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 decisi...

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...

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 mar...

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...

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...

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 episo...

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 a...

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...

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. ...

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 advanta...

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 cosmeti...

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 cosmet...

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 u...

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 TAKEA...

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 ferme...

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 alw...

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...

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 m...

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 TAKEA...

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...

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 t...

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...

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 i...

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 emph...

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...