Bois de Mer, Apprentice Perfumer Kaleigh Prokop

Bois de Mer

The warmth of your skin after sitting on the beach all day, sea salt stuck to your hair and skin, the smell of sand and sweat, palm trees with coconuts swaying above, the dusk that is turning the sky a million different pinks and oranges.  The driftwood that is burning in the beach bonfire, the cool glasses of rose that are being passed around, sweet incense and olibanum. 

• Top: Bergamot, Lime, Sea Salt Accord;
• Middle: Incense, Coconut Water, Pink Pepper;
• Bottom: Incense, Peru Balsam, Vetiver.

Mentor: Jim Schmidt.

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Kaleigh Prokop

How did you find out about the fragrance industry?

I found out about the industry during my first class of the Cosmetics and Fragrance Marketing Program. The class was called History of Beauty and I absolutely fell in love with the idea of the Perfumery. I told my Professor after that first class that I was going to be a perfumer. Here I am!

What made you want to be a perfumer? 

I couldn't believe that there was a whole job where you could just create fragrances all day long. I was enthralled! It was so fascinating to me that all the products and perfumes that we touch and use every day, that our grandmothers and mothers have used before us were created by a perfumer. To be able to influence people's everyday lives and experiences were what made me want to be a perfumer. It's one of the greatest gifts that I was ever given!

What are some of your favorite and least favorite scents? 

Lily of the valley, hyacinths at Easter, lilacs in the spring, soft leather, a bonfire on a summer night, the beach, suntan lotion, dove soap that reminds me of my Grammy. Least- dimethyl sulfide, old grease, mothballs, old cigarette smoke, E train in the summer...

What are the hardest obstacles you have found when working in perfumery?

REGULATORY, due dates, price, raw material shortage, raw material costs, client expectations.