This week Karen is introducing a new mini series that will be looking back at the basics of creating your own fragrances. In this first part Karen is tackling the topic of selecting the right materials. With so many options out there, material selection can be an overwhelming task for first-timers. But Karen is here to guide you through everything from synthetics or naturals to choosing the right supplier and how to store your materials so that you can begin your perfume making journey today.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

There’s a trap that most first-time perfumers fall into, and that is buying any and all materials that you come across. Karen discusses how to set your own criteria for the materials you should buy.
Natural or Synthetic Materials? - a question that every first-time perfumer will find themselves asking. Karen breaks down the pros and cons of each.
Once you’ve selected your materials, where do you buy them from? As Karen stresses, it’s crucial to buy your materials from quality suppliers, and she tells you the things to look out for.
Now that you have your materials you have to store them correctly. Karen outlines the crucial dos and don’ts of material storage.

BEST MOMENTS

“When you start out, it’s important to choose materials that align with your creative vision.”

“Knowing your style is going to help you make more informed choices when selecting materials.”

“If you’re unsure about a certain material, buy a sample and experiment before buying in bulk.”

EPISODE LINKS

Materials Mastery

In Person Class

Artisan Perfumery Mastermind

VALUABLE RESOURCES

Getting Started Guide

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.

CONTACT DETAILS

Back to Basics Part 1 - Selecting the Right Materials

The Perfume Making Podcast

Back to Basics Part 1 - Selecting the Right Materials