In 1863, Bourjois was born on the great boulevards of Paris in the theatre district, at a time when France was the world"s second leading economic power. The actor Joseph-Albert Ponsin was the company"s first creator; he prepared makeup and perfumes for actors and actresses in the comfort of his own home. In 1868, Ponsin entrusted his entire activity to Alexandre-Napoléon Bourjois. The company blossomed in the hands of Monsieur Bourjois, who made it internationally known.