For the Amateur Parfumeur

amateur: [French, from Latin amtor, lover, from amre, to love.]

I love to use the word "amateur" in its original Latin sense, meaning "lover of."  The classification of amateur sports in the Olympics originally carried this meaning - one who performs primarily for the love of the art/craft/skill, rather than as a profession. 

Many people who have taken perfumery as their profession might still consider themselves amateurs in this sense.  Others may prefer to call themselves hobby perfumists, novice fragranceurs, or aromatherapists.  This list is for people who, like me, love to dabble in smells.

Essential Oils / Aromatic Ingredients:

A Little Ol'Factory
http://alittleolfactory.com/home.htm

Ancient Essences ◄favorite►
http://www.ancientessences.com/main.sc

Operated by James Smith, this site offers rare natural materials such as aged sandalwoods and animal essences including hyraceum.  I was also able to obtain a very high-quality civet tincture as well as ground castoreum.  James' helpful emails and total attention to detail make this a perfect place to start if you are looking for quality animal aromatics in small quantities at a competetive price.  I recommend using the "contact us" feature and inquiring directly regarding Ancient Essences' current offerings.

Arlys Naturals
http://arlysnaturals.com/index.asp

Aromatics and More
http://www.aromaticsandmore.com/index.html

Aromatics International
http://www.aromaticsinternational.com/

Aromaweb
http://www.aromaweb.com/default.asp

Aura Cacia
http://www.auracacia.com/auracacia/acproducts.html

Blunda Aromatics
http://www.blundaaromatics.com/index.php

Cranberry Lane
http://cranberrylane.stores.yahoo.net/index.html

Eden Botanicals ◄favorite►
http://www.edenbotanicals.com/

Along with Sunrose Aromatics, this is the very first place I go to look for new materials.  Run by Will Lapaz, Eden Botanicals sells a very wide range of botanical essences with no minimum order.  Perfume enthusiasts and beginning perfumers can purchase very small samples for just a few dollars each and in so doing, amass a huge library of reference notes.  The dark amber, labdanum absolute, and cacao absolute are particularly gorgeous. 

Enfleurage ◄favorite►
http://www.enfleurage.com/index.html

Located in Greenwich Village, this little shop sells an interesting variety of essential oils, absolutes, and rare oudhs.  They also sell limited amounts of jasmine concrete (call them for availability) and one of the greatest amber resins I have ever had the pleasure to sniff. 

Floracopeia
http://www.floracopeia.com/zen-cart/index.php

Fragrant Earth
http://www.fragrant-earth.co.uk/

Good Scents
http://www.thegoodscentscompany.com/pricoffr.html

International Database of Essential Oil Distillers (professional database)
http://www.aromahead.com/importing/index.php

Les Ateliers du Parfum (in French)
http://www.laboutiquelesateliersduparfum.com/

Leydet Aromatics
http://www.leydet.com/

Mountain Rose Herbs
http://www.mountainroseherbs.com/index2.html

Nature's Gift
http://www.naturesgift.com/

New Directions Aromatics
http://www.newdirectionsaromatics.com/

New Directions offers a huge variety of essential oils, aroma chemicals, and supplies for all varieties of aromatic blending.  With very reasonable prices with no minimum order, the packaging and attention to safety are impeccable.

Perfumer's Apprentice ◄favorite►
http://www.perfumersapprentice.com/

Linda Andrews' Perfumers Apprentice is a fantastic one-stop website for everything from ambergris tincture to perfumery notes kits, decorative bottles, supplies, educational materials, formularies, and the list just keeps on going.  In addition to an amazing array of offerings, the individualized service provided by Ms. Andrews is deservedly legendary.  If it's perfume-related and you don't know where to look, look here first.

Profumo.it (Italy)
http://www.profumo.it/perfume/home_english.htm

Scents of Earth
http://www.scents-of-earth.com/

Snowdrift Farm
http://www.snowdriftfarm.com/

Sunrose Aromatics ◄favorite►
http://www.sunrosearomatics.com/

This site sells a great array of botanicals as well as diffusers, carrier oils, blending supplies, jewelry, books, and more.  You can also fill out a wish list request and Rosanne will try to find what you're looking for.  The customer service here is extraordinary and it's clear that every single person involved with this concern loves what they are doing.  Among many other excellent products offered here, I highly recommend the fragonia, benzoin resin, oakmoss absolute, and tonka bean absolute extra.

Classes / Courses / How-To:

Aftelier Natural Perfume Workbook (Mandy Aftel)
http://www.aftelier.com/perfumeworkbook.html

Anya's Garden (Anya McCoy - Miami Shores, Florida)
http://www.anyasgarden.com/classes.htm

Aromahead Institute
http://www.aromahead.com/home.php

Aromatics and More - Formulary
http://www.aromaticsandmore.com/formulary.html

Ayala Moriel Parfums (Ayala Sender - Vancouver, BC)
http://www.ayalamoriel.com/index.cfm?PageName=Calendar

Blunda Los Angeles
http://www.blundalosangeles.com/cart/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=50

Creating Perfume
http://www.creatingperfume.com/

Fragrance Training (CFSS for retail sales and ELF certification)
http://www.fragrancetraining.com/

Historical Perfume Formulas at Perfumers Apprentice
http://www.perfumersapprentice.com/perfumersworkshop/history/history.html

Jeanne Rose
http://www.jeannerose.net/courses.html (home study courses)
http://www.jeannerose.net/calendar.html (classes - San Francisco, CA)

Making Natural Perfumes (class - Point Richmond, CA)
http://www.thenovastudio.com/descriptionperfumes.htm

Natural Perfumers Guild / Perfume Classes
http://naturalperfumersguild.com/edu.htm
http://perfumeclasses.blogspot.com/

Northwest College for Herbal and Aromatic Studies (East West School)
http://www.theida.com/index.html

The Nova Studio (Point Richmond, California)
http://www.thenovastudio.com/calendar.html

Perfumers World (or HERE)
http://www.perfumersworld.com/school/school.htm
http://www.perfumeprojects.com/store/1013.php

Perfumers World - Short Course
http://www.perfumersworld.com/shcourse/start.htm

Prodarom - Grasse Institute of Perfumery (Grasse, France)
http://www.prodarom.fr/

Rivendell Aromatics (classes - near Santa Barbara, CA)
http://www.rivendellaromatics.com/

Snowdrift Farms - Formulary
http://www.snowdriftfarm.com/form_perfumes.html

Groups and Forums:

Basenotes (forum)
http://basenotes.net

Botanical Perfumery (Yahoo Group)
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Botanical_Perfumery/

Early Perfume (Yahoo Group)
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/EarlyPerfume/

Making Perfume (Yahoo Group)
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/Making_Perfume/

Natural Perfumery (Yahoo Group)
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/NaturalPerfumery/

Perfume of Life (forum)
http://perfumeoflife.org

Perfume Making (Yahoo Group) ◄favorite►
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/perfumemaking/

Perfume Makers Club
http://www.bio-byte.com/products/join.html

Bottles / Containers / Tools:

ABA Packaging (1000 piece minimum order!)
http://www.abapackaging.com/catalog.htm

Best Bottles
http://www.bestbottles.com/

Birch Hill Bottle (beakers, stir rods, etc.)
http://birchhillhappenings.com/bottles.htm

Bottles-N-Jars
http://www.bottles-n-jars.com/categories.php?cat=5

E.D. Luce Essential Supplies ◄favorite►
http://www.essentialsupplies.com/

Kosmetech
http://www.kosmetech.com/products.asp

Madina Industrial
http://67.88.53.36/items.asp?Cc=BOTTLES&Bc=

Oberk
http://oberk.xture.com/packaging/glass-bottles/791533/oberk.aspx

Paradise & Co. (atomizers & atomizer restoration)
http://www.paradise-co.com/

Pen Atomizers
http://www.fragrancelink.com/bottles/flyer/roll-on-pen-atomizers.htm

Perfume Atomizers King
http://www.perfumeatomizersking.com/default.aspx

Perfumers Apprentice
http://store.perfumersapprentice.com/misc.html

Pilot Vials ◄favorite►
http://www.pilotvials.com/

Rustic Essentials
http://www.rusticescentuals.com/packaging_menu.html

SKS Bottles
http://www.sks-bottle.com/GlassBottles/GlassBottles1.html

Snowdrift Farm
http://www.snowdriftfarm.com/all_bottles.html

Specialty Bottle - Shrink Bands
http://www.specialtybottle.com/index.asp?PageAction=Custom&ID=36

Sunburst Bottle Company
http://www.sunburstbottle.com/

Sunrose Aromatics (graduated cylinders, test strips, etc.)
http://www.sunrosearomatics.com/catalog/shop/shopdisplayproducts.asp?id=15&cat=Supplies

Taj Perfumes (eBay)
http://stores.ebay.com/Tajperfumes

Vivi Enterprises
http://www.vivienterprises.com/

Victorie
http://www.victorie-inc.us/essential_oils_accessories.html

Software:

Apothecary Keeper
http://bluemoondesign.org/software/ak.htm

Collectify (great for cataloging scents, materials, etc.)
http://www.collectify.com/

ESO 2000 - The Complete Database of Essential Oils
http://www.leffingwell.com/baciseso.htm

Good Scents (online lists/database)
http://www.thegoodscentscompany.com/allprod.html

The Perfumers World (three versions of the database, one is free)
http://www.perfumersworld.com/software/freesoft.htm

PFC 2002 - Perfumes and Fragrances Classification Database
http://www.leffingwell.com/bacispfc.htm

PMP 2001 - Database of Perfumery Materials & Performance
http://www.leffingwell.com/bacispmp.htm

Books and Guides:

375 Essential Oils & Hydrosols (book)
by Jeanne Rose

Allured Resource Library - Flavors & Fragrances (list of books)
http://allured.stores.yahoo.net/flfr.html

Aroma: The Magic of Essential Oils in Food and Fragrance (book)
by Mandy Aftel

The Aromatherapy Companion (book)
by Victoria H. Edwards

The Art of Perfumery (book, historical)
by G. W. Septimus Piesse

Botanical Perfumery (Yahoo group)
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Botanical_Perfumery/

The Chemistry of Fragrances: From Consumer to Perfumer (book)
by Charles Sell

Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs (book)
by Scott Cunningham

Early Perfume (Yahoo group)
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/EarlyPerfume/

Essence & Alchemy: A Natural History of Perfume (book) ◄favorite►
by Mandy Aftel   

Formulary of Perfumery and Cosmetology (book, historical)
by R. M. Gattefosse

Fragonard, The Perfumer, The Profession... (online)
http://www.fragonard.com/@en-us/3/5/16/article.asp

The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils (book) ◄favorite►
by Julia Lawless

Jean Carles' Guide at Perfumers Apprentice (online)
http://www.perfumersapprentice.com/perfumersworkshop/train_your_nose/

The Magical and Ritual Use of Perfumes (book)
by Richard Alan Miller & Iona Miller

The Master Book of Herbalism (book)
by Paul Beyerl

A Modern Herbal (online book, historical)
http://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/mgmh.html

The Natural Perfume Book (book)
by Mindy Green

Perfume and Flavor Materials of Natural Origin
Steffen Arctander

The Perfume Report (Fast Guide to Making Perfume - on CD)
http://www.theperfumereport.com/

Perfumery: Practice and Principles (book)
by Robert R. Calkin and J. Stephan Jellineck

Perfumes, Splashes & Colognes: Discovering and Crafting Your Personal Fragrance (book) ◄favorite►
by Nancy M. Booth

Pioneer Thinking: Aroma (online)
http://www.pioneerthinking.com/aroma.html

Poucher's Perfumes, Cosmetics, and Soaps (book, historical)
by Hilda Butler

Sacred Luxuries: Fragrance, Aromatherapy, and Cosmetics in Ancient Egypt (book)
by Lise Manniche & Werner Forman

Scents & Sensibilities: Crafting Solid Perfumes for Well-Being (book) ◄favorite►
by Mandy Aftel

Scents of Time: Perfume from Ancient Egypt to the 21st Century (book and kit)
by Edwin Morris

Additional List: http://www.thegoodscentscompany.com/books.html

 

Comments

[GK]

Great list of aromatherapy links. I have bookmarked some of them that I have missed.