Blending Fragrance Oils

[LadyinCali]

Last week I decided to try and start blending some fragrance oils - to be honest, I had no luck. For instance, I did a blend of carrot cake and coffee (20% coffee/80% Carrot Cake) when the tart started melting, all I could smell was the coffee. Tried another blend of Raspberry and Sugar Cookie - all I could smell was the raspberry. So, I have to ask - is there a specific formula for mixing scents ( I know, it's a dumb question) or is it just trial and error?? I have ordered a few tarts from a company online and she has tons of tarts that are a mixture of scents and they always smell amazing - when I try, it's a flop. She turns these things out so fast, it's hard to believe she is testing them all. So I'm wondering, is there a trick to this or just blend and be happy with what you get?????? This is so frustrating! Thanks in advance for your input!

[justajesuschick]

I make melts all straight from the bottle just for testing. Then I take half of 2, 1/3 of 3 or other combination and go from there. Only then do I blend the oils together and make test melts. That way I already know if they blend well. Once I have percentages down, that blend joins the lineup.

I have a wonderful fresh pear. Everyone who smells it buys it. I thought for certain that it could be a mixer for spiced pear or baked apples and pears. It was awful. Too fresh and clean. I had to use another pear for mixing.

One of my goals this winter is to push myself with FOs I carry and get more creative with blending.

[Guest OldGlory]

I also make quite a few blends, but it does require a lot of testing. My first several attempts are always using the Qtip method. Once I have an OOB blend I like I put it in wax and that is the real test. Qtip method: I cut lots of Qtips in half, stock up on 1/2 oz or 1 oz bottles (either HDPE or PET plastic). Then I start with one Qtip dipped in a fragrance, drop it into the bottle, add a Qtip dipped in fragrance of the other fragrance(s) until I have each one represented. Next step, add one Qtip at a time in the fragrance you think is missing. Stop adding when you think you have it. Then, wait 3 days and let the scents merge. Smell it again. Add whatever you need. Wait 3 days. I continue this process until I get what I want. Then you have to test it in wax. Hope that helps!

[franu61]

I test just like Old Glory does with the q tips, but I just put them in a plastic baggie. Be sure to label them, cuz you WILL forget what you put in the bag. (Ask me how I know that, lol)

[Guest OldGlory]

Oh geez, I completely forgot to mention keeping track of what you have in each bottle. I have also lost track and had to toss the bottle and start over. Be as detailed as you can be!

[TallTayl]

Like others, either q-tips or drops on a piece of paper towel. Then stored in a piece of folded aluminum foil or a glass jar since sometimes the plastic of a baggie can distort the scent to my nose. And keep a blending card with the drops. When i add a drop or two, don't forget to note it.

[Scented]

Something else you can try, but you'll need to keep notes, is using test tubes with a drop of this and a drop of that etc. You'll have to do some waiting for the blending to occur, but boy you can really play around.

[LadyinCali]

Thank you all for the advice! I'm definitely going to try these tips this weekend. Maybe now I'll have some luck at this. All the ideas sound like great ways to try some new blends. Thank you again and I hope you're all having a wonderful holiday season.

[MicheleC]

Don't mean to hijack anyones thread but I am also interested in blending at some point. Still learning the ropes of just the basics tho. I do have a question. How do you know the ratio of FO using the Qtip method? does a Qtip hold a certain amount of FO? Sorry if this is a stupid question but I'm still new and learning.

[GermantownCandles]

When I first started blending oils, I only had a couple that I liked, but even then they were just ok. So, I started snooping around perfume forums and one of the things I realized was, if you want a really good fragrance, you can't just mix 2 oils and expect something awesome.. Most of the fragrances I blend now have 5-10 different fragrance oils in them, and the difference has been amazing.. For example, I searched and searched for an awesome creme brulee, and I did find only one supplier that I really liked, but I wanted one to make my own.. So I looked up the actual food recipe for creme brûlée and tested from there. So now I absolutely LOVE my personal creme brûlée and it contains 8 different FOs and lasts forever in my tarts.. Hope this helps!

[kanutta]

I add different f.o to a cotton pad with a pipette. I start with let's say 3 f.o to the first pad, then the 3 + 1 to the second pad, 3 + 1 + 1 to the third pad and so on and so forth. That way I can go back and smell what each addition brings to the blend. I like to mix f.o's and e.o's. I find that the e.o's often add some flair to a bland and generic f.o. I find inspiration in perfume sites like Basenotes. I was a member there long before I started to make my own perfume and home fragrance. It's so much fun mixing and come up wih something original. Some fragrances are very dominant, and when mixing with a delicate floral f.ex, you have to use only a tiny amount of the stronger f.o. You have to know your top, middle and basenotes, and let the blend sit for a good amount of time before you know what it's gonna smell like in the end.