laurenscandlebakery Posted October 31, 2012 Share Posted October 31, 2012 What percentage (or ratio) of the fragrance oil's you try end up working out for you? In other words, how many duds do you go through before you find a winner?I don't know how to word this one. Hope that makes sense. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justajesuschick Posted October 31, 2012 Share Posted October 31, 2012 I think I must be super picky. My spreadsheet has about 300 FO's on it and only 60 or so are marked yes or maybe under repurchase column. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blacktieaffair Posted October 31, 2012 Share Posted October 31, 2012 I've been pretty lucky.. But then I do a massive ton of research before I buy an FO . Out of the 300 I had on the shelves, I probably used 180 at all times ( I was in four different states and all four of them sold totally different types of scents from each other)I don't have my notes here, but out of everything I've ever tried ( well over 400 different scents for testing etc) I probably totally said NO to about 60. The rest were either maybe's, I'd use it in different products and not in others, and the rest were yes's. But again, it depended on what area I was putting it in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChandlerWicks Posted October 31, 2012 Share Posted October 31, 2012 Alot more misses then hits. I finished testing 3O FOs & only 10 were worth putting on a list of try again. I consider them a failure when they don't have HT, not because I don't care for the scent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justajesuschick Posted October 31, 2012 Share Posted October 31, 2012 I consider them a failure when they don't have HT, not because I don't care for the scent.That is an EXCELLENT point! If I were judging in that fashion, many more would be winners.I should have clarified that I am pleasing my nose only. I make for me. I am my WORST customer ever! haha! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChandlerWicks Posted October 31, 2012 Share Posted October 31, 2012 If you were selling, you'd more then likely make ones you didn't like. Those 30 were ones that I've been testing for 2 weeks or so. That doesn't include all the duds in the past 18 months! I'd love to see your list! Picky is good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackbenimble Posted October 31, 2012 Share Posted October 31, 2012 I have had luck with most that I have tried as far as HT is concerned. However, in terms of folks buying them I've had more misses because they wrnt popular not because it was a bad candle. Sorry I stray from the original question. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laurenscandlebakery Posted October 31, 2012 Author Share Posted October 31, 2012 (edited) JJC, How many more do you think would have passed based on cold/hot throw alone?This is encouraging! I often times felt like I have some sort of candle curse, but I think I just don't give enough fragrance oils a try. I usually just get frustrated and switch waxes lol. Edited October 31, 2012 by laurenscandlebakery Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justajesuschick Posted October 31, 2012 Share Posted October 31, 2012 The point is right on that if I was making for others (to sell), I would have felt comfortable making MANY more based on quality and HT. I also would have branched out into categories I do not sample and test becasue I'd be making for a customer base rather than personal taste.I need to make some updates to my chart (I made and tested some the last couple of nights) but would be happy to email if you want to PM me an email address to which to send.Please note, though that I only buy and like categories such as spice, apple, pumpkin, fruit, vanillas and cleans. So a pretty narrow field. My descriptions span more descriptive, "smelled like fermented apples to me" to far less helpful comments such as "yuck". It is a spreadsheet for me so had I known I'd ever be sharing I'd have been better with my comments. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blacktieaffair Posted October 31, 2012 Share Posted October 31, 2012 I agree. I will put it out, and see if it sells, even if I myself don't personally care for it. If it sells, it stays, no matter my opinion.I have a TON of them I can't stand ... but they sell, so .. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChandlerWicks Posted October 31, 2012 Share Posted October 31, 2012 Don't worry, I'm only interested in which supplier has the most quality FOs!The point is right on that if I was making for others (to sell), I would have felt comfortable making MANY more based on quality and HT. I also would have branched out into categories I do not sample and test becasue I'd be making for a customer base rather than personal taste.I need to make some updates to my chart (I made and tested some the last couple of nights) but would be happy to email if you want to PM me an email address to which to send.Please note, though that I only buy and like categories such as spice, apple, pumpkin, fruit, vanillas and cleans. So a pretty narrow field. My descriptions span more descriptive, "smelled like fermented apples to me" to far less helpful comments such as "yuck". It is a spreadsheet for me so had I known I'd ever be sharing I'd have been better with my comments. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justajesuschick Posted October 31, 2012 Share Posted October 31, 2012 I am happy to email it (cannot post it in a PM here)! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chuck_35550 Posted October 31, 2012 Share Posted October 31, 2012 The first test will always be ct and then ht. If the customer can't detect enough of the scent they put it back on the shelf. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChandlerWicks Posted October 31, 2012 Share Posted October 31, 2012 The CT with 4627 is the reason I keep struggling it. The only wax that has come close is CBL125 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ktaggard Posted November 2, 2012 Share Posted November 2, 2012 I have a spreadsheet that sounds just like the one justajesuschick described. I have over 300 FO tested on it, and really only like about 10% of them. I have comments like "yuck", "made want to hurl", headache...or "keeper" ,"love"... I do have other useful comments on there, but have a notebook for detaied notes.Anyway, I am finding scent choice to be so subjective. I had a tester tell me the other day that "mistletoe" from CS was "horrifying". I was shocked. Such a strong word. Everyone else that has tried it has loved it. Crazy. You just never know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chefmom Posted November 2, 2012 Share Posted November 2, 2012 I have quite a few samples still waiting to be poured from my "it's on sale" buying frenzy this year. So far I have about 10% that I will never buy again, they are just too vile. I have about 50% that I have tested that do well with the cold and hot throw, wicks work, but they are not something I would burn regularly. The last 40%-ish are scents that I love, they throw well and I will continue to burn on a regular basis.Just because I don't like them doesn't mean someone else won't. That is something I have learned by reading on here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pcbrook Posted November 2, 2012 Share Posted November 2, 2012 Out of all the FOs I try only about 25% make it in my inventory. Most of them are either too weak or just plain nasty. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeanie353 Posted November 2, 2012 Share Posted November 2, 2012 Out of all the FOs I try only about 25% make it in my inventory. Most of them are either too weak or just plain nasty.Ditto Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justajesuschick Posted November 2, 2012 Share Posted November 2, 2012 Well, it seems that once again here I am in good company!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Candybee Posted November 2, 2012 Share Posted November 2, 2012 It depends on which wax I am working with. With soy being the most finicky and palm and paraffin having more successes than failures. But over the years I sure have accummulated a lot of unused oils that are wasting space. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bsones Posted November 6, 2012 Share Posted November 6, 2012 I'd put my rate at around 10%, and that's before testing how it performs in wax. I'm pretty picky about scents, though. I don't use scents that I don't like. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rctfavr3 Posted November 6, 2012 Share Posted November 6, 2012 60% at this point. But that wasn't always the case. I'm starting to see the value in having scents replicated for one, as I'm saving money ordering it all from one supplier. The dud to winner ratio is getting better. I make most of my FOs from other FOs blended together, but now that I'm having them replicated, I'm getting a better winning streak. The problem with my system is the flaw in allowing my customers to request custom scents. I offer to make fragrances for them if it's an unusual scent, which in turn requires more FOs to try, but I make back the money and a new customer in the process. It's just always difficult finding winners amongst the sea of "weak FOs".So many duds out there... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bsones Posted November 13, 2012 Share Posted November 13, 2012 As an example, here are my notes from mt latest order of samples from Candle Science:Mistletoe: Strong, sharp, pine-like fragrance with a dry-herbal undertone. Not actually unpleasant, but smells very artificial. Do not use.Rose: Pungent, slightly perfume-y rose petal scent (no green notes) with an unpleasant musty note on drydown. Do not use.Golden Rose: Pleasant, generic floral scent with a sharp green note that becomes more pronounced on the drydown. No discernible rose note. Maybe use as a mixer.Mediterranean Fig: Neither sweet not earthy. More... soapy. Unpleasant. Do not use.Lemon Verbena: Strong lemon smell--more like lemon juice than lemon oil. Verbena is completely lost. Maybe use as a blender, but overall: disappointing.Asian Amber: Strong, damp-herbal base note. To paraphrase Douglas Adams: "Almost, but not quite, entirely unlike amber." Do not use.Christmas Tree: Faint, spicy, and artificial-smelling. Do not use.White Tea and Berries: Warm, rich scent that has an interesting interplay between savory and sweet notes. Nice, but probably wouldn't stand well on its own. Maybe use as a blender.Fig Tree: Ozone and laundry detergent. Ick. Do not use.Dragon's Blood: A dirty blend of sour notes and cloying incense. Makes me feel slightly ill. Do not use. Oakmoss and Amber: Smells completely unlike either oakmoss or amber. Do not use.Pine Cones: A very Christmas-specific warm, spicy, vaguely pine-y smell. Not awful, but since I don't do holiday scents: Do not use.Lavender Chamomile: Mostly chamomile with very little (almost none at all) lavender, but a nice, natural-smelling dry herbal scent. Possibly use.Cypress and Berrries: A surprise in that I wasn't expecting to like this at all, but did. Cool, cypress note that avoids being overly sharp, with a slightly tangy (but not sweet) edge from the berries. Needs a warm/earthy note to balance it out, but overall: nice. Possibly use.I have a bunch of past samples from Candle Science, and my hit rate has been about the same. Like I said, I'm picky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rctfavr3 Posted November 13, 2012 Share Posted November 13, 2012 As an example, here are my notes from mt latest order of samples from Candle Science:Mistletoe: Strong, sharp, pine-like fragrance with a dry-herbal undertone. Not actually unpleasant, but smells very artificial. Do not use.Rose: Pungent, slightly perfume-y rose petal scent (no green notes) with an unpleasant musty note on drydown. Do not use.Golden Rose: Pleasant, generic floral scent with a sharp green note that becomes more pronounced on the drydown. No discernible rose note. Maybe use as a mixer.Mediterranean Fig: Neither sweet not earthy. More... soapy. Unpleasant. Do not use.Lemon Verbena: Strong lemon smell--more like lemon juice than lemon oil. Verbena is completely lost. Maybe use as a blender, but overall: disappointing.Asian Amber: Strong, damp-herbal base note. To paraphrase Douglas Adams: "Almost, but not quite, entirely unlike amber." Do not use.Christmas Tree: Faint, spicy, and artificial-smelling. Do not use.White Tea and Berries: Warm, rich scent that has an interesting interplay between savory and sweet notes. Nice, but probably wouldn't stand well on its own. Maybe use as a blender.Fig Tree: Ozone and laundry detergent. Ick. Do not use.Dragon's Blood: A dirty blend of sour notes and cloying incense. Makes me feel slightly ill. Do not use. Oakmoss and Amber: Smells completely unlike either oakmoss or amber. Do not use.Pine Cones: A very Christmas-specific warm, spicy, vaguely pine-y smell. Not awful, but since I don't do holiday scents: Do not use.Lavender Chamomile: Mostly chamomile with very little (almost none at all) lavender, but a nice, natural-smelling dry herbal scent. Possibly use.Cypress and Berrries: A surprise in that I wasn't expecting to like this at all, but did. Cool, cypress note that avoids being overly sharp, with a slightly tangy (but not sweet) edge from the berries. Needs a warm/earthy note to balance it out, but overall: nice. Possibly use.I have a bunch of past samples from Candle Science, and my hit rate has been about the same. Like I said, I'm picky.Dragon's Blood is one of my favorites. Which supplier did you use? Or do you loath DB. It's a odd duck for sure but I like it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blacktieaffair Posted November 13, 2012 Share Posted November 13, 2012 DB from CS....... I'd rather take a BEATING than have to pour that stuff. I'm not saying it's not good, cause for what it is, it's great.. I just hate it ... bad thing is , customers freakin love it :( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.