NATURAL perfumes have experienced a surge in interest over the past few years, and Leanne Hirsh is at the top of her game. The British-born perfumer creates her range of botanical scents from scratch, in small batches, using the finest elixirs as well as rare extracts of Amazonian and Andean plants. The results exude a luxurious quality and are truly unique. Fragrances in her collection include Jungle Rose Mariri, a rich yet powdery rose; Picaflor, a sparkling Jasmine scent with a touch of spiciness; and Choyita, which evokes a smoky vanilla aroma.
Perfumera Curandera. Photograph: Bettina Lewin
After spending over a decade in the Catskills area of Upstate New York, Hirsh recently relocated to the sunny climes of Malibu, California, from where she runs her fragrance house, Perfumera Curandera. Her approach to perfume-making is particularly interesting and unique, evolving from her personal experiences of travelling to the Amazon rain forest and Andes mountains for a period of over 25 years. It was during these trips that she began to learn about the curanderos – traditional healers in the region that use medicinal plants as the basis of their practice. These curative elements have been at the foundation of Hirsh’s creative process.
Perfumera Curandera. Photograph: Leanne Hirsh
As well as offering high quality concoctions that smell divine, the beauty of Perfumera Curandera lies in its ability to showcase its identity as an independent, one-woman company. Expect pretty, pocket-sized bottles with handwritten labels. Also expect many of the fragrances to be sold-out at any given moment. You would be wise to get onto this particular natural perfume train as soon as possible.
by Derby Jones
For more information about Perfumera Curandera please visit here
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Photographs by Bettina Lewin and Leanne Hirsh
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