Men and women, teenagers and children have fragrances today. Fragrances are also added to many other personal care products and cosmetics. You also find them in candles!
Every celebrity with success produces a new fragrance, some very successful and others not quite so successful. What then makes a fragrance successful? Probably its smell!! There is one thing about fragrances or perfumes – there will be many differences of opinion about its smell and whether people like it or not. In ancient times myrrh, frankincense, peppermint and rose were commonly used in balms and ointments – either for medicinal reasons, for religious ritual or for beauty reasons, such as cosmetics. Many know the story of Mary Magdalene who was reported to have embalmed the body of Jesus after his death with sacred scents.
It was the ancient Persians who were the most successful at producing scents. The Chinese, Islamic, Indian and Greek cultures also mixed flowers and herbs, spices and oils to make fragrances.
As human beings we have made perfumes an intricate part of our culture. In western cultures there are many myths about what each scent can do, for example, attracting a mate. Perfumes are now made using the highest technology and in mass production and some are thought to be highly toxic because of the ingredients. Some people are highly allergic to the fragrances and some wear it as part of their daily dress.
Some are extremely expensive and some are cheap which means that perfumes or fragrances are there for everyone. You can make your own and recipes for this abound.
Enjoy reading all about fragrances here.
