Chapter 1 - Introduction to Perfumes

Question 1

Definition of perfume

Answer 1

Carefully balanced blend of ingredients in which each material plays its definitive role in contributing to the overall fragrance.

Question 2

Classification of perfumes

Answer 2

(1) Ingredients used
(2) Family/ Characterisitic odour
(3) Strength of perfume
(4) Utilization

Question 3

Types of perfume ingredients

Answer 3

Essential oil, floral water resinoids, concretes, absolutes and synthetic aroma chemicals

Question 4

Types of odour

Answer 4

Floral, woody, oriental, chypre (citrus)

Question 5

Strength of perfume

Answer 5

Parfum > eau de toilette > eau de cologne

Question 6

Types of perfume application

Answer 6

Personal, cosmetic or industrial use

Question 7

Main uses of perfume

Answer 7

Personal adornment, masking undesirable odours, improve odour (original odour not nice), aromatherapy and religious ceremonies

Question 8

Perfume history of Egypt

Answer 8

Incense (religious prayers)
Aesthetic intentions
Embalming their dead

Question 9

Types of incense burnt in ancient Egypt (within the day)

Answer 9

Resins at dawn, myrrh at noon and kaphi at sunset

Question 10

What perfume vehicles are used in ancient Egypt

Answer 10

Scent diluted in sesame oil, almond oil, and olive oil

P/S nowadays these vehicle also used for massage

Question 11

What perfumes and why is perfumes used embalming the dead in Egypt?

Answer 11

myrrh for intestines and body covered with sodium sesquicarbonate to dry epidermis and tissues
Transmigration of souls after the person die.

Question 12

Where is the origin of Myrrh and Frankincense?

Answer 12

From Somalia and southern Arabia

Question 13

What is Myrrh?

Answer 13

Gum-resin that is yellowish red in colour

Smells more medicinal

Question 14

What is Frankincense?

Answer 14

Gum resins exudates from tree bark that is milky white in colour. Dries to form large translucent tears
Smells sweeter than Myrrh.

Question 15

Who is Theophrastus (Greece)

Answer 15

Wrote recipes of ancient perfumes and make perfumes last longer.

(1) Susinon
(2) Megaleion

Question 16

When did perfume and cosmetics become popular in Rome?

Answer 16

When Nero was the emperor of Rome (AD 54)

Question 17

What are the main types of perfumes in Rome?

Answer 17

(1) Solid unguents (Hedysmata) - Lipstick
(2) Liquid unguents (Stmmata) - Perfume oil
(3) Powdered perfumes (Diapasmata)

Question 18

What did Avicenna do?

Answer 18

He perfected the fragrant oil from flowers (Islamic world)

Question 19

What is the first alcoholic perfume?

Answer 19

Hungary water and it was attribute to Queen Elizabeth of Hungary

Question 20

What does Hungary water smell like?

Answer 20

Medicinal (Rosemary, Verbena, Limette and Peppermint oil)

Question 21

When was perfume introduced to France

Answer 21

16 century AD bu Catherine de Medici

Question 22

What is perfume used extensively in 16 - 17 century

Answer 22

Mask obnoxious smell

Question 23

Why was bathing shun before 18 century?

Answer 23

Make body feminine and vulnerable to diseases, so people wash clothes instead of bathing.

Question 24

What is Eau de Cologne?

Answer 24

Eau de Cologne has 2 meanings:
(1) Strength of perfume
(2) perfume from 17 - 18 century
Invented in Italy, sold in Germany

Question 25

What kind of perfume became popular in the late 18th century?

Answer 25

Delicate floral or herbal scents
Houbigant (France) - Fougere Royale
Yardley (england) - Lavender Water

Question 26

What is prominent in the 19th century?

Answer 26

Solvent extract of scent perfect and synthetic scents were developed. (Larger quantities and cheaper)

Question 27

What perfume is little black dress?

Answer 27

La Petite Robe Noire

Question 28

What is unique about Chanel No 5?

Answer 28

First perfume containing a lot of aldehydes (floral aldehyde) - give a right effervescence in year 1925