The Perfumer's Workshop
Below
you will find a brief description about the creation of
perfume. Please keep in mind that this is a rough overview, a
"quick-start" guide. With perfumery, (as with many other
disciplines) you'll find that the more you learn, the more
you'll realize there is to learn!
A perfume is
basically a combination of ingredients, or components, each of
which adds a certain characteristic to the whole. Certain
perfumery components do not last very long on the skin, they
are very volatile. Because of their small molecule size, these
components leave the skin and reach the nose the fastest, and
so are the first to be perceived. Perfumers call these the top
(head) notes of the perfume, and they provide the first
impression of any scent. An example of a top note would be
citrus, for example orange, lemon, or bergamot.
The next, and
longer-lasting, group of perfumery components are the middle
(heart) notes. These provide an evolving second layer to a
scent, and they also serve to modify the base notes, the
largest molecules, which provide fixation, or lastingness, to
a fragrance and are the last scent impressions to be left on
the skin.
The art of perfumery is the combination of these
groups of components to provide an overall effect, whether it
be deep, rich and exotic or fresh, clean and modern.
You can start by acquiring a small collection of
perfume ingredients, either fragrance oils or natural
essential oils.
You can dilute these ingredients to 1%
(take 1 part (start with drops) ingredient and dilute it in 99
parts carrier). (See Safety)
Those ingredients that you
feel are too weak, go ahead and increase to 10% by adding 9
more parts.
Take a scent strip (either purchased or
hand-made), write the name of the component on the large end
of the strip (if it has a large end) and put a small amount of
your component on the small end. Take some time to try to get
to know this component, and then go ahead and make other
strips with your other components.
Hold groups of strips
in your hand in a small fan and wave them lightly under your
nose to catch the effect of their combined scent.
When you
feel that the strips in your hand produce a pleasing
combination, then feel free to blend your diluted components
into a small container. Ideally, your blend should be mostly
base notes, to give your scent lasting power. But above all,
have fun!
When you are curious about learning more, we
hope you come back and take the next step!