Fascinated by the mysterious world of smells since your childhood, you dream of composing perfumes and toilet waters.

However, after a few blind attempts and unsuccessful mixes in your bathroom, you had to face the facts: the profession of “nose” cannot be improvised.

Fortunately, this is not accessible only to a few rare individuals with an exceptional gift of smell, but can be learned thanks to training that is certainly demanding, but which above all requires motivation, determination and patience. 'coaching.

Here is the route to follow.

A multifaceted profession

The job of a perfumer-creator consists in designing new scents.

Apart from the big names in luxury perfumery known to all, there are a myriad of small niche companies and other structures within which a nose can operate.

It is thus possible to work with manufacturers of olfactory raw materials (whether natural, such as essential oils, or synthetic), internally for a perfume house or even for an agency responsible for composing juices for industry. chemical or cosmetic.

A nose may be led to create toilet waters, but also scents for a shower gel, beauty creams, cleaning products, scented candles, washing powder... In general, the future composer-perfumer begins his career as an evaluator, quality controller or junior perfumer.

On the remuneration side, count around 2,000 euros gross per month for a beginner, and 4,000 to 10,000 euros for an experienced nose, not including bonuses.

An essential scientific background

Although he may have to go to the production sites of natural (plants, flowers) and synthetic raw materials or to meet customers in order to discuss the design of new scents, on a daily basis, the creator-perfumer works essentially in laboratory.

It is therefore better to orient yourself from high school towards a baccalaureate specializing in physics and chemistry, then obtain a license in chemistry, insofar as solid knowledge in this subject is necessary before trying to integrate specialized training.

You can master the fundamental notions of organic chemistry by enrolling in a bachelor's degree at the university of your choice or in an equivalent training bac + 2 (BTS, DUT), then finish in the third year with a professional license in chemistry Formulation perfume course , aromas and cosmetics.

Schools of excellence

Once you have obtained your bachelor's degree, you can try to integrate a university preparing a diploma related to olfaction (professional master's degree in chemistry Formulation and sensory evaluation of perfumery; professional master's degree in Sciences and techniques specializing in aromas, perfumes and cosmetics; chemistry professional Formulation, analysis, quality, etc.), or a specialized private institution.

Two prestigious institutions stand out: ISIPCA, the International Higher Institute of Perfume, Cosmetics and Food Aromatics, founded in 1970 by members of the Guerlain family and having had many famous noses on its benches, and the École Supérieure du Parfum, which was created in 2011 and has three campuses located in Paris, Versailles and Grasse.

In any case, it is essential to multiply professional experiences through internships or work-study programs because they are very formative and open up opportunities for you where work opportunities may be rare.

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The qualities required

Unless you suffer from anosmia, a partial or total loss of smell unfortunately more widespread since the start of the Covid-19 epidemic, nothing will fundamentally prevent you from becoming a composer perfumer.

However, to successfully complete your training and succeed in breaking into the profession, you will need to know how to show creativity and imagination, in order to invent new fragrances, as well as an excellent memory, since you will have to memorize several hundreds or even thousands of odors.

It is estimated that on leaving school, a young perfumer must know between 300 and 500, and a professional between 1,000 and 5,000.

Once you have graduated, you will therefore have to train for several more years before you have sufficient know-how.

It is also essential to be curious, in order to keep up to date with current olfactory trends.

Since it is likely that during your career you will have to deal with many clients, possibly foreign ones, a very good interpersonal skills and fluency in English are also essential.

Finally, as you can guess, you will need a lot of determination, rigor and patience to achieve your dream of becoming a perfume designer.

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