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Fragrance, the Story of Perfume from Cleopatra to Chanel

Acqua di Genova Cologne

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Authentic 1940s Hairstyles : Tips and Tricks For Creating Authentic 1940s Hairstyles

Risqué Beauty: Beauty Secrets of History's Most Notorious Courtesans

1940s Hairstyles

Secrets of Aromatic Jewelry

Plucked, Shaved & Braided: Medieval and Renaissance Beauty

 and Grooming Practices 1000-1600

  CHRONOLOGY:

• Rose Water

• Rose Water-Distilled by the Islamic physician, Avicenna in the 10th Century.

• Lavender Water

• Lavender Water-Distilled by German Benedictine nun, Hildegard of Bingen in the 12th Century.

• Hungary Water-The first Alcoholic perfume, originally concocted for Elizabeth of Hungary in 1370.

• Eau de Cologne-18th Century variant on Hungary water developed by the Farina brothers in Cologne, Germany.

• Lily of the Valley and Rose Geranium-Mid-18th Century perfumes by Floris of London, founded in 1730.

• No. Six Cologne-Was made from a formula brought to America from England in 1752 by the founder of Caswell and Massey, Dr. William Hunter. The most popular scent in early America, it was sent as a gift to Lafayette by Washington while he was President.

• No. 4711 Original Eau de Cologne Spray 

• 4711 Cologne-Based on a formula made by a French émigré friar, this scent was named after the house number assigned to the Mulhens Family perfumery's shop during the 1794 French occupation of Cologne. Napoleon used to bathe in a diluted version of this scent. 

• Eau de Cologne Imperiale-Scent developed in the Mid-19th Century for the Empress Eugenie by Guerlain. 

• Lilac Vegetal-After-shave made for the Hungarian cavalry attached to the court of Napoleon III by Edouard Pinaud, the court perfumer. 

• Florida Water -Citrus-based American variant on Eau de Cologne from 1856.

• Hoyt's Cologne-Another American version of Eau de Cologne made in 1868.

• Jicky-First highly-concentrated perfume (like 20th Century perfumes), made by Guerlain in 1889.

• Floris No. 127-Made in 1890 exclusively for Russia's Grand Duke Orloff, it was re-introduced in the 1940's when it became a favorite of Eva Peron.

• Pink Geranium-Floris scent introduced in 1890.

• Red Rose-Edwardian scent by Floris used most famously by Rosa Lewis, owner of the Cavendish Hotel.

• L'Heure Bleue-Guerlain perfume of 1912.

• Pavlova-1922 perfume that quickly died until it was revived again in the 1980's. (Catch it while you can, it appears to be going under again, despite a subtle exotic scent reminiscent of Shalimar.)

• Chanel No. 5-The first expensively produced perfume using artificial scents, a strikingly modern innovation in 1920.

•   Shalimar-"Eastern" style scent produced in 1925 by Guerlain.

• Joy -"The most expensive perfume in the world" blended in 1926 for Patou.

1950s Hair: Hairstyles from the Atomic Age of Cool

Over the Top: Helena Rubinstein Extraordinary Style Beauty Art Fashion Design

Henna Tattoo Set   Roger and Gallet Vetyver Cologne

Period Make-Up for the Stage: Step-By-Step

Sources for obtaining period perfumes that are still in use include:

Perfume Emporium 

PerfumeMart.Com

All-Perfumes.com - Find any discount perfume!

Caswell and Massey Co., Ltd. Mail-Order Division 111 8th Ave. New York, NY 10011 (212) 620-0900

No. 6 Cologne, Rose Water, Lavender Water and others

Crabtree and Evelyn Limited Box 167 Woodstock Hill, CT 06281 (800) 624-5211

Rose Water, Hungary Water, Eau de Cologne, Lavender Water and others

Floris PO Box 1375 Port Washington, NY 11050 (800) J-FLORIS

Lily of the Valley,Rose Geranium, Floris No. 127, Pink Geranium, Red Rose and others

Guerlain (800) 882-8820

Eau de Cologne Imperiale, Jicky, L'Heure Bleue, Shalimar

Department Stores:

4711 Cologne, Pavlova, Chanel No. 5, Joy and some Guerlain perfumes

Drugstores:

4711 Cologne, Lilac Vegetal, Florida Water, Hoyt's Cologne

Spiritual Baths and Washes (Learn about traditional African American mojo uses of these vintage scents here):

• Hoyt's Cologne
• Florida Water and Kananga Water

The Annette Green Perfume Museum Exhibits Museum & Galleries FIDM

This article originally appeared in The Lady's Gallery magazine.

For more on the history of perfume & cosmetics, see Mask and Makeup Links: History of Makeup, Perfume and Cosmetics

More Period Perfumes:

Jockey Club Moisturizing Shave Balm - 3 oz.

 

Jockey Club Cologne Spray - 3 oz.

Jockey Club Soap in a Tin

1828 Eau De Parfum

 

 

 

Orange Flower Water