How to make perfume

November 22, 2019

No surprise here: MAKING PERFUME IS A PROCESS!

A 4 step process that isn’t learned overnight or just throw together, it is actually learned in school and… to become a master perfumer, a great deal of study, as well as patience, is required. Actually, “Those who become perfumers must have a ‘good nose’, a natural aptitude in science and an education in chemistry or cosmetic science.”

But, for those who have the knack and passion to make perfume, this science is more like an art and the process eventually becomes second nature. And, as you begin to understand how to make perfume, you might just gain more respect for your favorite aromatic fragrance.

We at Dossier have done our own share of studying perfumes — however, we have yet to master the process ourselves. That is why, in order to bring you the most fantastically mixed blends reminiscent of your favorite designer brands, we work hand-in-hand with a renowned Parisian master perfumer and manufactures in the world’s perfume capital, Grasse France.

Offering you only top quality perfumes, all of our fragrances are mixed with the following traditional process.

The PROCESS…

Yes, it deserves all caps — as discussed above, perfumery and manufacturing a quality perfume is a talent and a skill that only a few master perfumers have.

1 Collection:

The process begins with gathering all the ingredients a perfumer has in mind. “In addition to fruits, spices, resins, leaves, gums, balsams, and grasses, flowers are often essential because it’s difficult to make perfume without floral essences.” On top of that, sometimes animal fats or musk are used as well. However, at Dossier, we work hard to ensure all of our perfumes are vegan and cruelty-free. Due to the rarity of some raw materials, we use synthetic chemicals when needed — this can save the lives of animals and plants, which we think is a great thing!

Never compromising on quality, all of the ingredients we use are top of the line and just as powerful scent conductors as your favorite designer brand.

2 Extraction:

As it is very widely known, essence and oils of the above-listed ingredients are used to make perfumes. In this step, perfumers gather the aromas of the ingredients and transform them into liquid form.

There are multiple methods of extraction which include, “steam distillation, solvent extraction, enfleurage, maceration, and expression.”

“The easiest method is expression, during which plants are basically squeezed until the oil releases. Enfleurage and maceration are other ways to extract plant oils. These methods use grease or warmed fats to extract the oils. You can also boil the plant parts or subject them to steam to get to the oils. This process is called steam distillation. Some manufacturers also use solvent extraction. During this method, plant parts are dissolved in benzene and exposed to ethyl alcohol, which is then burned off so the perfume oil remains.”

At Dossier our manufacturers use a mixture of these various types of extraction methods.

3 Blending:

Now comes the step of putting it all together. Here is where the master perfumers nose and knowledge shine — as they have an idea of the aroma and type of perfume they want to create, they begin blending the ingredients.

“It can take several years and hundreds of ingredients before they come to the desired formula. This formula [is then] is used to blend the freshly extracted oils. After blending the oils to get the desired scent, alcohol is mixed into the concoction to dilute the ingredients.”

Just the thought of a perfect formula makes us giddy with excitement.

This is an art that stirs up emotions, memories, ideas, courage — when the blending job of a perfumer goes right it is PURE MAGIC.

4 Aging:

Like fine wine… perfume must also be aged.

“During this period, the perfume is set aside in a dark, cool area. It stays here for several months to one year without being disturbed. The aging process helps bind the alcohol and oils together.” Yes, that is definitely like aging a wine to perfection!

Once aged, the perfumer will sniff test to ensure they have achieved the ideal fragrance notes. “Each essential oil and perfume has three notes: “Notes de tete,” or top notes, “notes de coeur,” central or heart notes, and “notes de fond,” base notes.” Without the perfect note combination a perfume will simply not be pleasing to the nose — but with the perfect combination, a perfume is like liquid gold… INVALUABLE.

And, just like that — in 4 not so simple or rapid steps, perfume is made.

Invented in the ancient times, over the centuries wearing a quality perfume has traditionally become a luxury. While, the process — which has barely changed — has become something to marvel at.

When collected, extracted, blended, and aged to absolute perfection… there is nothing much better than the scent of a well made perfume. Just like Marian Bendeth said, “Perfume is like cocktails without the hangover, like chocolate without the calories, like an affair without tears, like a vacation from which you never have to come back.” — all the good things in life without the bad.

Inspired by our favorite designer perfumes, we have worked tirelessly to carefully crafted expert level fragrances. Each Dossier premium perfume bottle is brought to you at the delightful price of 29$ — as you experience our perfumes you will be reminded of iconic scents like Chanel No 5, Tom Ford’s OUD Woody, YSL’s Black Opium, D&G’s Light Blue, and so many more.

It’s all in the formula and the quality of ingredients!

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