#11 HAVE A GOAL AND STICK TO IT

The core to creating your own perfume is having an objective. Don’t just haphazardly mix a selection of oils and hope for the best.

Think about it like sitting behind the wheel of your car intending to drive somewhere, but you have no clue where you're going or how to get there. If you don't have a destination in mind and a route to get you there, you might — just might — end up somewhere incredible.

Or, more dramatically, you may just end up driving off a cliff.

The same holds true when making a perfume.

Have a goal in mind and decide what you are trying to create. Too often, it’s easy to get carried away with all the excitement of launching a product, which often results in losing sight of what you are creating.

Putting your ideas into words will keep you focused on your objective. Writing yourself a brief can help you find the scent you are seeking. The classic perfume ‘J’adore’ was created by a single sentence brief;

"Create a perfume as sexy as a pair of Stilettos, and as comfortable as a pair of Tod’s."

Not having an objective is like going on a journey without planning how to get to your destination.

You can also use mood boards or sketches like designers do. The visuals will help to clarify your ideas and help determine which oils you need. Mind-mapping is another way of expressing your goals. Look at this website or check out some videos about mind-mapping by Tony Buzan.

Without a clear aim and plan, it’s easy to get lost on your creative journey.

At every step, consciously recall why you are adding your chosen oils to your creation. Otherwise, you’ll add a drop of this or a drop of that and lose sight of your scent.

If at any point you feel the perfume isn’t working, take a step back.

Look again at your brief and remind yourself of what you want to accomplish. This will guide you back towards your objective. If it’s really not working, start again and learn from the mistakes you've made so far. It may take longer than you expected, but the result will be better than you ever dreamed, plus, the view along the way will be incredible!

Just as a designer can't put all their ideas into one dress, don't put yours into one perfume. Make notes of your other ideas and put them into creations at another time.