THE art OF PERFUMERY
GQ South Africa|June - July 2024
The art of perfumery is not merely about pleasant aromas; it is an intricate art form that combines science, creativity, and storytelling
Anele Geqiwe
THE art OF PERFUMERY

THE PROCESS OF CRAFTING A PERFUME INVOLVES A DELICATE BALANCE of ingredients, expertise, and inspiration, resulting in olfactory masterpieces that evoke emotions, memories, and experiences. We delve into the fascinating world of perfumery and uncover the secrets behind these captivating scents.

THE ESSENCE OF PERFUMERY

At its core, perfumery involves crafting scents by combining natural and artificial aromatic elements. Perfumers, referred to as “noses,” are adept craftspeople with a keen sense of smell and a profound grasp of fragrance formulation. They carefully choose and mix different components such as essential oils, absolutes, resins, and synthetic compounds to attain the specific scent characteristics they seek.

THE PERFUME PYRAMID

A perfume’s composition is often described in terms of a “perfume pyramid,” which consists of three layers: top notes, heart notes, and base notes. The top notes are the initial impression of the fragrance, typically light and refreshing. They fade relatively quickly, giving way to the heart notes, which form the core of the scent and last longer. Finally, the base notes provide depth and longevity, lingering on the skin for hours or even days.

On different skin types, this evolution can vary significantly. For instance, a fragrance with woody or musky base notes may linger longer on oily skin, while it might fade faster on dry skin, emphasising the fresher top and heart notes.

NATURAL VS. SYNTHETIC INGREDIENTS

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