Perfumes are one the most loved items by people of all age groups in all over the world. There are different types of perfumes with various aromas and one can select according to his taste and purpose. Egyptians carry the distinction of first introducing the perfumes to the world. Thousands of years ago Egyptians used perfumes during their religious rituals. They burned incense sticks and applied certain ointments and balms on their skin just like today's cosmetics in order to get sweet aroma. In those days perfumes were strictly reserved only for religious purposes as they believed that application of perfumes cleansed their body and soul as well as made them ready to perform religious ceremonies.



In the 16th century perfumes were widely used by the Egyptian royal family on important festivals. During this period Egyptian royal women applied certain perfumed creams and oils on their skin to entertain their male counterparts while lovemaking. Then slowly perfume usage started spreading to Greece, Rome, and other parts of the world. Presently perfume usage is attributed mainly to the Islamic community as they have popularized perfume usage all over the world.

Advent of Christianity and fall of Roman Empire led to the downfall of perfume influence among people for some time. Again in twelfth century this tradition revived owing to the discovery of various trade roots to the east and other parts of the world. France played a major role in popularizing perfumes in the seventeenth century. During this period perfume makers and glove makers formed a guild in order to promote widespread usage of perfume not only in France but also in their colonies.

French king Louis XV who was known for his autocratic style used to rule his country from the "perfumed court'. His court got the name because perfumes were not only applied to the cloths of royal family but also applied to the furniture and fans kept in that court room.

Real perfume revolution took place in the eighteenth century when the eau de cologne was invented. Cologne is prepared by blending neroli, rosemary and lemon in a proportionate formula. Those days cologne was used in every form like mixing with water for a perfumed bath, consumed after mixing with wine, mixing with sugar for using as a mouthwash. Some people even injected cologne directly into their body. During this period liquid perfumes came packed in beautiful metal vinaigrettes and pear shaped bottles.

Advancement of science and changing people's tastes laid the foundations of today's wide varieties of perfumes. Chemistry and fragrances has taken the place of alchemy in perfume manufacturing. At present we have over 30,000 varieties of perfumes in the form of cologne, perfume, eau de toilette, body sprays, and ocean of others with various aromas to cater individual tastes and preferences.