiece. And one reason why is that it seems to carry DNA from vintage Caron. Hera at times reminds me greatly of the chypre mastery of Alpona, the thickened golden beauty of En Avion and the intoxicating florals of French Can Can. I can’t stress enough that Hera is absolutely breathtaking. My only dilemma is that since I live in Mexico I can’t purchase a bottle because it’s unavailable here (in stores and for shipping). So until I travel to other lands, I will have to be patient, because Hera is a perfume that will be added to my collection without hesitation.
- Bone Rating: 5 out of possible 5 bones
- Scent: Floral
- Nose: Liz Moores
- Classification: Leans feminine, but I believe it’s easily unisex
- Expense: $310 for 50ml parfum extrait
WHAT I SMELL: Fleur Japonais opens with a soft milky magnolia that is quickly greeted by lilting cherry blossoms that are seemingly caressed by a light breeze. The perfume is intoxicating in that it’s full of body, yet light in presence. But there’s also a hidden strength in the blossoms in that their beauty is full of passion and power with the promise of rebirth. As the perfume develops, the soft and beautiful florals even out in consistency creating for a blanket that’s silky smooth. And along with that beautiful blanket is just the right amount of light incense that dreamily floats above the blossoms. Here, Fleur Japonais feels as if it is creating a passage to an ancient Japanese temple. In the end, a light powder with the incense and a soft sandalwood residing underneath, makes you feel as if you’re walking along a quiet path laden with freshly fallen pedals; pink above and pink below. Beyond gorgeous.
WHAT IT SMELLS LIKE TO ME: Dreaming in a sea of pink.
WHAT IT SMELLS LIKE TO ME: Victorian Japan. Connecting the ancient to the modern.
The Scented Hound 