I have done it, yes I did! I have to admit. After the concentration of my perfume inspired by the painting 'The Kiss' matured and after I added the alcohol and let it stand for a while, I changed it a bit. I was not satisfied about it. O, by the way, we moved the date to 15 September instead of 15 August. Because more members of the Perfume making group wanted to participate but didn't have something ready yet, they needed some more time. I find this swap really difficult because it's so different than creating a perfume spontaneously, it had to be based or better to say inspired by the painting. I find it difficult to create something on demand. If I create a perfume, it's created it in my head first, and then it slowly develops in my head. When I start with the creation itself, I sometimes change it a bit, but the overall composition and idea remains.While creating this perfume I changed a couple of my initial ideas. For example I used much more bergamot oil than I initial had in mind. By this I created an 'ambrein' accord.
An 'ambrein' accord is an accord based on bergamot, balsamic notes like labdanum, benzoe, tolu etc, vanilla, civet and coumarin. I combined this accord with woody notes; with the accent on sandalwood, and completed it with notes of Iris and rose. 
It became a very complex formula, I used over 70 different materials. And still after it was matured and all ........... I added another material; mimosa absolute. I just had to do it, it makes the top notes so nicely smooth but fresh, it combines perfectly with the bergamot, petit grain oil and the orange blossom absolute. I love this tender sweet lively note of mimosa. Well, don't think this is the best perfume I ever created, but it was a nice but tough learning experience. I hope the members of the group can give me some useful advice to make it better. We will exchange the formulas, this way the help can be more specific, and it will be a great way to see how others create their perfume, much different than only smelling the perfume and not knowing the formula. I'm really exited to smell all the perfumes of the other members, I can't wait, but at the same time I'm a bit nervous about my own contribution.
Ending with a beautiful quote from Jacques Guerlain:
"I felt something so intense, I could only express it in a perfume."
6 comments:
Lieve Meisje,
What a change from your first thoughts on this.
You are probably more critical than your colleagues will be...
I find the entire process extremely exciting !
Tell us all about it, as it unfolds...
Liefs !
Lieve Chaya,
We will see, I will send you a sample too so you can judge for yourself.
Liefs terug!
Oh wow, Jenny, this sounds truly exciting! Also, changing things on the go is sometimes the best way to move forward, reaching out for perfection. Inspirations does not restrain to a particular moment in time. And: Isn't this our priviledge, compared to the industry's perfumer...working in the lab ourselves, exposing our nose to fragrant storms while mixing and testing?
Dear Andy,
You are absolutely right about that, gladly we don't have any limits. It's funny how the creation goes on in your mind as well, you analyze the scent and thinking what it needs, or which notes needs to be reduced, this happens at the strangest moments of the day. But because there are so many possibilities, so many combinations possible, so many materials you can choose from, it's sometimes difficult to make a decision. Material 'A' is nice in it, but material 'B' is nice too, but do I need to use both or only one of them. Maybe a little bit more 'A' than 'B' etc..........
Perfume making is a mystery, it surprises you every time, and that's why I love it.
Jenny, your "confession" struck me positively, too.
I impulsively tweaked my Stephanie parfum after I had thought it was totally complete. I must say that that subtle but dramatic addition was an inspiration from another realm. It's like I don't know where it came from...
Dear Michael,
Wonderful how a creative mind works isn't it? It's a good thing to listen to your impulse sometimes and just daring to add something unusual. And a what great perfume you made with Stephanie!
Hugs
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