Immortelle in perfumery
In This Article
Immortelle: A Fragrance with a Bold Personality
The immortelle flower possesses a unique and strong character, initially reminiscent of curry. Upon closer inspection, its aroma reveals notes similar to rose and chamomile, encompassing honeyed, sweet, salty, and spicy fragrances. Immortelle adds a distinctive personality to floral, chypre, or amber perfume compositions, but it is often underutilized in fine perfumery, possibly due to its bold nature.
Guerlain, however, has embraced immortelle in several of its perfumes, notably in Cuir Beluga. In this creation, immortelle features as a top note, accompanied by tangerine and aldehyde notes. Vanilla and amber in the base lend an impressive roundness, resulting in a modern and luxurious fragrance reminiscent of the intoxicating Corsican maquis.
Harmonious Pairings: Immortelle and Other Fragrance Notes
Immortelle pairs beautifully with floral or amber notes, as demonstrated in L'Artisan Parfumeur's Côte d'Amour. This perfume features immortelle in the heart note, alongside rose and cypress, with aquatic notes lending a fresh, iodized quality to the scent.
In El Attarine by Serge Lutens, immortelle showcases its compatibility with oriental perfumes. Found in the base note alongside amber and wood, immortelle contributes to a solar oriental fragrance with a sweet, captivating allure. It also shines in Lolita Lempicka's L, a lovely oriental vanilla fragrance for women.
Furthermore, immortelle appears in men's fragrances, such as Diesel's Fuel for Life It. Paired with aromatic, fern, oriental, or woody notes, immortelle proves its versatility and ability to surprise.
Characterized by its sunny yellow flowers and silvery reflections, immortelle boasts antifungal, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties, making it a popular ingredient in cosmetics. Its powerful fragrance evokes various scents, from rose and chamomile to honey and curry, showcasing its remarkable versatility. Immortelle effortlessly complements floral, woody, and amber scents and continues to astonish with its adaptability to aromatic and oriental notes.
Facts about Immortelle Flowers
- Immortelle flowers are also known as "everlasting flowers" due to their ability to retain their vibrant color and shape when dried.
- The scientific name for immortelle is Helichrysum italicum, and it is a member of the Asteraceae (sunflower) family.
- Immortelle is native to the Mediterranean region, particularly in Corsica, where it thrives in the wild, rocky terrain.
- These flowers have been used traditionally in herbal medicine for their antifungal, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties, treating various ailments such as skin irritations, wounds, and respiratory issues.
- Immortelle is widely used in skincare products, as it is believed to help reduce the appearance of wrinkles, scars, and hyperpigmentation.
- The plant's essential oil is extracted through steam distillation of its flowers, and it has a warm, sweet, and slightly spicy aroma.
- In perfumery, immortelle adds complexity and depth to fragrances, often complementing floral, woody, and amber scents as well as surprising pairings with oriental and aromatic notes.
- Immortelle flowers are often used in dried flower arrangements and wreaths due to their long-lasting color and form.
- The flowers are a rich source of antioxidants, particularly flavonoids and phenolic acids, which contribute to their healing properties.