Maceration vs. Maturation

Let's talk about Maceration vs. Maturation.

Maceration in perfumery is when perfume is freshly blended and left to sit to allow all raw materials to be blended and blossom into the harmonized composition.

This process is done for at least 4 weeks up to several months in case large portion of naturals are used as natural materials such as CO2s, essential oils, and tinctures takes longer time to develop than synthetic aromachemicals. During maceration, materials react with each other, changing the final fragrance to what it was originally blended to become. It also darkens in color for blends with vanillin, and all become stronger in scent profile.

There are two ways perfumers macerate in house. Some may only macerate concentrates (before adding solutions, in our case perfumer's alcohol) to macerate, while others macerate with solution already added. There are no right or wrong answers here, but different method used for different purposes. For example, those brands that offer both EDP/alcohol version as well as perfume oils may choose to macerate only concentrates and add solutions upon bottling to expedite their process.

We, here at Briix, does it latter. We add perfumer's alcohol with concentrates upon blending, and macerate for at least 4 weeks before it is bottled. I feel like this allows the perfume to fully blossom into final composition, ready to be used as soon as it arrives at your doorstep.

Maturation, on the other hand, is the aging process of a perfume. This is a long-term progression of the fragrance, as it deepens and become richer scents in the period of several months to even years. This process is natural, and done by consumers. You may choose or not choose to maturate them, but it will eventually mature as it sits longer on your colletion as they are used throughout your scent journey.

One thing you need to be aware of when storing your perfume is oxidation. It happens when the perfume is exposed to air, which degrades the materials in your perfume. Most volatile materials, mostly found in top notes, are prone to oxidation and may lose its scents more quickly than the base notes that are heavier and generally bigger molecules. Sprayer helps minimize the oxidation as well as thicker glass bottles, which is why most brands invest in good-quality bottles. It is best that the perfume is stored in cool, dark place and never exposed of sunlight as it will also degrade materials if left for a long period of time. As long as the perfume is stored properly, small air introduced while spraying your perfume does not oxidize your perfume right away, so no need to worry about your perfume going bad in few months. They will age finely as wine does as long as you know how to properly store your perfume.