Join Karen in this week's episode as she delves into the captivating world of crafting your very own fragrances from the comfort of your own home. Discover the secrets to getting started without breaking the bank, as Karen shares valuable insights on the essential equipment and materials necessary for this aromatic endeavor. Whether you're a passionate hobbyist or aspiring entrepreneur, Karen emphasizes the importance of tailoring your supplies to suit your fragrance-making goals. Tune in to the next episode, where Gilbert will take the reins and delve into his recommended perfume materials kit.

 

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Start with a basic kit and avoid overspending when starting out with perfume making.
• Consider your budget and prioritise essential equipment over luxury items.
• Choose perfume materials based on whether you prefer naturals or a blend of naturals and synthetics.
• Use perfumer's alcohol to pre-dilute perfume materials for easier handling and evaluation.
• Invest in smelling strips or perfume blotters for evaluating materials and finished perfumes.
• Opt for glass beakers for blending and measuring perfumes, and consider using scales for accurate measurements (jewellery scales are suitable for beginners).

 

BEST MOMENTS 

• "I always encourage beginners to start perfume making on a budget. You don't need to overspend on expensive materials. It's better to start small and gradually build your collection."
• "Perfumer's alcohol is a great base medium for diluting perfume materials. It's easier to work with, and it allows you to evaluate the scent better when it's diluted."
• "When evaluating perfume materials, I highly recommend using scent strips or mouillettes. You can find them in specialty perfume stores or even make your own by cutting strips of paper."
• "Glass beakers are essential for perfume making. You can find them in different sizes from school lab supply companies or online marketplaces. They're perfect for mixing and measuring ingredients."
• "One of my favourite moments in perfume making is when all the ingredients come together, and you get that 'aha' moment when you realise you've created something truly unique and beautiful."

 

VALUABLE RESOURCES

Getting Started Guide: https://www.karengilbert.co.uk/podcast-getting-started-guide

Artisan Perfumery Mastermind: https://karengilbert.info/artisan-perfumery-mastermind

 

ABOUT THE HOST

Fragrance expert, author, teacher and speaker; Karen Gilbert runs courses in the UK and online which demystify the secretive world of perfumery in a fun and interactive way. 

Karen has inspired thousands of students to explore their olfactory sense and create their own personalised fragrances.

With extensive product development experience in both the commercial perfumery and the organic skincare industry, Karen is able to offer a unique insight into creating natural and mixed media fragrances for fine fragrance, room scents and skincare/bodycare products using commercial perfumery techniques.

Karen is also a certified meditation teacher and has a passion for helping people to create daily rituals that integrate scent with other modalities to shift state and increase your sense of wellbeing.

 

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