Interview with Simon Constantine, head perfumer of B Never Too Busy To Be Beautiful

Fragrantica is very thankful to Simon Constantine, head perfumer of B Never Too Busy To Be Beautiful, for the information that the perfumer kindly agreed to share with our readers. Please read more about B Never Too Busy To Be Beautiful in our News.

I must say it has been very pleasant to try all of your perfumes. 

First of all, I have to ask if you and Mark are brothers?

Simon Constantine: We are father and son but working with dad has aged me more than my years so I can understand your mistake ;)



I was quite surprised with your perfumes; they have a unique character making them both bright and easy at the same time as they are smoky and musky. I find that unusual and wonder if you have any idea what that kind of perfume-making depends on?

Simon Constantine: I think that we are unusual in that our fragrances use, on average, around 60% natural ingredients before we add the alcohol. That means we get richer notes than a more synthetic fragrance would give.

I can smell a similarity in most fragrances from B Never Too Busy To Be Beautiful, some would call it an in-house-note. It is something typical for you. I find the notes to be very deep, smoky and yes, dirty (in the best possible way). Was this something you worked with on purpose from the beginning or did it just happend?

Simon Constantine: Both Dad and I enjoy using "dirty" materials from erotic jasmines to smokey vetivert and sandalwoods, much of what attracts us to perfumery is access to the hidden subconscious through using complex natural essential oils and absolutes. Its great fun and people aren't expecting it.

Breath of God has received excellent reviews from perfume critic Luca Turin, and I do understand why. But in my opinion you have a lot of perfumes worthy of really good reviews.  Actually I haven´t come across many perfume lines that I like as much as yours. Is there any new perfume coming up soon? If there is, can you give me a little hint on what it would be like?

Simon Constantine: We are very pleased with the reception we have received critically. It's been fair and sometimes brutally honest, but it has given us great motivation to create bigger and better perfumes in the future. I could tell you our plans but that would ruin the suprise! 

You and Mark seem to get inspiration from literature, music, travels and people you meet. Are there any inspirational sources you wish to make a perfume for, but still haven´t?

Simon Constantine: The inspiration for perfume is endless and it's difficult to know where it comes from. If you take my last one, Superworldunkown, that had a gestation of about 5 years between both Dad and I playing around with it and all of a sudden it happens.

I sincerly hope I´ll see some B Never Too Busy To Be Beautiful-stores in Sweden soon. Not only because of your perfumes, but your make-up line and fragrant assecories seem gorgeous as well.  When will we see an establishmnet in other european countries and maybe even the US?

Simon Constantine: We don't have any plans at the moment to open in Sweden yet but are always looking for more retail sites in Europe and the USA, so watch this space.

I am having a hard time deciding which of your perfumes I like the best, but do you have a personal favorite? Which and why?

Simon Constantine: For me I'm most proud of Breath of God just because it was my first fine fragrance and I achieved what I hoped for when I set out creating it. 

I am a big fan of unisex fragrances or perfumes with an androgynous take, so Lady Boy is right down my alley. But what about making a perfume the other way around, inspired by women wearing masculine suits, and do it with femininity and grace, like for instant Marlene Dietrich? Have you ever consider doing such a perfume, and if what would it be like?

Simon Constantine: I remember Dad had taken a run at this when we first launched B, we had a fragrance called "Assasin" which we later discontinued. It was based on heavy green notes with pine but it just didn't have the success he wanted with it. If we were going to do it again I think I would maybe add a softer edge to it, maybe a sweet floral or musk that sits underneath a hard exterior like green pine or smoky cedarwood...

How long does it normally take to develop a new perfume? Has it ever happened that the result didn´t turn out the way you wish, and if so, do you just start all over again? Or do you finding your self liking what you get and there we have a new and interesting perfume?

Simon Constantine: As I said it can take years if the idea just isn't ready and yes, the lab is full of half finished fragrances which just didn't cut it. For me I have to walk away from the failures, and if the concept's strong, then take another look at it later when I have cleared my thoughts.

Spring has come, even to Sweden; which of your perfumes do you recommend the most for springtime wear? Why?

Simon Constantine: Superworldunkown I always felt was more suited to spring and summer, it's full of fresh florals and citrus with yummy sweetie notes to treat yourself too!

As a big perfume lover I have a lot of favorite perfumes, but if you had to chose some favorite perfumes among other brands, which would it be?

Simon Constantine: I've been enjoying Serge Lutens Borneo 1834 lately, which I bought in Paris late last year. I like Serge Lutens as there is a feel of a good use of natural materials which gives a much richer and longer lasting experience, I can't stand "slap in the face" perfumes that are gone as soon as they hit you.

All B Never Too Busy To Be Beautiful are vegan and PETA awarded B Never Too Busy To Be Beautiful  with the 2008 Proggy award for the best cruelty-free cosmetics.

Please visit the official site and online boutique of B Never Too Busy To Be Beautiful

Images: B Never Too Busy To Be Beautiful,  echiner1, Luza

Author: Annelie Högild (rebella)
Fragrantica Member