Poudre aux Ballons c1918

In 1918, Guerlain introduced Poudre aux Ballons, a scented face powder that perfectly blended history, romance, and artistry. Released as part of the house’s centennial celebrations, it was more than just a cosmetic—it was a poetic tribute to Guerlain’s origins in 1828 and to Paris itself. Each powder was delicately perfumed with some of Guerlain’s most celebrated fragrances of the time, including the luminous L’Heure Bleue, allowing the product to bridge the worlds of makeup and fine perfume in one charming gesture.

The packaging was a miniature work of art. The lid displayed a trio of cherubic angels drifting dreamily from a hot air balloon, evoking lightness, whimsy, and the joy of ascension. Around the sides of the box stretched a panoramic illustration of Paris as it appeared in 1828, highlighting two landmarks that spoke directly to Guerlain’s story: the Arc de Triomphe and the house’s very first perfumery at the Barrière de l'Etoile. Above the cityscape, other hot air balloons floated gracefully, creating a sense of both festivity and nostalgia. The box itself, crafted of polychromed paper-covered cardboard, measured 2.8 inches in diameter by 2.1 inches tall—an intimate size that fit easily in a vanity or travel case, making it a personal object of beauty.

The imagery held a deeper significance than mere decoration. Guerlain drew inspiration from the balloon posts of 1870–71, when during the siege of Paris by the Prussians, hot air balloons were used as the first form of airmail to carry messages, news, and pleas for help beyond the city walls. Between September 23, 1870, and January 28, 1871, 67 balloons departed Paris, braving hostile skies to keep communication alive. By referencing this moment of resilience and ingenuity, Guerlain not only celebrated the spirit of Paris but also underscored its own enduring place in the city’s cultural history.

Poudre aux Ballons thus combined fragrance, art, and memory into a single exquisite creation. It was a powder meant not only to beautify the face but to remind its wearer of Guerlain’s proud past, Parisian innovation, and the timeless poetry of rising into the sky.