The History Of Fragrance Perfume

The History Of Fragrance Perfume
Submitted By: Samantha Davis

In making a good impression a number of different things come into play – your overall cleanliness, your personality, how well you’re put together, the outfit you are wearing, and, believe it or not, your scent. Women have known for generations that smelling great can attract others to them. And for this reason, they have always hunted the fragrance perfume that will turn heads and create a signature scent reflective of their personality and personal style.

Fragrance perfume comes in a variety of scents and is manufactured by a number of different companies; some of which have long been in the perfume business and others that augmented an already thriving business with a perfume line. It is an industry that has existed for generations and can be traced as far back as the ancient Mesopotamians when perfume was used in its initial form of incense. Ancient civilizations would use burning wood as a part of their ceremonies and would soak such fragrant materials in water after which they would apply the water to their bodies. But ancient Egypt was the first culture to popularize perfume in the form of oils and herbs and using it on a weekly basis to treat the skin.

Because bathing was ritualized in this culture, applying fragrance became part of the ceremony. Fragrance was so highly regarded by the ancient Egyptian culture that perfume was often included in the tombs of the deceased to be carried with them in the afterlife; enclosed in beautiful containers made from pottery, stone, and even gold. Perfumes were also used in the embalming process itself. Such fragrance was oil based and derived from spices and plants – such as ginger, sandalwood and jasmine – imported from India.

Historically celebrated Egyptian women – such as Cleopatra and Nefertiti – further elevated fragrance perfume to an even higher level of popularity. Their frequent use of fragrance integrated into their daily life would forever be associated with this particular time period in Egypt.

The Egyptian reverence for fragrance perfume was passed on to the Greeks and Romans each of which infused their own cultural preferences into the product. Romans used perfume as a part of their public bathing ritual and applied it several times a day to themselves – as well as their animals and even materials in their homes. The Greek culture was credited with first using perfume in liquid form.

Arabs were the first culture to begin using the process of distillation – that which is still used today. In this process oils were extracted from chosen flowers.

But once perfume took root in Europe, it was set solidly in place for future popularity. Used in a variety of fashions throughout England and France, perfume became popular in high-class social circles and among royalty.

Fragrance perfume today has reached a level of variety and mass distribution that would have been hard to imagine in ancient Egypt. Consumers pay high prices for signature scents held within beautiful and unique bottles. And, yet, even as the complexity of perfume continues to evolve over time, its purpose will always remain as simple as it was during its humble beginnings.