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The first known perfume was created by the ancient Egyptians, around 3000 BCE. They used a combination of natural oils, herbs, and flowers to create fragrant substances for religious ceremonies, beauty, and daily life. These early perfumes were often made using ingredients like myrrh, frankincense, and lotus flowers. -
In Mesopotamia, perfumes were symbols of power and luxury among the elite, and early methods for extracting essences began to develop. -
The Greeks and Romans refined Egyptian perfume techniques, using improved distillation methods and incorporating perfumes, oils, and ointments into daily life and celebrations. -
In the Middle Ages, perfumes thrived in the Islamic world, where Arabs improved distillation and introduced alcohol as a base for fragrances. -
During the Industrial Revolution, new production techniques made perfumes affordable for the middle class. The discovery of synthetic molecules in the 19th century led to new scents and the rise of modern perfumery. -
Coco Chanel and Ernest Beaux revolutionized perfumery with Chanel No. 5, the world’s most famous fragrance. Soon after, major fashion houses like Dior, Guerlain, Yves Saint Laurent, and Givenchy began creating their own luxury perfumes. -
As perfume became mass-produced, a niche market emerged offering unique, exclusive scents. The industry also shifted toward sustainability, using natural ingredients and ethical practices. Today, personalized and tech-driven perfumes cater to individual preferences.