🌹 WEEKLY PERFUMERY CHALLENGE #1 — ROSE
I want to start a new weekly segment where I give you a perfumery exercise designed to help build your understanding of your materials, how they interact, and how you can approach an accord from different directions.
There is no single “correct” answer.
Follow the guidelines, experiment, and then share what you created in the comments! You can post your formula, talk about what worked (or what didn’t), and we can offer feedback, share ideas, or simply enjoy seeing how differently everyone approaches the same challenge.
And for our first challenge, we’re starting with…
🌹 ROSE!
Surprise, surprise.
THE CHALLENGE
Create a soft rose accord following these rules:
1. NO Citronellol, Geraniol, or Nerol.
We’re taking away three of the most obvious building blocks of a traditional rose accord.
2. Phenyl Ethyl Alcohol is your only traditional rose material.
PEA will be the foundation you’re allowed to work from.
3. You may choose ONLY 4 additional materials.
That means your finished accord can contain a maximum of 5 materials total.
Your goal isn’t necessarily to create the most photorealistic rose possible. Instead, think about what makes something feel like a soft rose.
What gives it volume?
What creates softness?
What adds freshness or diffusion?
What gives the flower character?
Think creatively and use what you know about your materials.
🌹 Then share your formula in the comments!
Tell us what materials you chose, why you chose them, and how the finished accord turned out.
Let’s see how many different ways we can build a rose without relying on the obvious choices.
Have fun—and don’t overthink it. Experiment!