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we instantly and unconsciously connect that smell to a portion of our memory. Smell
can evoke feelings and bring back memories that we forgot we had. Perfume is, quite
simply, a mastery of some of the most frequent scents, and the artful combination
thereof to produce a unique smell for an individual person. To understand perfume,
we would need to start at its inception, back in the time of the ancient Egyptians.
Egyptians were responsible for the origin of perfume. They utilized scents in
everything from religious ceremonies to burial preparations and even daily wear.
The rich elites of Egyptian society, male and female alike, would adorn themselves
with aromas like lily to denote their status. The Persians took over the use of
perfume as a sign of political status, but it wasn't until the Greeks and Romans
became acquainted with it that it began to be viewed as a form of art and produced
en masse and in consistent quality. Archaeologists recently uncovered a perfume
factory from 2,000 BC, located in Cyprus, which seemed to have specialized in the
production of scents like coriander, laurel, myrtle, lavender, and rosemary.
Perfume slowly spread throughout the globe, and for a while, scents were reserved
mainly for use in religious ceremonies. However, in 1190, perfume began to be
produced commercially in Paris, and from there, it blossomed into a massive
industry once more.
The Egyptians used to create ointments and balms with essential oils mixed in to
provide scent. Today's perfume, however, utilizes a much more complex method of
preparation. The desired scents, in specific quantities, are combined with either
ethanol or ethanol and water. The concentration of the scent depends on what kind
of perfume is being made. True perfume, for example, may have a composition of up
to 40% of scent material. Eau de Parfum will only have up to 20% of scent material
in its mixture, resulting in a lighter, more subtle aroma. It all depends on the
desired perfume profile and the scents that the perfumer wants to include.
Smells Like Julius Caesar: Recreating Fragrances – Aside from providing a recipe
for Roman perfume, this article from Science in School covers how perfumes were
made, what some of the most common ingredients were, and how to reproduce a Roman
perfume in your own home. If you're interested in historical scents, this is an
article not to be missed!
The Role of a Perfume Chemist (PDF) – There is a surprising amount of chemistry
behind perfume, especially those produced synthetically. The Royal Society of
Chemistry offers you a peek inside a perfumer's lab – and job – with this interview
of Judith Gregory, a senior perfume chemist.
Perfume, in This Case, 'Made by Nose' – Perfumers are a unique breed of
professionals. Get to know one of the up-and-coming greats, Roja Dove, in this
article from the New York Times.
Types of Perfume
Sniff Out the Right Scent – Understanding the history of perfume is one thing;
using that knowledge to help select a scent of your own is another. Learn about the
seven basic types of perfume and how to understand the notes of a fragrance with
this terrific guide from SheKnows.com.
The Difference Between All-Natural and Chemical-Based Fragrances – Why would
perfumers choose synthetic scents over those naturally acquired? The Learning
Channel has an article that explains some of the pros and con