An interview with Soul Collective Berlin

This interview was originally published by and for Soul Collective Berlin.

What is your morning ritual?

I like starting my mornings slow. After stretching in bed I’ll make a cup of coffee with oat milk, put on some music and think about the day. After showering, my biggest morning routine is to massage my face with a facial oil I make with Jojoba, Rosehip and a blend of Essential oils. The glow after this message replaces the need for makeup. It puts me in a good mood to start the day with a ritual!

How did Officine Perfume Oils come to be and what is the story behind the name?

Officine Perfume Oils is the fusion of my scientific background (organic chemistry), sensitivity to the arts and the importance of rituals in my routine. The name ‘Officine’ has a dual meaning in French. It designates an apothecary to make medicine, but also refers to an illicit gathering (ex: spy meeting, speakeasy). So much of the research phase happens away from the public eye, in the lab or behind closed doors. I work alone to make products, so to me the name fits both meanings.

How do travel and new places inspire your creations?

I have been lucky to live in many cities already (in Berlin, Paris, London, San Francisco, Edinburgh). Every time the highlight is the people: weaving friendships and building together. Being in a new place widens your sensory experience, from sight to smell and sounds. It is also about gaining an overall perspective on where you are at and having a fresh influx of ideas. Being too long into one place momentum slows down, at least for me.

What led you to study organic chemistry and how does your scientific background inform your work with aromatherapy?

I was always curious to understand how our surroundings affected the mind. Chemistry is the secret language to speak with the intangible world at the infinitely micro level. Scent is a bridge between our emotional & physical bodies with the intangible. When I began mixing oils my first clues were to download their chemotypes (the oil’s chemical composition) to see how compatible they were. Certain oils smell good together because at a micro-level they were meant to be together.

How would you describe your creative process and what are your different creative outlets?

My perfume blending process is a mix of intuition, iterative experimentation and scientific research. It is quite a linear process however, and to balance this one of my biggest creative outlets is visual design. I photograph, design, illustrate and print all my communication material. From the Instagram feed to product labels, it’s important to me that everything is visually coherent. I’m also lucky to have immensely talented artists & musician friends around me who inspire me daily!

What advice do you have for those who are interested in learning more about essential oils and aromatherapy?

Learning about aromatherapy and essential oils takes time and is expensive. There are so many and they can get pricey. Start small with a few and focus on them. Learn where they are from, which part of the plant is distilled, which systems of the body they affect. It’s better in my opinion to be an expert in a few than to collect too many and get lost in the process.

What are your favorite plants to forage in Berlin, and where do you go to find them?

I am not a big forager and outdoor person in general, you’ll find me rather in the lab than in the woods digging! That being said, I love a forest spring-summer stroll and my favorite flowers to look for are lavender, calendula & rose. I infuse carrier oils with the dry flowers and use the elderflowers to make a spring cordial!

What are some of your latest collaborations and how did they come to be?

Kismet Berlin and I launched a Crystal Candle in celebration of Nowruz, the persian new year, and we would like to continue making candles with more crystals! Last month I also co-hosted the first edition of Rituelle Retreats, an at-home retreat in collaboration with Eva Yoga. My current collaboration is confidential, but it is going to be one of my most proud accomplishments this year!

What are some of the challenges people might not know about when it comes to making products that are 100% natural and sustainable?

Making a natural perfume is a tribute to time. Aromas deepen as they age, and in synergy with one another, create subtle and unique fragrances. When you are applying natural perfume, remember that it is like time in a bottle! This makes them more expensive than most commercial perfumes. The ingredient list is important too: just because it’s plant-based/vegan doesn’t make it sustainable. Many plants are endangered or grow in very remote places. This is important to take into account when making or buying a perfume.

In what ways can people incorporate essential oils/aromatherapy in their daily rituals or in practices such as yoga?

You can incorporate aromatherapy by formulating your own products, in a multi-purpose balm at a 1% concentration or in a roll-on bottle at 6% concentration. For relaxation, dilute a few drops of Lavender & Frankincense in a carrier oil in a bath. For upliftment, add a few drops of Bergamot & Grapefruit in a diffuser. For a cleansing yoga mat & home spray, add a few drops of Eucalyptus & Palmarosa oils to a base of water and high-proof alcohol.

Do you have any upcoming workshops or offerings?

Yes ! I am planning on offering two types of workshops throughout the summer: Botanical Balm: Massage & Reflexology and Natural Perfumery: from Plant to Perfume. To book a private or corporate workshop, contact me directly at celine@officineperfumeoils.com

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… a Song …

‘Autumn Leaves’. Timeless, nostalgic.. Originally written as a poem by Jacques Prevert, and covered by many artists including Eric Clapton.

… A quote …

It’s not meant to be a quote or a poem, but the chemist Lavoisier opened his essay on the changing states of the elements with this phrase: "Nothing is lost, nothing is created, everything is transformed". This to me is a reminder that nothing exists out of thin air. Everything is a transformation of what came before. To me this applies to everything in life: events, relationships and so on. I ask myself “what is this [thing] the transformation of?”

… 3 recommendations …

1. Listen: “Chemtrails over the country club” by Lana Del Rey. Eerily beautiful and always a mood.

2. Follow: @iss the international space station on Instagram for a daily dose of perspective on our planet and a reminder of what matters :)

3. Watch: “The Serpent” on Netflix, about the french serial killer in the 70s in South-East Asia. Brilliant and a feast for the eyes: the 70s decor was perfect.