Perfume is a mixture of fragrant essential oils, aroma compounds, and solvents used to give a pleasant scent to the body, objects, or spaces. It has been an important part of human life for thousands of years. In ancient civilizations like Egypt, Mesopotamia, and India, perfumes were used in religious rituals, for personal cleanliness, and by royals to show their status. Later in Europe, especially in France, perfumes became popular as a way to cover body odors during times of poor hygiene. Over time, perfume-making improved, shifting from natural ingredients to lab-made (synthetic) materials, making them more affordable and available to more people.