ÇaFleureBon Profiles in American Perfumery: Leyla Bringas of Lunaroma + The Wisdom of Botanical Perfumery Draw

Leyla Bringas 

Leyla Bringas of Lunaroma

Profile: I was born into a deeply aromatic and sensually rich culture. My parents are Cuban immigrants and I was raised in Manhattan, NY most of my young childhood. Scent was a part of my world from day one. Cubans love looking and smelling clean and we were always splashed with “Agua de Violetas” (Royal Violets Cologne) after every bath or shower. Growing up, I was awoken every morning by the distinct scent of Cuban Café brewing.

YoungLeylaBringas

Leyla as a young girl

The sweet, rich aroma of tobacco from my grandfather’s cigar collection was always a part of weekends with my maternal grandparents. My widowed paternal grandmother lived with us all of my life, she was originally from Spain. She showed me the wisdom of herbal remedies and the distinct flavors and scents of herbal teas and cooking…ahhh Azafrán (Saffron), and Manzaneá (Chamomile) and Naranja Agria (Bitter Orange).

 

three generations  grandmother, mother and daughter cuban americans

Three Generations Leyla's Mami, Leyla and her daughter

My mother, a gifted cook, baker and beautician, introduced me to the world of creating beautiful works of art with patience, and perfection.  Be it an amazing Flan, a rich and delicious Ropa Vieja or a perfectly executed haircut and style, she made sure that attention to detail was number one in everything she did. She also loved perfume and wore a select few. When I smell the old bottles today, they immediately transport me back to my childhood. When I was in kindergarten we moved to Long Island, but still continued our weekends in NYC every week. In Long Island we had a beautiful garden, and were only a few miles from the ocean. I have distinct memories of smelling the salty ocean scent in the air mixed with the rich aromas of Cuban food coming from the kitchen while I played outside. Every bottle I opened as a child, for some reason, I would smell it first…. this was only the beginning.

botanial perfumery and aromatherapy books

A few of Leyla's Aromatherapy and Organic Body care books

I discovered essential oils during my time in college when I was given my first herbal book.  I spent countless hours reading it and making botanical body care products. After graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology with 3 minors in Sculpture, Philosophy and Anthropology, I embarked on studying herbal medicine…which brought me to aromatherapy and an aromatherapy certification…which then brought me to botanical perfumery. The rich and diverse world of aromatics captured me in a way nothing else had. The vast depth and width of scent and properties found in each new botanical ally opened me further to a universe of possibilities.

shopinterior

Lunaroma in Burlington Vermont

After running a local aromatherapy shop for almost 5 years, I took time away for the birth of my daughter in 2000.  That same year I was inspired to embark on another journey.  I took my skills and my creativity and applied them to my own vision: my first retail store, an Aromatic Apothecary in Burlington, Vermont called Lunaroma, a name I created with the help of my mother.  At Lunaroma, I designed the entire product line, which, 16 years later has grown to over 300 hand crafted products.

Leyla Bringas of Lunaroma

Leyla Bringas

On American Perfumery: I love being an Indie Botanical Perfumer. I love introducing my clients to the vast world of scent through the exploration of botanical extracts gathered from all over the world. The journey of scent which can be experienced from a tiny bottle, the feeling of transformation elicited from the spirits of the plants, the dimensional travel through time and space which touch some deep ancestral memories, are all driving factors in my pursuit of botanical perfumery. 

palo santo from  south america

Palo Santo wood when burned  is traditionally used by South American Shamans for cleansing negative nenergy

Educating the public on the true luxury of botanical perfumery and the sheer splendor of a botanical bouquet fills me with hope for the convening of humans and nature. I feel like an artist who designs explorations in olfactory travel that touch a part of our deepest nature, in a world where not many things can. I feel like I am a link between the ancient art of magical alchemy and perfumery with modern times.

Jerry Garcia at The Lunt-Fontanne Theater in 1987

Jerry Garcia at The Lunt-Fontanne Theater in 1987

Favorite American Artist:  My favorite American musician is Jerry Garcia. His mastery of the guitar and ability for complex musical composition in addition to superb skill has always mesmerized me. I have often compared his weaving of sound to the weaving of scent, which is present in any complex perfume composition. Like a beautifully crafted song that takes you into another world of thought, feeling and experience, so too does a well-composed perfume… It transforms one’s presence in the now to something of magic and mystery.

-Leyla Bringas, Founder and Perfumer for Lunaroma Inc.

enfleur

Thanks to Leyla we have a sample set of Lunaroma’s ten organic perfumes Belissima, DeLa Noche, Dulce, Enfleur, Eros, Madre, Miel de Rosa, Mimosa, Mysterie, Primavera, Shakti, and Vespertina for a registered reader in the USA or Canada

Editor’s Note:  Leyla is a certified perfumer with The Natural Perfumer’s Guild and our 102nd American Perfumer to be featured since 2011

 You can follow Leyla on Instagram @lunaroma and follow us @cafleurebon

To be eligible please leave a comment with what you found fascinating about Leyla Bringas' path to perfumery and where you live. Draw closes 6/3/2016

Please like CaFleureBon Profiles in American Perfumery and your entry will count twice.

 We announce the winners on our site and on our Facebook page, so Like Cafleurebon and use our RSS option…or your dream prize will be just spilled perfume

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21 comments

  • Her Mami is a real Cuban lady! They can do just about anything with next to nothing. And Cubans do love to smell good. I enjoyed hearing how her mother helped name the business. I look forward to hearing more about Layla’s journeys in green medicine. I live in Ohio.

  • Kinetisphere says:

    Humble upbringing that somehow set forth a creative journey. Very interesting article. I wonder when she had her child was that the catalyst to her creative epiphany? Regardless the answer. It’s still pretty cool to witness someone who chose to chase their dreams.

    Big thumbs up! ^_^

  • ntabassum92 says:

    I find that many perfumers have strong connections to scent from childhood. I like her memories of her mother, particularly her mother’s attention to detail and perfection in everything she did. She sounds like my mother. I am sure that her mother’s perfection has translated into Layla Bringas’ method of making perfume as art. I am in VA, USA. Liked the FaceBook page!

  • fazalcheema says:

    Leyla’s academic background such as in sculpture and anthropology is really fascinating and I feel it has played a role in her career paths and later perfume inspirations. She had quite an interesting life, full of twists and learning different things from her paternal grandmother and mom. Best wishes on your perfumery journey. I am in the US.

    I have liked the CaFleureBon Profiles in American Perfumery FB page.

  • I love reading how these perfumer’s lives prepared them for their future endeavors. It is nice to read that her mother had such an effect on Leyla. I would love to try these botanical perfumes. USA

  • I’m delighted to see Leyla featured, she is a talented perfumer and a true entrepreneur of the fragrant world. Anyone who wins her perfumes is in for a treat, and if you have a chance, visit her store in Burlington, VT for a real immersion into natural perfumery.

  • I love how her degree in psychology must influence how she uses aromas to modify people’s feelings! These organic perfumes sound so interesting, and have such a wonderful story behind them. I’m in the USA. Thanks for the draw!

  • Katelyn Muir says:

    The thought of being ‘an artist who designs explorations in olfactory travel ‘ and how that links us to our deepest nature really spoke to me. I’m so influenced by scent and have never heard the term ‘olfactory travel’ but it is so accurate to how scent impacts me. It can remind me of something, make me feel a certain way or transport me to another time and place. What a great article! I live in Vermont and am already a big fan of Lunaroma! She really does ‘weave a scent’ beautifully.

  • Melissa LaPointe says:

    I loved reading this background of Leyla’s. I live in CT and my mother who is still in VT turned me on to Lunaroma’s product when i was pregnant with my first baby (now 9yrs old). I am also a massage therapist with a love for aromatherapy and I use Lunaroma’s massage oils and essential oils whenever possible! Thank you çafleurbon for featuring Leyla and thank you Leyla for bringing your gifts and passion to the world!

  • I’ve been using and LOVING Leyla’s creations for many years as part of my massage therapy practice. It’s wonderful to learn more about her inspiration and history. Thank you Leyla!

  • I am a loyal Lunaroma customer and had no idea about Leyla’s personal history and how it influences her craft ! Just another reason to love her products!

  • Leyla Bringas’ background sounds a lot like mine. Too many interests for one lifetime! I do love that perfumery seems to draw people who have a plethora of interests. I suppose this is because smells can evoke so many different memories, emotions, states of mind. I’ll have to find her shop next time I’m in Burlington. Luckily I go down there once or twice a year, so I won’t have to wait too long. I live in Canada, thank you.

  • Angela Aguirre says:

    Leyla’s story is an amazing journey which can only be possible in the United States. It is an inspiring story worthy of being told to the young ones especially. I too am Cuban and I understand perfectly what she is talking about. I am proud of her and of our culture. Best of luck to you Leyla! You will go far!!!!
    Tia

  • The greatest thing that struck me is the importance of family and how that Helios build your character, as well as inspire and sustain you. I am lucky to live in Burlington, VT near Lunaroma.

  • Being sprayed with violet perfume after every shower as kids! I can’t imagine!
    what luxury!
    USA

  • This little and beautiful parfumerie is right around the corner from my house. Leyla’s products are a lovely surprise to come across all over town and in my and my friends homes. I didn’t know that Leyla’s family was Cuban.

  • I live in Canada, and haven’t seen Leyla’s creations anywhere in my travels. Her creations sound lovely!

  • Love this story — and funny enough I just bought some Palo Santo wood!! I like her focus on her childhood ‘smells’/atmosphere, since when I was young it was the smell of the earth, apples and coffee that meant so much to me. Those things never leave you. I wonder how much your childhood truly shapes your future life?

    I love how she has really created something with such a large business — and how her ‘creative-ness’ is truly a huge part of her life. I often think we should prioritize our creative output/feelings more, it contributes something unique to the world.

    My favorite part of this site is the mentions of indie perfume makers, please keep it up : )!! It’s so fun to buy/recommend from tiny companies that truly appreciate the support.

    I’m in NY, USA.

  • I am so impressed with Leyla’s road to perfumery! I love the influence of her mother and grandmother had in her life and the fact that her mother named her business. I can only imagine how wonderful her home smelled with Cuban food and her mom’s baked goods! I live in the US and thanks for the draw! 🙂

  • Leyla sounds like a wonderful woman! I thought it was so adorable that she let her mother name her business. I definitely have to check out her creations in the future. I’m in Canada and thanks for the draw.

  • What a great read! Leyla is an absolutely beautiful woman with immense talent. I’m a huge fan of natural perfumes, so these will be on my list to get my nose on.

    I’m a Canadian reader and thanks for the draw.