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  • Essence Rare by Houbigant, eau de parfum
  • Essence Rare by Houbigant, eau de parfum
  • Essence Rare by Houbigant, eau de parfum
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HOUBIGANT

Essence Rare

Eau de Parfum

« In 1973, as a young perfumer newly arrived in New York, I composed my first great "French-style" classic for Houbigant, true to my preference for florals over amber. Decades later, I had the rare opportunity to rewrite it—not as it was, but as I dream of it today. Clearer, more legible, and more subtle, it gives pride of place to the materials, flowers and woods, rather than the ideas. Much like an author revisiting an old text, I enjoyed these few steps back into the past. »
Creations by Jean-Claude Ellena, perfumer
Family
FloralPowderyWoody
Sillage
Powerful
Gender
Women
Seasons
SpringSummer
Select Size
210,00 €
210,00 €
210,00 €
210,00 €
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Essence Rare by Houbigant, eau de parfum

Essence Rare

Essence Rare celebrates rose and iris in a floral, powdery and woody eau de parfum. Rose tea, iris and ivy open with a green freshness.

The heart unfolds rose, star jasmine and rose geranium, before a powdery base of exotic woods, white musk and clove. Reworked by Jean-Claude Ellena with rare elegance.

The composition

Olfactory pyramid

Top

The first minutes

Heart

The first hours

Base

The trail
Full ingredient list

Alcohol Denat., Parfum (Fragrance), Aqua (Water), Tetramethyl Acetyloctahydronaphthalenes, Benzaldehyde, Benzyl Alcohol, Beta-Caryophyllene, Citral, Citronellol, Eugenia Caryophyllus (Clove) Oil, Eugenol, Eugenyl Acetate, Geraniol, Geranyl Acetate, Hexadecanolactone, Limonene, Linalool, Pelargonium Graveolens (Geranium) Flower Oil, Pinene, Rose Flower Oil/Extract, Terpineol.

At a glance

Olfactory profile

Families
FloralPowderyWoody
Textures
PoudréVeloutéAérien
Seasons
SpringSummer
Sillage
Gender
Women
Essence Rare by Houbigant, eau de parfum

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Jean-Claude Ellena, born in Grasse in 1947, is one of the greatest contemporary perfumers and was Hermès' exclusive in-house nose. His minimalist, luminous, watercolour-like signature can be discovered at Soleil d'Or through Rose de Mai, Mimosa Tanneron and Essence Rare — his creations for Perris Monte Carlo, Houbigant and Laboratorio Olfattivo.
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The house

HOUBIGANT

Founded in 1775 by Jean-François Houbigant, the House of Houbigant is one of the oldest French perfume houses, spanning four centuries of history. From its earliest days, it won over the royal courts of Europe, notably Marie-Antoinette and Empress Maria Feodorovna of Russia. A pioneer in the art of perfumery, Houbigant introduced major innovations, such as the creation of "Fougère Royale" in 1882, which established a new olfactory family. Today, the House continues to blend tradition and modernity, offering refined fragrances that carry on its legacy of excellence.
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Creations by Jean-Claude Ellena

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Your questions

Frequently asked questions

Is Essence Rare for men or women?

Houbigant Paris presents Essence Rare as a fragrance for women. Browse all our fragrances for women.

What are the notes of Essence Rare?

Top : Tea, Iris, Ivy. Heart : Rose, Jasmine, Geranium. Base : Musk, Clove. Olfactory families : Floral, Powdery, Woody.

How long does Essence Rare last?

It is an eau de parfum, more concentrated than an eau de toilette and generally longer-lasting. Its sillage is rated “Powerful” (4/4) in our olfactory profile. Actual wear also depends on your skin and the weather.

When should you wear Essence Rare?

It is best suited to spring and summer , according to our olfactory profile.

Who created Essence Rare?

Essence Rare was composed by Creations by Jean-Claude Ellena for Houbigant Paris.

What sizes does Essence Rare come in?

At Soleil d’Or, Essence Rare comes in 100 ml.

Can I try Essence Rare before buying it?

Yes: you can get it as a 2 ml sample in our Discovery Box: five 2 ml samples of your choice, hand-filled from the houses’ original juices.

Is Essence Rare from Soleil d’Or authentic?

Yes. Founded in Lille in 1953, Parfumerie du Soleil d’Or is an authorised retailer of Houbigant Paris: Essence Rare is shipped new, in its original packaging, from our perfumery in Lille.

Good to know

Order with peace of mind

Try it before you adopt it

Not sure yet? Discover it at home in a 2 ml sample.

Box découverte sur mesure Discovery Box Five 2 ml samples of your choice, hand-filled from the houses’ original juices. 29,00 € Discover Box mystère Mystery Box Answer a few questions about your tastes: our team picks five 2 ml samples for you. 25,00 € Discover

Shipping & returns

Shipped from our perfumery in Lille, France.

  1. Day 0

    You order

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    Carefully packed in our perfumery in Lille, Tuesday to Saturday.

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    • Switzerland & United Kingdom3–5 days
    • Rest of Europe & Maghreb5–14 days
    • North America3–8 days
    • Asia & Oceania3–8 days
    • Middle East4–6 days
    • Latin America5–8 days
    • French overseas territories5–12 days
    • Other destinations5–8 days

    Working days after dispatch, excluding customs clearance. Details by country in our shipping policy.

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Shipped DAP (Delivered At Place): customs clearance times are not included, and any duties and taxes are paid by the recipient.

Shipping policy

Returns within 14 days

Unsealed products only, for hygiene reasons. Return label created online.

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