Posts

Pyramids, lies and mythos of Modern Perfumery
From my house in Lefke.
If you believe that olfactory pyramids published by the industry are meant to give you information about the ingredients or about the smell of a perfume, you are really naive.
Pyramids are but a marketing tool used…

Philosophy of perfume (part three): Healing molecules
Healing molecules
At the origins, the use of perfumes was associated to spirituality and healing.
This is so true that the knowledge of their preparation was reserved to priests and healers, and in many cultures these two figures and…

Natural Isolates, the brave stand of the natural perfumers guild
With a press release, the Natural Perfumers Guild (NPG) has defined what is considered a natural isolate by its standards, to which all perfumers endorsed by the guild will have to abide.
In the same go, NPG has defined what Guild perfumers…

The natural perfumery trend (third part)
Luca Turin may very well have started the whole process of recognition for Natural Perfumery when in 2006, in his iconic Duffnotes on NZ Folio, he declared to the perfumistas community with an amazing foresight: "There are now officially…

Niche Perfumery – The natural perfumery trend (part two)
Not many years ago there were just 3 official types of perfumery, Vintage, mainstream, and Niche perfumery, such as Creed or Lutens.
The last 20 years have witnessed not only the birth and growth of independent natural perfumers but also…

The natural perfumery trend (part one)
Only 3 years ago natural perfumers were a striving bunch of stubborn idealists who had been brought together by Anya McCoy in the natural perfumers guild.
Those who accepted her views stayed in the guild, others left and went ahead on their…
Perfumery and aromatherapy
Honoring the guest is much more than a part of the tradition of Islam, it is part of its fundamentals.
During my years of traveling in the Muslim world, I have been a guest all the time. This is how I have learned the art of receiving guests.
When…
Olfactory theories, Luca Turin speaks…
Two different olfactory theories. Do we smell the shapes or the vibrations of molecules?
Explained in a brilliant humoristic way by Luca Turin himself.
Sniffapalooza Interview on natural perfumery
Sailing towards new horizons
For the English interview just click HERE
The interview features Natural perfumery aims, ethics and philosophy.
AbdesSalaam Attar interview with Raphaella Barkley
Ambergris
It is not easy to buy Ambergris even for one who knows it well.
The business is in the hand of very few people who are ready to throw millions of dollars for really big lots. They control the prices and are very fast in travelling to the…
REAL PERFUMES FOR REAL PEOPLE
A perfumer who looks for inspiration inside himself is not only very limited, but he also risks ending up into an ego trip completely incompatible with true inspiration, as by definition inspiration transcends the person who receives it.
I…
Olfactory education
There is a clear parallel between music and perfumery, between olfactory and musical melodies, and we shall use this likeness in order to understand better the "why" and the "how" of olfactory education.
Just like music, perfumery is an art…
Pages
Introduction to Natural Perfumery
Introduction to Natural Perfumery
The Essence of an Art
Since the remotest ages, perfume has been synonymous with wealth, culture, and refinement. The natural perfumery art and craft were associated with the profession of a physician, a…