by Jim Peterson | May 4, 2021 | Uncategorized
There are few ingredients that play a more important role in the history of perfumery than oakmoss. True oakmoss is a lichen that grows on oak trees. When it is extracted with a hydrocarbon solvent (usually petroleum ether or benzene) and the solvent evaporated...
by Jim Peterson | Apr 22, 2021 | Uncategorized
I recently put together a chart with the names of flower complexes on one axis and compounds (and some naturals) on the other axis. This allows me to see at a glance the range of amounts of each chemical perfumers use to make flowers. Here, I’m using the chart to...
by Jim Peterson | Apr 13, 2021 | Uncategorized
When rose is used in a perfume, be it in a dedicated rose perfume or another perfume to which it lends support, a synthetic rose is constructed and manipulated to create the particular nuances that contribute to the roses’ final character. In classical perfumery, a...
by Jim Peterson | Apr 12, 2021 | Uncategorized
Whether we like them or not, roses in perfumes are ubiquitous. They support other florals and lend a general sense of body to a perfume. Most rose notes are now added with synthetics, but almost always a small amount of natural rose is added for support. Rose extracts...
by Jim Peterson | Mar 30, 2021 | Uncategorized
Hibiscus seeds, also called ambrette seeds, smell like musk. In fact, they provide the only source of musk aroma that isn’t from an animal or synthetic. So, for anyone making a vegan perfume, ambrette seeds are the way to go. I’ve found them in three forms: the...
by Jim Peterson | Mar 26, 2021 | Uncategorized
Many of us, especially men, who have little experience with perfume, are likely to have encountered eau de cologne, often called “after shave.” Eau de cologne is used in a different way than perfume and is meant as a refreshing encounter with some persistence,...
