Created in 1853 by to Pierre-François-Pascal Guerlain for especially for Empress Eugénie Eau de Cologne Impériale was designed to help ease the Empress’ migraines. It must have worked because she made Pierre-François His Majesty's Official Perfumer. This is the fragrance that started it all for the house of Guerlain.

Uncomplicated, refreshing and light, colognes are an invigorating pick-me-up on hot, sticky days and have become a beauty classic for men and women in Europe.  

Colognes follow a very simple formula: alcohol that contains a mixture of citrus oils, herbs and/or flowers, with a light base of woods or musk, and Eau de Cologne Impériale interprets this formula beautifully. It opens with tart bergamot that's delicate and fine, not sharp or tear-inducing. It's flanked by neroli that's light, floral and herbal. Verbena is fresh but gently so and bolsters the neroli with its herbal facets. Lemon adds a brightness to the top, and orange adds a lovely citrusy sweetness. The citruses set the tone for the fragrance: graceful, elegant and refined. As the cologne settles, a soothing, calming note of lavender joins the citruses, softening their brightness. The interplay between the lavender and the citrus deepens as it gets to the base of cedarwood, where Tonka bean adds warmth and creaminess to the cologne.

The drydown is smooth and elegant, and I can smell the quality of the ingredients. Being a cologne, Eau de Cologne Impériale wasn't designed to be long-lasting, but on me, it lingers, and when I catch a whiff of Eau de Cologne Impériale on my wrist, I can't help but smile.

Notes:  bergamot, neroli, verbena, lemon, orange, lavender, cedarwood and Tonka bean.