"When life gives you lemons, make perfume"
My journey with natural perfume started a few years ago after having my daughter. I knew my post natal hormones would be raging but I wasn't expecting my sense of smell to change. as well.
All of a sudden the perfumes I used to love became over powering, made me feel nauseous and it just didn't seem right having such strong smells around my new born who was so pure and vulnerable.
Not knowing there was another alternative, I stopped wearing perfume and embraced my a la naturale state.
Through my mother's group I was introduced to essential oils and had fun creating my own scents using recipes I'd downloaded from Pinterest etc. They served their purpose for a while but I still craved a perfume that had more of an edge to it, that lasted longer, had depth and was better on the skin.
It wasn't until I was in Italy for work a few years later that I discovered a company that specialised in natural perfumes. Wow they smelt amazing!! I was hooked.
In my search for finding a good perfume that didn't make me feel nauseous I started investigating what really is in a lot of perfumes and why would it make me feel nauseous.
I was amazed to discover there are some perfumes that contain all sorts of nasties which have been known to cause problems to people's health and well-being.. Respiratory problems, hormone disruption, cancer causing. No thank you!! You also have no idea what's in most perfumes as most companies that produce them do not list their ingredients and they’re legally not obligated to do so. If you see the word “fragrance” in an ingredients list, you should be wary. “Fragrance” could mean there are up to 100 different synthetic chemicals floating around in there and causing all sorts of problems to your health and those around you.
It wasnt' until I was made redundant from the tourism industry due to Covid 19 that I was gifted time I never had before.
So that's when I thought, it was time to study natural perfumery and start making my own products. I became a qualified natural perfumer in 2020 and released my first perfume Ash Bloom in July 2021.
Perfumery is a cross between art and science and requires a whole lot of patience (something that doesn't come naturally to me).. My role is to determine which botanical ingredients work well together (believe me some don't), are safe and to produce a scent that you can relate to and love. I work to strict safetey guidelines so you can be assured you're not putting perfume on your skin that is harmful.
Thanks for taking an interest in natural perfume. If you do purchase any of my products, I'd love your feedback.
Amanda Workman - qualified natural perfumer - International Fragrance Foundation Certified.