Introduction

Perfume, an ancestral and almost divine art

Perfume is undoubtedly one of the most ancestral products in our daily lives. Indeed, its history goes back to an ancient era during which resins were burned as incense during religious ceremonies. Moreover, the word “perfume” itself comes from the Latin “per fumum”, which literally means “through smoke”….

Perfume through the ages

The use of perfume was already common among the Egyptians. Indeed, no fewer than 3000 jars of perfume were found in the tomb of the famous pharaoh Tutankhamun. Moreover, the archaeologists behind this discovery state that an aroma still emanates from them. And what of Cleopatra, who loved nothing more than immersing herself in rose baths? The Israelite priests, for their part, mastered the making of a holy anointing oil whose recipe was said to have been prescribed by God himself. Moreover, custom had it that Israelites showed their hospitality by anointing the feet of their guests with scented oil. The Hebrews, meanwhile, made early use of scented ointments as medicinal and cosmetic products. The Romans were also fervent lovers of perfumery. It is estimated that they consumed around 550 tons of myrrh a year for this purpose. Legend even has it that the emperor Nero spent the equivalent of €110,000 to host a reception with scented notes. Much more recently, Louis XIV was also the source of many extravagances in terms of scents, and the entire Court had a reputation for giving off a highly intoxicating and heady perfumed odor. As will be understood, perfumery is much more than a mere cosmetic sector. It is a historical testimony and an art that has managed to endure through the ages while perfecting itself over time.

The use of perfume today

Nowadays, the use of perfume has spread to the entire population, and any reason is good enough to apply a few drops to the hollow of the neck. It still appears today as a sign of distinction. What is more, it also serves the game of seduction wonderfully well. Considerably influenced by each person's culture and upbringing, it is an excellent indicator of the personality of the one who wears it. Some see it as a way of masking their natural odor and smelling clean, while others find in it a sense of comfort. Perfume is also a scented product that evokes memories and can, with a single breath, plunge us into a certain nostalgia.

In other words, perfume is a timeless product halfway between the past and the present. It has never stopped perfecting itself over time and can just as easily remind us of a person dear to our heart, a precious moment, or simply a recipe from our childhood. Moreover, it almost becomes a supernatural ingredient, a kind of magic potion capable of projecting us to another place or another time.