Our take
What does Héliotrope smell like?
Réminiscence created Héliotrope in 2008, first sold as Do Ré within its Notes Gourmandes collection. Jacques Flori is the perfumer. It opens on fig, with green notes that suggest the leaf more than candied fruit. That freshness is brief. It mostly serves to wake the nose. Heliotrope arrives quickly with its smell of marzipan and powder. Almond reinforces it, and the heart slides toward old-fashioned confectionery. Think of the marzipan fruits sold in old French sweet shops. Cedar, sandalwood and patchouli give it some structure. The base gathers vanilla, tonka, benzoin and musk. It is soft and warm without becoming cloying. Benzoin adds a resinous glow. Compared with Guerlain's Après l'Ondée, another heliotrope scent, this one is much more gourmand and far less wistful. The brand renamed it Histoire d'Orgeat in 2024 with a revised formula.
When to wear it
A comfort scent for winter, worn on a wool sweater. Two sprays are enough since the almond spreads fast.
It belongs to the Oriental / Amber family. Héliotrope is one of 20 creations by Reminiscence in our encyclopedia.
