Perfume is one of those wonderful gifts of nature that women can truly enjoy. There are so many scents and unique bottle shapes. If you took a moment to glance at your dresser or bathroom counter, your favorites are likely located within easy reach. I keep a variety of perfumes displayed on my dressing table. Each morning, I select the scent that fits my mood or perhaps the outfit I will wear for the day. One thing I do know – I just do not feel fully dressed without a spray of perfume.

Being a voracious reader, I frequent the bargain shelves at bookstores. On such a day, I discovered a most interesting book entitled, "Perfume: The Ultimate Guide to the World’s Finest Fragrances," by Nigel Groom. Within its pages, the history of creating perfume, details about perfume’s consistency, and a directory of the finest perfumes of the world opened my eyes to the marvel of nature’s gift. With each splash of the fragrant liquid, I more fully appreciate this marvelous benefit of being a woman.

The Greeks and the Romans created perfume by "steeping fragrant plants in oil and wringing out the liquid through a cloth." Another option was to soak the petals of flowers in fat, which would absorb the scent of the flower. The idea of aromatherapy is certainly nothing new today. The Romans used perfume to scent their floors and walls.

The sophistication of perfume creation came in the Middle Ages. The Arabs discovered the procedure for distilling plants on a large scale. As such, the meticulous process was now more efficient. Europeans introduction to perfumery occurred in the sixteenth century. It was Catherine de Medici, coming from Italy to marry the king, who made perfume fashionable in Paris.

The Perfume Bottle

It was the ancient Egyptians in the fourth millennium BC who learned the craft of manufacturing glass. By the year 1500 BC, glass perfume containers were widely used. The colors varied from dark-blue, opaque, and translucent glass. As the years passed, the designs became more elaborate and sophisticated, particularly during the Greek and Roman periods.

In 50BC, the Syrians developed the technique of glass blowing. This fine craftsmanship resulted in unique shapes and designs. Only wealthy citizens could afford such beautiful containers for their perfume. The average person kept their scents in shell-shaped earthenware. Although the Chinese later introduced the delicate designs made of porcelain, glass would remain the favored container type to hold perfume.

Until the end of the nineteenth century, plain containers holding perfume were sold and a customer purchased a scent bottle separately. With the arrival of factory produced bottled perfume, sensitivity to bottle design for sales appeal was born.

In the early days of the contemporary perfume industry, several influential perfumers, including Francois Coty, would set the high standards of bottle design today.

According to the author, the best places to dab or spray perfume is as follows:

Pulse points

Wrists

Navel

Collarbone area

Behind the knees

Mr. Groom states, however, not to place perfume behind the ears!  Interestingly enough, the alcohol in the perfume dries more quickly in this area.

Layering a scent is also a way to enhance the both the efficacy and pleasure of wearing perfume. As part of your bath/shower, use perfume-scented soap or shower gel then apply the same scented body lotion to your skin. The final step will be spray or dab on the perfume for a richly fragrant scent.

Using perfume and accenting the experience with a little knowledge about the history and creation of perfume will enhance your life as a Modern Renaissance Woman. If you have not done so recently, stop by the cosmetic counter at one of the fine retail stores or the mall. Sample fragrances from several manufacturers and designers to determine what scent works for you.

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