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Welcome to my unique perfume blog! Here, you'll find detailed, encyclopedic entries about perfumes and companies, complete with facts and photos for easy research. This site is not affiliated with any perfume companies; it's a reference source for collectors and enthusiasts who cherish classic fragrances. My goal is to highlight beloved, discontinued classics and show current brand owners the demand for their revival. Your input is invaluable! Please share why you liked a fragrance, describe its scent, the time period you wore it, any memorable occasions, or what it reminded you of. Did a relative wear it, or did you like the bottle design? Your stories might catch the attention of brand representatives. I regularly update posts with new information and corrections. Your contributions help keep my entries accurate and comprehensive. Please comment and share any additional information you have. Together, we can keep the legacy of classic perfumes alive!
Showing posts with label Helena Rubinstein. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Helena Rubinstein. Show all posts

Saturday, July 3, 2021

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.


Saturday, November 11, 2017

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.


Friday, January 8, 2016

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.



Tuesday, August 11, 2015

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.

Monday, November 18, 2013

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.

Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Noa Noa by Helena Rubinstein c1953

Noa Noa by Helena Rubinstein was launched in 1953. Inspired by "Presentation de l'Ancien culte mahorie: La clef de Noa-Noa," by Paul Gauguin. Noa Noa means "'fragrance" — the sweet smell of homemade coconut oil perfumed with gardenia petals, called monoi, in which his lover, Teha'amana, like all Tahitian girls used to rub into their hair and body. 

The New Yorker, 1954:
"Helena Rubinstein announces NOA NOA (Tahitian superlative for 'fragrant'). Madame Rubinstein sought inspiration for new NOA NOA perfume in the exotic paradise of Tahiti."






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