A fragrant age

When looking back into history, many agree that the Egyptians, during the Queen Sheba’s reign, were the first to incorporate perfume into their culture.
From the religious ceremonies involving the burning of incense to the embalming of the dead, perfume was an integral part of the Egyptian life. Even scents like the fragrant myrrh were considered more precious than gold. In the Bible, one of the Three Wise Men brought this gift to the newborn Christ.
But perfume did not linger only in spiritual ceremonies: the Egyptians were also the first to anoint their bodies with the scents of cinnamon and honey.
Depicted on the walls of a temple is the art of floral extraction, as perfume is distilled from the flowers of the white Madonna lily. This “essential accessory” was reserved mostly for the powerful and the wealthy. Both men and women alike wore these precious scents.
In Persia, perfume was also a sign of rank. In the palaces one could see kings with crowns of myrrh and of labyzuz with the aromas of sweet scents drifting in the air of their apartments. In the backyards of homes belonging to the wealthy, one could find exquisite gardens holding jasmine, lilacs, violets, and the famous red rose.
This rose, whose petals covered the floor when Cleopatra first met Mark Antony, and would become the symbol of the House of Lancaster during the War of the Roses, was known all over the world for its perfume which increased in intensity as the petals dried.
It was not until after Alexander the Great, with his desire for conquest, defeated Darius III of Persia and moved into Egypt that he adopted the use of perfumes. It is said that his floors would be sprinkled with scented waters and that his clothes were imprinted with the perfumes of fragrant resins and myrrh.
But perfume found its magic in the folds of ancient Greek religion. The Greeks believed the gods were perfume’s inventors and it was said that the visit of a god or goddess was marked with the sweet smell as a token of their presence. Perfume was an integral part of Greek society, even though some of the greatest philosophers like Socrates thought them “effeminate”.
The Romans first celebrated scent around 750 BC in religious ceremonies to celebrate the goddess of Flora. Each year the ceremonies would be held to celebrate the first flowers of the season.
This celebration was adopted by the British and is still popular today known as May Day.
The practice of shaving began here also, and after the razor performed its duty, the face would be massaged with scented unguents.
As the conquests continued, so did the extravagance of perfume in the Roman culture.
In the famous Roman baths, one would be massaged with oils and ointments after cleansing in the warm waters.
It was Constantine the Great that brought the use of scents into the Christian church. He had oils and incense burned in the church of St John-in-Lateran, which was the home to the early Popes for thousands of years. Even today, one can see the continuing of this ceremony as the Pope gives his annual blessing of the Golden Rose.
As the world grew bigger and religion became more wide spread and technology advances occurred faster, perfumes found their way into modern day culture.
For a long time scents were kept by the houses of religion and priests. Catholicism, once the religion of almost all of Europe, helped increase the acceptance and use of aromatic scents. Improved transportation methods and the printing press allowed the world to experience cultures as never before.
The world became more focused on travels and conquests, as expansionism became popular. Great Britain had colonies in India, the Far East, Africa, and the Americas, as did France and Spain.
From ancient hieroglyphics to Socrates and Shakespeare, perfume’s presence is documented in great works of art and literature.
Perfumes continued their ascent into cultures and so, have remained an important part of cosmetology.  It is for these reasons and more that it has managed to preserve its allure into the world we are familiar with today.
The modern-day home of great perfumes is undoubtedly France. And the village of Grasse, in the south of France, is synonymous with French perfumes.
Grasse is a pilgrimage for all great perfume lovers. In addition to the many perfumeries to visit, the countryside is laden with the scented flowers that characterise the classic French fragrances. Jasmine, Tuberose, Roses, Irises and Lilies are grown here and especially cultivated for their scent.
Paris, of course, also has long associations with perfume, and many of the great French houses are still to be found head-quartered in central Paris.
Although Clarins is not considered among the world renowned French perfume houses, because of its emphasis on cosmetics, the quality of its fragrances are equal to any of them. They’ve also gone a step further to create more than a gorgeous fragrance; it’s a skin treatment too!
The invigorating Eau Dynamisante has a unique fragrance based on Lemon, Patchouli, White Thyme and Rosemary. It revives and refreshes to the delight of both men and women. Eau Dynamisante is the very first treatment fragrance to combine the fragrant and skin care benefits of plant extracts.
With a blend of 14 aromatherapeutic plant extracts and essential oils which invigorate the senses, it also tones, revitalises and leaves the skin lightly scented, soft and moisturised.
If you’re looking for something less invigorating and more calming, Eau Ressourçante is a long-lasting woody-floral which helps to release tension, clear and calm the mind and restore balance.
Have a fragrant day with Clarins.
– For all your queries or tips or to be added onto our database — e-mail us on missk@zol.co.zw