Bois de Jasmin is an independent online publication offering articles on perfumery including fragrance reviews, essays on aroma-materials, perfume history and interviews with industry professionals. Its goal is to provide a resource for anyone interested in perfume and to offer an independent assessment of products available on the market.
Most importantly, it is about sharing a love for fragrance and an appreciation for the art of perfumery.
I grew up in a family of chemical engineers, and while my early background has revolved more around aldehydes themselves rather than Chanel No. 5, my interest in chemistry shaped my passion for perfumery. I have been collecting and studying essential oils and synthetic materials for several years. At the same time, this quest has led to a fascination with the history of perfumery, resulting in a large library of vintage fragrances.
In May of 2005, while working on my Ph.D., I decided to create a website that would offer a tribute to everything I find fascinating about perfume: the people who are responsible for creating fragrances; the materials that are woven into accords and then into the resulting compositions; and the very essence of the process that leads to the finished composition. While the perfume writing started as a hobby, it quickly turned into a full-time job, which has been very rewarding. Besides Bois de Jasmin, my writing appeared on the pages of Perfumer and Flavorist Magazine. Since May of 2007, I hold a position with International Flavors & Fragrances (IFF) (unaffiliated with Bois de Jasmin.)
Why Bois de Jasmin? Although I have an ever evolving array of favorite fragrances, the scent that never fails to move me is the aroma of jasmine in the warm evening air. The vision of its delicate branches embracing the wooden fence in the garden of my childhood is among my most vivid recollections.
Who Writes for Bois de Jasmin? Unless explicitly specified to the contrary, all of the articles on Bois de Jasmin are written and developed by me.
What are your credentials for writing about fragrance? Are you a perfumer? For the record, my background is in chemistry and economics. It takes decades of hard work and complete dedication to earn the title of perfumer, and while it is something I hope to achieve, perfumer is not what I am at this point. I learned about fragrance from reading, discovering fragrances (from modern to vintage,) and smelling raw materials. While up until my IFF tenure, I would consider myself self-taught, seeking out encounters with those who were willing to teach me contributed a great deal to my education. The more I delve in this fascinating field, the more I discover how much there is to learn. One cannot be an expert in this subject, unless one spends a lifetime practicing it, so I have a long way to go.
How is IFF affiliated with Bois de Jasmin? It is not. Also, my ethical policy is to avoid reviewing fragrances created by the company that employs me.
Do You Accept Products From Fragrance Companies to Review on Bois de Jasmin? Not if I can find the product on my own--and this means most of the products available on the market. I do accept the products (samples, never full bottles,) I do so based on the understanding that I can express all ranges of opinion. If the perfume received a positive review, it is because I truly loved it, not for any other reason.
Do Fragrance Companies Advertise on Bois de Jasmin? No, Bois de Jasmin does not accept direct advertising from private parties and companies. Bois de Jasmin is financed via indirect Google Adsense ads, which are randomly selected based on the Google keyword algorithm.
How Does One Navigate the Website? The main page features only the most recent posts in chronological order. The monthly archives are grouped by their specific category and can be accessed either via the menu or by scrolling to the bottom of the main page. The search feature allows browsing through all the posts on the website. For reviews of fragrances and ancillary products, peruse the Reviews section of the menu.
What is Bois de Jasmin's Privacy Policy? Bois de Jasmin does not release any of the personal information shared on this site. Subscription lists are moderated by third parties and the identities of the subscribers are not released to Bois de Jasmin. You can also create a Typekey account.
What About the Copyright? The content of Bois de Jasmin is protected by applicable copyright laws, which prohibit any usage of the material appearing on this site for commercial purposes without explicit consent from Bois de Jasmin's editor. Please respect the time and effort that are put into this venue.
How Does One Contact The Editor? Please email at editor at boisdejasmin dot com.
