Fascinated by scents, ingredients and processes from an early age, I began creating my own essential oil blends and products 20 years ago after completing a diploma in aromatherapy. In recent years I became obsessed with the art of making soap and other cosmetics from scratch, because I didn't like most commercially available products, and I wanted to understand and include only ingredients that were necessary to products for efficacy, without losing aesthetic appeal. This has allowed me to explore my creative side as well as the science and research aspects. A summer course run by Grasse Institute of Perfumery that I attended in 2016 gave me further insight into ingredients used in perfume making, and how to use them.