Perfumes and cosmetics
Gillette. Tin. c.1930. G. de Andreis, M.E., Badalona. Col. Mateu Llinàs i Audet. Photo: Frederic Camallonga
Gerard Carbonell. Tentación. Perfumería Parera. Counter display. Cardboard. c. 1930. Seix & Barral Herms., Barcelona. Col. Mateu Llinàs i Audet. Photo: Frederic Camallonga
Juli Jener. Jugo de Oro. Cardboard. c. 1930. Martí Marí y Cía., Barcelona. Col. Mateu Llinàs i Audet. Photo: Frederic Camallonga
Industrialisation also influenced the perfume and cosmetics sector. After the First World War, advances in the chemical sector and modern life’s new customs led to a diversification of products –colognes, soaps, perfumes– and they became more specialised –for women, men and children. The carefully designed vials and packages, adverts and posters, the work of renowned artists, spread seductive slogans about the beneficial effects of using them. Department stores used to hold promotions, usually aimed at women customers. In Barcelona, there were many notable companies in this sector, including Myrurgia, Parera (Varón Dandy, leader in fragrances for men in the 20th century), Dana, Puig, and in Madrid, Gal.