Slumber Song by Helena Rubinstein c1938

Slumber Song by Helena Rubinstein: launched in 1938.

Barynia by Helena Rubinstein c1985

Barynia by Helena Rubinstein: launched in 1985. Barynia, is a Russian word meaning princess, and was the first fine fragrance launched under the Helena Rubinstein name. The fragrance was created by Norbert Bijaoui as a tribute to the company's creator Madame Helena Rubinstein, who died in 1965.

Barynia was originally available in the following products:

• 0.17 oz Parfum Mini
• 0.25 oz Parfum Purse Spray
• 0.50 oz Parfum
• 0.17 oz Eau de Parfum Mini
• 1.7 oz Eau de Parfum
• 3.3 oz Eau de Parfum
• 6.8 oz Eau de Parfum
• 3.3 oz Perfumed Body Oil
• Savon Parfumee (Perfumed Soap)

Fragrance Composition:

So what does it smell like? It is classified as an aldehydic fruity floral fragrance for women with a chypre dry down.

• Top notes: aldehydes, Amalfi lemon, bergamot
• Heart notes: carnation, hyacinth, orris root, jasmine, lily-of-the-valley, orchid, rose, tuberose, violet
• Base notes: vanilla, patchouli, oakmoss, benzoin, musk, sandalwood, vetiver, civet

Fate of the Fragrance:

Discontinued, date unknown. It was still being sold in 1990. At some time in the 1990s, the Barynia name and trademark, but not the formula, was purchased by G.D. Incorporated, who introduced their version of the fragrance and relaunched it. These reformulated boxes will be marked with the GD Incorporated name and not Helena Rubinstein.

Command Performance by Helena Rubinstein c1947

Command Performance by Helena Rubinstein, launched in 1947, carries a name imbued with a sense of importance and exclusivity. The term "Command Performance" refers to a special event or production held at the request of royalty or a high-ranking authority. The phrase conveys images of grandeur, elegance, and obligation to excellence. By choosing this name, Rubinstein likely sought to evoke a sense of prestige and luxury, aligning the fragrance with her celebrated post-war makeup line of the same name. The name resonates with an air of superiority, underscoring the importance of standing out, much like the perfume itself.

The launch of this fragrance coincided with the post-World War II era, a transformative period known in the late 1940s, characterized by recovery, innovation, and renewed optimism. With wartime restrictions lifted, there was a resurgence in fashion and beauty as women embraced femininity and glamour once more. This was the age of Dior's "New Look," which celebrated hourglass silhouettes, full skirts, and elegant fabrics that emphasized opulence after years of austerity. Command Performance emerged at a time when women sought to reclaim a sense of individuality and luxury in their lives. To the women of this era, a perfume named "Command Performance" would have symbolized an invitation to exude confidence, elegance, and an air of distinction.

Courant by Helena Rubinstein c1972

Courant by Helena Rubinstein: launched in 1972. Created by Max Gavarry. Courant was reportedly formulated to change with a woman's body temperature.

Gourielli

Established in 1941 by Helena Rubinstein who was married to Artchil Gourielli-Tchkonia, a Russian prince from Georgia . Princess Gourielli (Helena Rubinstein) opened the Gourielli Shop, an old fashioned brownstone front on E. 55th Street, Manhattan, that she turned into a fabulous cosmetic emporium selling old apothecary recipes combined with new scientific formulas.  The shop combined several different decorative themes which combined Old Apothecary, Early American, Victorian American, Modern and Mexican.

Vintage Musk Oils

Vintage musk oils are among the most coveted fragrances in the market today, with a rich history and enduring appeal. Despite the passage of time, many of these iconic scents from the 1970s have been discontinued, making them increasingly rare and highly sought after by fragrance enthusiasts. Those who originally embraced these sensual musk oils during their heyday often remain deeply loyal, driven by a nostalgic connection to their unique aroma. This ongoing demand has led to a significant increase in prices, with vintage musk oils commanding exorbitant amounts in the secondary market.

Noa Noa by Helena Rubinstein c1953

Noa Noa, launched by Helena Rubinstein in 1953, was a fragrance steeped in exoticism and romantic escapism. Its very name—Noa Noa—evokes a sensual world far removed from postwar modernity, drawing inspiration from the vibrant culture and intoxicating natural beauty of Tahiti as seen through the eyes of the artist Paul Gauguin. The name Noa Noa originates from the Tahitian language and is pronounced [NO-ah NO-ah]. It means "fragrant" or "scented," specifically referring to the sweet, warm aroma of monoi—a traditional Tahitian oil made by soaking tiare (Tahitian gardenia) petals in coconut oil. This perfumed oil was—and still is—used by Polynesian women to anoint their hair and skin, and was sensually described by Gauguin as the scent worn by his young Tahitian muse, Teha'amana.

The name Noa Noa was borrowed from Gauguin's 1897 manuscript, "Présentation de l’ancien culte mahorie: La clef de Noa-Noa" ("Presentation of the Ancient Mahori Cult: The Key to Noa Noa"), a poetic and dreamlike account of his time in Tahiti. This work, along with his vivid, color-saturated paintings, offered European audiences a romanticized vision of Polynesia—lush landscapes, golden skin, primitive ritual, and unspoiled sensuality. Rubinstein’s fragrance, by adopting this name, was tapping into the same emotional current: an idealized, tropical escape that would have resonated deeply with women in the early 1950s.

The postwar era in which Noa Noa was introduced was a time of significant transition. After the deprivations of World War II, there was a hunger for luxury, beauty, and femininity. The 1950s are often characterized as the return to glamour. Women’s fashion—led by Dior’s 1947 New Look—emphasized cinched waists, full skirts, and a romantic, ultra-feminine silhouette. Perfume followed suit, shifting away from the austerity and practical colognes of the war years toward more opulent, long-lasting scents that emphasized sophistication and allure. This was a decade that prized escapism and sensuality, which Noa Noa captured with finesse.