24 Faubourg Review and Trip Down Perfume Memory Lane

Once upon a time when I was an girl in the bigger city of Chicago, I had a field day at the now extinct Marshall Fields.  Oh what a store that was . . . it had that upscale feel of the big boys; Saks’, Neim’s and Nordie’s and yet more of the personalization of a smaller department store.  No wonder it was sold out to Macy’s. *sigh*   Anyhow, the perfume SA’s we always so very friendly on the Mag mile, one of whom gave me a big, whopping 10 ml sample of 24 Faubourg.   24F is an Hermes confection named for it’s Parisian store’s address.  Notes include Bergamot, Orange, Peach, Hyacinth, Tiare flower, Orange flower, Jasmine, Orris, Sandal, Patchouli, Amber, Vanilla.   However, I believe this list isn’t all inclusive as there are a few suprise notes in there, at least for me. 

That day I believe I was transformed.  I walked into the store to load up on some Philosophy goodies and replace my well loved and so ominpresent Madamoiselle.  Madamoiselle was my event perfume of choice worn only when not wearing a BBW horror of fruity, floral nausea.  After that was done, I was meandering and struck up a conversation with a lady at the Hermes counter who had also been wearing Madamoiselle.  We decided it was lovely, but everywhere, and I confided I knew nothing of perfume and longed for something a bit more–MORE, but didn’t know where to begin.  There began my love affair with Hermes…..

After rejecting a few bottles of other things, she said “this one is popular, but not in the mass markety every one is wearing it sense.  try it”  I did.  and oh heaven.  I remember walking out of the store and onto the Chicago streets.  As I walked back to my hotel I was swathed in the orange-sunset cashmere aura of the perfume, utter bliss.   This was a scent for someone who exemplified old world class and money.  It is refinement, yet approachable.  I could wear this in my ball gown or in my jeans — as long as i had good shoes and clean hair.  Seduction with this scent means wearing your best La Perla and smooth hair underneath your lady like Navy Blue Jackie O. dress.  Or possibly with your riding togs, only to discard them and leave your boots and pearls on.  People like to say this is a perfume only appropriate for a woman over 35.  I disagree, being younger than that and able to love, appreciate and carry it off.  It isn’t the woman, it’s the way in which she carries herself with this perfume.  I wear it when I put on my princess face and want to impress and empower while preserving my feminity.  One can wear it anywhere, as long, as I mentioned, you have clean hair, good shoes and proper deportment.  Paris Hilton need not apply. 

Today (a few years later)  I dug up a sample of the EDP and the Parfum and did a side by side comparsion to see which formula was the winner as I am nearly out and almost ready to purchase more.    I was surprised at the result.   Both begin with a lily of the valley note.  Lily of the Valley is not listed as a note.  Often this flower is one of my worst enemies, however here it is the opening of perfection. Then they both exude the orange/jasmine/amber sunset of scent.  Let me say something about the fruit… This isn’t BBW fruity sweetness of death.  This particular fruit sinks into your skin and emits an aura of golden, juicy vanillaness around you.  Picture yourself  silhouetted against a gorgeous sunset in an orange and peach orchard.  That is 24F.    The EDP ends this rich heiress-goddess sunset moment  with soft woodsy patchouli and amber, as though the sun went down on a soft summer or early autumn night.  The air cools and you wrap up in  your softest cashmere blanket and head to your favorite fireside.    The parfum, in contrast, smells….of laundry detergent. The heiress leaves the orchard and is demoted to scullery maid, without the benefit of seducing the lord of the manor.   Thank god I only bought a sample of the parfum because if I had paid the 135 and upwards for laundry detergent, I’d have been writing a looong letter to Hermes demanding a refund! 

  So, lesson for the day….never assume the higher concentration is the best.  In this case the EDP was the perfect blend of the fruit, the florals, and the woods.  Both sparkling, warming and richly sexy.  The parfum really does send you out to the cleaners and leaves you hung out to dry. Money can’t buy you happiness, but it can buy you the smell of money and happiness.