andysmind Posted March 11, 2020 Share Posted March 11, 2020 Does anyone know of a good online school or resources to learn more systematically about blending fragrance oils and just about scent in general? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BusyBee Posted March 11, 2020 Share Posted March 11, 2020 Hi there, Did you know that there are more astronauts in this world than perfumers? What I am trying to say is that it's not going to be easy task. So, good luck to you with your fragrance world venture! If you are beginner, then you might want to start from here. https://shop.perfumersapprentice.com/t-PerfumersCorner.aspx They offer fragrance blending kits, some workshops, and provides some basic knowledge articles. If you are more serious, then you will need to look into these. http://www.bsp.org.uk/links/ https://www.asperfumers.org/educate-support-promote https://ifrafragrance.org/ https://ifeat.org/ https://fragrance.org/ https://www.prodarom.com/ It will take you to more deep inside to fragrance world. Also, you might want to take a look at these two. https://www.perfumerflavorist.com/events/coverage/Master-Perfumer-Workshop-Explores-Perfumery-Ingredients-at-WPC2018--474728843.html https://www.icatsaromaeducation.com/ 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NightLight Posted March 11, 2020 Share Posted March 11, 2020 Here is a beginners guide https://www.soapguild.org/how-to/ingredients/beginners-guide-to-fragrance-blending.php Speaking Fragrance As we said in the beginning of this article, fragrance blending is a complex and extensive art form that is not mastered overnight. The best thing to do when you decide to blend your own scents is to become familiar with some of the terms and definitions you will commonly find while learning about fragrance blending and perfumery. Note(s): Notes in fragrance blending and perfumery describe the level, intensity and vibrancy of scents detected in a blend. There are three classes of notes: top (head), middle (heart), and base notes. Top Note: Also referred to as a "head note", top notes are the scent that is recognized immediately upon smelling the blend. Top notes form a consumer's first impression, and play a key part in sales based on their appeal. Usually, top notes are described as "assertive", "robust" or "strong". Some examples of top notes are: lavender, lemongrass, peppermint, eucalyptus, and bergamot. Middle Note: Also referred to as the "heart note", middle notes can be described as the scent that becomes apparent just as the top note is dissipating. Typically described as "well rounded" or "mellow". Some examples of middle notes are: rose, marjoram, cinnamon, chamomile, and tea tree. Base Note: Base notes are best described as the scent that appears just as the middle note is disappearing. Some examples of base notes are: frankincense, cedarwood, sandalwood, patchouli, and vanilla. Aroma: A term used to describe the sensation between taste and smell. This sensation can be invoked by scents like vanilla, chocolate or coffee. Cloying: A descriptive word for a smell that is excessively or "sticky" sweet. An example of this would be cotton candy fragrance oil. Earthy: A descriptive word for a scent that smells of freshly overturned earth, roots and a mustiness. For example, oakmoss and vetiver. Floral: Describes flower type scents, such as rose or lilac. Dry: A scent that can be described as lacking in the dewy or watery element that brings to mind crisp vegetables or fruits. A dry scent can be mineral-like or woody. Bitter: Describes a smell that is without sweetness and "sharp". Not always an unpleasant quality, when utilized properly. Flat: A blend or scent lacking in richness and variety; can be perceived as bland. Forest/Woodsy: Described as an earthy or mossy scent. For example, cedar and oak. Fresh: A scent that energizes the person smelling it. Typically, this will nature-inspired or citrusy scents. Herbaceous: Scents that are also frequently used in cooking and have a warm, earthy smell. For example, rosemary and basil. Medicinal or Camphorous: Pungent scents that have been used for the treatment of a variety of ailments. For example, eucalyptus and tea tree. Minty: A strong, crisp smell; usually associated with cleanliness. For example, pepperming and spearmint. Oriental: Warm, tangy scents. For example, patchouli and ginger. Fruity: Evokes the thought of fresh, ripe edible fruits. Citrus: A crisp, clean smell produced by citrus fruits like orange, lemon and lime. Spicy: Pungent notes like cinnamon and ginger that give a pleasant (or sometimes unpleasant) warm sensation. Sweet: Can be described as a scent that shares characteristics with a sweet taste. Fungal: Scents like mushrooms or mold are categorized as fungal. Green: A family of scents comprised of smells like fresh cut grass or a warm, live forest. Harmonious: In fragrance blending, harmonious indicates a blend that is well balanced and unified using amicable scents. Harsh: The opposite of harmonious; unbalanced, unpleasant. Light: Typically a non-sweet, non-cloying fragrance with a prevailing fresh note. Depth: This refers to the complexity and richness of the blend; full-bodied is also used to describe this sensation. Profile: The makeup of the blend and notes within. These are just some of the many terms and definitions used when blending fragrances; this is by no means the comprehensive and definitive list of all terms. Blending Basics As with any project, taking the proper safety precautions when blending fragrances is very important. Wearing gloves and goggles or glasses will ensure that you do not get the oils you are working with in your eyes; an unpleasant sensation that will take away from your blending experience for sure! Safety: check. Now it's time to take a look at what scents blend well together to create a harmonious, pleasant scent! Generally, oils that share a category will blend well. Here are a few examples to get you started: Florals: Blend well with woodsy, citrusy or spicy oils (think cedar, cinnamon, orange). Woodsy: These oils are versatile because they can really be combined with any of the categories (floral, earthy, herbaceous, minty, medicinal, spicy, oriental or citrus). Spicy: Spicy scents blend well with floral, citrus and oriental oils, but be mindful not to overpower your blend with the spicy oils. Oriental type oils also share these matches, and the same risk of overpowering a blend; use sparingly for the best results. Minty: Minty oils blend well with citrus, woodsy, herbaceous and earthy oils. Now that you've got an idea of what oils go together, think about how you will blend them. Starting out small with a new mixture is the key to perfecting the blend; start out with drops in increments of 5 (5, 10, 15, 20, etc). Try not to exceed 20 drops total; a small scale like this will give you plenty of wiggle room to add as you like, without producing as much waste if you do not like the results. Speaking of waste, skip the carrier oils and alcohol during your formulation process to avoid wasting them if you are not happy with how your blend has turned out. Establishing a ratio for your blends is also important. A common ratio for beginners: 30&percent; top notes, 50&percent; middle notes, and 20&percent; base notes. The beauty of fragrance blending, like any other creative art form, is that there are no strict rules; this is merely a suggestion to get you started. Tweak and configure your ratio to fit your desired scent. Once you have blended your oils, let them sit for a bit; it can be tempting to use them immediately, or dislike them immediately. Instead, let them sit for a few days to allow the chemicals to truly interact and round out your blend. Keeping Track Keeping your blends organized is crucial in the creative process. Keep a notebook or binder detailing the contents of each blend. Include things like the name of the supplier you received your oils and carriers from, the contents of the notes, and pros and cons of the scent. Describe what you enjoy about the scent, or what it reminds you of. Also, it is a good idea to note whether the scent changed after being left for a number of days, and if it was allowed to sit, how long this process took. Recording your recipe in detail like this will help you to revisit your best or worst blends intuitively, and either improve upon them or use them time and again with continued success. In addition to keeping a notebook, make sure to label the bottles you are storing your blends in clearly and neatly; if the name or combination is too long, you can use numbers instead to correspond with the description in your notebook or binder to make things a bit easier. Make sure that the outside of your container is clean Final Thoughts Blending fragrances is an intense practice in patience and creativity. Mastering fragrance blending is no easy feat, and can take years to accomplish. The most important part of this process is to remember that, although there are guidelines for blending to help streamline the creative process, no two blenders employ the exact same techniques. Use your own preferences and vision for your product to determine its contents; each sense of smell is different; what smells a bit questionable to you might be someone else's new favorite scent! NOTE: Some material in the How-To Library is limited to R Registered Users or M Members. If you Login or Register you can take advantage of more available content. More: Fragrance Blending Fragrance Blending Natural Perfumery 101 with Lori Nova Endres Rate This Page! You must Log In or Register to rate pages in the How-To Library. What People Are Saying 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NightLight Posted March 11, 2020 Share Posted March 11, 2020 It’s practice and learning like making candles. You have to learn components scent profiles, then learn how to combine. It can be done simply or very complicated. This https://www.edenbotanicals.com/aftelier-natural-perfume-wheel.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&adpos=&scid=scplp1430-1&sc_intid=1430-1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIpJTlxKyS6AIVi4rICh0hRgISEAQYASABEgLa9PD_BwE 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura C Posted March 11, 2020 Share Posted March 11, 2020 I found this link to be very interesting and full of great info for a beginner. It's from one of the links that BusyBee posted above. https://shop.perfumersapprentice.com/t-PerfumersCornerHow.aspx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NightLight Posted March 11, 2020 Share Posted March 11, 2020 It’s very much learning about waxes. You know how different waxes perform, and how much of one to add to another. Same with scents, some are good company for each other, and well you combine two and get a real stinker. How do you get to Carnegie Hall? practice, practice, practice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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