Fragrances Unite Angelina Jolie and the Napoleans

Question: What does Angelina Jolie and Emperor of France Napolean Bonaparte have in common?

Answer: A love for perfumes scented with violets and jasmine.

The word perfume comes from the Latin phrase ‘per fumus‘ which translates to ‘through smoke’. It first arrived in Europe in the 14th century via Arab influences and Hungarian traders.

Perfume became the centre of the French court long before Napolean came into power. It had been used steadily and extravagantly in the courts of Louis XV and Louis XIV. Perfumes then were used in place of baths and showers and liberally sprinkled on clothes, fans and furniture.

When Napolean ruled France, he and his wife, Josephine, continued the indulgence of scenting everything around them in fragrances they loved. Just how much perfume did he use? Two quarts of violet cologne every week and sixty bottles of jasmine double extract every month!

That adds up to… well, a lot! Josephine had stronger tastes in perfume than he. She adored musk and scented her boudoir so liberally with musk that the room still had a whiff of musk sixty (that’s 60) years after her death!

Today,the Napoleans’ favorite jasmine, violets and musk continues to be common ingredients in many fragrances. Among them are Carolina Herrera Cologne EDT and Love In White by Creed, both beloved by sultry Salt star Angelina Jolie.

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Jasmine and violets are also main ingredients Miss Dior Cherie by Christian Dior beloved by Jessica Alba and Desperate Housewives’ Marcia Cross.

It is also found in Mischa Barton’s spritz Touch of Pink by Lacoste and in Miley Cyrus‘ perfume product Hannah Montana Cologne. Teen superstar Miley herself wears Coco Chanel which contains Indian jasmine.

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Musk is frequently part of stronger fragrances and those created to be worn at night. Dolce & Gabbana’s The One, Agent Provocateur Perfume and Chanel No. 19 worn by glamorous supermodels Gisele Bundchen, Kate Moss and Christie Brinkley all contain a delightful whiff of musk.

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