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 cosmetic? What product is your scent going to be in? What country are you selling it in? Karen talks about t...
Sep 10, 2023•34 min•Ep. 16
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 cosmetics industry from working summer jobs in department stores to studying architecture to a chance meeti...
Sep 03, 2023•1 hr 19 min•Ep. 15
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 use so that you can unlock the psychology of scent. KEY TAKEAWAYS The psychology of scent is a key as...
Aug 27, 2023•34 min•Ep. 14
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 TAKEAWAYS Karen explains the difficulty with making a perfume with both diffusion and longevity and gives yo...
Aug 20, 2023•25 min•Ep. 13
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 fermenting sugar starch. To buy it in the UK, you need a license from HMRC. When using alcohol for your p...
Aug 14, 2023•26 min•Ep. 12
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 always dreamt of having a creative career, but due to peer pressure ended up working as a chemist. He d...
Aug 07, 2023•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 11
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 help you to create the perfect fragrance. KEY TAKEAWAYS The raw materials used to create perfumes c...
Jul 30, 2023•32 min•Ep. 10
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 materials that when combined together create a new scent that is completely new. Karen explains that the...
Jul 23, 2023•28 min•Ep. 9
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 TAKEAWAYS Although most people will say that they prefer perfumes with natural ingredients over those with s...
Jul 16, 2023•29 min•Ep. 8
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 Top, middle and base notes have one meaning for perfume makers and one meaning for perfume industry mar...
Jul 11, 2023•22 min•Ep. 7
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 tuned to the world of perfume. KEY TAKEAWAYS Most people believe that you need to have a ‘special nos...
Jul 04, 2023•29 min•Ep. 6
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 can start on your perfume making journey today. KEY TAKEAWAYS Starting to make perfume can be overwhe...
Jul 04, 2023•31 min•Ep. 5
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 insights on incorporating both natural and synthetic materials to unleash your creativity without lim...
Jul 04, 2023•51 min•Ep. 4
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 emphasizes the importance of tailoring your supplies to suit your fragrance-making goals. Tune in to the...
Jul 04, 2023•33 min•Ep. 3
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 perfumes to purchase. Whether listeners are interested in the history of perfume or the science behi...
Jul 04, 2023•43 min•Ep. 2
In the first episode of the Perfume Making Podcast, Karen Gilbert introduces the podcast and shares her passion for demystifying the process of making perfume. While future episodes will focus on the technical aspects of creating fragrances, this episode is dedicated to exploring the reasons why listeners should consider making their own perfumes. Karen highlights the joy of working with scents and the opportunity to create unique fragrances for personal use or even for a business. She encourage...
Jul 04, 2023•27 min•Ep. 1
