The Vaporisateur Pour la Coiffeuse (Spray for the Hairdresser), produced by Guerlain between 1937 and 1965, was a distinctive and versatile flacon created for both demonstration and practical use. Its design reflects Guerlain’s attention not only to elegance but also to functionality, particularly in professional and travel contexts.
The bottle itself is round, squat, and made of clear glass, with a base molded in a delicate rayed pattern that adds a subtle decorative effect. It was originally intended for use by hairdressers or beauty advisors, who would employ it as a tester to spray Guerlain perfumes, brilliantine, or stilboide fluid directly onto the hair. The practicality of the design is evident in its fitted thin glass siphon tube, which ensured fine atomization of the product. When used in professional settings, the bottle was marked with the name of the perfume on its side, allowing clear identification during demonstrations.
Two sizes were produced—small (4.8cm/1.89") and large (6.5cm/2.56")—and each was available with either a gilded or nickel-plated cap, catering to both luxury preferences and durability needs. For demonstrations, the flacon carried its atomizer permanently, but Guerlain ingeniously adapted the design for travel purposes as well. In this configuration, the bottle came with a screw cap that could be removed to attach an atomizer (with thin metal siphon), offering both portability and flexibility. This travel version had actually been marketed as early as 1900 and remained available until the late 1940s, showing how Guerlain reused and refined practical formats over decades.
For customers purchasing the flacon as a luxury accessory, Guerlain offered it in a presentation box lined with satin and covered in peacock feather patterned paper, a richly decorative detail that contrasted with the understated simplicity of the glass itself. This marriage of practicality and elegance made the Vaporisateur Pour la Coiffeuse a noteworthy example of Guerlain’s ability to blend utility with refined artistry, ensuring that even functional bottles maintained the house’s aesthetic prestige.
Sizes:
- Small size - 4.8cm/1.89"
- Large size - 6.5cm/2.56"
Bottles:
