FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Superfumista ?
Superfumista is an independent and connected perfumer who chose to make custom fragrance-making more accessible. As true lovers of perfume, our name uses the word perfumista just like a fashionista is fond of fashion.
Thanks to the first mobile application of the kind, we are able to share with each one of you, the super-power to participate in creating a unique fragrance remotely.
Read more about us…
How does remote perfume-making work?
We will guide you through 3 steps inside the SUPERFUMISTA application:
- Describe your project and tell us your preferences throughout a few questions, upload any file that will help express your ideas for your project.
- Compose your fragrance with the olfactive carousel choosing your notes and ingredients.
- Compare the formulations (versions of your fragrance) we’ll sent out to you, share with us your insights for possible adjustments and confirm the formulation you like best.
Throughout this creative process, we chat on the SUPERFUMISTA application to understand your project and make it happen at best. We keep you updated at every step of the way while creating your fragrance (check Track your Creation) until the awaited moment when you get our final fragrance.
What’s in a SUPERFUMISTA fragrance?
We compose Eaux de parfum with alcohol (ethanol) and 2 types of materials:
- naturals : extracts from flowers, trees and other plants ( essential oils, absolutes, resins… ). We do not use any animal ingredients
- synthetics : identical compounds to molecules present in Nature which are used for several “good” reasons: (protected endangered species, complex or impossible extraction process, quality variation and cost) or effect compounds (with no equivalent in Nature)
You find Magic & Chemistry in both materials (naturals and synthesized). Each plays a part with its own properties, qualities and function. The art of blending requires them both in order to make the perfect scent and the right emotion for your fragrance.
What’s the difference between Eau de parfum and Eau de toilette ?
These names are all about how much concentrated the fragrance is (fragrant compounds). The dilution depends on the amount of added alcohol which acts on intensity, sillage and tenacity.
The following categories refer to custom practice and not legislation:
– Eau fraîche contains from 1% to 3% fragrance
– Eau de Cologne from 3% to 5%
– Eau de toilette from 5% to 15%
– Eau de parfum from 15% to 25%
– Extrait de parfum (aka “parfum”) over 25%.
Superfumista creations are all Eau de parfum. The intensity is adjusted with you throughout the creative process and our exchanges on the chat of the app.
How will my SUPERFUMISTA fragrance last on my skin?
| Sillage and projection, like balance and originality are sought-after qualities in a fragrance, but tenacity seems to have a particular role. When it comes to scents, it’s all about temporality because a fragrance is just like telling a tale about sudden olfactory memories, the expression of the current mood or a strong established identity… Thus, the story of a composition starts with top notes as an introduction. The most volatiles and therefore ephemeral, they quickly make room for the development of the plot with middle notes, also called ‘heart notes’. They slowly melt into base notes as the main theme of the story. These more quiet notes can sometimes last long hours in a conclusion also known as the Drydown. This relation between intensity (impact) and duration can be represented with an evaporation curve to visualize how notes evolve with time. So when it comes to tenacity, the question would rather be: “What notes will last longer on my skin?” or “What is the story and the emotion I want to express during this slow conclusion?”. Depending on each creation and consequently the ingredients involved in a fragrance, the answer may vary. Besides the quality of ingredients which plays a big part in the tenacity matter, the type of fragrance (light and fresh versus sweet and resinous) and logically the types of materials used in a composition should make a difference. Synthetic musks, sandalwood or warm resins are certainly less “intense” than” crisp citruses or radiant aldehydes but their longevity on the skin may sometimes be remarkable. Last but not least, Our own chemistry has a word to say as well, for our skin may let some materials settle down, but absorb some others on short notice. |
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How much does shipping cost?
Shipping fees are free in mainland France, covering a maximum number of deliveries included in a pack (3 maximum: initial formulations, additional formulations and final box set of the fragrance based on the chosen formulation). For any delivery outside of France, we apply a contribution to delivery costs as a “flat shipping fees” which amount depends on the destination, covering all shipments.
How long does it take to create a fragrance with Superfumista?
With our tailor-made and craft approach, making your own perfume takes from the moment you create it on the application takes :
- About 4 weeks to get your initial formulations: based upon your insight and our chart conversations on the chat of the app, we compose different “initial formulations” for your fragrance. We let them blend (maturation) and ship them to you.
You can then take the time to ty them ou ton your skin, compare them and tell us which is the one you like best. - About 3 weeks to get your final fragrance: your fragrance is then prepared in a craft way, based on the formulation you have chosen. We give it a little time to blend before sending it you to you in its box set.
Beyond this period, you might ask us to make adjustments and provide additional formulations (included in the pack you have purchased), which will take about another 3 weeks. You might also request a set of extra formulations supplémentaires (not included in your pack) which, again, will take about another 3 weeks.
I don’t know much about perfume-making, how can you help me?
This is precisely our goal, our service adapts to you and your fragrance project, as we take into account what your needs and knowledge are. We discuss your ideas and choices on the live chat of the application and assist you throughout the whole perfume-making process.
You can define on the SUPERFUMISTA app your “nose expertise” and set it on one of the following 3 levels:
- Apprentice: you don’t know much about the ingredients so you can select your notes among 16 olfactory families (floral, woody, citrus…)
- Explorator: you know a little about ingredients and their families, so you can search through 130 materials from the 16 olfactive families.
- Maestro: you know about most ingredients from the olfactory families pretty well and know how to combine them, you can select precise ingredients and define the proportions for each.
This “Nose expertise” gives you access to a simplified version or a more advanced version of the Olfactory Carousel. But nothing irrevocable… you may change your setting at any time throughout the composition of your fragrance.
How to anticipate possible allergies?
The samples of the different formulations we send you are meant to be an olfactory test, so you can tell us what your preference is, and also skin test so we make sure your skin and your fragrance get along well. In case of known allergies or cross allergies, you can check this page describing the list of ingredients which may be used in a fragrance and are possible allergens.
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