The Art Of Becoming A Fragrance Connoisseur

Becoming a fragrance expert is a dream job for many, but it's not always easy to break into the industry. Perfumery is a closed world, but with the internet and the democratisation of expertise, it's now easier than ever to immerse yourself in the world of scent. There are many ways to educate yourself about fragrance, from joining Facebook groups to reading magazines like Nez La Revue, written by a collective of scent enthusiasts and experts. You can also learn from the experts themselves, like Stephen Nilsen, the Givaudan perfumer responsible for scents like Calvin Klein Dark Obsession.

How to apply fragrance

Applying fragrance is a very personal and cultural act. There are many right ways to apply a fragrance, and one wrong way. The Givaudan perfumer Stephen Nilsen recommends five sprays for a fine fragrance. Nilsen notes that some people prefer to spritz their hair, their neck, a scarf, or even behind the knees.

There are also different patterns for spraying. Nilsen describes 'the Z', where people spray one shoulder, the other shoulder, then their left hip, and then their right hip. Another pattern is 'the cotton candy', where people spray and then swirl the fragrance bottle around their head.

There are many fragrance groups on Facebook where you can discuss, review, and help others in their fragrance quests. There is also a wealth of information on the internet to help you better your knowledge of scent, from individual blogs with opinion pieces to more reputable sources of factual knowledge. One of the best magazines available is Nez La Revue, which is written by a collective of scent enthusiasts and experts based in Paris and available in English.

The art of perfumery

The book covers a range of techniques such as expression, distillation, maceration and enfleurage, and provides instructions for making a variety of scented items, from perfumes to pomatums. It also includes an illustrated chapter on the method of obtaining the odours of plants, which was considered groundbreaking at the time.

While perfumery may seem like a closed world, there are now many ways to immerse yourself in the world of fragrance. Online fragrance groups and communities provide a space to discuss, review and learn about different scents, while magazines such as *Nez La Revue* offer a wealth of information for scent enthusiasts.

Applying perfume is also an art in itself. Fragrance expert Stephen Nilsen recommends five sprays for a fine fragrance, and notes that where a fragrance is applied is a personal and cultural choice. Some people may spritz their hair, neck or scarf, while others follow techniques such as 'the Z' or 'the cotton candy'.

How to talk about fragrance

Talking about fragrance is an art that requires lots of practice. Here are some tips to help you become a fragrance expert:

Firstly, you need to train your nose to decipher the intricacies of a scent. While you may know you like rose or citrus notes, things can get confusing when terms like gourmand, oud and oriental are thrown into the mix. For example, the oriental group includes the floral oriental, soft oriental, and woody oriental families. These fragrances are often described as "warm" and "sensual" and include spices, musks, resins, and notes like amber, vanilla, patchouli and sandalwood. Oriental fragrances are heavier and more dramatic, making them ideal for autumn and winter.

Another way to talk about fragrance is to use the fragrance wheel, developed in the 1980s by fragrance expert Michael Edwards. The wheel replicates traditional colour wheels and provides a simple vocabulary to talk about the world of scent. It's a reminder that fragrance families constitute a spectrum, not clear-cut divisions.

You can also talk about the different ways to apply a fragrance. For example, some people prefer to spritz their hair, while others spritz their neck, a scarf, or even behind the knees. There are many right ways to apply a fragrance, and one wrong way.

Finally, you can immerse yourself in conversation with other fragrance enthusiasts. There are many fragrance groups on Facebook where you can discuss, review, and swap scents. There is also a wealth of information on the internet, from individual blogs to reputable sources of factual knowledge, such as the magazine Nez La Revue.

How to find fragrance communities

There are many ways to find fragrance communities and become a fragrance expert. One of the best ways to immerse yourself in conversation is to head to Facebook, where there are a number of fragrance groups for you to discuss, review, help others in their fragrance quests and even swap scents you don't like. There are also individual blogs with opinion pieces, as well as more reputable sources of factual knowledge. One of the best magazines available is Nez La Revue, which is written by a collective of scent enthusiasts and experts based in Paris and is available in English.

Perfumery is known to be quite a closed world, but with the internet and the democratisation of expertise and crafts into the mainstream, there are now a lot more ways to immerse yourself in the world of smell. You can also widen your knowledge of fragrance by reading books on the subject, such as "Perfumes: The Guide" by Luca Turin and Tania Sanchez, which provides an A-Z guide to over 1,200 fragrances.

Another way to find fragrance communities is to attend fragrance events, such as the Experimental Perfume Club, which is a community of fragrance enthusiasts who meet regularly to explore and create fragrances. These events can be a great way to meet like-minded people and learn more about fragrances.

Finally, you can also find fragrance communities by following fragrance experts on social media, such as Instagram and Twitter. Many fragrance experts share their knowledge and insights on these platforms, and you can often find communities of fragrance enthusiasts in the comments sections of their posts.

How to become a perfumer

Becoming a perfumer is a career choice that involves working with various chemical and natural compounds to create fragrances. It is a creative and competitive profession that requires a strong foundation in chemistry, as well as a keen sense of smell and the ability to discern subtle differences between scents and ingredients.

To become a perfumer, one typically needs to study chemistry at a bachelor's level or hold a degree in a related field such as biology. Specialized perfumery schools, such as L’Ecole du parfum or ISIPCA in France, offer comprehensive courses that teach students about the art and science of fragrance creation, including understanding raw materials and the marketing and branding aspects of the industry.

In addition to their artistic abilities, perfumers should possess strong business skills as they often need to market their creations, work with clients, and navigate the competitive fragrance industry. These skills include project management, communication, listening, sensibility, attention to detail, and an understanding of current market trends.

Networking and establishing relationships with existing perfumers and scent designers can lead to mentorship opportunities or job offers in prestigious fragrance houses. Building an online presence through a website, blog, or social media can also help showcase your work and connect with potential perfumery houses.

There are many ways to immerse yourself in the world of fragrance and expand your knowledge. You can attend industry events, workshops, and conferences to network with other experts and learn about the newest trends. Visiting exhibitions and museums can also help perfect your skills by exposing you to new and timeless scents. Additionally, there are fragrance groups on Facebook where you can discuss, review, and swap scents, as well as magazines like Nez La Revue, which is written by a collective of scent enthusiasts and experts based in Paris and available in English.

Frequently asked questions