Perfume & Cosmetic Formulas From History

Smelling History

Formulas, recipes and manufacturing techniques for perfume, cosmetics, incense, DIY beauty, and more, from our shared histories.

Includes extracts from The Toilet of Flora, works by G. W. Septimus Piesse, Felix Cola, Jean-Louis Fargeon, recipes from the ancient world, and much more.

The Origins of Hungary Water with Recipes

Hungary water, sometimes called "the Queen of Hungary's Water", Eau de la Reine de Hongary or "spirits of rosemary”, was one of the first alcohol-based perfumes in Europe. Its exact...

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Formulas for Lavender & Rosemary, 1868

Excerpt from A Practical Guide for the Perfumer by Professor H. Dussauce 1868 "Oil of Lavender. - Lavender is grown to an enormous extent at Mitcham, in Surrey, England, and at Hitchin,...

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Formulas for Roses, 1868

There are six modifications of essence of rose for the handkerchief. They are - the spirit of treble rose, essence of white rose, essence of tea rose, essence of moss rose,...

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'Bandoline' from B. Fenner, 1888

Bandoline was a kind of hair fixer very popular in Western Europe during the 19th century. Contemporaneously they were referred to as "fixatures" along with other products like wax pomatum....

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'Pastils' by Pierre-Joseph Buc'hoz, 1772

Pastils (or Pastilles) are a form of granulated or powdered incense material that is mixed with a sticky binder like as dried fruit, honey, or a soft resin, that is then formed...

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