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Floral Nose Training Perfumery Class

Join independent perfumer Darren Alan of Darren Alan Perfumes as he guides you through an exploration of eight of the most commonly used floral notes in perfumery. From the comfort of your own home, you will experience each material through guided smelling and learn about the role of florals in perfumery.
Floral materials are among the costliest and most beloved notes in this art. They add depth and complexity to the heart of a fragrance composition and are prevalent in both feminine and masculine fragrances. Florals are important materials that often act as “bridges” to harmoniously blend the top notes into the base with an elegant and seamless transition.
In this class, we will smell, study and evaluate the floral materials and discuss their roles in perfumery. We will conclude with a live Q&A session, where Darren will address your questions about the class content.
Learn to think and smell like a perfumer as we navigate top, mid, and base notes. Sniff, imagine, and experiment before selecting your favorite combinations for your unique creation. I have curated a collection of the finest floral materials from around the world just for you. No expensive equipment is required. My optional add-on Floral Nose Training Kit is convenient, affordable, and filled with exquisite florals hand-picked from my favorite suppliers. I have pre-diluted and measured your raw materials, so you won’t need perfumer’s alcohol, a scale, or other pricey lab equipment.
If you choose to use your own materials for the class instead of purchasing the pre-made Floral Nose Training Kit, please prepare 2mL of each material in the appropriate dilution before the class. Ensure that your materials are professional, perfumery-grade, and suitable for fine fragrance creation. Fragrance oils, candle oils, and oils from supermarkets are not considered professional grade and may not yield a high-quality fragrance composition.
NOTE: You will also need some ancillary supplies such as perfume test strips (paper blotters), a small notebook, and a pencil to take notes and write down your material names. These supplies are easily available from Amazon and Ebay. These items are not included in our Nose Training Kit. You may also wish to have some paper towels on hand in case of a spill.
IMPORTANT! Please do not research or look up the materials before class. The goal is not to memorize their descriptions, but to train your nose to smell and assess them in the moment, thereby building your awareness and skill. Taking these steps will contribute to the quality of your and your classmates’ learning experience.
If you choose to purchase & dilute your own materials for this class instead of ordering the pre-made Nose Training Kit, you will need the following:
RAW MATERIALS LIST:
- 2mL Rose Absolute (Rosa damascena), 10% in SDA-40B
- 2mL Rose Otto (Essential Oil), Rosa damascena, 10%, in SDA-40B
- 2mL Tuberose Base/Accord/Absolute, 10% in SDA-40B
- 2mL Jasmine Grandiflorum Absolute, 10%, in SDA-40B
- 2mL Hedione, 10%, in SDA-40B
- 2mL Ylang Ylang Essential Oil, 10%, in SDA-40B
- 2mL Orange Blossom (Flower) Base/Accord/Absolute, 10%, in SDA-40B
- 2mL Alpha Ionone, 10%, in SDA-40B
SUGGESTED RAW MATERIAL SUPPLIERS:
RECOMMENDED READING LIST:
Some students have asked me for recommendations for books on perfumery. I have compiled a short list of some of my favorite perfumery books. This is not required reading for class; I’m just sharing resources with you if you desire them.
Introductory Books:
Perfume: The Alchemy of Scent by Jean-Claude Ellena
Perfume & Flavor Materials of Natural Origin by Steffen Arctander
Nose Dive: A Field Guide to the World’s Smells by Harold McGee
Fragrant: The Secret Life of Scent by Mandy Aftel
Advanced Reading:
An Introduction To Perfumery by Tony Curtis & David Williams
Scent and Chemistry: The Molecular World Of Odors by Günther Ohlaff, Wilhelm Pickenhagen, Philip Kraft, Jean-Claude Ellena