Bourjois
| Company type | Brand |
|---|---|
| Industry | Cosmetics |
| Founded | 1863 |
| Founder | Joseph-Albert Ponsin |
| Fate | Acquired by Coty |
Area served | Worldwide (over 80 countries as of 2015) |
| Products | Makeup, fragrances, skincare |
| Owner | Coty |
| Parent | Coty |
| Website | www |
Bourjois is a French cosmetics brand that operates under the ownership of the French conglomerate Coty. The company specializes in producing makeup, fragrances, and skincare items, which are available at around 26,000 retail outlets across more than 80 countries as of 2015.
History
- 1862: Joseph-Albert Ponsin, an actor, created a skin product designed to lighten the complexion of stage performers, serving as a replacement for heavy theatrical makeup.
- 1863: Ponsin established his makeup enterprise, focusing on cosmetic and perfume products tailored for actors.
- 1868: Alexandre-Napoleon Bourjois, a business partner, assumed control of Ponsin's operations.
- 1879: The introduction of Java Rice Powder marked the brand’s expansion from theatre audiences to women worldwide.
- 1917: Control of Bourjois passed to Pierre and Paul Wertheimer, whose family maintained ownership alongside the Chanel group for nearly one hundred years.
- 1924: Bourjois launched its inaugural fragrance, Mon Parfum, crafted by Ernest Beaux, famed for creating Chanel No. 5.
- 1928: The perfume Soir de Paris (marketed as Evening in Paris in the United States) achieved significant popularity, particularly during the Second World War.
- 1936: Aligning with women's emancipation movements, Bourjois promoted makeup as a form of self-expression and supported campaigns advocating women's voting rights.
- 1938: The arrival of perfumer Constantin Weriguine led to the development of notable scents such as Mais Oui (1938) and Glamour (1953).
- 1960: By this time, the company had broadened its portfolio to include perfumes, gift collections, kits, and various makeup products.
- 2014: In April 2015, the American corporation Coty purchased Bourjois from the Wertheimer family for roughly $239 million.