Hélène Rancé 1795 2010

When I first read about this fragrance, I immediately wondered: "Who was Hélène?"
After all, the house of Rancé named its classic scents after family members of Napoleon Bonaparte, of whom this company was a court supplier.
But who is this Hélène, captured in scent here?

Napoleon's last companion, Albine de Vassal, who loved him dearly, even accompanied him into exile on St. Helena and gifted him his ray of sunshine during that time:
Hélène Napoleone Bonaparte.
Well, how could it be any different?!
Thus, the origin of the name of this very feminine fragrance is clarified, and my curiosity can now focus on the scent creation itself.

For this fragrant beauty comes across as very feminine and graceful: fresh and delicate with a light step, surrounded by neroli and ylang-ylang, "Hélène" enters the fragrance scene, accompanied by a fine hint of cardamom and cinnamon into the richly scented embrace of a summer flower garden.
Here, the tenderness and warmth of fragile orange blossoms greet you, along with the full aromas of fragrant roses and the slightly animalistic strength of ripe jasmine: the senses are awakened and caressed by this bouquet of blossomed femininity in scent.
A touch of the special sweetness of tonka beans leads to iris and heliotrope, which here also provide pleasant powdery scent accents for me and weave a cozy blanket together with musk.
(It is well known that I struggle with some powdery scents; if they are too powdery, they irritate my airways.)
Thus, I can enjoy the beautiful "Hélène" without reservation, as the classic finale of sandalwood and the resinous-smoky benzoin note pleases me anyway.

Rancé's "Hélène" smiles charmingly and caresses the skin like a light summer dress in the warm wind.
Perhaps this graceful fragrance lady sounds a bit out of time at first; she is very feminine, and all the boyishness and loudness is absent: she is not an "eyecatcher."
Jeanne Sandra Rancé also took a very sensitive approach to the tradition of her family in modernizing the fragrances of the "Collection Impériale" here, as she did everywhere.
The original scents, some of which were created during Napoleon's time, were very heavy and floral; they have now transformed into wonderful Eau de Parfums with high wearing comfort, considering the original composition.

For Rancé offers with "Hélène" a beautiful scent companion full of elegance and French spirit; it spreads a special flair and makes every woman unique in her own way.
So for summer, I have found my perfect scent creation: not ordinary, but still very suitable for everyday wear.
"Hélène" is a true fragrance gift to us women: a feeling of well-being with oneself.