Tectonic Shifts

Brooklyn Perfume Company released its line of four eaux de parfum in 2014. The reception, was enthusiastic. Several who reviewed the perfumes said they were “original.” One said “I’m at a loss for words” and declared there were two aphrodisiacs in his life: BPC’s Oud...

Para Cresols

Para Cresols smell like the creosote painted on a pier’s supports. While this sounds weird, cresols are essential for some flower scents, especially narcissus and lily. Don’t be too perplexed by the use of both “cresol” and “cresyl.” There is a difference–it...

My Favorite Books

Whenever a new obsession strikes, I get online and buy every relevant book I can find. In perfumery, this isn’t easy. There aren’t many books to begin with and those that do exist are often outdated or too technical. There are a million aromatherapy books. These books...

Black Iris

Iris flowers have very little scent. The secret is in the roots, which must be aged for five years to bring out their aroma. Once ground into a fine powder, the roots are distilled to yield a small amount of aromatic “butter.” Perfumers call this “orris butter.” Orris...

The Mysteries of Funk

We are tropical primates and we smell like them. We each have an odor our own. Some fragrances suppress our smell, others heighten it; the best merge with it and bring about a personal scent, a scent that endures and becomes indelibly associated with whoever chooses...

My New Pheremones

I’ve read so much about pheromones and, whether I’m certain they exist or not, I do know that certain perfumes cause sexual arousal. This has happened with three of my own perfumes—perfumes that have sent those who smell them directly into the bedroom. One perfumer...