Florida Water
Florida Water is an American version of
In the Americas
Accord to current trademark holders, Lanman & Kemp Barclay,[3] Florida Water was introduced by the New York City perfumer (and founder of the original company) Robert I. Murray, in 1808. In 1835 Murray was joined by David Trumbull Lanman and the firm became Murray & Lanman, then David T. Lanman and Co., and in 1861 became Lanman & Kemp. The company states that their product, now sold under the Murray & Lanman brand, still uses the original 1808 formula, and that the current label is also a slightly modified version of the 1808 original.
Florida Water was regarded as a unisex cologne, suitable for men and women alike. Victorian etiquette manuals warn young ladies against the "offensive" impression made by a strong perfume, but Florida Water and Eau de Cologne were recommended as appropriate for all, along with sachets for scenting the linen and fresh flowers in the corsage.[4] Large quantities were also used by barbershops as cologne and aftershave. In the 1880s and 1890s Murray & Lanman Florida Water was advertised as "The Richest of all Perfumes" and "The most Popular Perfume in the World".[5]
Like other colognes of the era, Florida Water was valued for its refreshing and tonic nature as well as its scent, and could be used as a skin toner or as what we would now call a "body splash". It was also used as a toilet water (eau de toilette), by adding it to the bath or wash-water.
Usages in religious or spiritual practices
Florida water is used as a cleansing liquid in certain religious or spiritual practices, most notably
In East Asia
Florida Water (
China
After the Chinese Communist Party took over mainland China in 1949, private cosmetic companies were all nationalized, brand names such as "Liu Shen" (六神), "Maxam" (美加净) and "Butterfly" (蝴蝶) were then created and made popular.[7]
The formulations in these products are quite different from Murray & Lanman and Two Girls, having morphed into a summertime skincare product containing menthol (or borneol) and traditional Chinese medicinal herbs. Such products are most commonly used for reliving itchiness caused by insect bites and miliaria. Further developments include formulations with added insect repellents.
References
- ^ American Druggist and Pharmaceutical Record - 1902, page 280
- ^ The History of Florida Water - floridawater.com, Lanman & Kemp-Barclay & Co.
- ^ Lanman & Kemp-Barclay & Co., Inc. - History section
- ^ The Woman's Book, Vol 2, various authors - 1894, page 354
- ^ Murray & Lanman trade cards, various dates
- ^ For example, see the Hong Kong-based Two Girls website
- ^ https://www.sixthtone.com/news/1013201