One of my teaching missions is to help people see “beyond the curtain” of commercial products. There is a difference between professional and “craft” perfumes, but your official title isn’t one of them!

In every industry, there are “old timers” who think that you have to “pay your dues” before you can really-officially be a professional. Well, perfume is an art, and art has never had a set path to mastery.

Do you need a piece of paper that says your smart?

Sure, there are some people who go through a standard 4-year course for design or fine arts, but there are also many others who forge their own path. It’s perfectly acceptable. Every artist has to rely on self-confidence and self-direction; no one will ever crown them “an artist,” no matter what the degree.

What matters is your perfume, and if it’s any good.
Perfumers make perfume. You need no other qualifications to be a perfumer; you just have to make perfume. Believe me, every kind of artist goes through the same kind of thinking: “Am I really a writer? I’m not published yet…” “Am I really an artist? I haven’t even had any gallery showings.”

We’re kind of brainwashed to believe that we need titles and degrees for everything before we’re “qualified” to do something – especially something skilled. My friend used to call a college diploma “a piece of paper that says you’re smart.”

Here’s the great thing about perfume: anyone can do it, as long as you have a good nose. Even a large percentage of industry perfumers (you know, who work for Dior, Escada, etc.) have no formal training. Some of them went through an apprenticeship program to help them learn about the materials and the business. But many of them have no knowledge of chemistry or “perfume science.”

They see themselves as scent artists; it’s unnecessary for them to learn technical information. It may even get in the way of their creative expression.

The pros make bad stuff, too!

“Professional” perfumers have to do as much trial and error as you do. They make bad blends that smell like monkey butt, and they make fragrances that smell divine. Trial and error and experimentation are part of a perfumer’s work – that means you will do it, too.

I know it’s a little scary, knowing that there’s no “official” channel to go through to become a perfumer. You just have to do it. You can’t be afraid to screw up or make bad blends, because that is inevitable. Who’s ever done a DIY project right the first time? Certainly not me! Experience is the best teacher.

That is not to say that there isn’t help or guidance. There are some shortcuts, things that will help you avoid unnecessary – and sometimes expensive – mistakes, and there is a wealth of good books and resources out there for not very much money.

What if you want to sell your perfumes?

The only thing that matters is that your customers like your perfumes enough to buy. Many boutique perfumes have risen from the humble beginnings of home perfumery, so don’t feel like you need a fancy lab to plunge right in. If you know the basic professional perfumery methods, can work with the materials, and have a knack for blending scents that people like, you’re ready.

Still feel a little weird about putting “perfumer” on your business cards? Try these instead:

* Custom fragrance designer
* Personal perfume blender
* Custom boutique perfumes
* Creative perfume artist
* Or whatever else describes you best!