History of the House of Guerlain
Guerlain was founded in 1828, when Pierre-Francois-Pascal Guerlain opened his first boutique in Paris. Trained as a doctor and chemist, he enjoyed immediate success thanks to his revolutionary work, which led to many innovative firsts. Guerlain was the first to create scientifically based skincare, kohl eyeliner and mascara. Then in 1840, Guerlain introduced the very first lipsticks.
In 1939, Guerlain created one of the first "Spas" in the world at 68, avenue des Champs-Elysées. It was during this period that the Guerlain massage method was born, which remains unique and exclusive today. It has been enriched with numerous exclusive treatment protocols, all with the aim of offering the best of beauty expertise and optimal effectiveness. The very essence of the Guerlain experience is to transform your beauty treatment into an event created for you and you alone – a real alchemy between our know-how and our beauty expertise.
Even years later, The House of Guerlain continues this tradition of firsts. Releasing Terracotta, the benchmark for all bronzers, and Meteorites, the first product to incorporate colored pearls to create luminosity and even out skin tone, Guerlain pushes innovation and pursues perfection without end. These unparalleled beauty lines combined with more than 700 fragrances – several of which are considered to be among the masterpieces of perfumery – create a name that has become internationally recognized as a symbol of artistry, quality, style, and grace.
Enter the world of Guerlain beauty and savor a spa experience where innovation and performance go hand in hand with customization, luxury, emotion and sensuality. Guerlain offers you a unique skincare and spa experience. Discover a customized spa experience.
Guerlain’s creations have long influenced the trends of the beauty industry with a rich history. Learn more about this luxurious brand with 10 historic and innovative facts.
1. SHALIMAR (1925) was the 1st oriental fragrance for women in the history of perfumery.
2. ROUGE AUTOMATIQUE lipstick (1936) represented a breakthrough in design for its one-hand gesture and mechanism; this lipstick was created to be opened with one hand for the woman on the go.
3. TERRACOTTA (1984) is 30 this year and was the 1st bronzing powder. One Terracotta Powder is sold every 20 seconds, on average, around the world.
4. MÉTÉORITES PEARLS are hand-crafted by only 3 trained artisans. It requires a minimum of 6 months to train each artisan because everything is done by feel and visual assessment.
5. The 4 exceptional orchids used in the ORCHIDÉE IMPÉRIALE LINE are selected from amongst 30,000 species of orchids due to anti-aging properties and longevity. For over 12 years, Guerlain has been studying and protecting orchids in their natural environment, and assessing their biological potential through its dedicated research centers in Switzerland, France and China.
6. L’EAU DE COLOGNE IMPÉRIALE (1853) was created by Pierre-Francois-Pascal for Empress Eugénie, wife of Napoleon III, for her wedding in 1853. This allowed for Guerlain to be appointed Official Supplier of the Court, and become widely known in all European Courts.
7. OLFACTORY CREATIONS amount to over 800 since 1828. No other brand can claim such a patrimony and longevity.
8. ORCHIDÉE IMPÉRIALE LONGEVITY CONCENTRATE (2010) is the most complex jar to assemble and fill in the Guerlain collection, requiring 15 people to create each piece from start to finish.
9. THE FIRST SERUM: In 1950, Guerlain Emulsion d‘Ambroisie was born. Its revolutionary fine formula was the first to be applied under skin cream and has paved the way for the further development of serums.
10. THE NEW 68 CHAMPS ELYSÉES BOUTIQUE was designed by famous architect Peter Marino, who has created some of the most beautiful boutiques in the world.