Women's Perfume Essens W144 — a Fragrance Inspired by Givenchy Ange ou Démon Le Secret

An oriental fragrance — mysterious, alluring and deeply feminine

🏛️ The Legend of Givenchy Ange ou Démon Le Secret

This fragrance was launched in 2009 as a light flanker of the legendary Givenchy Ange ou Démon, introduced in 2006. The composition was created by the renowned French perfumer Bernard Ellena — the author of dozens of refined fragrances for Givenchy, Van Cleef & Arpels, Creed, Jil Sander and Montblanc. His style is one of principled simplicity, no more than 20 ingredients in a single composition, and it is precisely this restraint that makes Le Secret so transparent and wearable.

🌸 The fragrance pyramid. Top notes are Amalfi lemon, green tea and cranberry. The heart is jasmine, peony and water lily. The base is woody notes and patchouli. Cranberry and green tea are the very notes that make Le Secret recognizable from the first seconds. This is not «citrus and flowers» but «cold tea with cranberry and lemon, with a bouquet of fresh peonies on the table».

🔗 The link with the original. Ange ou Démon 2006 is an oriental floral fragrance with saffron, lily, orchid and oakmoss, created by Olivier Cresp and Jean-Pierre Bezouard. Le Secret is a completely different olfactory family, a floral chypre with tea and cranberry. The difference is not simply «lighter» but fundamentally different. The original’s name translates as «Angel or Demon», and Le Secret is sometimes described as turning the «or» into an «and» — the wearer does not have to choose, the fragrance does it for her. In some countries the fragrance is sold under the name Ange ou Étrange to avoid accusations of offending religious feelings.

🎬 Advertising. The face of the fragrance became Hollywood actress Uma Thurman, whose multifaceted career, from romantic comedies to the bold films of Quentin Tarantino, perfectly embodied the «angel-demon» concept. The commercial was directed by Mira Nair, and the campaign photographs were taken by the legendary Mario Testino.

💎 The bottle. The bottle in the shape of a crystal pendant, created by designer Serge Mansau, became a symbol of Givenchy’s aristocratic heritage. In the Le Secret version the bottle is even more dazzling, adorned with silver rays of the rising sun — light triumphs over shadow.

How it sounds and wears. «Cooled tea with cranberry, a slice of lemon and peony petals» is the most accurate description. The start is sweet and sour, slightly tart from green tea. In the heart, delicate peony with watery lily and subtle jasmine. The base is clean, woody-patchouli, not heavy. Concentration is Eau de Parfum. Longevity 5–7 hours (EDT) and 7–10 hours (EDP). Sillage is moderate. Fragrantica rating is 4.02 out of 5 with 8,000+ votes, one of the most beloved in the line.

⏳ Versions. Le Secret 2009 is an Eau de Toilette. In 2014 an Eau de Parfum was released, more intense, with a changed formula and a new bottle design. Fragrantica users note a significant difference, the 2009 original is «watery, airy, light», the 2014 version is «heavier, more jasmine, with bitterness». The 2009 original remains the reference point for fans.

📖 Stories of Four Notes

Orange — a sunny citrus with juicy sweetness and a light bitterness. In perfumery it sounds bright and joyful, adding energy and freshness to the composition. It is what makes the opening of the fragrance so sparkling and memorable.

Mimosa — a delicate flower with a powdery, slightly honeyed aroma. In the heart of the composition it creates a sense of elegance and femininity, and together with jasmine and rose it unfolds especially exquisitely and expensively.

Rose — a noble flower with a deep, slightly honeyed aroma. In the heart of the fragrance it gives the composition luxury and sensuality, and together with ylang-ylang it creates a captivating floral harmony.

Tonka Bean — a warm, creamy note with an almond-vanilla shade. In the base it adds gourmand depth and comfort to the fragrance, and together with vanilla and patchouli it creates that very enveloping trail that is impossible to forget.

👤 Portrait of the W144 Woman

She is mysterious and charming — in her, angelic tenderness and demonic allure are wonderfully combined. Her presence cannot be ignored: a sparkling gaze, a light smile, natural grace. She knows how to inspire and conquer hearts.

She suits flowing dresses, pastel colours, delicate jewellery. She loves morning light, fresh flowers and heart-to-heart conversations. Her style is elegant simplicity with a touch of mystery, where every detail is in its place.

Essens W144 lives with her all day: in the morning it unfolds with sparkling orange and bergamot, during the day — with a floral heart of mimosa and jasmine, and in the evening it warms with tonka bean, vanilla and patchouli. This is a companion fragrance for those who value a soft yet confident presence.

⚖️ Original and Essens W144 Side by Side

The only difference is the price and the bottle. The scent remains recognisable from the first seconds.

✨ Women's perfume W144 by Essens is a mysterious oriental fragrance that unfolds with sparkling orange, powdery mimosa and warm tonka bean. It embodies all the magic of the French perfumery school — it is an exact analogue of the legendary Givenchy Ange ou Démon Le Secret. Every drop conveys the recognisable accord familiar to fans of the original, and gives a feeling of mystery, femininity and appeal.

A versatile fragrance for any season and any occasion. Try it and see for yourself.