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...
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.
Formulas for Honeysuckle, Narcissus, Ambergris and more, 1868
Excerpt from A Practical Guide for the Perfumer by Professor H. Dussauce 1868 "Volkameria. - An exquisite perfume is sold under this name, supposed to be derived from the volkameria inermis - a...
Formulas for Myrtle, Sweet-brier, Cedar Oil & Verbena, 1868
Excerpt from A Practical Guide for the Perfumer by Professor H. Dussauce 1868 "Oil of Myrtle. - A very fragrant oil may be obtained by distilling the leaves of the common myrtle. The...
Formulas for Violet, Heliotrope, Jonquil, Lilac, Lily & Magnolia1868
Excerpt from A Practical Guide for the Perfumer by Professor H. Dussauce 1868 "Violet Oil is obtained from the viola odorata. It is a fugacious oil. For commercial purposes, the odor of violets...
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,...
Formulas for Orange Flower, Orange & Lemon, 1868
Oil of Orange Flower. - Two distinct odors can be obtained from the orange blossom, varying according to the methods of extraction. When orange flowers are treated by maceration, the...
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,...
'Macassar Oil.' & Other Perfumed Hair Oils for Men by Hippolyte Etienne Dussauce, 1868
One of these hair oils was 'Macassar Oil', a compounded oil popularised by celebrated London barber, Alexander Rowland. In 1793, it became one of the first nationally advertised products, boasting extravagant claims...
'To Make Rose-Water' by Pierre-Joseph Buc'hoz, 1772
Excerpt from The Toilet of Flora by Pierre-Joseph Buc'hoz, 1772 'To make Rose-Water To make an excellent Rose-water, let the Flowers be gathered two or three hours after sun-rising in very fine...
'Verbena, or Verveine' by G.W. Septimus Piesse, 1857
Excerpt I from The Art of Perfumery, and the Methods of Obtaining the Odours of Plants by G.W. Septimus Piesse, 1857
'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....
'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...
Housekeeper's Recipes for the Toilet from Flora Neely, 1879
Excerpt from 'The Toilet' in Hand-Book for the Kitchen and Housekeeper's Guide by Flora Neely, 1879 "For Hardened Skin and Wrinkles. Any good purgative (compound cathartic pills are generally good). Rub...