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cleared, and it’s time to get back to you with a few basics about natural
perfumery. So for this month, I give you the handy-dandy nature-marketing
speak natural perfumery guide.
Last month, we already talked about common misconceptions, and perhaps a
little about where those misconceptions come from. Now that we’ve talked
about the culture, let’s start learning the language. While it’s always difficult
to get excited about vocabulary pieces, it will prove useful – and much more
pleasant than finding out “Cervesas por alles” in fact did not mean “Cheers!”
that time in Cancun.
Green and Eco-friendly terms
Just as natural is not always safe, natural is not always the environmentally
friendly option, although its chances of being environmentally friendly are
slightly better than that of its synthetic counterparts because it (usually)
doesn’t have as far to go to return to its carbon roots. Whether natural or
synthetic, ultimately we’re dealing with concentrated chemicals – and it’s
important to understand what their labeling means so we can prepare for
their use or disposal. We’ve been over this, but the thought bears repeating,
and will especially be repeated as we talk more about absolutes and the
chemicals used for extraction.
Biodegradable – If you put outside, it will break down with sufficient heat
and moisture. This is one of those scenarios you could easily test yourself
by putting it out on your compost heap and composting properly. You’ll know
soon enough if it really is biodegradable. Just because it’s natural, however,
does not mean it’s biodegradable. Rocks, for instance, don’t compost well.
Also, some essential oils and related fragrance chemicals can royally mess up
the groundwater – so it’s best to dilute them madly or to use them up rather
than to toss them straight back into the earth.
Organic – Ostensibly, this means that the plant or animal you’re to consume
was raised free of man-made chemical interference including antibiotics,
pesticides and fertilizers. However, there is no regulation of the term
“organic.” Motor oil could be labeled organic quite legally. Other terms that
are unregulated and quite commonly abused are natural, green, and chemical-
free.
Certified Organic – USDA Certified Organic certification is a whole other
situation from “organic.” The certification process is intensive and expensive,
requiring a farmer to demonstrate that no prohibited substances have been
used for three years prior, pay some significant fees up to $2000 and to show
extensive documentation about the entire growth and harvesting processing
of the farm. This process takes a few years.
perfumery. So for this month, I give you the handy-dandy nature-marketing
speak natural perfumery guide.
Last month, we already talked about common misconceptions, and perhaps a
little about where those misconceptions come from. Now that we’ve talked
about the culture, let’s start learning the language. While it’s always difficult
to get excited about vocabulary pieces, it will prove useful – and much more
pleasant than finding out “Cervesas por alles” in fact did not mean “Cheers!”
that time in Cancun.
Green and Eco-friendly terms
Just as natural is not always safe, natural is not always the environmentally
friendly option, although its chances of being environmentally friendly are
slightly better than that of its synthetic counterparts because it (usually)
doesn’t have as far to go to return to its carbon roots. Whether natural or
synthetic, ultimately we’re dealing with concentrated chemicals – and it’s
important to understand what their labeling means so we can prepare for
their use or disposal. We’ve been over this, but the thought bears repeating,
and will especially be repeated as we talk more about absolutes and the
chemicals used for extraction.
Biodegradable – If you put outside, it will break down with sufficient heat
and moisture. This is one of those scenarios you could easily test yourself
by putting it out on your compost heap and composting properly. You’ll know
soon enough if it really is biodegradable. Just because it’s natural, however,
does not mean it’s biodegradable. Rocks, for instance, don’t compost well.
Also, some essential oils and related fragrance chemicals can royally mess up
the groundwater – so it’s best to dilute them madly or to use them up rather
than to toss them straight back into the earth.
Organic – Ostensibly, this means that the plant or animal you’re to consume
was raised free of man-made chemical interference including antibiotics,
pesticides and fertilizers. However, there is no regulation of the term
“organic.” Motor oil could be labeled organic quite legally. Other terms that
are unregulated and quite commonly abused are natural, green, and chemical-
free.
Certified Organic – USDA Certified Organic certification is a whole other
situation from “organic.” The certification process is intensive and expensive,
requiring a farmer to demonstrate that no prohibited substances have been
used for three years prior, pay some significant fees up to $2000 and to show
extensive documentation about the entire growth and harvesting processing
of the farm. This process takes a few years.
Perfumery Without Pretension
Natural Perfumery: Learning
the Language
By Diana Rajchel, Magickal
Realism Natural Perfumery
http://magickalrealism.etsy.com
Did ya miss me? C’mon, I know
you’ve been wondering where I’ve
been, off in my perfumed
paradise. Perhaps not – it is
summer, and there’s much to
catch a whiff of in beautiful
Minneapolis. In my case,
paradise has smelled a lot like
Vaporub – June came, and I got
hit with a January cold. But now
both the air and my nose are
Natural Perfumery: Learning
the Language
By Diana Rajchel, Magickal
Realism Natural Perfumery
http://magickalrealism.etsy.com
Did ya miss me? C’mon, I know
you’ve been wondering where I’ve
been, off in my perfumed
paradise. Perhaps not – it is
summer, and there’s much to
catch a whiff of in beautiful
Minneapolis. In my case,
paradise has smelled a lot like
Vaporub – June came, and I got
hit with a January cold. But now
both the air and my nose are