- Fragrance Blending Supplies
Did you know the human sense of smell is 10,000 times stronger than any other sense we have? Amazing fact! And we love to savor our world with our noses…from our fresh brewed morning coffee, to our dishsoap, shampoo, hair spray, cleaning supplies, and it even extends to the delicious aromas of the food we consume.
As I waited for the oils to cool down for the goat milk soap I made today, I satisfied my love for scent by working on some fragrance blending. I am NO master perfume blender! I am self-taught from reading piles of books. I have fun with blending.
My fragrance blending supplies consist of:
Blotter paper, glass eye droppers, essential oils (fragrance oils as a last resort), and alcohol to clean the droppers (to prevent contamination from bottle to bottle). If I do not have blotter paper on hand I cut up coffee filters. Yes, inexpensive coffee filters!
The Body of a Perfume or Fragrance Blend:
When describing a scent or blend, perfumers often use the term “notes.” Notes are directly related to the evaporation rate of a single fragrance (or a group, or bouquet of fragrances that bond) within a blend.
The base note, for example, can last for hours (or days) on the skin. A base note evaporates very slowly. Base note fragrances are often dark and thick, like patchouli or sandalwood.
The middle note can last up to 3 hours. The middle note normally rounds out, or binds the fragrance blend.
The top note is very short lived. It normally lasts about 30 minutes.
How I Blend:
When I decide what “mood” or thought I am trying to project, I select oils that compliment the “painting” (ex: juniper-sweet or musky, lavender-relaxing and clean, orange-uplifting). I called it “painting” because the creation of fragrance blends does feel very much like artwork!
I begin by adding my base notes to the blotter paper. Depending upon the intensity of the essential oil, I add a few drops at a time. I then move on to the middle note. Again, adding a few drops at a time. Once I have obtained the desired effect, I move on to the top note, adding a few drops at a time. I always take notes…notes are a must!
I end up carrying the blends with me throughout the day. It is a good way to know whether I will love a blend, or be sickened by it! Today, in my left pocket (fragranced blotter paper wrapped in wax paper), is my holiday blend. It contains a little cedar, vanilla, frankincense, orange and juniper. In my right pocket is a lavender, citrus, cinnamon and anise blend. I smell pretty aromatic today! The blends are getting the benefit of my body heat, helping the scents to bloom. And, I enjoy checking the blend throughout the day to see how the notes change, and they do!
So, there you have it, basic perfuming 101…Mary Humphrey style!
I wish you had sniff-a-vision!!! These blends make me think about the natural potpourri that I used to find in a little shop in Nashville, Indiana. Talking about scent and memories…another blog post!!
Annies Goat Hill Handcrafted Soaps 
What a great way to test fragrances and to advertise your products. You should get lots of compliments like that.
How interesting and informative.
I read once that our sense of smell is so powerful and sophisticated that hunger can be satiated by aromas alone. Why is it, then, that when I smell something delicious – it triggers hunger? Thankfully, I don’t get the urge to eat flowers when I use your soap – even though it certainly is pretty enough to eat.
Thanks for that tutorial. Maybe it will help me understand perfumes better when I go to pick one out for myself!
I appreciate your prayers for my family, Mary. It means alot.
I liked the part about your dairy goats, too. They are so cute. Besides making your soaps and lotions, do y’all drink goats milk, too? I had a friend once a long time back that used to drink it because he was allergic to cows milk or something.
Just curious…
How fun!
Amy
Vickie, I drink the milk. It is great for allergies and all sorts of health maladies.
Alix, I hope I never get the urge to eat flowers either. I would really be in trouble then.
Thanks, Amy.
Delores, I love testing fragrances. I saw a picture once of a room filled with bottles of scented oils. I would love to do that! I buy what I need for the most part, sticking to an inventory list, and occasionally stepping out for something unusual!
Interesting post.
I don’t believe I could be around all those scents though.
I once worked inventory control. And everytime we had to count the potpourri, I ended up with a splitting headache.
Enj0yed the Aromatherapy 101, especially the coffee filter tip. Have a super day. 🙂
Becky, I am one of the lucky ones that can tolerate fragrances, especially essential oils.
But when I walk through certains aisles at the grocery store, especially the dish and laundry soap aisles, I can barely breathe. There is a big difference between chemical and natural fragrances.
Thanks, Pat. You are a darling.
What an informative post. I never knew anything about blending scents. Since my nose has been in the process of reconstruction by sense of smell has changed. My perfume that I absolutely love has suddenly started smelling rancid. I hope that this doesn’t last but if so I will now know how to test new scents.
Steppingthru…I hope your sense of smell returns to what it was. But, if it doesn’t, perhaps you will learn to like a new set of blends or fragrances. It might be interesting!
[…] recently did a study on scent. I thought I would learn additional fragrance blending methods, taking the skills to the shop with me. I picked up on more than that. Very […]