GENTLE PETRICHOR

First launched in 2021 by the House’s olfactory director Christine Nagel, the H24 was created following Terre d’Hermès’ success 15 years prior. Unlike Terre which smells strongly of wood, earth and spices, H24 is metallic. It reminds me of the brightness that comes with freshly polished metal surfaces, almost like “raw” metal, if that clicks ̶ the sort of clinical, sanitised scent that is oddly pleasant. It settles dry with a hint of green undertones. It is clean and pleasant to me, the sort of scent that is very wearable.

Just recently, Nagel expanded on the H24 olfactory family with H24 Herbes Vives. Unlike its earlier interpretation, Herbes Vives is green ̶ literally and figuratively speaking. Upon the first spritz, the scent brings me back to an early dawn after a nightlong of rain showers; the grass in the garden is wet with dew, damp from the downpour. Cut the grass, and the fresh and sharp scent is released into the bright sunny air, mixed with the lingering petrichor from moments prior. It is sweet and savoury, like the smell of the first day of summer. That is how the H24 Herbes Vives smells to me.

Herbes Vives is herbaceous and green, with hints of fresh cut pear sneaking in between whiffs. Once it settles on the skin, the signature metallic notes of the H24 family peeks through, complemented by the herbal tones of parsley and the minty notes from Physcool. Compared to the original rendition of H24, Herbes Vives is more urban and contemporary, steering away from the futuristic vision often associated with the scents of metal. To personify it, Herbes Vives is the calm, gardener brother to H24’s chief doctor self. Quite the character, if I may say so myself.

Available at Hermès