Natural perfumery in the UK (and in the world)

[Guest guest]

Dear Natural perfumers,

As anyone from the UK heard of 'B never too busy to be beautiful'

stores (http://tinyurl.com/2p9b8m), a subsidiary of Lush?

They say their fragrances are natural. I got a set of their samples 2

weeks ago and although they did a good job with some of the smells, I

don't think they are natural essential oils but natural 'fragrances'.

One of their fragrances called 'dear ' is labelled as follows:

'DRF Alcohol , Perfume , Cedarwood Oil (Cedrus atlantica) , Vetivert

Oil (Vetiveria zizanoides) , Coriander Oil (Coriandrum sativum) ,

Clove Bud Oil (Eugenia caryophyllus) , *Benzyl Alcohol , *Benzyl

Salicylate , *Eugenol , *Geraniol , *Citral , *Isoeugenol , *Benzyl

Benzoate , *Farnesol , *Limonene , *Linalool

* Occurs naturally in essential oils.'

What is DRF alcohol? What is Benzy salicylate? Are those natural

ingredients?

I visited the Paris In-cosmetics exhibition in October and found out

that the natural fragrances and natural fruit extracts seem to be

proliferating in every new cosmetic product coming on the market.

For instance, one of my French suppliers now sells Organic fruit

extracts described as 'aromatic alcool extracts obtained from fruit

juices and fruit extracts' - They do smell gorgeous and are even

ECOCERT (eco certified is the organic certification of the EU)...

I am aware that the public is confused with the term 'natural' and

the trend is growing so much that you see the term on every possible

product. I only work with essential oils for my perfumes and I would

be interested to know what you all make out of this. Has anyone got

more details about those 'natural' extracts and fragrances?

The NP trend is definitely growing and the major commercial perfumers

houses are very aware that this new competition is affecting them.

The difference between us and them is they spend 80% in marketing and

are not so interested in ensuring people get a natural fragrance.

Anya mentioned in one of her threads that we should go out there and

promote Natural perfumery more. I do agree with this but I also think

that as Natural perfumers using only pure essential oils, we should

reflect it in our prices. Natural perfumes should be a

real 'luxurious treat' just like travelling in a private jet. I found

that we practice more or less the same prices as commercial perfumers

to sell 'our work of art' and this is why the consumers - except

those aware ones - still tend to reach for the easier more available

synthetic commercial perfumes.

I'd like to get your opinions about this topic.

I take this opportunity to wish you all a MERRY CHRISTMAS and many

GREAT ACHIEVEMENTS FOR THE YEAR TO COME!

Isabelle