Meet Michael Salazar | Chef, ER Technician, Perfumer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Michael Salazar and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Michael, is there something you can share with us that those outside of the industry might not be aware of?
Well this is the exact reason I got into perfumery. For the simple fact that I don’t know anything about the industry and how secretive the world of perfumery and fragrances is. So I decided to give it a try myself. Soon, curiosity became an obsession. And an obsession became a passion. It’s the lack of transparency that these companies provide. It made me wonder “why does this one cost $500, and this other one cost $40?”. What it comes down to is marketing.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I have always been an artistic person. Whether it is music or painting. I became a chef after high school as it was a dream of mine to become one when I was 11. I soon found that the world is much tougher than what I most thought. In 2013 I suffered a horrible accident in a kitchen. The owner of a restaurant I was working at at the time decided to microwave hard boiled eggs. They then proceeded to ask me to take them out of the microwave. I was not aware what was in it and grabbed it out of the microwave. As soon as I took it out and looked at it. It exploded in my face sending molten egg onto my face. Fortunately at the time, I wore glasses. It was like a bomb went off. My ears were ringing and I couldn’t see since my glasses were covered on eggs. I took off my glasses and looked in a mirror that was next to me. I saw my whole face was yellow from the egg yolks. I tried wiping it off as it then started to burn. I was wiping my skin off, it burned a few layers and it was all coming off. Then I realized I couldn’t breathe out of my nose, so I decided to blow out my nostrils. A bunch of eggs and egg shell came flying out. It took the medical staff a few hours to clean the caked on eggs and shell off of my face. For a whole year I refused to use a microwave. But worst of all. I couldn’t smell very well. I had become depressed as I couldn’t taste either. Then I discovered fragrances. It was first with a subscription service out of curiosity. I realized they were strong and I could smell them. It made me feel happy to smell something. Eventually I started to regain taste and smell. But the injuries were extensive. First degree burns to my face, second degree burns to the inside of my nose. It has created scar tissue and polyps inside my nostrils which make it hard to snell and sometimes even breathe. So not long after starting a collection. I reached a hundred different bottles. I think what sets me apart from others is that I was a collector and consumer of fragrances for a long time. And what I wish other brands did and offered with their fragrances. I can offer. Being a part of these Facebook fragrance groups, we all talk to each other from all over the world about our experiences the perfumes and colognes. The challenges were when I tried to sell my product and people would chide me for even trying to sell. I began perfuming as a hobby and a way to learn about the industry. But the approach I had was to make fragrances with interesting and unique combinations and to use materials not used at all or often. I had countless posts and messages, video reviews saying how horrible and “how could he charge for this” posted. But I held my head high. Listened to every piece and kept working at it. I don’t have a degree I. Chemistry, or been to school for perfumery. I just spend day and night researching and formulating. Trim and error. Reading articles and learning about each individual material and what role it plays. I’m not trying to be the next designer fragrance like Versace or Gucci. I’m just trying to make good quality fragrances that are unique and enjoyable.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Oh man. Having been born and raised in San Diego. I feel I know this city the best. You can’t do a trip to San Diego without going to a beach (Or beaches!). Sunset cliffs is where I spent lots of time when growing up and in my adult life. Also La Jolla. I remember playing in the cove before they closed it off for the seals. And Torrey pines. The beach under the pier there is gorgeous. Especially on a nice and sunny day. Great for taking photos and seeing if you can find some local wild life (But it is a protected reserve. So observe only please). To eat, it would be sacrilege to not have some Mexican food. Tacos el gordo is a local classic and the adobada is to die for. I’m also a fan of Korean BBQ. Olleh and Jeong Won are my most frequented spots. And we actually have some great Italian places her as well. Mia Trattoria inPacific Beach. Il Fornaio on Coronado Island has a great view of the water and amazing food. And to hang out. Take a walk around seaport village. Lots of great views and places to check out. Mission beach is also a nice place to hang out. Go on the boardwalk and feel the nice ocean breeze!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My family has been the ones who have supported me from the get go and have been so curious as to how the world of fragrances is also. To the Facebook fragrance groups that have supported me and reached out about my venture. And to myself. For not giving up when times got tough and I didn’t believe in what I was doing.

Website: Www.Aromasdesalazar.com

Instagram: Aromasdesalazar

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/194419382573579/