Already, in Antiquity, vinegar, mixed with a solution of water and honey, was deemed a remedy suitable for certain infections or diseases. In the 18th century, one of the most famous potions was a macerated preparation called ‘Four Thieves Vinegar’ and was considered the best protection against the Black Death, the plague. It only took a few nudges to turn this vaccine avant la lettre, this miraculous vinegar into a toiletry product, at a time when water was frowned upon, held responsible for spreading contagion. Vinegars infused with citrus, spices or flowers flourished, not only as a cleansing lotion but also a pick-me-up inhalation to revive the spirits.
In the 19th century, the use of vinegar changed. Still a staple of the medicine cabinet, it could be poured in the bath – water had been rehabilitated – and vinegar also became a part of the skincare routine for the face, as a toner and complexion enhancer. At the time, cleanliness was a sign of good health and an indicator of social respectability – the privilege of the middle and upper classes. At the same time, makeup was frowned upon, an artifice tolerated for theatre artists and better left to women of easy virtue: a face should have no decoration but its natural glow. A rosy hue, delicate pallour, and a fresh complexion were the centre of attention. The time was ripe for the appearance of the extraordinary Vinaigre aromatique et antiméphitique de Jean-Vincent Bully (‘Jean-Vincent Bully’s Aromatic and Antimephitic Vinegar’).
With a formula protected by patents in 1809 and 1814, the lotion became a sought-after remedy against any ailment and the key to flawless beauty. Against cologne, its competitor whose quality varied, with counterfeits and imitations abounding, Bully’s vinegar became a classic among beauty products, a best-seller awarded a medal at the 1867 and 1878 Expositions Universelles. The popular press was unanimous in chronicling and praising its merits and its roaring success. Le Petit Journal, in its 12 April 1869 edition, writes: ‘There is a whole regiment of them, a battalion in serried ranks in the front window, but this regiment’s colonel is always Jean-Vincent Bully’s familiar vinegar, a veteran still standing despite the army of competitors trying to take its place. Gentle on the skin, pleasant to the nose, like it says on the advertisement, it remains on the front lines, like an old soldier, proud of the medals adorning its lapel’.
Conceived in Paris, formulated in a French laboratory, the skin-care products and perfumes designed by Buly make up a peerless and timeless experience. Building a bridge between natural ingredients, the teachings from ancient recipes, and the innovative technologies of contemporary cosmetics, they promote an approach to beauty that is personal, intimate and bespoke, through which each person elaborates their own rituals and develops their own skill set. A beauty that makes them want to take time for themselves, to explore every recipe, every texture, every ingredient or every tool to make it their own. A functional beauty that doesn’t neglect the aesthetic pleasure given by a product, its container, or an accessory. A form of beauty humanised, resurrected, and purified.
Every journey ought to have stopovers. For Buly, they are stores peppered around the world. From Paris to Kyoto, from Seoul to Tokyo, from London to Taipei, and in many other places, our 14 addresses blend into the urban landscape, as if they had been there forever. More than that: each one is a manifesto against standardisation. Each is inspired by its home city: the architecture, the culture, the residents and their customs.
Once you pass the threshold, another journey begins, towards the Paris of another era. Details borrowed from the local environment, making each store unique, are combined with the spirit of French pharmacy officines from the 19th century. Like a red thread running throughout the tapestry that is Buly, our ‘Houses’ have this décor in common with furniture and panelling in polished walnut, marble-topped counters, antique faucetry, the alembics and retorts of the Chemist, bottles, flasks, vials, and jars in ceramic or glass… A warm and lively atmosphere emphasised by the generous welcome from our obliging assistants, each one happy to personalise every purchase with a message marked in elegant calligraphy on the spot, and to wrap it following the origata technique, the Japanese art of wrapping. The finishing touch, the signature display of Buly’s philosophy: unique, precious, and authentic.
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À votre demande, vos achats sont emballés d’un papier imprimé reproduisant un journal ancien ou sont glissés dans une élégante pochette cadeau aux marbrures vertes, en souvenir de la création et de l’histoire de l’Officine.
The Exceptional origata gift wrapTantôt floraux, striés ou à carreaux, et toujours hautement chromatiques, ces papiers japonais s'inspirent des motifs réservés aux kimonos et se plient selon l'art très codifié de l'origata.
Monogram gift wrapChoose the size of your bag
DEPENDING ON MY ORDER ∙ 2,00 €
XS 10X10CM ∙ 2,00 €
S 20X20CM ∙ 2,00 €
M 30X30CM ∙ 2,00 €
Select the products to be gift wrapped
These products are already gift-wrapped
Select the products to be gift wrapped
These products are already gift-wrapped
Select the products to be gift wrapped
These products are already gift-wrapped
Every request will be respected as far as possible and the possibilities are great at Officine Universelle Buly.
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Have your initials or those of the lucky recipient engraved in the heart of your Savon Superfin.
Have your initials or those of the lucky recipient of your gift engraved on the accessory
Have your initials or those of the lucky recipient of this gift engraved on the kit, the balm, the comb and on the toothbrush
Our bottles, candles and incenses are carefully packaged with handwritten calligraphy labels.
Our master calligrapher, armed with a quill and ancient ink pads, will create a wonderful bookplate on the title page.
We mail your calligraphic message directly to your recipient.
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