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How Fragrances Are Made
The process of making perfume, which has been around since ancient times, has always intrigued me with its mysteriousness. In the Bible, for example, the wise men were said to have brought myrrh and frankincense, which were highly valued perfumes of the day. The art of making perfume began in ancient Egypt, and was refined by both the Arabs and the Romans, and today, perfume usually refers to an essence that has been distilled in alcohol and water.
The word “perfume” comes from the Latin “per fumum,” meaning “through smoke.” The process of making perfume begins with raw materials, many of which are natural and from plants, resin, flowers, fruit, gum, and bark, for example. Flowers, especially rose, jasmine, and ylang ylang, happen to be the base of many perfumes.
The manufacturing process consists of 3 parts: extraction, blending, and aging. Each step is exactly what it sounds like: extraction is the collection of the oils, which are then blended with other elements, and the whole concoction is aged for months or years until the right scent is achieved. A “nose,” a master in the art of perfumery, determines when the fragrance is perfected, and an expertly trained “nose” can distinguish up to 2000 different scent combinations.
Each perfume has three notes: the top note, the central note, sometimes referred to as the “heart” note, and the base notes. Top notes have lighter, slightly tangy smells, central notes add depth with floral scents, and base notes provide the endurance with earthy scents. Our Japanese Cherry Blossom scent, for example, blends a heart note of Japanese cherry blossom with Japanese persimmon, and base notes of Sandalwood and an earthy hinoki wood. Our newest scent addition, Moroccan Rose, has a heart note of rose, but with additional notes of spice, mimosa, and vanilla, giving it a muskier, more sophisticated quality. I prefer spicier scents on me, which tend to energize me throughout the day.
Just remember, fragrances can react with your body chemistry, causing them to smell differently than they do in the bottle. Your best bet for finding the perfect perfume for you is by spraying a sample on your pulse points and wear it around for a day to see how it lasts on your skin. And don’t be afraid to try something new!
