Hermes – Twilly eau de parfum review

Twilly is a perfume by the French brand Hermes, which is known primarily for its iconic Birkin bag, but also for fantastic perfumes that fall into the top ranges of French perfumery. Until a few years ago, it was all thanks to an in-house perfumer named Jean Claude Ellena, an ingenious creator who has made all the Hermes masterpieces of the last fifteen years like Terre d’Hermes and Elixir des Merveilles, and author of excellent book Perfume, The Alchemy of Scent.

He was replaced by the very talented Christine Nagel, who has a rich history of creating beautiful perfume creations like Jo Malone Wood Sage & Seasalt, Narciso Rodriguez for Her, Armani Si, Dior Miss Dior Cherie, and Dolce & Gabanna The One. Her move to Hermes proved to be a success because right after she joined this house, she made Gallop and then Twilly, perfumes worthy of the reputation this house has, both in the perfume and fashion world.

Twilly is an ingenious idea to make something that will be tailored to the young but using serious, grown-up scent notes. And when I say to young people, I mean not only young people by age but also young by spirit. A cheerful, playful, upbeat perfume that will counteract the ubiquitous fruity floral and gourmet prosaic and unintelligent compositions we are inundated within a standard, commercial perfumes. Christine Nagel was able to make tuberose youthful, fluttering and airy, a flower traditionally used mainly in concoctions aimed at mature women.

Twilly’s perfume composition is floral and dominated by white flowers, tuberose like no other. Just as Jean Claude Ellena redefined how grapefruit should smell in the cult Terre d’Hermes, so did Christine Nagel redefine tuberose, making something that can surprise a nose who has tried hundreds of tuberose creations – a sign of extraordinary talent. I think we can expect great things from her in the future. Ginger, which with its freshness and spicy character cuts the milky sweetness and intoxicating scent of tuberose and sandalwood, is one of the most beautiful chords I have ever felt, without ever wondering how it had never occurred to anyone before. I was just overwhelmed by the feeling of beauty and enjoyment when all things around you, even your ego were gone. The only perfume that is perfectly intelligent and utterly emotional at the same time, makes you forget about both, indulges yourself, and the only thing left is – Twilly.

Perfume creator is Christine Nagel.