Quote:
Originally Posted by
saypo 
I also have some essential oils: Patchouli, Star Anise, Frank, Coffee, Lavendar, Sandalwood, Fir Needle, Rose Geranium, Orange Sweet, Cardamom, Bergamot and Camphor.
My goal is just to make something simple and nice, that will last. I don't really have a preference on the character of the smell, as long as it's not too sweet and not too brut-ish.
Any have some recipe ideas?
Thanks!
Of what you have already... I'll have a go at suggesting something fun.....
Firstly separate them into their levels of notes. You can disagree with me by smelling them:-
Top notes
Bergamot, Orange sweet
Top to middle:-
Star Anise,
Camphor,
Cardamom,
Fir Needle (depends on the type, if heavier then it would move down to mid to base depending)
Middle notes:-
Lavender (one of the best bridging notes),
Rose Geranium,
Middle to base:-
Frankincense,
Coffee (only if it is an absolute and not a fragrance oil),
Base notes:-
Patchouli, Sandalwood,
Find some cheap little vials and bottles and experiment with a 10% solution
dropper bottles for it in fractionated coconut oil
plastic pipettes for it in alcohol
You've got a good range to make something there so you can begin experimenting with this ratio in an approximate fashion
and whatever you do... write it down....
20 drops of top notes
Bergamot to keep the start fresh
Sweet orange to sweeten the sharper edges of the citrus twang
Hint notes for the top and only if you think it needs it
a tiny hint of camphor to make it soar but not so much to dominate
or
a small amount of cardomon for a nuance for the citrus
or
the fir needle for a more forest feel
or
possibly star anise to give it an unusual nuance. (I haven't much experience of this note)
25 drops of mid notes
Rose geranium as the floral heart
Lavender to stop the floral from being brash, to tone the above down
Frankincense to anchor the citrus and focus the floral
55 drops of base notes
Sandalwood as the woody powdery base
patchouli to shade it darker
maybe a micro of coffee to sharpen it if it is fuzzy (I haven't much experience of this note)
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Just a thought, those proportions of 20:25:55 are in relation mainly to natural blends. if you want something more fresh like a cologne, then you up the top notes and lessen the base notes. It's like playing with scales except there are three baskets.
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Another
link which is the first page of the DIY section. It has some simple recipes within. It suggests the top/middle/base ratio to be 3:2:1.