A symbol of beauty, status, and self-expression, perfume has always been around. Perfume trends have been constantly changing from ancient civilization to the roaring twenties and modern perfume creations, but essential oils have been a part of that movement since its beginning. In this blog we’ll explore the rich cultural history of perfumes, what changed in perfumes through history, and how essential oils were instrumental in forming lasting fragrances. We will also point out some of HBNO’s best products that connect the past to the present along the way.
Ancient Civilizations and the Birth of Fragrance
Our story started in ancient Egypt, which was thousands of years ago, perfumes were not just luxury products, but also indispensable and ceremonial things during various religious ceremonies. Egyptians used those we still use today — myrrh, frankincense, and cedarwood (all essential oils). These oils were burned during rituals and worn as balms, sometimes as fragrant oils. Purity and connection to the divine were what was in focus, and thanks to essential oils they provided the perfect natural scents to celebrate these sacred moments.
Fragrances also had a much more personal role in ancient Rome and Greece where oils, used as personal scents, would be for beauty and personal hygiene purposes. Other popular oils became sandalwood, eucalyptus, and lemongrass oils; these represented wealth and refinement. Their use continued throughout history because of the stage essential oils had set for them in these early days.
The Middle Ages and Renaissance: Perfume for Protection
From the Middle Ages, the use of perfume had progressed from luxury to necessity. Hygiene was often poor and people perfumed themselves to cover up the odour. Essential oils like clove, peppermint, and citrus were used during the Black Plague to protect themselves against disease because essential oils were thought to purify the air and prevent illness.
Naturally, art, culture, and, most importantly fragrance, were brought back into vogue by the Renaissance period. But in the courts of Europe, nobles began to wear citrus, bergamot, and lavender oils to make themselves distinguishable. Essential oils were of course good for smelling nice, but their use was also about status and artistry. HBNO’s bergamot and lavender essential oils remain a testament to a time of elegance and sophistication.
The 19th Century: The Age of Synthetic Scents
In the 19th century, the perfume industry saw a change. Synthetic ingredients reignited interest in fragrances, allowing for a variety of synthetic fragrance ingredients, and thus greater availability of perfumes to the general public. Yet with synthetics rising, essential oils remained necessary to festive in perfumes and maintain authenticity and richness. Synthetic notes would be used to make scents bolder and more interesting, however natural oils such as the oft-used patchouli, sandalwood, and even rose oils were just as valued for their purity.
It is the combination of synthetic and natural ingredients that launched the modern era of perfumery and many perfumers endeavored to achieve a compromise between the longevity of synthetic scents and the timelessness provided by essential oils.
The Roaring Twenties: Boldness in Scent
Bold expression was the typewriter of the time, and so were perfumes. At the time, it was free spirit embodied, and floral and citrus notes like ylang ylang, orange, and rose were popular. Essential oils were still incredibly important in luxury fragrances that set out to create more complex, layered perfumes.
Even today you can use HBNO’s selection of floral and citrus essential oils to create your 1920s-inspired scents. Creating your signature scent of the Roaring Twenties is simple: just combine orange with chic rose oils.
Post-War Perfume and the Rise of Feminine Elegance
After the war in the 1940s and 50s, perfume followed suit and became more feminine, elegant, and sophisticated. Often, this time gave birth to iconic perfumes that relied on notes such as jasmine, vanilla, and musk to create fragrances that were simultaneously timeless and romantic, bringing grace and sensuality into play. Jasmine essential oil was especially beloved for its sweet, floral aroma, bringing a little touch of luxury and femininity.
These classic ingredients that are still used by companies such as HBNO to power their brands today. If you want to use a vintage, feminine perfume, something like HBNO’s jasmine essential oil will carry the elegance of the post-war period as well as feel modern and current enough.
The 1970s and 1980s: The Era of Exotic Ingredients
With the late 20th century came the birth of more experimental perfumes, perfumers could incorporate exotic and rare essential oils into their compositions. The important movement of the 1970s, which was also its countercultural movement, was defined by freedom and nonconformity, and associated commonly with patchouli, sandalwood, and vetiver.
In the 1980s, many bold-powered perfumes began appearing on the scene; perfumes with these earthy musky notes. Though HBNO’s patchouli and sandalwood essential oils are certainly a good place to start if you’d like to recreate these iconic scents, they certainly aren’t the only ones in town.
Modern-Day Perfume Trends: The Return to Natural
Until recently, we have seen a trend in natural, eco-friendly fragrances. Consumers nowadays are well aware of ingredients in perfumes, and essential oils are in high demand as people go for safe and natural alternatives to synthetic ingredients. Today, modern perfumers put together fresher, cleaner, richer scents with essential oils such as lemongrass, frankincense, and cedarwood.
Today’s perfumers want perfumes that aren’t just beautiful but good for your well-being. HBNO has a huge range of high-quality essential oils that you can use to create modern, all-natural fragrances. HBNO offers both citrusy and earthy scents, to find a scent that is uniquely you or a fragrance that speaks to you.
Crafting Your Own Scent: Essential Oils Through the Ages
Often in a world of trends and the decade, essential oils have been a constant in the world of perfumery. Natural oils are all about versatility, depth, and authenticity from ancient rituals to modern-day eco-conscious fragrances. When choosing HBNO essential oils, you are not only working out an age-old formula but also quality and responsible formulas.
As always, the backbone of scent creation is still, essential oils, yet always up for new adventures in perfumery.
The richness of these historical trends allows you to create your very own scent with the help of HBNO’s essential oils, with such a connection at the heart of the brand. If you’re more drawn to the vibrant florals of the 1920s or the exotic earthiness of the 1970s there is sure to be an oil to suit your style!
