The Perfume Making Podcast

This week on the show Karen answers a question that not many people ask themselves… “Should you make your own perfume or should you hire a perfumer?” When entering into perfume making the answer to this might seem obvious, but have you really considered all the pros and cons of each option? Karen breaks down the advantages and disadvantages of going solo so that you can make a more informed decision. KEY TAKEAWAYS Karen discusses the importance of knowing what you want to focus on when starting your own brand. Is it the business side or is it the creative side, and how knowing this can help you delegate the correct jobs to the correct people. Karen talks about some of the positives of hiring a professional perfumer such as their experience, knowledge, their understanding of the market and the process. There are also negatives to hiring a professional perfumer, such as the cost, whether or not the perfumer understands your vision and your removal from the creative process. Karen talks about the pros and cons of creating a fragrance yourself, such as having full creative control, but also, the steep learning curve that comes with that. BEST MOMENTS “Sometimes we think we don’t know enough or we’re not good enough and that can stop us moving forward.” “There is a lot of personal growth that comes with following your own creative endeavors, this is something you could lose if you’re not in control.” “The more experience you have the more you can offer to your clients.” EPISODE LINKSHelida Dodd Interview The Scent Design Challenge VALUABLE RESOURCESGetting Started Guide Artisan Perfumery Mastermind ABOUT THE HOSTFragrance 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 DETAILSWebsiteInstagramFacebookYouTubeEmail

This week on the show Karen is talking to industry veteran and founder of the Perfume Society, Lorna Mckay. In this wide ranging interview Lorna and Karen discuss the education of fragrance and how Lorna’s interest in that led her to form The Perfume Society, the future of the perfume industry, how AI might play a part in that and the importance of fragrance in your life. KEY TAKEAWAYS Lorna talks about her journey in the fragrance industry from becoming fascinated in the psychology of retail to becoming an international buyer to setting up Liberty perfumery, and finally, to her role today. Lorna talks about how she set up FRED, Fragrance Education, a tool to help people select the best fragrance for them. Lorna talks about why she set up the Perfume Society - an information hub to help consumers understand and choose the right perfume for them. Lorna and Karen discuss what they think the future of the perfume industry will look like, including what part AI might play and the emergence of new fragrances. BEST MOMENTS “Putting all your money into your brand is one thing, but having a distribution and outlet is a whole different ball game.” “Selling a fragrance through social media can be difficult, how do you get someone to smell the scent through a computer screen?” “Perfume is personal and expensive, so make sure you do your research and buy the right fragrance for you.” EPISODE LINKShttps://perfumesociety.org VALUABLE RESOURCESGetting Started Guide: https://www.karengilbert.co.uk/podcast-getting-started-guide Artisan Perfumery Mastermind: https://karengilbert.info/artisan-perfumery-mastermind ABOUT THE HOSTFragrance 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 DETAILSWebsiteInstagramFacebookYouTubeEmail

This week Karen is talking about ‘Perfume Business.’ Most people dive straight into making their first perfume and then hope that someone will buy it. But the question they all overlook is “What will my business look like?”. In this episode Karen lays out the key steps to forming your business plan, including how to build a following, how to turn your followers into customers and when to start marketing. And, most importantly, why you should do this first. KEY TAKEAWAYS Karen lays out the things you need to think about before you even make your first batch of perfume, such as your USP and who your target market is. Karen talks about the dangers of entering into retail too early and how to avoid the common mistakes that most people make. Karen shares her most important tip, ask yourself “What do you want?” What do you want your life and business to look like? The more specific you can be, the greater chance of success. Karen talks about the importance of identifying and understanding who your dream customers are and how knowing this will help you to tailor your products to them. BEST MOMENTS “By defining your brand and understanding your audience you can tailor your marketing accordingly.” “Big money advertising and PR doesn’t guarantee sales.” “Connecting your brand on an emotional level with your customers will differentiate you from your competitors.” EPISODE LINKS7 Steps to Launching Your Perfume BrandPerfume Business Launch Plan VALUABLE RESOURCESGetting Started Guide Artisan Perfumery Mastermind ABOUT THE HOSTFragrance 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 DETAILSWebsiteInstagramFacebookYouTubeEmail

This week on the show Karen is talking about ‘Fragrance Families’. Karen explains what fragrance families are, how the categorization of them differs from that of materials and why it is important knowledge for all perfume makers to have. Karen then goes on to give a breakdown of each family so that you can identify them with ease. KEY TAKEAWAYS Karen breaks down the various different systems and classifications used by different organisations in the perfume industry to identify fragrance families. Karen talks about gender identity in the fragrance industry, how it has evolved over time and how different fragrance families have helped to cross and blur the lines. Karen describes how the main fragrance families and their subcategories are defined and gives you a tip to break it down when you’ve just begun learning. Karen breaks down each fragrance family in detail, what materials they are composed of and examples of brands that fit into these families. BEST MOMENTS “Understanding fragrance families is not only important for perfumes makers, but consumers too, so that you can identify the right scent for you or for someone else.” “Try and step back from the advertising and marketing and the target gender and just smell the fragrance.” “The easier you make your choice for your customers, the more sales you are going to get.” EPISODE LINKSAn Introduction to Fragrance Families Fragrances of the World Perfume Book VALUABLE RESOURCESGetting Started GuideArtisan Perfumery Mastermind ABOUT THE HOSTFragrance 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 DETAILSWebsiteInstagramFacebookYouTubeEmail

This week on the show Karen is talking about one of the most overlooked elements in perfume making…Mindset. Whilst having technical knowledge and skill is extremely important, so is having the right mindset. In this episode, Karen breaks down the factors that contribute to your mindset, such as self-doubt, perfectionism, procrastination, and the psychology of perfume making. And, she shares tips and tricks on how you can overcome these barriers and reach your full potential. KEY TAKEAWAYS Karen talks about the importance of approaching perfume-making with a beginner's mindset. Not just at the start of your journey, but every time you encounter something new. Karen talks about the advantages of creative pursuits, including perfume making, that lie outside of financial rewards, such as the positive effects on mental health. Self-doubt and fear of failure is something that all perfume makers face. Karen shares some tips on how to overcome these problems. Karen talks about procrastination. How it’s a common barrier almost everyone faces and how to tackle it to be more proficient. BEST MOMENTS “Creating a fragrance is not just a technical process, it’s an art form that requires a unique mindset.” “A positive mindset can enhance the quality of your creative endeavours.” “Don’t let self-doubt paralyse you, instead, use it as a catalyst for growth.” VALUABLE RESOURCES Getting Started Guide: https://www.karengilbert.co.uk/podcast-getting-started-guide Artisan Perfumery Mastermind: https://karengilbert.info/artisan-perfumery-mastermind Mindset Magic Online Class: https://www.onlineperfumeschool.com/mindset-magic-masterclass-online-course/ ABOUT THE HOST Fragrance expert, author, teacher, and speaker; Karen Gilbert runs courses in the UK and online that demystify the secretive world of perfumery in a fun and interactive way. Karen has inspired thousands of students to explore their olfactory senses 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/body care products using commercial perfumery techniques. Karen is also a certified meditation teacher and has a passion for helping people create daily rituals that integrate scent with other modalities to shift state and increase your sense of well-being. CONTACT DETAILS Website Instagram Facebook YouTube Email

This week Karen is joined by Lizzie Brooks. In 2020 Lizzie found herself at a crossroads in her life as she realised that she hated her career. She decided to take a leap and follow her lifelong dream of becoming a perfumer. She signed up for Karen’s Artisan Perfumery Mastermind course and hasn’t looked back. Her fragrance company launched this year with 3 perfumes now on the market. In this episode she shares her journey, her experiences and gives her top tips for people wishing to follow their dreams. KEY TAKEAWAYS Lizzie talks about her journey from studying criminal psychology to working in marketing to finally making the leap into her dream career, perfumery. Lizzie talks about how her background in marketing helped her to understand the rules and regulations of the perfume industry, something that many first timers neglect. The ladies talk about the perfume making process and how, what most people don’t realise, the hardest part is getting the product out into the world. Lizzie talks about some of the perfumes she has made, what inspired them and how she has found success marketing them through social media. BEST MOMENTS “You don’t have to wait for everything to be perfect, but you do have to get to the point where you are comfortable with what you’re doing.” “Aren’t we lucky that we’ve got this little detector on our face and we can smell so many amazing things.” “You can study and learn as much as you want but unless you put your stuff out there, you’ll never know.” VALUABLE RESOURCES Thursday Fragrance Website Thursday Fragrance Instagram Getting Started Guide Artisan Perfumery Mastermind Karen’s Website ABOUT THE GUEST Lizzie is a marketing professional turned perfumer. After joining my Artisan Perfumery Mastermind in 2020 after quitting a job she hated. Her brand Thursday Fragrance launched this year 2023 with 3 perfumes. They are a small, independent, company based in Bristol, UK. And when we say ‘we’, we actually mean me, Lizzie. I handle almost all aspects of the business from creating fragrances to packing them, with some help from my friends and partner. 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 Website Instagram Facebook YouTube Email

This week on the show Karen is diving into the importance of creating a story for your fragrances. Not only does Karen consider this the single most important stage in perfume making, she also believes it is the most overlooked. So, what exactly is a ‘Scent Story?’How do you create one and how will it take your perfume-making to the next level? Find out in this episode. KEY TAKEAWAYS Karen talks about how and why creating a story for your scent should be the very first thing that you do. Karen breaks down the elements you should consider while creating your story and how the big perfume houses approach this step. Karen talks about how, when you’re creating a fragrance, you’re creating a fantasy for the wearer and how your story should match that fantasy. Karen shares an example of a new brand she has discovered and how well they have approached scent story. BEST MOMENTS “Spending time planning and making a great story will shift your scent from a muddle to something magical.” “You’re creating a story without words when you’re creating a fragrance…a piece of art that evaporates into the air.” “If the fragrance is out of alignment with the perception of the product it will have a negative impact on the customer's experience.” VALUABLE RESOURCES October 9th-13th 2023 Free Scent Design Workshop The Scent Design Challenge Recording Thin Wild Mercury Thin Wild Mercury Instagram Getting Started Guide: https://www.karengilbert.co.uk/podcast-getting-started-guide Artisan Perfumery Mastermind: https://karengilbert.info/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 Website Instagram Facebook YouTube Email

This week on the podcast Karen is giving her answers to a recent ‘Ask Me Anything’ session. Karen covers topics such as natural vs synthetic materials, how to reset your smell, how to diffuse oil perfumes, how to make your perfume last, where to source your raw materials and so much more. Get your notepad ready because Karen is about to give you a world of knowledge. KEY TAKEAWAYS Karen talks about the importance of mindset and how she values a positive mindset and determination over any other skill you can learn regarding fragrance. Karen offers clarity about percentages in perfume and how to calculate the amount of materials you need to create your solution. Karen shares details on the best places to get your raw materials and the companies that offer them in small quantities. If you're finding that your perfume is cloudy, then Karen has the answers and she goes into depth on how to clarify your fragrance. BEST MOMENTS “The most important attribute you can have in perfume making is determination.” “The worst place to evaluate a perfume is in the place where you are manufacturing it.” “Oil perfumes and alcohol perfumes are very different and you should not try and get the same effect from one as you do from the other.” VALUABLE RESOURCES Getting Started Guide: https://www.karengilbert.co.uk/podcast-getting-started-guide Artisan Perfumery Mastermind: https://karengilbert.info/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 Website Instagram Facebook YouTube Email

This week on the show Karen tackles the question she gets asked the most…How do you get into the fragrance industry? What a lot of people don’t realise though, is the fragrance industry has hundreds of potential careers, not just that of the perfumer. Karen breaks down the industry and the many roles within it so that you can have a better understanding and find the career that is right for you. KEY TAKEAWAYS There are so many more careers in the fragrance industry than a perfumer. Karen breaks down the structure of the industry and gives you an insight into some different roles. Karen talks about how sustainability and compliance is a growing force in the fragrance industry and how this will lead to the creation of many new roles. Karen talks about her journey in the perfume industry and how she has covered many roles from front line sales to perfumer. Karen talks in depth about the role of the fragrance evaluator and how it compliments the role of the perfumer. BEST MOMENTS “Start early, network, do work experience, anything you can do to make you stand out from the crowd.”“There are hundreds of jobs in the fragrance industry, just because you don’t walk straight into the one you want, doesn’t mean you can’t work your way up to it.”“The fragrance industry is all about dedication, a keen sense of smell and creativity.” VALUABLE RESOURCEShttps://cosmeticsbusiness.com https://www.perfumerflavorist.com Getting Started Guide: https://www.karengilbert.co.uk/podcast-getting-started-guideArtisan Perfumery Mastermind: https://karengilbert.info/artisan-perfumery-mastermind ABOUT THE HOSTFragrance 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 DETAILSWebsiteInstagramFacebookYouTubeEmail

This week on the show Karen is tackling the question “What is an oil perfume?” Covering this topic, Karen explores why would you want to create one? How they perform differently to alcohol based perfumes and what bases you can use to create them. KEY TAKEAWAYS Oil based perfumes are scents that are made without an alcohol base, but not necessarily with an oil base. Karen talks about the advantages of making an oil based perfume over an alcohol based perfume, such as the effects on the skin. Karen talks about the differences in making an oil based perfume and alcohol based perfume and how it’s not as simple as swapping the ingredients. Karens explains how perfume materials react differently to oil bases than they do with alcohol bases. BEST MOMENTS “The great thing about oil based perfumes is that they can be adapted into many different products.”“When you smell a material in an alcohol base it pops, it doesn’t do that in oil bases.”“Think about what you want the customer to feel when they wear your scent and that will give you a better idea of what base to use.” VALUABLE RESOURCEShttps://karengilbert.info/make-a-perfume-oil-masterclass Getting Started Guide: https://www.karengilbert.co.uk/podcast-getting-started-guideArtisan Perfumery Mastermind: https://karengilbert.info/artisan-perfumery-mastermind ABOUT THE HOSTFragrance 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 DETAILSWebsiteInstagramFacebookYouTubeEmail

This week on the show Karen is taking a deep dive into what you need to do to make sure your products are safe to sell. Karen will cover all the rules and regulations you need to learn and understand as well as giving you an insight into the working methods of various regulating bodies in the perfume industry. KEY TAKEAWAYS Karen talks about the 3 key safety regulations. Is your product a cosmetic? What product is your scent going to be in? What country are you selling it in? Karen talks about the importance of the EU and UK regulations regarding sales and how they focus on correct labeling. Karen discusses in detail all the information you need to include on your labeling in order to satisfy regulations. Karen talks about IFRA, the regulating body of the international fragrance industry, and the role they play in making sure fragrances meet regulations. BEST MOMENTS “Fragrances contain hundreds of different materials, so there’s no way you can list everything on the packaging.”“Understand regulations and why certain materials are restricted if you’re serious about making perfume.”“Become an expert on safety considerations to make sure you're not going to be inadvertently hurting someone.” VALUABLE RESOURCEShttps://karengilbert.info/podcast-making-sure-your-perfume-is-ifra-compliantGetting Started Guide: https://www.karengilbert.co.uk/podcast-getting-started-guideArtisan Perfumery Mastermind: https://karengilbert.info/artisan-perfumery-mastermind ABOUT THE HOSTFragrance 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 DETAILSWebsiteInstagramFacebookYouTubeEmail

This week Karen is joined on the show by industry expert and Palette Naturals founder Miriam Vareldzis. In this wide ranging interview Miriam talks about her 30+ year long journey in the fragrance industry from working in the heart of New York City to her eventual shift into perfumery and founding her successful company, Palette Naturals. KEY TAKEAWAYS Miriam talks about her journey in the cosmetics industry from working summer jobs in department stores to studying architecture to a chance meeting with a family friend that set her on her path to success. Karen and Miriam share a variety of stories from their time working in the perfume industry and divulge some details that people do not normally associate with the profession. Karen and Miriam talk about the evolution of the fragrance industry and how it has evolved from a very closed industry to a much more open industry. Miriam talks about her early days as a perfumer and how, despite all the knowledge she had gained over the years in the industry, she was still making mistakes and learning new tricks. BEST MOMENTS “If you’ve got 5 products you’ve got 5 permutations of the same scent.”“The beauty industry can look superficial from the outside, but it can change people’s mood and how they feel about themselves.”“You don’t need anyone’s permission to make perfume. Just do it.” VALUABLE RESOURCESMiriam’s Website: https://www.palettenaturals.com Miriam’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/palettenaturals Getting Started Guide: https://www.karengilbert.co.uk/podcast-getting-started-guideArtisan Perfumery Mastermind: https://karengilbert.info/artisan-perfumery-mastermind ABOUT THE HOSTFragrance 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 DETAILSWebsiteInstagramFacebookYouTubeEmail

This week on the show Karen is taking a look at the science and psychology of scent and how we can use it to shift our state. One of the most overlooked elements of perfumery is the physiological properties of scents and how they can link to our memories to create wellbeing. In this fascinating episode Karen will explore the history and science behind this theory and give you some handy tools to use so that you can unlock the psychology of scent. KEY TAKEAWAYS The psychology of scent is a key aspect in the perfume industry. It is a major component that is considered when creating scents for certain environments to invoke a response from consumers. Karen talks about how scent is used in sales and marketing and how the makers create certain scents that evoke feelings the customer expects from that product. Karen discusses how scent has been used for hundreds of years to create an emotional state and how you can use the same techniques today through meditation. Karen shares the details on various studies around the psychology of scent including a test done in the 90’s where an office increased productivity by pumping a lemon scent through the air con. BEST MOMENTS “Scent is one of the most powerful tools to bypass our cognitive thought process and link us straight to our memories.” “A perfumer's job is not just about making a nice smell. It’s about linking scent with a marketing narrative and a customer's behavior.” “No matter how good the product is, if the scent doesn’t add up in our brains it will devalue the perception of the product's performance.” VALUABLE RESOURCES Referenced studies: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2493463/ https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080520110415.htm https://academic.oup.com/chemse/article/30/suppl_1/i250/270391 Other Mentions: https://www.karengilbert.co.uk/the-scent-shift https://www.karengilbert.co.uk/make-solid-perfume-recipe https://www.karengilbert.co.uk/solid-scents-for-wellbeing-masterclass Getting Started Guide: https://www.karengilbert.co.uk/podcast-getting-started-guide Artisan Perfumery Mastermind: https://karengilbert.info/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 Website Instagram Facebook YouTube Email

This week on the show Karen answers the million dollar question…How to make a Perfume Last? This is a question that has plagued both amateur and experienced perfumers alike, but is there an answer? Karen goes in depth into the various theories surrounding this question and some of the best practices and tips and hints she has picked up over the years to help her create lasting scents. KEY TAKEAWAYS Karen explains the difficulty with making a perfume with both diffusion and longevity and gives you some tips on how you can achieve this. Most of the longevity from a scent comes from the base notes, however, too many base notes can overpower your scent. Karen gives some tips on how to find the perfect balance. Karen talks about using smelling strips to experiment with understanding the longevity of certain scents. Karen talks about the principle of anosmia, which is the inability to smell certain scents and how certain musks are common materials to be anosmic to. BEST MOMENTS “There is no magic ingredient that will make a perfume last all day.” “If you want someone to answer a question for you, make sure you ask a good question.” “Learn your materials and their properties before you start looking for shortcuts.” VALUABLE RESOURCES Getting Started Guide: https://www.karengilbert.co.uk/podcast-getting-started-guide Artisan Perfumery Mastermind: https://karengilbert.info/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 Website Instagram Facebook YouTube Email

This week on the show Karen is talking about Perfumer's Alcohol. What exactly is perfumer’s alcohol? Why do we use it? What are the different types? Are there any substitute materials? And what is the best practice for using it? Karen answers all these questions and more to help you continue to grow in your perfume-making journey. KEY TAKEAWAYS Perfumer's alcohol is denatured and obtained by fermenting sugar starch. To buy it in the UK, you need a license from HMRC. When using alcohol for your perfumes it has to be a high-proof, at least 190 proof so that it can dissolve various materials. Denatured alcohol is simply alcohol that has other materials added to it to stop people from drinking it. The majority of perfume materials blend really well with alcohol and allow their natural scents to shine, that is why most people use it. BEST MOMENTS “Don’t use methanol. Any alcohol that contains methanol is poisonous.” “If you’re not sure about the alcohol you are using, go to the supplier and ask.” “Alcohol does not have to be denatured for perfume making, but it has to be odourless.” VALUABLE RESOURCES Getting Started Guide: https://www.karengilbert.co.uk/podcast-getting-started-guide Artisan Perfumery Mastermind: https://karengilbert.info/artisan-perfumery-mastermind Website: https://www.karengilbert.co.uk/ Make a Perfume Oil Masterclass: https://karengilbert.info/make-a-perfume-oil-masterclass 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 Website Instagram Facebook YouTube Email

This week on the show Karen is joined by perfumer Scott Moroschan. Scott had an unconventional start in the perfume industry but has now achieved great success and has branched out as an artist and creative entrepreneur. In this discussion with Karen he shares his insights into the world of perfume making, his techniques and tools and some of his unique methods of creating. KEY TAKEAWAYS Scott always dreamt of having a creative career, but due to peer pressure ended up working as a chemist. He discusses his journey and the challenges he faced in finding his place as a perfumer. Despite his success in the perfume industry, Scott does not consider himself a perfumer. He looks at himself as a ‘creator’ which he says gives him more freedom in his work. Scott is currently writing a book. He talks about his unique process of sharing the rough draft with his subscribers every two weeks and how the feedback and reactions he receives is helping him to shape the text. Scott talks about his approach to creating scents, which he calls “Emotional Fragrance Design”. He talks in detail about his methods and approach to perfumery and shares some invaluable tips. BEST MOMENTS “Evaluate where you are and where you want to go and then identify the skills and knowledge that move you from one to the other.”“Let the world know what you’re doing. If you keep everything to yourself, you’re never going to be discovered.”“Just start. The whole creative process is an evolution and you won’t get anywhere until you start.” ABOUT THE GUESTScott’s LinkedinScott’s WebsiteScott’s Instagram VALUABLE RESOURCESGetting Started Guide: https://www.karengilbert.co.uk/podcast-getting-started-guideArtisan Perfumery Mastermind: https://karengilbert.info/artisan-perfumery-mastermind ABOUT THE HOSTFragrance 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 Website Instagram Facebook YouTube Email

Dilution is an integral part of perfume making. Whether it’s diluting the raw materials or diluting the final fragrance, dilution will take place at some point during the process. In this episode of the Perfume Making Podcast Karen gives a detailed insight into the dilution process covering why we dilute, what materials to use, the pros and cons of dilution at different stages and how dilution can help you to create the perfect fragrance. KEY TAKEAWAYS The raw materials used to create perfumes come in many different forms and consistency and can be quite difficult to work with, that is why most people choose to dilute. Dilution can allow you to add trace amounts of materials to small trial batches of perfume, so if the scent doesn’t work out, you haven’t wasted all your material. Dilution can also help with understanding the scent of a material easier as most dilution techniques allow the material to evaporate faster. There are many different methods of dilution and solvents that can be used. But which is the best for any given situation? Karen breaks it all down for you. BEST MOMENTS “Experiment with dilution. It is an integral part of perfume making and something you need to master.” “With every experiment you do make extensive notes, perfume making can be huge and you will work with many materials, the more information you can collect the better you will understand the process.” “Measure everything you use. Without measurements you won’t be able to recreate things when they go well and won’t have an understanding of why things didn’t work out.” VALUABLE RESOURCES Getting Started Guide: https://www.karengilbert.co.uk/podcast-getting-started-guide Artisan Perfumery Mastermind: https://karengilbert.info/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 Website Instagram Facebook YouTube Email

This week on the Perfume Making Podcast Karen talks about perfume accords. But what exactly is an accord? How are they made? Why are they made? And what makes them integral to perfume making? Karen answers all these questions and gives you a detailed insight into the world of accords so that you can make headway in your perfume making journey. KEY TAKEAWAYS An accord is a blend of two or more materials that when combined together create a new scent that is completely new. Karen explains that the best way to create a fragrance is to not get all your materials and mix them in one go, but to break them down in sections. Accords can either be vertical or horizontal. This may be confusing to people who are new to perfume making, but Karen is here to break it down for you. Karen talks about how you can experiment with your accords and how, by doing this, you can save time and money creating your final fragrance. BEST MOMENTS “When starting out, simplicity is key. Even if you want to create a complex fragrance.” “Sometimes when we start something new there is a temptation to dive in, but the best approach is always to take things a step at a time.” “Most classic fragrances are built around a strong central theme.” VALUABLE RESOURCES Getting Started Guide: https://www.karengilbert.co.uk/podcast-getting-started-guide Artisan Perfumery Mastermind: https://karengilbert.info/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 Website Instagram Facebook YouTube Email

This week on the Perfume Making Podcast, Karen enters into the debate around natural versus synthetic materials. At first glance, most people would assume that using natural materials is the preferred method of perfume making for the consumer and the company. However, as Karen explains, the answer to this question is not black and white, there are advantages to both types of material. KEY TAKEAWAYS Although most people will say that they prefer perfumes with natural ingredients over those with synthetics, they are often shocked to discover that they’re favorite scents contain more synthetic materials than is advertised. Despite what people think, synthetics aren’t necessarily always bad and naturals aren’t always good. Karen explains the pros and cons of both. The main part of a perfume is called the ‘concentrate’. Traditionally this was made from 80 to 90% synthetic materials, however, things are starting to change and there is a greater shift toward natural materials. Perfumes made with natural materials only can be quite dense and heavy smelling and don’t last as long as those made with synthetic materials. BEST MOMENTS “Mainstream marketing of perfume has confused the consumer as to what is natural and what is synthetic.” “Independant perfume makers are leading the push to use more natural materials in their fragrances and the mainstream industry are following their lead.” “The landscape of perfumery has changed massively over the last ten years.” VALUABLE RESOURCES Getting Started Guide: https://www.karengilbert.co.uk/podcast-getting-started-guide Artisan Perfumery Mastermind: https://karengilbert.info/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 Website Instagram Facebook YouTube Email

Perfume is not just one scent, most are made of many fragrances and these fragrances are split into what we call top, middle and base notes. But what exactly are top, middle and base notes, how do we identify them and how do we create a perfume with our desired notes? This week on the show, Karen will explain in detail and give you the tools you need to create that perfect scent. KEY TAKEAWAYS Top, middle and base notes have one meaning for perfume makers and one meaning for perfume industry marketing. Karen breaks down the differences. Top notes are the scents you notice first, mid notes are still present after a few hours, base notes are the scents you smell when the others have evaporated. Perfume pyramids are used for marketing purposes to help sell the product, but they will not help you when you are trying to deconstruct the notes of a fragrance. When you’re making a perfume, every single material is going to react with the others and create new scents. Practice helps you learn to understand how one scent reacts to another. BEST MOMENTS “Mid notes are the heart of the fragrance and are sometimes referred to as Heart Notes.” “Base notes are the ones that help to fix the fragrance to the skin.” “The way fragrance materials behave in a full composition is very different to how they behave alone.” VALUABLE RESOURCES Getting Started Guide: https://www.karengilbert.co.uk/podcast-getting-started-guide Artisan Perfumery Mastermind: https://karengilbert.info/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 Website Instagram Facebook YouTube Email

This week on the Perfume Making Podcast, Karen gets into detail on how to train your nose. Most people think that this is a skill you either have or don’t have, but that’s simply not true. You can train your nose to smell scents and fragrances as well as any professional. Karen breaks down the steps you should take and shares some invaluable tips so that, with practice, your nose can become fine tuned to the world of perfume. KEY TAKEAWAYS Most people believe that you need to have a ‘special nose’ or a special sense of smell to work in the perfume industry, but the truth is anyone can learn. From an early age the majority of our learning is based on vision. It’s not that our sense of smell is any less powerful or useful, it’s just that we aren’t trained to use it as well as our sight. Stop reading about odor descriptions online. Start smelling them and writing down your own thoughts in a notebook. This way you will create your own memories, perceptions and feelings to certain scents. Don’t overload yourself with hundreds of scents early in the process. This will lead to you becoming immune to new smells and everything will smell the same. BEST MOMENTS “The nose is nothing without the brain.” “Use a smelling strip, never smell from the bottle.” “The smell of perfume changes over time. Go back to a smelling strip after a day or two and see what new scents you can smell.” VALUABLE RESOURCES Getting Started Guide: https://www.karengilbert.co.uk/podcast-getting-started-guide Artisan Perfumery Mastermind: https://karengilbert.info/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 Website Instagram Facebook YouTube Email

In this episode of the Perfume Making Podcast Karen shares the 3 things you should focus on to make a great perfume. Starting out in perfume making can be very overwhelming, there are hundreds of ‘how to guides’ and learning resources out there, so how do you know where to start? The answer is…with the basics. And, Karen is here to run through them with you in a clear and concise way so that you can start on your perfume making journey today. KEY TAKEAWAYS Starting to make perfume can be overwhelming. Most people invest in equipment but then give up when results don’t come instantly. A lot of people are under the impression that they need to learn everything about perfume making before they start and spend months reading everything they can. But, the truth is, the best learning comes from doing. The rise in accessibility to teaching and training as well as affordable equipment has given rise to the number of independent perfume makers, and some of those are excelling in the market. Learn your materials - the more you know about the materials you are working with, the better you will be. Spend time testing and experimenting to get a greater understanding of what it is you’re actually working with. BEST MOMENTS “You don’t need to make perfume to start a global brand. It’s something you can do just for yourself.” “You’re not going to make the perfect fragrance the first time you try. Practice, practice, practice.” “You don’t have to sell one million bottles to be successful.” VALUABLE RESOURCES Getting Started Guide: https://www.karengilbert.co.uk/podcast-getting-started-guide Artisan Perfumery Mastermind: https://karengilbert.info/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 Website Instagram Facebook YouTube Email

Join Karen Gilbert in this captivating episode of the Perfume Making podcast as she unveils the secrets to getting started in the world of perfumery. Discover the must-have perfumery materials and uncover the best sources to acquire them. Karen expertly navigates the complexities of fragrance materials, guiding you through the selection process based on your desired scent profiles. Gain valuable insights on incorporating both natural and synthetic materials to unleash your creativity without limitations. As an added bonus, Karen generously provides a downloadable getting started guide, complete with clickable links to trusted suppliers. Don't miss out on this invaluable resource for budding perfumers and fragrance enthusiasts alike! KEY TAKEAWAYS Start with small amounts of perfume materials before investing in full kits. Buy neat oils and absolutes instead of pre-made blends. Be cautious of MLM brands when purchasing perfume materials. Building a fragrance kit requires essential oils, absolutes, CO2 extracts, isolates, and materials from biotech. BEST MOMENTS "When it comes to fragrance layering, experimentation is key. You can mix and match different scents to create your unique fragrance combination." "One popular technique is to start with a base note, like sandalwood or patchouli, and then layer it with a middle note, such as jasmine or lavender, and finally, add a top note like bergamot or lemon for a refreshing touch." "Remember, fragrance is a personal choice, so don't be afraid to explore different combinations and find what works best for you. The goal is to create a scent that makes you feel confident and expresses your personality." VALUABLE RESOURCES Getting Started Guide: https://www.karengilbert.co.uk/podcast-getting-started-guide Artisan Perfumery Mastermind: https://karengilbert.info/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 Website Instagram Facebook YouTube Email

Join Karen in this week's episode as she delves into the captivating world of crafting your very own fragrances from the comfort of your own home. Discover the secrets to getting started without breaking the bank, as Karen shares valuable insights on the essential equipment and materials necessary for this aromatic endeavor. Whether you're a passionate hobbyist or aspiring entrepreneur, Karen emphasizes the importance of tailoring your supplies to suit your fragrance-making goals. Tune in to the next episode, where Gilbert will take the reins and delve into his recommended perfume materials kit. KEY TAKEAWAYS Start with a basic kit and avoid overspending when starting out with perfume making. Consider your budget and prioritise essential equipment over luxury items. Choose perfume materials based on whether you prefer naturals or a blend of naturals and synthetics. Use perfumer's alcohol to pre-dilute perfume materials for easier handling and evaluation. Invest in smelling strips or perfume blotters for evaluating materials and finished perfumes. Opt for glass beakers for blending and measuring perfumes, and consider using scales for accurate measurements (jewellery scales are suitable for beginners). BEST MOMENTS "I always encourage beginners to start perfume making on a budget. You don't need to overspend on expensive materials. It's better to start small and gradually build your collection." "Perfumer's alcohol is a great base medium for diluting perfume materials. It's easier to work with, and it allows you to evaluate the scent better when it's diluted." "When evaluating perfume materials, I highly recommend using scent strips or mouillettes. You can find them in specialty perfume stores or even make your own by cutting strips of paper." "Glass beakers are essential for perfume making. You can find them in different sizes from school lab supply companies or online marketplaces. They're perfect for mixing and measuring ingredients." "One of my favourite moments in perfume making is when all the ingredients come together, and you get that 'aha' moment when you realise you've created something truly unique and beautiful." VALUABLE RESOURCES Getting Started Guide: https://www.karengilbert.co.uk/podcast-getting-started-guide Artisan Perfumery Mastermind: https://karengilbert.info/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 Website Instagram Facebook YouTube Email

In this episode of the Perfume Making podcast, host Karen Gilbert provides a brief history of perfume making, from its use as a religious and healing tool in ancient times to the modern-day fragrance industry. Karen aims to demystify the process of perfume making and the ingredients used in fragrances, helping listeners to either create their own fragrances or be more knowledgeable when selecting perfumes to purchase. Whether listeners are interested in the history of perfume or the science behind its creation, this episode offers a wealth of information and insight. KEY TAKEAWAYS Karen Gilbert examines the process of perfume making and the ingredients that go into it. She aims to demystify the fragrance industry for listeners so that they can create their own fragrances or make informed choices when buying perfumes. A brief history of perfume, starting from ancient civilizations, where aromatic substances were considered valuable as both religious and healing tools. The differences between how perfumes are made today and how they were made in the past. BEST MOMENTS “The usage of naturals blended with synthetics is really where it all started." "a lot of the natural fragrances and a lot of the artisan perfumers are going back to this more traditional vintage, more maximalist, if you like, pyramid style of making perfume." "You asked 10 different perfumers how to make a perfume and they're going to give you 10 different answers." "Carbon dioxide as a solvent is really preferable in many cases due to its low toxicity and low flammability." "if you are creating a perfume with no water in it, so an oil based perfume, you will need some kind of antioxidant to prevent your oil base going rancid" VALUABLE RESOURCES Getting Started Guide: https://www.karengilbert.co.uk/podcast-getting-started-guide Artisan Perfumery Mastermind: https://karengilbert.info/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 Website Instagram Facebook YouTube Email

In the first episode of the Perfume Making Podcast, Karen Gilbert introduces the podcast and shares her passion for demystifying the process of making perfume. While future episodes will focus on the technical aspects of creating fragrances, this episode is dedicated to exploring the reasons why listeners should consider making their own perfumes. Karen highlights the joy of working with scents and the opportunity to create unique fragrances for personal use or even for a business. She encourages listeners at all stages of their perfume-making journey to reflect on their reasons for pursuing this creative endeavour. KEY TAKEAWAYS Karen explains that if someone loves scent, they should give perfume making a try. Karen provides examples of where listeners may be in their perfume making journey and explains that going back to "why" can help someone get unstuck creatively. In future episodes, Karen will delve into the "how" of perfume making. BEST MOMENTS "Nothing will ever be as personal and as an individual as a scent that you've created with your own hands." “[Perfumes] can make us feel happier. They can make us feel more energised, more relaxed. They can make us feel more sexy, more alert, more productive. They can make us feel calmer." "Making time for creativity is really important for those of us, especially who are in our heads a lot." "You're not going to get it right first time and don't expect to. It is a learning process and it does take a bit of practice." "You can be self-taught or you can train online or from books and actually go and create amazing perfumes that other people like, that other people are actually willing to part with money for." VALUABLE RESOURCES Getting Started Guide: https://www.karengilbert.co.uk/podcast-getting-started-guide Artisan Perfumery Mastermind: https://karengilbert.info/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 Website Instagram Facebook YouTube Email