Eau de Cologne (2014)

This fragrance is for me (and probably for some) simply divine. Although there is certainly some nostalgia going on, but after all these years I have not found anything similar, neither in the genre of "cologne", nor otherwise. Twisted simplicity can be most wonderful. It is indeed a bit less intense than the original (less aldehydes, slightly altered musc), but specific DNA remains. The combination of heliotrope and musc brings a special resinous animalistic effect that is very special and masculine (though a little less so than the original). In terms of olfactory sensation, I don’t see functional interchangeability with EDP. Roucel with EDP treats muscs differently, more powdery in opulent direction (again differently than for the latest Musc Panache, Maison Rebatchi). I’m afraid they won’t stop producing HL fragrances all together for the second time. The first victim could be EDC (i hope not). To my knowledge, it has not been available in Europe for some time.

An iconic piece of art! What a shame they stopped for the second time this very singular perfume, classic yet surprising, with its evocation of Barbershop; classic and clean aromatic and floral notes which give it a particular elegance, combined with a phenomenal background of delicate vanilla, a real blast of musks (velvione, evocation of a baby skin) and woods (cedar patchouli...), this almost flirts with dirtyness - very very slightly, without falling into any animalic notes, EDC and EDP were such legends in the early 2000s, I don't understand their disappearance... please bring it back!

This smells like super expensive baby oil, and I mean that in the best possible way. It's sweet, soft and cuddly, but also possesses a cool sophistication and an ever-so-subtle sexiness. Powdery lavender and vanilla balanced against the fresh, herbal piquancy of artemsia and the dry, pepperiness of rosemary. Wears beautifully with decent projection. It's definitely unisex; I am curious to know how it differs from the men's version. I would imagine the latter is probably a bit sharper? A perfect scent for every day wear.

This is my favourite fragrance! It has just the right amount of sillage to be personal and intimate. Anyone with suggestions for similar fragrances please recommend!

Oily musk (think the good part of Musc Ravageur), lavender oil, and hairspray! They swirl together to give sometimes a groomed-up barbershoppy vibe and sometimes a metallic cummy smell. Said it! It's true. I believe the "lover's semen on recently laundered bedsheets" rumor, because if not true then it's apt enough that it's better than true. A hint of clean but definitely organic smell (secretions, say) fairly overpowered by fresh laundering. That hairspray smell should bother me but I think it's genius. (Still, I sold my bottles! I've got some EDP that'll do me, and I accidentally mixed my own Helmut Lang dupe using a white musk, lavender oil, rosemary oil, and Piver's Heliotrope. Sweet deal.) For the record, not filthy. Clean, baby-oily, but with a twang of sexual capability.

I completely agree with the reference of expensive baby oil in a good way, that's excellent! This is a warm eau de cologne, very different than others. I love the héliotrope in there, such a good idea. I am surprisingly having no emotions about this one. It's like a quality man I have no feelings for. I understand it's hot, but I'm not touched. When I wear it I don't feel like smelling my wrists, I kind of forget about it. I like all the notes, it's very tasteful, but I don't mind... I have no heart! : ( P.S. I'm totally keeping this one for another moment in my life when my heart comes back! Cause I can't believe I don't fall for this!

The reissue of EdC gets right to business with an immaculate, round lavender that’s paired with a sophisticated herbal blend. The biting soapiness that sometimes accompanies lavender is diminished by a fresh, dryer-sheet musk that renders the scent eerily clean. Although there’s an insinuation of a traditional style, the scent lingers somewhere between luxury and functional fragrance. Within minutes, the herbal facets fade to reveal a hint of a creamy musk akin to that of EdP while the lavender keeps the powder in check. Whereas EdP is like a plush towel pulled straight from the drier, EdC is an herbal lavender sachet placed on crisp, white bed linens. I won’t say that it feels futuristic, but there’s a level of clinical sterility that would befit a magazine image of a particular space rather than smelling like the space itself. For the first half an hour it comes off as fitted, starched, and impeccable. But whereas the recent EdP reissue formed an elegant and lasting fragrance blanket, the performance here is negligible. Within thirty minutes, EdC is down to the lingering level that you might expect from a strong shower gel or a dusting of talcum powder—a modest coating, if that. While the laundry musks used in EdP seem to bolster and elevate the creamy focus, the notes that they elevate in the EdP vanish too fast leaving the musks to fend for themselves. And, as already noted, these are polycyclic laundry musks that tend to trigger anosmia quite fast. So, when the only other thing on the menu is a much-attenuated form of EdP’s creamier notes, there’s very little scent at all. I’d imagine that EdC would function more as a functional effect than as a perfume—a way to feel clean and crisp without much effort. There’s a time and place for strong restraint, but it’s hard not to wish that there was a little more “oomph” to this reissue—especially given the “oomph” of the new pricing.

Instant nostalgia. Upon initial blast I was transported back to the 90s, when mother use to take me to the barbershop for a cut, afterwards the barber would slap hair tonic on me, give me candy and send me on my way. That's just the opening. Minutes later this thing morphs, becomes elegant, clean, and just pure class. The heliotrope really adds depth to the entire composition never allowing it to get too sweet, or too powdery and gives it a certain cleanliness that words just simply can't describe. Overall, its simply beautiful. Just like Cuiron, this is more of a mood lifting fragrance and I can definitely see it being suitable for close encounters.

All of the other re-issues by Helmut Lang hadn't disappointed my expectations and I'm more than happy to say that EDC makes no exception. This is probably the one that's more distant from its original formulation but it's still somehow faithful to its former self. It feels slightly soapier, more sparkling and cleaner (closer to Tom Ford's Pure Musk in these aspects) but they also enhanced the general barbershop vibe which is, in my opinion, one of the most appealing traces of this impossible to overlook fragrance. Enduring love. Now PLEASE, bring back Velviona and Helmut Lang Parfum. Rating: 9/10

I agree, the edges have been sanded down and the re-issue has a kitten like quality compared to the first version. It lacks some of the lavender and the masculine barber tones have been tuned down. It smells more like the first version EDP (than the current EDP) and thus is the best reversion but it is so quiet and short lived compared to its former self.

According to the creator of this perfume, Maurice Rousel, he states Mr. Lang wanted a scent that smelled of his boyfriend's semen that had landed on clean sheets. though disgusting, a very interesting fact no less. I have never smelled this perfume though I am curious to smell this, weird i must say!

This and the Eau de Parfum are my favorite fragrances of all time. And I've got a lot of bottles in my cupboards.... sublime skinscent, soft, warm, musky. Love it.

A very light baby talc like fragrance which i cannot smell after an hours time. Nothing like the edp which is a completely different smell.

it is in shops nowadays???????