Fragrance Oils in Canada

Fragrance Oils 101

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Fragrance is evocative. It produces memories in each of us long forgotten. No other human sense whether it be touch, taste, sight or hearing is more memorable than our sense of smell. We can instantly recall a situation of great happiness or utter despair with just a hint of a fragrance aroma.

Fragrance is divided into three main scent categories, called “notes” - fruity, spicy and floral. Fruity are the top notes of lighter scents of apple, strawberry and orange. Spicy scents are the base notes and include cinnamon, cardamom and nutmeg. Floral middle notes include rose, gardenia and frangipani. Each has their own distinctive fragrance from the chemical constituents contained within the plant. The scent can also change because of the particular plant’s growth, soil and location. Have you ever bought, for example, lavender “A” in a bunch (or bottle) and it does not smell like lavender “B” which you purchased later? Any of these issues may be the cause. As well, it may be the type of species purchased. Lavendula angustifolia (Latin, genus: lavendula (lavender) and species: angustifolia (means narrow leaves) has a more medicinal fragrance than Lavendula grosso which is a more floral scent. Depending on your application the Latin name may be important to you.

Blending Fragrance Oils

Top perfume houses like Chanel or Givenchy work with precious (and expensive!) essential oils and fragrance oils, blending to the particular fragrance they desire. Wonder why Chanel No. 5 is called No. 5? Because it was the fifth in the blending series they created and the one Coco Chanel preferred most.

Blending a top selling and memorable fragrance requires exacting measurements of all oils both natural and synthetic and they must be able to repeat the fragrance recipe endlessly. This is why perfume houses use fragrances with no added oil or alcohol. It is quite difficult to find, though not impossible, for the layman and is simply pure, undiluted fragrance. To make a perfume the houses dilute with oil and to make cologne they add unscented alcohol (called perfumery alcohol). The length of time a fragrance maintains its scent is based on the ingredients used and the amount of dilution.

Blending your own fragrance can be a lot of fun and you can also learn a lot about perfumery.

Nearly all perfumes have top, middle and base notes. As a general rule, use twice as much top notes to middle notes to base notes. For example, a ratio of 4 parts top to 2 parts middle to 1 part base is a good place to start. Is your fragrance aroma too fresh? Add a little base note. Too heavy? Add a little middle or top note. Go slowly and use very small amounts. You will soon become skilled at running up and down the fragrance keyboard.

A well-constructed perfume will smell like one fragrance. You should not be able to distinguish its component parts. It might be soft and floral, woody, spicy or fruity. It will change over time and develop as it gets older. Like a fine antique, its composition becomes rich and distinguished. When you decide to lash out and start creating your own unique fragrances remember to write down what you do. Getting a perfect result will be rather frustrating if you don’t know how you got there!

What Blends well

Other top notes include: essential oils of rosemary (a clear herbal note), or citronella (strong and distinctive lemony fragrance, use sparingly) or eucalyptus or peppermint (each gives a fresh medicinal top note).

Undiluted fragrances are extremely versatile and can be used almost anywhere you would like fragrance (soaps, shampoo, conditioner, bath bombs, potpourri, unpolished wood, candles), however care must be taken. Do not put oils directly onto plastic, rubber, polished or laminated surfaces. They can dissolve these. Also, keep away from eyes and other mucous membranes and out of the reach of children. If required, flush with unscented oil and/or soapy water. 

Enjoy your journey into the world of fragrance. It is an exciting and rewarding experience. And you just never know. You might just create another Chanel!