Look what I got in the mail today… a gorgeous, gorgeous candle to celebrate Bourjois’ 150th birthday 
But wait… 150th birthday?? I never realised Bourjois was that old a brand. Really. Which set me thinking about what else I did not know about this chic and quirky Parisian makeup house. Quite a lot it seems: for instance, the fact that Bourjois created the world’s first powder blush. Or that it once had 124 perfumes. Or even that it used to make toothpaste and cigarettes. I am guessing not too many of you know these stories either, so here’s a look at 150 fascinating years of Bourjois history. Tell me, which is the fact that surprises you the most?
Did you know that Bourjois created the world’s first powder blush? Or that it once had 124 perfumes? Or that it used to make toothpaste and cigarettes?
1. Bourjois was born when Joseph-Albert Ponsin, part actor and terrific cosmetologist, opened a shop at 28 Place Vendome in Paris to sell perfumes, toiletries and cosmetics. The boutique was soon purchased by Alexandre-Napoléon Bourjois and renamed after him. By 1898, the business was in the hands of Ernest Wertheimer – who also owned the perfume division of Chanel.
2. The first creations were waxy makeup sticks with quirky names like Jealous or Lovesick, specially created for theatre.
3. In 1863, Bourjois created the world’s first powder blush based on a complex recipe: combine a careful amount of of powder and water, mix it delicately, pour it into rounded moulds and put it in the oven to bake. Now, 150 years later, the little round pot of Bourjois blusher
4. By 1898, the Bourjois catalogue had over 700 items, including makeup for cheeks, for eyelids, rice powders, polishes, lipsticks and Indian tablets that were the ancestors of mascara. Then there were “perfume extracts for the handkerchief,” “perfumed sachets to put inside slippers,” toothpastes, hair lotions, perfumed cigarettes… and even a “Hungarian pomade” to help arrange a gentleman’s moustache!
5. The invention of a ”mini” Ladies’ Friend collection in the late 19th century made Bourjois a pioneer of the “makeup on-the-go” concept. This ultra-thin makeup kit had a moiré palette and built-in mirror, a mini push-up lipstick in a deep red shade, a mini face powder and a small powder puff in swan’s-down material – all packaged in and elegant and avant-gardist mini case that could be slipped into a handbag.
6. In 1907, Bourjois diversified into perfume with Manon Lescaut. One of the most successful was the amber-floral-spicy Soir de Paris (Evening in Paris), created by Ernest Beaux – the “nose” behind Chanel No. 5. It’s midnight blue bottle is highly valued by today’s collectors.
7. Foreshadowing their mastery of the quirky and the coloful, Bourjois developed hundreds of Evening in Paris boxes during the 1930s. Each box contained varying combinations of make up and perfume, with the most splendid one being a musical version that still plays Forever and Ever when you turn the key.
8. By 1974, Bourjois had introduced 124 fragrances, with many of the bottles made by Baccarat and Cristalleries de Saint-Louis.
9. Initiating “story-telling” marketing, Bourjois told about the adventures of “Babette” in 1924. She was a young and elegant imaginary woman, who became the heroine of over 200 short, punchy titles such as Babette Exterminates Some Statues, Babette in Trouble! and Babette and the Reluctant Fiancé.
10. Bourjois continues to invent and innovate well into the 21st century, with masterpieces like the Coup de Théâtre mascara
has a fruity-floral fragrance laced with greenness. It’s replete with sparkling bergamot, dew-kissed blackberry buds, the bitter greens of ivy and fern, white blossoms, water lily, earthy geranium, creamy clouds of musk, willow and moss… a very pretty scent whose sweetness is evident without being overwhelming. In fact, this is actually an almost-clean fragrance on me once it settles – just the way I want a summer bath-time ritual to feel like. $18 upwards
with two types of Hyaluronic Acid for a serious moisture hit. Bid goodbye to dry and tight skin for good! $40
. Billed as a shine-enhancer, rather than a gloss, the nourishing formula bolstered by cupuaçu and mango butters goes on velvety smooth, without any trace of stickiness – a God-send for lip lacquering. The familiar faintly citrus scent of the original balms is also present, as is the signature blend of reparative oils. I am already stocking up! $18.50
is perfect for creating a flawless, semi-matte finish that lasts all day. It’s chockfull of oil-free, oil-controlling ingredients that have serious all-day staying power, even through heat and humidity. Added bonus: it now comes in even more shades than before. $44 / INR 2,535
, there is now a limited edition shade for the royal baby-to-be: 
. The polish was named after an expression used by doting grannies hoping for grandchildren: “Will we hear the pitter patter of little feet soon?”. I was secretly hoping the shade would give us a slight hint to the baby’s sex (bright pink!), but the gorgeous aubergine shimmer could go either way. $15
. Bursting with sunshine and freshness, it’s a delicate yet sophisticated floral scent of citrus and musky top notes. It’s what I am spritzing on every day – this is true love. $90 / £42.75
is terrific for illuminating alfresco dinner parties or creating a soft glow for private reflections. $48
and 
) that match your skin, then set with a translucent powder (
) to remove any sheen. Skip the bronzer. Instead, opt for a pale pink blush (L’Orèal Paris Visible Lift Color Lift Blush in Rose Gold) to liven up your creamy matte complexion.
) from the lash line to the brow line, sweeping it horizontally from one corner of your eye to the other. Then extend a black liner (
) slightly up and outward from the outer corner of your eye. Finish by curling your lashes and applying heavy mascara (
) on top of the eyeshadow with your finger. Voila!
).
) on your lips. Because, as Silvi puts it, ”We decided that red lipstick didn’t fit her personality”. Add just a dot of gloss (
, tuck that 
