Violet and Iris Natural Perfume Formulation Class: September 13th, 2025

Please note this is an online Intermediate to advanced level botanical perfumery class. In order to enroll in this class, you must have taken the Weekend Natural Perfumery Intensive Part 1 course with Charna Ethier.

Intermediate level class.    

Advanced level class.

This natural perfumery course focuses on learning how to create balanced violet and iris perfumes.  These fragrances are characterized as possessing powdery, delicate spring floral notes, sometimes highlighting the sweet parma violet or the powdery buttery facets of orris. Orris butter is one of the rarest and most expensive perfume materials in the world.  Due to its cost, real orris butter is very rarely used in modern perfumery and has been replaced with synthetic aroma chemicals. Not in this class! Our perfumer, Charna Ethier, only works with natural essences and in this class, we will be utilizing real orris, sandalwood, rose and jasmine!  The materials kit included with the class includes these costly essences and more, allowing students access to rare high quality materials sourced by a perfumer.  

Course work is focused heavily on formulation and student participation.  Students will learn how to work with a variety of natural isolates intrinsic to formulating violet and iris fragrances, including ionone alpha, ionone beta, heliotropin and ambrettolide. During class, participants will be tasked with creating six different variations upon the violet and iris fragrance theme using the materials in the included perfumery kit. These fragrance mods will challenge students to create variations based on assigned fragrance families and will continue to build on the formulary education they've received in previous studies with Charna.

Registered students will receive a kit of perfume materials and labware valued at over $250 to use in formulating the violet and iris fragrance compositions. Excess materials will remain after class allowing students to continue formulating and practicing their skills on their own time. Also included is a course syllabus and access to the live zoom class meeting which runs from 11:00 am - 5:30 pm ET on Saturday, September 13th, 2025.  Included in the price of this class are the following materials, which will be mailed to students prior to the class date:

• natural alpha ionone
• natural beta ionone
• bergamot
• mimosa
• violet leaf
• orris butter
• orris resinoid
• amber
• natural phenyl ethyl alcohol
• natural tomato compound
• jasmine
• vetiver
• natural heliotropin
• ylang ylang
• cocoa
• natural ambrettolide
• rose
• natural strawberry compound
• sandalwood
• 6 qty. labeled wide mouth vials for storing fragrance mods
• 19 plastic pipettes
• 30 scent strips

Please note there may be additions to the included ingredient list.  There is limited class space and this course will likely sell out.  If you are interested in registering for this class, we recommend you do so sooner rather than later. Class enrollment will close one month prior to course date to allow time for mailing materials.  All classes are non refundable and non transferable. Students must have access to perfumers alcohol (approximately 3 ounces minimum) and a small (20-50 ml.) beaker as these are the only materials needed for class that are not provided.  Students must have access to wifi and a free zoom account to participate. The early bird discounted pricing for this class is currently in effect.