Question 1

What is IFRA?

Accepted Answer

IFRA (International Fragrance Association)
www.ifraorg.org or www.ifrana.org if you are in North America.
“IFRA is the self-regulating organization, based in Geneva, Switzerland, of the fragrance industry worldwide.  It’s main purpose is to ensure the safety of fragrance materials”.
By working closely with RIFM (Research Institute for Fragrance Materials), www.rifm.org, “IFRA sets the standards for the safe use of fragrance materials for the consumer and the environment”.
 
The IFRA standards set the maximum usage level of particular ingredients allowable within a given formulation, based on product end-use. The adherence to the IFRA standards is mandatory in some parts of the world and self-regulated in others.
Users are strongly encouraged to educate themselves on IFRA guidelines as it relates to their product line, end use, and area of the world their products will sell.

Question 2

What is ISO 9235?

Accepted Answer

ISO is the acronym for the International Organization for Standardization, “a worldwide federation of national standards bodies.”  www.iso.org
“The ISO 9235 standard specifies the terms and definitions, in English & French, relating to aromatic natural raw materials.”
The complete Palette Naturals range is created in strict compliance with the ISO 9235 definition of natural raw materials.

Question 3

What are Accords?

Accepted Answer

Just as there are notes in music, there are notes in perfumery: the individual raw materials that make up all blends.  In perfumery, a grouping of notes creates an Accord. An accord can be any collection of notes (bergamot+jasmine+sandalwood), or an accord can be by Olfactive Family.
For example, a Citrus accord (all citrus notes) or a Green Accord (all green notes).

Palette Naturals is a collection of 100% natural perfumery blending accords, created by olfactive family, that serve as the building blocks in the creation of sophisticated natural perfumery compositions.

Question 4

Why did you create the Collection?

Accepted Answer

I’ve spent over three decades in the fragrance industry; in creative, olfactive evaluation, sales, marketing, consulting as well as entrepreneurial roles.  In the past few years, several interesting parallel things have occurred:  the incredible demand for natural products across many markets (besides fragrance, personal care, hair, home and especially foods); the rise of the independent perfumer and the explosion of the ‘green beauty entrepreneur’.  I was asked repeatedly for natural perfumery creations that had more complexity, sophistication, lift and brilliance than traditional natural perfume or aromatherapy.  One thing these new beauty brands do not have is the time to become a perfumer as they create and launch their company. Palette Naturals provides the building blocks, the components, for the creation of complex blends.  We are able to streamline the ‘perfume architecture’ in support of unlimited compositions.

Question 5

How many accords are in the Collection? Will there be more?

Accepted Answer

There are currently 20 accords, representing 10 major olfactive fragrance families. These are the primary building blocks of perfumery, but by no means complete. In fact, we are already underway developing future collections & accords.  If you are interested in a specific Olfactive family or have a need for a specific accord, please drop us a line!
We support your creativity.

Question 6

Are there samples?

Accepted Answer

Yes.
Because fragrance is nothing until experienced personally, the entire collection is offered as a Sample Kit for purchase.  Each accord is presented in a 5ml amber glass bottle.

Question 7

Are all of the Signature Notes in the blends?

Accepted Answer

Signature Notes refer to the primary olfactive signature of each blend, described in just a few words. In some cases, these descriptors reflect the use of eo’s or absolutes. In other cases, the olfactive effect comes from natural molecules, isolates or fractions that create a Signature Note.  This is the complexity and artistry of natural perfumery.

Question 8

What does ‘neat’ mean?

Accepted Answer

Pure, undiluted, fully-concentrated oils are referred to as “neat” oils.
Once the oil is put into an alcoholic solution, lotion, gel, (or other base), it is in dilution.

Question 9

Are there safety considerations?

Accepted Answer

Yes.
As with all neat oils (volatile compounds), natural perfumery oils must be kept away from children, must not be ingested, and washed from hands.  Avoid contact with face and eyes.
Please see the SDS (safety data sheets) that accompany each blend.

Question 10

What is the shelf life?

Accepted Answer

All of the blends have a 1 year shelf life if stored in cool, dark, dry, airtight conditions.
The enemies of fragrant oils are light, air and heat.
The accords are shipped in Amber glass bottles to filter UV light. However, they should also be tightly sealed and stored in a cabinet or low light area away from direct sunlight.
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Regarding age of materials, fragrance families have varying longevity.
The  highly volatile citrus oils traditionally have a shorter life-span than the rich, heavy materials such as patchouli or woods. Knowing this, the heavier blends may in fact have a much longer life-span than their lighter more volatile cousins.  Ideally, it’s best to keep citrus oils in the refrigerator for longer life.

Question 11

What is the difference between natural perfumery and aromatherapy?

Accepted Answer

As stated on the Tisserand Aromatherapy website (www.tisserand.com),
“Aromatherapy is the practice of using volatile oils, known as essential oils, to promote psychological and physical wellbeing”.  Typically, aromatherapy only uses essences that have been extracted by hydro-distillation. (or cold extraction in the case of citrus), yielding what are known as ‘essential oils’.

Natural Perfumery is the art of perfumery, focusing on an aesthetic olfactive experience, using only natural molecules.  Included in this are essential oils, as well as absolutes, fractions, isolates, CO2 extractions, concretes, resinoids, co-distillates, molecular distillates, infusions, tinctures, and hydrosols.  All ingredients are strictly from natural materials as per ISO 9235; there are no synthetic materials.
 
Where aromatherapy focuses on well-being, by definition it has a more limited palette than natural perfumery.  Natural Perfumery offers an expanded palette of vibrant, refined, sparkling, complex blends.

Question 12

How can we purchase? Are there minimums?

Accepted Answer

Simply go on-line to the shop page, and place your order.
Since we offer a wide range of sizes ranging from 10ml to 16oz., there are no minimums for ordering individual oils.  The best way to try the entire collection is to purchase the sample kit, which includes a 5ml bottle of each of the Accords.
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Question 13

Why are they all priced differently?

Accepted Answer

Since these are composed of 100% natural raw materials, they are priced at the current market value per/kilo of the ingredients used within each blend.  There may be seasonal variations in yield due to weather, pests, availability or geo-politics that affect supply & demand, and thus the price.

Question 14

Who can purchase?

Accepted Answer

The easy answer is: anyone and everyone!
In addition to perfumers (or budding perfumers), perfumery ingredients are used by cosmetic formulators, chemists, beauty entrepreneurs, artists, olfactive educators, or anyone wanting to create with aromatic raw materials.  However, these are volatile and expensive compounds, so great care is required when using and storing these materials.
 
For Industry customers, please contact us directly for sales, terms and customer support.

Question 15

Returns Policy?

Accepted Answer

We currently do not offer a return policy. Fragrance experience is highly individual, which is why we highly encourage the sample kit and smaller sizes for an initial experience.  All sales are final.

Frequently Asked Questions