I had the pleasure of taking part in Karen Gilbert’s Introduction to Natural Perfumery Workshop on Saturday.
It was a great turn out with nine attendees from different backgrounds and industries. After the usual introductions, Karen started the workshop by explaining the safety precautions when handling essential oils and absolutes, how the sense of smell works and a brief history of the wonderful world of perfume.
We all first smelt the perfume notes on perfume blotters, taking note of the ones we loved the smell of. This was done with all top, middle and base notes.
Then the fun and practical experiments started with blending and creating simple accords (also known as notes), using the Jean Carles Method.
We created base, middle and top accords and advised to write everything down as we proceeded. This is important to do as you may forget (as I did after having a laugh with my neighbour) and it is also important to try to measure it accurately (as one attendee didn’t and just poured the solution into the top accord bottle, guessing the amount!).
Once we were happy with our result of the top, middle and base notes we created, we then followed the same procedure to create the final perfume. It is all an experiment and constant calculation and counting of drops. It was a lot of fun and my neighbour kept on saying how she was having so much fun and loved the experience.
Once we were happy with the final perfume scent, we then diluted it with alcohol and a little distilled water. We were then advised to chill the perfume overnight and if possible filter it through a coffee paper to prevent it clouding. Over time the perfume we created will soften and develop into a lovely wearable perfume.
The perfume I created I wore the next day and got three compliments! My top notes consisted of bitter orange, cedarwood, coriander and mandarin. My middle notes consisted of litsea, geranium, cypress, lavender and jasmin. My base notes consisted of benzoin, vanilla, tonka beans and patchouli. I was stuck when asked the name of the perfume as I hadn’t thought of that. I just had to say that I created it. Perhaps I should call it Mia No.1, but that would be cheeky.
I was in awe with Karen’s knowledge and her research into perfumery. It was such a great day, she gave us all individual support and was very patient with answering all our questions.
About Karen: Natural Skincare and Fragrance Expert Karen, originally trained as a make-up artist and Cosmetic Scientist at The London College of Fashion. After many years working as a fragrance evaluator for one of the world’s largest perfume manufacturers, she decided topursue her lifelong passion for natural health and beauty by training in aromatherapy and joining the product development team at Neal’s Yard Remedies.
As well as helping to create many of their award winning products, she also ran training courses for staff and members of the public. Karen has a successful retail business and runs artisan perfumery and natural beauty workshops in London and the South of England.