Perfumes: Then and Now

The word perfume is derived from the Latin word, per fume, which means through smoke. Perfume has been around for more that a thousand years. One of the oldest perfumes originated from the burning of incense and aromatic herbs used in religious services, which often came from aromatic gums, frankincense and myrrh, gathered from trees. History suggests that the Egyptians were the first to incorporate the use of perfume into their culture followed by the ancient Chinese, Hindus, Israelites, Carthaginians, Arabs, Greeks, and Romans. The Egyptians invented glass to keep and store their perfume oil. As with industry and the arts, perfume was to undergo profound change in the nineteenth century. Changing tastes and the development of modern chemistry laid the foundations of perfumery as we know it today. Alchemy gave way to chemistry and new fragrances were created.

Wearing perfumes or even mild colognes have been part of everyone’s hygiene and beauty regimen. Some even feel naked without it. However, due to the recent global financial crisis, perfumes sales became crucial. As reported by the NPD Group, a leading global provider of consumer and retail market research information, total perfume or fragrance sales in the United States fell by 6% in 2008. In addition, the research projected that the annual sales of the perfume industry will be approximately US$25 billion to US$30 billion.

According to research conducted by the NPD Group, celebrity and celebrity-endorsed perfumes represent 23 percent of the top 100 women’s fragrances in the United States in 2005, up from 10 percent in 2003. First in line to use their name and fame for a perfume line was Elizabeth Taylor. Despite her absence and visibility from movies, Ms. Taylor’s fragrance, White Diamonds, still remains a top seller. Other famous celebrities who have their own perfume scents  are Britney Spears, Paris Hilton, Jennifer Lopez, Gwen Stefani, Sarah Jessica Parker, novelist Daniel Steel, rocker Marilyn Manson, and sports icons Michael Jordan and David Beckham.

Aside from celebrity scents, even politicians have their own share of fame in the perfumery industry. Even then, April Cline launched a line just for the 2008 US presidential candidates, Obama, McCain, and Clinton. But now, President Barack Obama officially just had his own scent.

In addition to scents named after celebrities, it’s also nice to know what perfume or scents other famous people are wearing. Beyonce is into Baby Lotion, True Star, Fleur De Rocaille, Giorgio Armani Diamonds for her hair, Emporio Armani Diamonds Intense and Katherine Heigl is wearing Trish McEvoy. Even the President’s wife, Michelle Obama, has her favourite and signature scent, Creed’s Love in White. On the other hand, US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, wears Angel, Bijan, Adoration, Oscar de la Renta.

With all the famous people and celebrities who endorse or have their own line of perfume, how can one choose the perfect perfume to suit one’s character and mood?

One should try to choose perfumes that suit one’s taste and not based on what friends or family say.  Test a perfume in a store and then walk around for a minimum of ten minutes.  Some perfumes take more like half an hour or an hour to truly release its long lasting fragrance.

In applying perfumes, it should be to the pulse points such as the folds in the crook of one’s elbow and back of knees, wrist, neck and cleavage. Rubbing of wrists is not recommended as this crushes the smell of the perfume.  Spraying a little into the air is also good if you walk straight into the perfume and helps to diffuse it over one’s body.