A Look Back at Fragrance

The fragrance industry is an amazing one to work in, because unlike many industries, it is not a flash in the pan. People have been utilizing fragrance for centuries and will continue for centuries to come. This is a result of its social and practical impact. From a social perspective, fragrance has been used as a way to showcase your status within society. Wealthier people often have large fragrance wardrobes plastered with well-respected fashion company or celebrity names. The fragrance you wear has become as important as the brand you wear for celebrities and the well to do. Also, your fragrance is a way to express yourself just as the outfit you wear or the things you say.  From a practical standpoint, it's simple, Fragrance makes you smell good and attracts people to you! The Fragrance Industry at a Glance Fragrance as an industry and a part of various cultures has been around since biblical times. Frankincense and Myrrh, for example, are oils used in fragrances. Since then, there has always been trade in scents and by the year 2008, the fragrance industry had become a $10b industry. Today women often have a fragrance wardrobe of up to six perfumes, keeping one for different occasions as well as a “signature scent”. You often hear the phrase my daytime and scent and my evening scent, the ladder often being bolder. With each woman having as many as six fragrances, you can see why the fragrance industry is so huge! History of the Fragrance Industry People have been using fragrance, in some fashion, for thousands of years. Like in any industry, their have been different trends and fragrance has been used in lesser or greater amounts dependent on fashion whims. Some of the earliest users of perfumes were the Egyptians. Early Egyptians used perfumed balms as part of religious ceremonies and lovemaking rituals. Myrrh and Frankincense were exuded gums from trees used to scent the atmosphere in various rituals. Other plants such as peppermint and rose were steeped in oils until a perfume formed. The perfume was then rubbed into the skin. In a way, fragrance has come full circle, as people today use fragrance and essential oils in the same ways the early Egyptians did thousands of years ago.   Products that enhance the feel of skin and the smell of the body have been highly valued in many cultures throughout history. Early trade routes allowed the transfer of spices from one culture to another.  With this sharing of spices, a wider range of scents could be made in different parts of the world. Aromatherapy and the use of essential oils, which is gaining momentum in todays “healthier” society, has been a practice for centuries. As I mentioned in the beginning of this article, the fragrance industry is one that has always been around and isn’t going anywhere. For this reason, Tijon Fragrance and Boutique is proud to spread great smelling fragrances and essential oils to our customers. For more information on Tijon, visit us online at www.tijon.com.