Reform of the Scottish science curriculum for Higher Chemistry gave students the opportunity to experiment with essential oils and fragrances. With the support of a Royal Society Partnership Grant, the students learnt how to isolate and identify compounds in essential oils using microscale steam distillation and thin-layer chromatography. The isolated oils were used to produce shampoos and then test the stability of foam (lather) obtained from their samples. Finally, they did a poster presentation to their industrial partner and fellow students.