Françoise Rapp

French Natural Perfumery

become a perfumer

French natural perfumery online certification program

Our French natural perfumery online is part of International Perfume Foundation curriculum. Being certified by International Perfume Foundation is to be the ambassador of excellence and part of a world growing community and network of professionals defending values of quality and sustainability. This certification program has been specially designed for individuals and professionals alike who are interested in the art, history and science of natural perfumes. This online course provides you with a solid foundation so you can create unique, natural fragrances for yourself, your cosmetics and personal care products.

Françoise Rapp is chairman, France & the lead instructor of International Perfume Fondation for the curriculum of French Natural Aromatherapy and French Natural Perfumery. This one-of-a-kind apprenticeship with Françoise Rapp explores plant essences, absolutes, macerates and all the plant material you use as a natural perfumer. It promises to be interactive, comprehensive and lively. Think of it as your guided journey into the world of natural perfumery with our renowned expert by your side every step of the way.

The course is available is English, Italian, Spanish, Chinese, and Arabic.

Multi payment option is available. 

What you will learn as part
of the program

The French natural perfumery
certification program objectives

The program consists of individual work plus 2 Zoom sessions, 9 workbooks and a total of 270 pages study book.  

Once you enroll in the course, you receive a starting guide to help you to fully be prepared for the class and answer to all your questions about the class kit, how to prepare your home-lab and natural perfumer organ, the safety and storing of raw material, etc. You will receive also the glossary of natural French perfumery.  

For the class kit, we suggest you purchase 15 essences at the most first then add on others as the class goes. The estimate price for the starter kit (15 essences in 5ml or 10ml) can cost 140€ approximatively depending the supplier (we provide you a list of trustful companies). Please note that the starter kit helps you to start to build your perfumer’s organ.

Welcome to the course in a zoom format. Learn all what awaits for you, have your questions answered and receive the proper instructions to experience the course. 

Understand and discover the history behind this beautiful art and how to get familiarized with natural ingredients:

– Natural perfumery history through the major periods and their original recipes, the authentic textures for natural perfumes & other fragrant beauty products
– The olfactory notes and raw material fashions throughout the major historical periods                                                                                                                                             – Harvest calendar                                                                                                                        – The glossary of natural material extraction helps you to recognize and appreciate different qualities of natural essences in its various forms.                           – Activity : learn how to prepare ancient recipes of Eau de Cologne Admirable 

 

Exploring the various olfactory families and the natural, raw materials dedicated to each one. Learn about the history of the olfactory families and their facets. You will also learn how to adjust and compliment different scents in their classical and modern tone:

– The chypre family 
– The floral family
– The fougère family
– The hespéridés family
– The leathery family
– The oriental family
– The woodsy family                                                                                                          – – — Activity : learn how to prepare the vegetable/vegan wax used in for solid natural perfumes.

 

Exploring 40 monographs of natural essences, absolutes and CO2*:

AMBERGRIS, AMBRETTE, BASIL BENZOIN, BERGAMOT, BOIS DE ROSE, BUDDHA WOOD, CASSIE, CARDAMOM, CEDARWOOD ATLAS, CEDRAT, CISTUS, CLARY SAGE FRANCE, COCOA, GAIAC WOOD, GALBANUM, GERANIUM EGYPT, GINGER, JASMINE GRANDIFLORUM, JUNIPER BERRIES,  LAVENDER FINE FRANCE, MANDARIN RED, NEROLI MORROCCO, ORRIS, PATCHOULI, PETITGRAIN BERGAMOT, PETITGRAIN CITRONNIER, PINK PEPPER, PINK GRAPEFRUIT ITALIAN, PEPPERMINT USA, PERU BASALM, ROSE, TAGETE, TOBACCO, TONKA BEAN, TUBEROSE, VANILLA, VETIVER HAITI, YLANG YLANG EXTRA

– Their olfactory classification
– Their origin, base solubility, IFRA standards, safety & cautions, odorant molecules of each natural essence, olfactory profile and evaluation, 40 natural perfumes accords
– The natural isolats: their place and role in the natural perfumery world – what it is exactly and how is it produced                                                                                           – Activity : olfactory activities & scent evaluation

 

This week, you learn in-depth information about natural perfumery making & building. It prepares you for the following weeks during which you will apply the knowledge and express fully your creative mind. This is what is awaiting for you  :

– The simple & complex accords in natural perfumery, the fixatives, the maceration process, the storage and safety while working with natural essences. 

– The fixatives in natural perfumery : alcoholic, non-alcoholic (hydrosols and oil base), the raw material used as fixatives

– The notes and the different structures to create a well balanced natural perfume

– Understanding the differences between natural and classical perfumes and mastering the dos and don’ts of natural perfumery. 

Activity : you will create 10 accords, perform detailed olfactory evaluation for each of them, and create 2 guided custom blends : rose & leather suede accords

During these two weeks, you will practice on creating 24 accords including vertical, horizontal, rose, suede leather accords that will be given to you and to custom as well with your choice of natural essences. Learn 4 main perfumery diagrams : chypre, fougère, oriental and cologne. Prepare your scented alcoholic fixatives as indicated in module 4. Experiment the natural perfumes recipes in different bases : scented alcoholic, non-scented alcoholic, hydrosol, jojoba oil, vegetable wax .

Choose two of them and mail 2x 1 ml samples to Françoise Rapp for her personal review and comments, along with any recommendations for modifications. It serves as the pre-creative work for your final exam.  

The workbook of module 6 natural perfumery pre and production : translate your inspiration in raw material with moodboards, formulation calcul tables, weight your formulation, the right packaging…

 

This week, we will review the seven olfactory families and their adaptation in natural perfumery. Using your natural perfumery essential kit (all the information are mentioned in the starting guide) we will discuss the solutions and the specific essences that may be used to create a variety of facets, such as marine, fruity, gourmand, etc.

This week, you will create your professional fragrance and learn how to adjust the formula according the various neutral bases, including concrete perfume with natural waxes, creams and natural gels.

When creating a natural perfume, you may face some technical challenges, as while some essences are a perfect match, others are not. In this masterclass, you will learn the tricks and tips to make your natural perfume perfectly balanced and long lasting.

This week, you send back your exam questionnaire and we meet live in a zoom for your graduation.

You are also going learn everything about IPF Luxury Code for Perfumers and much more.  

 

Length of the course: 10 weeks

The course includes International Perfume Foundation (IPF) Certification as a Natural Perfumer and have your name listed in the IPF Directory. This is part of IPF curriculum to become certified perfumotherapist. 

The Logistics

Frequently asked questions

Yes. This course is open to everyone with an interest in deepening their knowledge of natural perfumery and is easily accessible.

We are often asked this question. We believe one of the most unique features is our balanced, progressive and inspiring teaching, which inspires a new generation of perfumers to develop and succeed. Françoise Rapp is an expert teacher with more than 25 years’ experience in the field and she will be on hand to guide you every step of the way. 

You can purchase the natural perfumers kit *how much does it cost?, which you will use in the program. This is an essential tool in order to complete the course. You will also need a mailbox, a good internet connection for the Zoom meetings and a Facebook account to sign into the student lounge should you wish.

Not really, we prefer to meet face-to-face during the course via Zoom so we are on hand to answer and queries or concerns.

Yes, we are an international school and people sign up from all across the globe, however please note, the course is delivered in English.

natural perfumery certification

The Monthly Enrolment Dates

2023

  • January 9
  • February 6
  • March 6
  • April 3
  • May 1
  • June 5
  • July 3
  • August 7
  • September 2

Cancellation Policy

Cancellations must be received in writing no later than two weeks before the start date of the course to be eligible for a refund, less a 10% cancellation fee. Cancellations received less than two weeks prior to the start date of the course, but 72 hours before the start of the course are eligible for a refund less 20% of the full registration price. Failure to appear at the program with no written cancellation 72 hours prior to the program will result in complete forfeiture of the registration fee. Registrations are non-transferable. Cancellation requests must be received in writing by email to contact@francoise-rapp.com and Françoise will reply with a written acknowledgement.