Rosebud Salve

I think there is no better way than to add a touch of the Gilded Age to your life than by using products that have survived the test of time. One such product is the rosebud salve produced by the Rosebud Perfume Company. 

Any one who has flipped through a copy of Elle or Glamour, or has browsed the isles of shops like Sephora or Urban Outfitters, will have heard of this little miracle in a tin. It's perfect for keeping your lips soft, but also great to use as a moisturizer for just about any other part of the body - hands, cuticles, elbows... This little tin goes a long way! And it smells just as you would expect it - like a fresh rosebud. I will admit, however, that such a smell is not for everyone. For me, for example, the salve calls to mind the scent of my grandmother. Not the most glamorous scent to wear out, which is why I tend to use this salve exclusively at home or before I go to bed. 

But what I like about this salve is the fact that it has been on the market for over a century! 

Rosebud Perfume Company was founded by Dr. Smith of Woodsboro, Maryland in 1895. The business began in a small drugstore located across the street from what is now known as the Rosebud Building. Friends suggested that Dr. Smith prepare for them a salve that could be used for various minor skin irritations. With this as a challenge, Dr. Smith formulated a product known as Smith's "Balsam of Rosebuds" which was later renamed Smith's "Rosebud Salve." As the product became more and more popular with his local customers, Dr. Smith decided to advertise his product in country tabloids, and within a few years he had organized one of the most unique mail order businesses in the United States. Several years later, Dr. Smith purchased the old Smith Hotel, sold his drugstore and moved into the imposing brick building which has served as the home of Rosebud products for over 100 years.

Today, the Rosebud Perfume Company is still going strong. its products are sold locally, nationally, and internationally and have gained the attention of celebrities and us regular folk alike. And besides their ever-so-popular Rosebud Salve, the company now produces enough salves and balms to fit any taste.

My favorite of their products is the strawberry lip balm. Its texture is a little firmer than that of the original salve and its smell is simply delicious!

I can't wait to try the rest of their many products. So far, I have not been disappointed. And for those who are intrigued, I suggest a visit to the company's website. 

À bientôt,

AVB