Anisha Riggs
If you're interested in becoming a fragrance tester, you'll need to learn about the Perfume Triangle, fragrance families, pheromones, perfume terminology, and the evolution of fragrance. You can take courses to learn the principles of perfumery, including how to identify the unique characteristics of famous perfumes. Some courses are taught by experts with years of experience in the industry, who can offer insider tips and tricks. You can also learn about aromatherapy principles and natural perfumery.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Course name | Become an expert in Fragrance Testing |
| Provider | Some Scents |
| Prerequisites | None |
| Topics covered | The Perfume Triangle, Fragrance Families, aromatherapy principles, pheromones in perfumery, perfume terminology, perfume themes, smelling the notes, the evolution and fashion of fragrance |
| Course format | Bite-size lessons, bonus video, free eBook, free flip book |
| Teacher | Melanie Jane |
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What You'll Learn
The Perfume Triangle
Top notes are the first impression of a fragrance, and they are usually fresh and light. They are the most volatile part of the perfume, meaning they evaporate quickly. Examples of top notes include citrus and fruity scents.
Heart notes, or middle notes, form the body of the fragrance and emerge once the top notes have evaporated. They are often rich and spicy, or floral and fruity. Heart notes are the perfume's 'personality', and they last longer than the top notes.
Base notes are the foundation of the perfume, and they give it depth and fix the lighter notes, making the scent last longer. Base notes are usually woody, musky or resinous.
When testing a fragrance, it's important to understand how these three types of notes work together to create the overall scent. The Perfume Triangle can also help you identify which notes you particularly like or dislike, and therefore which fragrances you may prefer.
Another important aspect of fragrance testing is understanding fragrance families. These are groups of perfumes that share similar characteristics, and they are classified according to the main ingredients used. For example, the 'floral' family includes perfumes with a high concentration of floral notes, while the 'oriental' family features perfumes with warm, spicy notes. Familiarising yourself with fragrance families can help you better understand the different types of perfumes available and make more informed choices when testing scents.
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Fragrance Families
To become a fragrance tester, you need to understand the Perfume Triangle, which includes the top, heart and base notes, and how they affect your fragrance.
You also need to know about fragrance families, including what they are, why they are classified into families, their uses in perfume, and the differences between them. This involves smelling oils from each family to determine their differences and similarities.
For example, some natural materials are high in pheromones and are used frequently for 'sexy' perfumes. You can learn about this by taking a course in fragrance testing, such as the one offered by Melanie Jane, a teacher who has created scents for Carlsberg and global brands, as well as developed perfume workshops for Toyota. The course promises to share insider tips and tricks and demystify the often-confusing world of fragrance.
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Pheromones in perfumery
To become a fragrance tester, you can take a course to become an expert in fragrance testing. These courses can teach you the principles of perfumery, including the Perfume Triangle, fragrance families, aromatherapy, and perfume terminology.
Pheromones are chemical signals that humans release, often without realising it, which can influence how we connect with others. They can trigger attraction, desire, and emotional responses. Pheromones are sensed by the Jacobson's organ, which is located in the base of the nasal cavity. When triggered, it sends a signal to the brain to stimulate the pleasure centres. Pheromone perfumes contain essential oils that work with your natural scent and enhance your body's natural pheromones. They can also contain synthetic versions of pheromones, such as androstenone or copulins, which are designed to mimic or enhance the pheromones your body already produces.
Some natural materials are high in pheromones and are used frequently for 'sexy' perfumes. Non-human mammalian pheromones are also commonly used as perfumery ingredients. These compounds are used as a fixative or carrier for the other ingredients' odour effects, as well as contributing to the overall scent of the perfume.
To get the most out of your pheromone perfume, apply it to moisturised skin to lock in the scent and prevent it from evaporating quickly.
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Perfume Terminology
To become a fragrance tester, you'll need to understand the Perfume Triangle, which includes the top, heart and base notes, and how they affect your fragrance. You'll also need to know about fragrance families, and how they're classified.
The world of perfume is full of complex and confusing terminology. Here are some of the most important terms to know:
- Notes: These are the individual scents that make up a fragrance. They are often described as top, heart, or base notes, which refer to how long the scent lasts and how quickly it evaporates.
- Eau de Parfum (EDP: This refers to the concentration of perfume oil in a fragrance. EDPs typically have a higher concentration of oil (around 15-20%) and last longer on the skin than other types of fragrances, such as eau de toilette.
- Cologne: Usually refers to a light concentration of fragrance (2-5% perfume oil) and is often marketed towards men.
- CPO (Concentrated Perfume Oil: A fragrance form similar to attar or pure essential oils, made without alcohol. CPOs are long-lasting and applied directly to the skin.
- Oud or Oudh: An extremely potent oil extracted from the bark of the Aquilaria tree.
- Pheromones: Natural materials that are high in pheromones are often used in 'sexy' perfumes as they are believed to affect how the fragrance smells.
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Perfume Themes
Understanding perfume themes is an important part of becoming a fragrance tester. Perfume themes refer to the way perfumes are classified, and this involves understanding the unique characteristics of different fragrances.
For example, a fragrance may be described as 'floral', 'woody', 'fresh', or 'oriental'. These are broad categories, and within them, there are many sub-categories and nuances. A floral perfume might have top notes of rose and jasmine, with a musky base, while another could be more green and crisp, with notes of lily of the valley and fresh grass.
Similarly, an oriental fragrance might lean more towards spices, with notes of cinnamon and clove, or it could be more resinous and incense-like, with hints of myrrh and frankincense. Woody perfumes can range from the dry, almost tobacco-like scent of cedar to the fresh, almost citrusy smell of sandalwood.
Fresh perfumes can be light and airy, with notes of sea breeze and cotton, or they can be more invigorating, with hints of mint and cucumber. These are just a few examples of the many variations within each theme, and as a fragrance tester, it's important to be able to identify and describe these nuances accurately.
Understanding perfume themes is also about knowing the context and history of a fragrance. For instance, knowing that a particular perfume was created in the 1920s and was inspired by the Art Deco movement can give valuable insight into its character and intended audience. By exploring these themes, fragrance testers can develop a deeper appreciation for the art of perfumery and enhance their ability to evaluate and describe scents effectively.
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Frequently asked questions
There are no prerequisites for becoming a fragrance tester, and courses are aimed at complete beginners.
You will learn about the Perfume Triangle, fragrance families, pheromones in perfumery, perfume terminology, perfume themes, the evolution and fashion of fragrance, and aromatherapy principles.
You will learn the fundamental aspects of perfumery and gain insider tips and tricks from experts in the field.
No, but it will help your learning if you can get your hands on some of the oils covered in the course.
You will learn about famous perfumes and how to identify their unique characteristics, but specific examples are not provided.
