General Instructions for Making
Perfumes or Perfume Oils
Overview-
Please take a moment and listen to your trusty, animated instructor dispense juicy tidbits about this section.
Then, come to the Ship’s Blending Lab for class. We set up a special nook for you. When you get comfortable, please read through the information on this page, watch the five videos, and try out the formulas.
Please hand in the blending lab assigned at the end of the journal exercises. Remember to make a signature scent with essential oils, a bottle and a name you love!
This exciting “nose-on” section requires you to practice blending. Today’s download contains important ideas to integrate and refer to while you blend.
Introduction:
Improving the scent of your functional aromatic blends and creating natural perfumes is very enjoyable. Please give yourself time to continue to integrate the guidelines and suggestions.
How to Make a Perfume, A Review-
Always determine what your client is allergic to before creating a blend. Apply scents onto the inside of the elbow to test for sensitivity; if there is no reaction in 24 hours, it is likely safe.
First, come up with a concept. Is there a time, place or mood you wish to capture? What oils do you want to work with? Find a formula or recipe. Try your blend on blotting strips or in a small amount first. Let it sit a bit before making adjustments and making larger batches.
Do you wish to do a spray or a dab on? If it is a spray, your medium will be alcohol, and you will need a spray bottle of the size you desire. For a dab on, you might do an attar, which is straight essential oil or an oil-based perfume. You may use jojoba or Fractionated Coconut as your medium. You may then find a dabber bottle that will suit your purpose.
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- Ensure the glass bottle is clean, dry and will seal well.
- Always store the oils and blends in a cool, dark place.
- If the perfume or oil becomes old and changes in colour or scent, throw it out. (It may be rancid or phototoxic)
- Label everything you make with the name and date you made it.
- Please keep a copy of the recipe on file.
- Metal or plastic containers may contaminate your oil- glass is best.
- You may use 100 or 95-proof vodka. Buy some with a low-scent profile.
- Jojoba or FCO (fractionated coconut), sometimes called MCT, are suitable oil-based mediums. Both options hold the scent together and deter rancidity.
- The essential oil concentration in Vodka, FCO or jojoba is about 10% essential oil to 90% medium for a lightly scented blend. Use 20-30% essential oil to medium for something more substantial. This will depend on your preference and budget.
- The ratio of blends in alcohol- from base to top is 40:30:30 – This can vary according to need.
- The ratio for blends in jojoba or fractionated coconut from base to top note is 20:30:50
- However, it is easier to use equal proportions for the top, mid, and bottom notes, and these proportions, which are roughly 33% for each note, are acceptable. So, if you are reluctant to try blending because the math is challenging, remove that stressor.
- Before you settle, try different combinations of base, mid, and top notes on scent strips. Please adjust as you’d like.
- One effective way to keep track of what you like as you blend is to use a code like luth (Like up to here).
As you create your blend and sniff, please write this code as you go.
When you make a less appealing turn, you know where it originated.
So, if you like a blend’s bottom and middle notes, you will have luth (Like up to here) written at this stage.
I often use a checkmark to indicate my approval.
This tracking system helps you know which part of the blend to salvage and which part to experiment with when the blend takes a wrong turn. - To clarify essential oils that tend to separate, like vanilla oleoresin, pour them through a non-bleached small coffee filter before blending. You will lose some quantity, but the finished product will be better.
- Your Practical Potions Downloads include more thorough details on creating an aromatic perfume at the end of this section. Please be sure to study this guide.
Video-An Advanced Blending Overview
Improving Your Blends-
The following concepts are from Marcel Lavabre’s The Aromatherapy Workbook. You can also download it in 7B, the Advanced Perfumery Section, from the Practical Potions Journal.
Blend Equalizers:
Blend Equalizers help you eliminate sharp edges—they are usually middle notes. Choose the particular equalizer to work with your blend. Rosewood is a universal equalizer. Orange and tangerine are great with other citruses, spices, and flowers. Fir and pine may improve blends from the Myrtaceae or Coniferae families.
A blend equalizer holds your blend together without affecting its personality. It can be used up to 50% especially in blends where you need to use some of the sharpest oils.
Blend Modifiers
Modifiers can significantly affect your blend even when used in small quantities. They give your blend its distinctive personality. Use them when your blend is flat. Add potent modifiers drop by drop. Use at most 3%.
Blend Enhancers
Enhancers are between modifiers and equalizers in distinctiveness. They can constitute 15 – 50 % of the blend.
Natural Extenders
These get the most mileage from expensive oils such as rose, jasmine, and neroli.
Pre-Make Your Most Loved Blends to Use as Foundations or the Base for Blends.
These are often called accords.
I like having pre-made accords to save time and avoid reinventing the wheel each time.
Make some blends you reuse in your blends repeatedly, rather than starting from scratch each time.
When you find a few oils you like the scent of when blended, you can make larger amounts of these “bases” to use with various blends.
For example:
a) Orange, petitgrain, cinnamon and ylang work nicely together.
b) Rosewood and palmarosa make a lovely duo.
c) Bergamot, geranium, sandal and jasmine form a classic floral/exotic combination.
d) Sandalwood, patchouli, and a touch of rose or jasmine make for a scrumptious base.
e) Oakmoss, cistus, labdanum and sandalwood form a beautiful chypre base.
You can play with proportions and combinations and find what you like. Label well with the ingredients.
Perfume Types:
Floral Bouquet type:
Floral Bouquet perfumes feature a harmonious blend of floral notes, creating a balanced and elegant fragrance where no single note overpowers the others. These perfumes evoke the essence of a blooming garden, offering a timeless and sophisticated scent profile.
Anais Anais, Diorella, Diorissimo, Fidgi, Charlie, Choe, First, L’Air du Temps
Giorgio, Lauren, Joy, L’origan, Chanel 19 Quelques Fleurs, Soir de Paris, Vent Vert, Oscar, Poison.
The blends below are relatively dilute. Please feel free to change the amount of essential oil in them, but stay proportionate. They are currently at a 4.75% potency. Starting at a lower quantity might be wise to ensure you like them. Then, you can strengthen the scent. You can change the base from jojoba or fractionated coconut to 99-proof vodka. Make them the way you like to wear them.
Spring Bloom
Top Notes: Bergamot (6 drops), Lavender (4 drops)
Mid Notes: Jasmine (8 drops), Rose (6 drops)
Base Notes: Ylang Ylang (4 drops), Patchouli (2 drops)
Medium: 30 mL Jojoba oil
Garden Harmony
Top Notes: Sweet Orange (5 drops), Neroli (4 drops)
Mid Notes: Geranium (8 drops), Tuberose (6 drops)
Base Notes: Sandalwood (4 drops), Vetiver (2 drops)
Medium: 30 mL Fractionated Coconut oil
Floral Elegance
Top Notes: Bergamot (6 drops), Lavender (5 drops)
Mid Notes: Jasmine (8 drops), Clary Sage (5 drops)
Base Notes: Rosewood (4 drops), Patchouli (2 drops)
Medium: 30 mL Vodka
White Flower Subgroup
This subgroup features perfumes with scents from flowers that are most potent at night and known for their rich and intoxicating aromas. Typical notes include gardenia, jasmine, orange blossom, ylang-ylang, specific orchids, tuberose, hyacinth, jonquil, and narcissus. Examples of this type are Tom Ford’s Jasmin Rouge and White Shoulders.
Essential Oil Blends for White Flower Subgroup
Moonlit Garden
Top Notes: Gardenia (5 drops), Neroli (4 drops)
Mid Notes: Jasmine (10 drops), Tuberose (8 drops)
Base Notes: Ylang Absolute (5 drops), Sandalwood (3 drops)
Medium: 30 mL Jojoba oil
Evening Blossom
Top Notes: Hyacinth (5 drops), Bergamot (4 drops)
Mid Notes: Ylang Ylang (10 drops), Hyacinth (8 drops)
Base Notes: Narcissus (5 drops), Vetiver (3 drops)
Medium: 30 mL Fractionated Coconut oil
Twilight Bloom
Top Notes: Bergamot (6 drops), Gardenia (4 drops)
Mid Notes: Jasmine (10 drops), Orange Blossom (8 drops)
Base Notes: Frangipani (5 drops), Vanilla (3 drops)
Medium: 30 mL Vodka
Floral Aldehydic Type Perfume:
Floral Aldehydic perfumes highlight the notes of selected fatty aldehydes within a rich floral bouquet. Other notes, such as green, woody, animalistic, and balsamic, contribute to the unique character of these fragrances.
Perfumes-
Chanel No. 5 – The quintessential floral aldehydic fragrance with aldehydes, ylang-ylang, jasmine, and sandalwood notes.
Estée Lauder White Linen – A fresh, aldehydic floral with notes of Bulgarian rose, jasmine, and moss.
Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche – A classic aldehydic scent with notes of aldehydes, rose, jasmine, and oakmoss.
Arpege, Chamade, Aleche, Climat, Calandre, Je Revieins, Madame Rochass, Alliage, Cabocharc, Coriandre, Nocturne.
Essential Oil Blends with some Floral Aldehydic Tones
Classic Elegance
Top Notes: Bergamot (9 drops)
Mid Notes: Jasmine (8 drops), Rose (6 drops)
Base Notes: Sandalwood (4 drops), Vetiver (3 drops)
Medium: 30 mL Jojoba oil
Modern Chic
Top Notes: Neroli (5 drops), Lemongrass (4 drops)
Mid Notes: Ylang Ylang (8 drops), Tuberose (6 drops)
Base Notes: Patchouli (4 drops), Benzoin (3 drops)
Medium: 30 mL Fractionated Coconut oil
Sophisticated Flair
Top Notes: Sweet Orange (5 drops), Lemon (4 drops)
Mid Notes: Geranium (8 drops), Hyacinth (6 drops)
Base Notes: Oakmoss (4 drops), Labdanum (3 drops)
Medium: 30 mL Vodka
Oriental Type Perfumes:
Oriental perfumes are typically heavy and long-lasting, with a strong emphasis on base notes. These fragrances often include rich floral notes such as jasmine, rose, lily, and tuberose and may have spicy, incense-like, amber and balsamic notes. Essential oils derived from citrus fruits and herbs are typical ingredients for the top notes of oriental perfumes.
Tom Ford Black Orchid – A luxurious and sensual scent with notes of black truffle, ylang-ylang, and patchouli.
Yves Saint Laurent Opium – A classic oriental fragrance with mandarin orange, jasmine, and myrrh notes.
Youth Dew, Old Spice, Shalimar, Shocking, Opium, Must, Jicky, Habit Rouge, Royal Copenhagen.
Essential Oil Blends for Oriental Perfumes with some Oriental Qualities.
Mystic Spice
Top Notes: Bergamot (6 drops), Allspice (4 drops)
Mid Notes: Jasmine (10 drops), Rose (8 drops)
Base Notes: Patchouli (6 drops), Amber (4 drops), Vanilla (2 drops)
Medium: 30 mL Jojoba oil
Spicy Incense
Top Notes: Neroli (2 drops), Lemon (2 drops) Allspice (3)
Mid Notes: Frangipani (10 drops), Tuberose (8 drops)
Base Notes: Cistus (6 drops), Amber (4 drops), Frankincense (2 drops)
Medium: 30 mL Fractionated Coconut oil
Balsamic Dream
Top Notes: Grapefruit (5 drops), Lemongrass (4 drops)
Mid Notes: Jasmine (10 drops), Tea Rose (8 drops)
Base Notes: Labdanum (6 drops), Vetiver (4 drops), Tonka Bean (2 drops)
Medium: 30 mL Vodka
Essential Oil Blends for Floral Oriental Subgroup, also called Floriental
Oriental Blossom
Top Notes: Sweet Orange (6 drops), Bergamot (4 drops)
Mid Notes: Jasmine (10 drops), Rose (8 drops)
Base Notes: Sandalwood (6 drops), Vanilla (4 drops), Patchouli (2 drops)
Medium: 30 mL Jojoba oil
Sensual Spice
Top Notes: Lemon (4 drops), Grapefruit (4 drops), Cinnamon (2 drops)
Mid Notes: Tuberose (10 drops), Rose Geranium (8 drops)
Base Notes: Amyris (6 drops), Benzoin (4 drops), Labdanum (2 drops)
Medium: 30 mL Fractionated Coconut oil
Exotic Nights
Top Notes: Neroli (6 drops), Lemongrass (4 drops)
Mid Notes: Jasmine (10 drops), Rose (8 drops)
Base Notes: Sandalwood (6 drops), Vetiver (4 drops), Tonka Bean (2 drops)
Medium: 30 mL Vodka
Chypre Type Perfumes:
Citrus top notes, floral heart notes, and a woody, mossy, and balsamic base characterize chypre perfumes. Flowers aren’t the dominant theme. Chypres are based on oakmoss, labdanum, sandalwood, vetiver, patchouli, and civet, with some rose, jasmine, carnation, bergamot, orange, and lemon. Many masculine fragrances are chypres.
Perfumes of this Type:
Mitsouko by Guerlain – A classic Chypre with notes of bergamot, peach, jasmine, and oakmoss.
Chanel Cristalle – A refreshing Chypre with notes of lemon, hyacinth, and oakmoss.
Miss Dior – An elegant Chypre with notes of Italian mandarin, rose, and patchouli.
Aramis, Devin, Gentleman, Halston Z14, Macassar, Polo, Van Cleef & Arpets, Vetivert.
Essential Oil Blends for Chypre Perfumes
Classic Chypre
Top Notes: Bergamot (6 drops), Lemon (4 drops)
Mid Notes: Rose (10 drops), Jasmine (8 drops)
Base Notes: Oakmoss (6 drops), Labdanum (4 drops), Sandalwood (2 drops)
Medium: 30 mL Jojoba oil
Woody Chypre
Bergamot (6 drops), Sweet Orange (4 drops)
Mid Notes: Yuzu (10 drops), Tuberose (8 drops)
Base Notes: Oakmoss (6 drops), Cistus (4 drops), Vetiver (2 drops)
Medium: 30 mL Fractionated Coconut oil
Balsamic Chypre
Top Notes: Grapefruit (5 drops), Neroli (4 drops)
Mid Notes: Jasmine (10 drops), Rose (8 drops)
Base Notes: Oakmoss (6 drops), Labdanum (4 drops), Tonka Bean (2 drops)
Medium: 30 mL Vodka
Floral Chypre Subgroup
Blend 1: Floral Chypre
Top Notes: Bergamot (6 drops), Lemon (4 drops)
Mid Notes: Jasmine (10 drops), Rose (8 drops)
Base Notes: Oakmoss (6 drops), Sandalwood (4 drops), Labdanum (2 drops)
Medium: 30 mL Jojoba oil
Green Chypre
Top Notes: Sweet Orange (6 drops), Grapefruit (4 drops)
Mid Notes: Petitgrain (10 drops), Tuberose (8 drops)
Base Notes: Oakmoss (6 drops), Cistus (3 drops), Vetiver (2 drops), Galbanum (2 drops)
Medium: 30 mL Fractionated Coconut oil
Rich Chypre
Top Notes: Neroli (6 drops), Lemongrass (4 drops)
Mid Notes: Jasmine (10 drops), Rose (8 drops)
Base Notes: Oakmoss (6 drops), Labdanum (4 drops), Tonka Bean (2 drops)
Medium: 30 mL Vodka
Modern Fougere Type Perfume Description
Fougere perfumes are characterized by their herbaceous and woody notes, typically featuring a combination of lavender, oakmoss, and coumarin. These fragrances often have fresh, green top notes, floral heart notes, and rich, earthy base notes.
Perfumes of this Type:
Houbigant Fougère Royale – The quintessential fougere with notes of bergamot, lavender, geranium, and oakmoss.
Davidoff Cool Water – A fresh fougere with mint, lavender, jasmine, and oakmoss notes.
Tom Ford Beau de Jour – A modern fougere with notes of lavender, geranium, and patchouli.
Essential Oil Blends for Fougere Perfumes
Classic Fougere
Top Notes: Bergamot (6 drops), Lavender (5 drops)
Mid Notes: Geranium (10 drops), Clary Sage (8 drops)
Base Notes: Oakmoss (6 drops), Vetiver (4 drops), Tonka Bean (2 drops)
Medium: 30 mL Jojoba oil
Fresh Fougere
Top Notes: Lemon (6 drops), Peppermint (4 drops)
Mid Notes: Lavender (10 drops), Jasmine (8 drops)
Base Notes: Oakmoss (6 drops), Sandalwood (4 drops), Tagetes (2 drops)
Medium: 30 mL Fractionated Coconut oil
Earthy Fougere
Top Notes: Grapefruit (5 drops), Holy Basil (4 drops)
Mid Notes: Lavender (10 drops), Neroli (8 drops)
Base Notes: Oakmoss (6 drops), Patchouli (4 drops), Tonka Bean (2 drops)
Medium: 30 mL Vodka
Floral Fougere Subgroup
Herbaceous Fougere
Top Notes: Lemon (5 drops), Peppermint (3 drops) Holy Basil (2 drops)
Mid Notes: Geranium (10 drops), Clary Sage (8 drops)
Base Notes: Oakmoss (6 drops), Vetiver (4 drops), Labdanum (2 drops)
Medium: 30 mL Fractionated Coconut oil
Rich Fougere
Top Notes: Grapefruit (5 drops), Nutmeg (4 drops)
Mid Notes: Lavender (10 drops), Neroli (8 drops)
Base Notes: Oakmoss (6 drops), Patchouli (4 drops), Tonka Bean (2 drops)
Medium: 30 mL Vodka
Definitions
Perfume Types
Perfume or Perfume Concentrate is the most intense form of fragrance. It often contains 20-40% aromatic compounds. The scent should last much of the day. Due to the amount of raw material used, perfume will be the most costly.
Eau de Parfum comprises 8- 22% of essential and fragrance oils diluted in alcohol and distilled in a water base. This blend may last 6-8 hours.
Eau de toilette -has a 4-8% concentration of essential and fragrance oils in an alcohol and distilled water base. It lasts approximately 4 hours.
Eau de cologne- is a 2-7% concentrate in alcohol and distilled water. It may last up to 2 hours. It generally has a citrus base.
Eau Fraiche– is the lightest-scented substance with a 1-5% concentration of perfume oils in alcohol and distilled water. It may last for about 1-3 hours.
The study of perfumery offers so much beauty to inhale, but do your nose and mind need a little rest now?
Other Psychological Variables That Influence Scent
Many factors influence scent and perfume preference, but some are predictable and quantifiable.
Others remain mysterious.
Adapted from- Tony Curtis & David Williams
- Age has a definite impact on scent preferences. Light, fruity scents are often more appealing to younger women and floral to older women. Interestingly, women over 40, re-entering the job market after their children have left, usually have tastes similar to younger women. The younger group defines themselves in work and relationships, and the older woman re-entering this work world is open to redefining herself within it.
- The popularity of some perfumes varies according to the season.
- Some perfumes change their character depending on the atmospheric humidity. High humidity leads to a dull perception of heavy Oriental perfumes.
Lifestyle Factors-
Imagine perfume as a mystical bridge leading you toward the lifestyle you aspire to have. Advertisers may influence this lifestyle vision through artful packaging design, bottle choice, and advertisement narratives.
Selecting a perfume is an intriguing process steered by our intellectual judgments and emotional impulses.
Intellectually, we might ask several questions: ‘How do I view myself? What aligns with my style? Is this fragrance appropriate for the occasion? How will it shape others’ perceptions of me? What scents work in my social or professional life?’
However, this rational approach is often countered by our emotional inclinations. There’s an internal conflict between what our logical side deems necessary and what our emotions intensely desire.
Beneath the surface, many of our preferences are deeply embedded in our subconscious, where fragrances have a unique ability to circumvent our rational thought processes. In a way, our sense of smell is more intuitive and can make choices before our brain can rationalize them, demonstrating that sometimes our nose knows what we want before we consciously do.
The scent one might select for a professional setting could vastly differ from the one chosen for intimate personal moments or leisurely getaways. This diversity in scent preferences mirrors our personalities’ complex and multifaceted nature. It suggests a playful and imaginative approach to selecting fragrances, as women might choose different scents to resonate with various facets of their identity or to complement different environments and occasions.
Tony Curtis & David Williams conducted a study about colour, packaging and why people buy certain perfumes.
Their study is based on conventional perfumery. Developing a product line may be relevant if you wish to match colour and scent. The colours you choose for your label or packaging allow you to address your target market.
By testing groups of women for their scent preferences, colour preferences, personality type- introversion or extroversion, age, economic class and lifestyle the researchers designed a colour wheel that correlated this data with colour preference.
This technique can predict with 90% accuracy which fragrances will be rejected.
What to do: Go To Your Practical Potions Downloads and find your Color Rosette in 7B Handouts. Before reading the results, you can choose the palette you prefer.
You can choose the rosettes in the colour you like most. Which rosettes do not appeal to you at all?
Try not to choose based on which colours you think suit you or which ones are currently in fashion.
You may prefer two rosettes. This suggests you find something appealing in two or more perfume categories.
THE PSYCHOLOGY OF FRAGRANCE SELECTION
Colour Group Preferences:
We added names to the Factor types from Tony Curtis’ work, but here are his findings.
Researchers dove into how women’s preferences in scents relate to their personalities, lifestyles, and favourite colours. Here’s the modern scoop on what they found:
The Adventure Seekers (Factor A): These extroverted women love the excitement and bold, single colours like orange and yellow. They’re risk-takers and super social, gravitating towards fresh scents like O de Lancome and Ea de Courreges.
The Free Spirits (Factor B): Introverted and less into the hustle and bustle, these women embrace their unique style and prefer dark blue and violet. They’re usually younger and drawn to exotic scents like Shalimar and Opium.
The Romantics (Factor C): Emotionally complex and fashion-conscious, love black and white and have a soft spot for floral, powdery perfumes like Rive Gauche and Nahema.
The Optimists (Factor D): A mix of emotional complexity and extroversion, these folks are happy-go-lucky and open-minded. They love bright colours and floral-fruity fragrances like Valentino and Anais Anais, appealing to all ages.
The Comfort Seekers
(Factor E): Emotionally complex but introverted, they value stability and order, prefer warm colours like dark green and violet, and lean towards oriental and floral scents, such as Must de Cartier and Jicky.
The Traditionalists (Factor F): Emotionally stable and extroverted, these women are all about family and social life, favouring dark red, green, and orange. They’re typically older and choose chypre fragrances like Parure and Miss Dior.
The Classics (Factor G): Emotionally stable and introverted, they uphold traditional values like blue, yellow, and silver grey. They also opt for aldehydic-floral scents like Chanel No 5 and Chamade.
So, whether you’re seeking stimulation or comfort, your scent choices might be more telling than you think!
You can download the Practical Potions Journal Below and check out the Color Rosette wheel to see which colour you prefer.
This perfumery study discusses a correlation between scent and colour preferences. Thinking in this way helps you design a label that is appealing to your customer. Colour is only one variable, but it is worth considering. Keep who your customer is in mind when you design the colour, font, and style of your label and packaging. It should also correlate with the scent blend.
A person may prefer two rosettes. This indicates that the perfume user may find something that appeals to her in two or even more perfume notes.
i.e. Fragrance users who like groups E & C prefer fragrances with oriental floral or floral powdery notes like Poison.
With this technique, the authors can predict with 90% accuracy which fragrances will be rejected with 65% accuracy which fragrances will be chosen. This system is imperfect, but it will give you some market insight into color-scent preference.
Once again, reflect on how you might apply this to creating packaging for your aromatic products. It might apply to brochures, labels or any packaging. First, you can figure out your target market and then design a strategy to reach them.
If you are interested in how colour influences marketing, you will find a link in Labeling Lesson 9 b of your e-course.
Video- Find Your Product Niche, Video- What Do I Create?
Please watch this video on how to put an aromatic perfume together before doing your blending lab.
Video- Create Your True Essence-Blending Lab, Review:
Video- Find Your Blending Palace of Imagination:
Eau de Parfum – Video
Video Deep Dives and Transformations for Unit 7
Advanced blending is fascinating to many of us. Here is a quick summary.
Perfumery is both an art and a science, a discipline where creativity meets meticulous craftsmanship. At its heart, perfumery involves blending various aromatic ingredients to create a unique fragrance that can evoke emotions and memories and even influence well-being.
The Process of Creating a Fragrance:
Conceptualize: You can start with an idea or emotion you want to convey.
Select Ingredients: Choose essential oils and aromatics that align with your concept.
Blend: Experiment with different combinations and concentrations.
Record: Oils, medium, amount, date, batches. Do this meticulously.
Age: Allow the blend to mature, which can enhance its complexity.
Evaluate and Adjust: Test the fragrance and tweak it as necessary.
Personal Advice for a Beginning Perfumer
Explore and Educate:
Immerse yourself in the world of aromatherapy and perfumery.
Study different ingredients, their properties, and how they interact.
Study all the concepts in this part of the course and the downloads.
Develop Your Nose:
Keep smelling and identifying essential oils and other aromatics.
This skill will help you develop a refined olfactory palette, which is crucial for a perfumer.
You can use information you have recorded from your scent strips as you have gone through the courses to help remember your impressions of essential oils. They are an excellent record of your preferences and perceptions of scent. You know what you like!
Start Small:
Begin with simple blends, focusing on creating harmonious scents with limited ingredients. Do not get overwhelmed by exotic, expensive ingredients and tools.
Use what you have and use local plants. This approach will allow you to understand the role of each component, whether it’s a top, middle, or base note.
Keep a Journal:
Document every Experiment, including the ingredients, proportions, and your impressions of the blend.
This will be an invaluable resource as you refine your craft.
We often need to remember the ingredients and quantities of what we put in blends. Record, record, record your recipes!!!
Experiment and Be Patient:
Creating a compelling fragrance can be lengthy and requires patience.
Don’t be afraid to experiment and adjust your formulas over time–each trial is a step toward mastering your art.
Connect with Your Community:
Keep in touch with your Practical Potions Facebook Group.
Sharing experiences and insights can be incredibly enriching and inspiring.
Remember, the journey into perfumery is personal and evolving. Your unique perspective and creativity are your most valuable assets. Creating your aromatic scent is an exciting way to express individuality, and perfumery offers endless possibilities.
Download your Practical Potions Journal below for more information on blending and how to use it as an ongoing resource.
One exercise in the journal is a blending lab. Showcase your perfumery skills and then email it to selfheal@telusplanet.net