Fragrance Oil Blending Basics
How to Blend Fragrance Oils for Candle and Soap Making
Blending fragrance oils gives you a unique edge to create your own custom fragrance! Blending oils is fun but can be tricky, and sometimes the results are not what you expect. Mixing oils is like cooking with spices, add what you want, add more if necessary. Some scents smell great on their own but don't mix well, while some scents may not be so pleasant on their own but then develop when other aromas are added to them. Some scents disappear when introduced to other oils. The good thing is there really isn't a right or wrong to blending fragrances since it's a personal preference. Be creative and have fun with it and of course like everything else - you will get better with practice.
Pro Tip: Use blotters to get a basic creation and then work in small batches so you aren't wasting oils and getting unexpected results.
Materials
- Fragrance and/or Essential Oils
- Bottles to hold blends
- Pipettes – one for each FO/EO
- Blotter paper
- Blending Cards
- Isopropyl Alcohol – to clean pipettes if necessary
- Fresh Air
- Ground Coffee
Fragrance Notes
All aromatic oils include top, middle, and bottom or base notes and these terms are what perfumers use to describe fragrances. The notes are based on the evaporation rate of the oil itself.
Top Notes:
- Very thin oil usually light, sharp, and fresh,
- This is what you smell first before they dissipate
- Recommended 5-20% in the blend
Middle Notes:
- Main body of the fragrance
- Balances top and bottom notes
- Recommended 50-80% in the blend
Bottom Notes:
- Deep, warm, thick & heavy
- Lingers the longest in the blend
- Recommended 5-20% in blend
Generally, blends that consist of top, middle and base notes are more complex, appealing and inspiring. Some fragrances such as lavender can be both top and middle notes or for instance, peppermint can be both a middle and base note.
Let's get mixing!
If you are a little nervous to blend their scents because if a blend does not turn out, the fragrance oil could be wasted, then use very small amounts of each fragrance oil when starting the mixing process and work in small batches first. I like to use pipettes and work with drops on a scent blotter to create ratios for larger batches. For instance, start with 1 drop of each oil that you want to blend on the blotter. Close your eyes, take a deep breath of the scent and decide which fragrance need more added to them. Add one drop at a time, sniff and repeat if necessary. Make sure to record all drops and info as you go so that you don’t’ lose track of your ratios.
Creating Ratios
So now that you have created your ratio by drops, you can then create larger formulas using drop ratios. For instance, a 1 oz. bottle is 30 ml, pipettes easily measure in ml up to 3 ml at a time so you know you will need up to 10 pipettes to create a 1 oz. bottle. I recommend testing your ratios in 1 oz. formulas to make sure that you are getting the results that you desire before creating larger batches.
So here’s a basic math example to translate drop ratios into a formula:
Drop Ratio Ounce Ratio (= 10 pipettes)
Fragrance #1 1 drop 1 pipette=3ml
Fragrance #2 9 drops 9 pipettes=27ml
After all your parts are added to the bottle, swish them around to ensure the oils are fully blended. Then it’s time to smell! Take notes as you are blending on notecards because the worst thing is to develop the best fragrance ever and then not be able to duplicate it!
Once you have smelled the blend with equal parts of each fragrance, add more fragrance (one “part” at a time) as you see fit. Keep smelling after each addition to find just the right amounts. Once you are happy with your blend, transfer the blend to a small container and label. This way you can easily re-smell the fragrance and recreate it in larger projects. Or, use the small amount of oil to make a test batch to see how the blend does in your product of choice.
Must-Have Fragrance Oils for Blending by Category
I really got out of control on this section because each oil has its own features and highlights for creating blends, but if I had to choose about 30 “must-haves” these would be it.
Clean
- Adds clean or sparkling characteristics to blends
- Usually top or middle notes
- Examples: Champagne, Green Tea
Fruit
- Top or middle notes
- Citrus is always top
- Bolder fruits like cranberry are middle
- Examples: Apple, Blueberry, Mulberry, Cherry, Orange, Cranberry, Peach, Lemon, Raspberry, Lime
Pine/Wood
- Usually middle or base notes
- Add earthy and natural characteristics
- Examples: Balsam, Frankincense, Peppermint, Eucalyptus, Patchouli, Sandalwood
Sweet
- Sweetens up aromas
- Can be top, middle or base notes
- Vanilla should be its own category
- Examples: Chocolate, French Vanilla, Coconut, Vanilla
Spice
- Spices up any aroma
- Usually base notes.
- Examples: Cinnamon, Ginger, Clove
Floral
- Usually middle notes
- Floral can be strong and overpowering
- Examples: Jasmine, Lilac, Lavender, Rose
Sensuous
- Gives a blend of sex appeal
- Usually middle and base notes
- Examples: Amber, Musk, Baby Powder, Patchouli
Scent Mixing Ideas with Suggested Scent Name- Scents to Blend
Afternoon Breeze - 1part: Lavender, 1part: Vanilla, and 1part: Spring Rain
Almond Joy - 1part: Chocolate, 2parts: Coconut, and 1part: Almond
Angel Cake - 1part: Coconut, and 3parts: Vanilla
Anisette and Cream - 1part: Rose, and 3parts: Sandalwood
Apple Cinnamon - Equal parts: Apple and Cinnamon
Apple Fruit - 1part: Apple, and 1part: Grapefruit
Apple Jack - 1part: Apple, 1part: Cinnamon, and 2 or 3 drops Grapefruit to your taste
Apple Rose - 1part: Apple, and 1part: Rose
Apple Spice - 1part: Apple Cinnamon, 1part: Hot Apple Pie, and a tiny bit of Bayberry
Apple Vanilla - Equal parts: Apple and Vanilla
Autumn Harvest - Equal parts: Pumpkin Spice and Apple
Autumn Spice - Equal parts: Orange Creamsicle and Cloves
Baby - Equal parts: Baby Powder, Lavender and Lilac
Baby Lavender - 1part: Baby powder, and 1part: Lavender
Baby’s Breath - 1part: Vanilla, and 1part: Jasmine
Berries and Cream - 1part: Vanilla, 1part: Strawberry, and 1part: Raspberry
Berry Patch - 3/4 Raspberry, 1/4 Patchouli
Better than Sex on the Beach - Equal parts: Raspberry, Peach, Pineapple, Cranberry, and Orange
Birthday Cake - 2parts: Buttercream, and 1part: vanilla
Biscotti - Equal parts: Fudge Brownie and Almond
Black Cherry Toffee - Equal parts: Black Cherry, Almond, Caramel, and Coconut
Blackberry Crumble - Equal parts: Blackberry and Creme Brulee
Blue Hawaiian - Equal parts: Blueberry and Pineapple
Blueberry Cheesecake - 1lb 1/2oz blueberry and 1/2oz french vanilla
Blueberry Cobbler - Equal parts: Blueberry Muffin and French Vanilla
Boudoir - 2parts: Rose, 2parts: Each Musk, Vanilla, Sandalwood
Cajun Cream - 1/2 French Vanilla, and 1/2 Butterscotch
Candy Cane - Equal parts: Peppermint and Strawberry
Charleston (lampe berger type) - 10parts: Sandalwood, and 2parts: Cinnamon
Cherry Cheesecake - 1lb 1/2 oz Cherry and 1/2 oz Cheesecake
Cherry Colada - Equal parts: Cherry and Coconut
Cherry Fairy - Equal parts: Clean Cotton and Cherry
Cherry Lemonade - 1part: Black Cherry, and 2parts: Lemon
Cherry Vanilla - Equals parts: Cherry and French Vanilla
Chocolate Covered Cherries - Equal parts: Chocolate and Cherry
Chocoholic - Chocolate and Vanilla
Cinilla - Equal parts: Cinnamon and French Vanilla
Cinnaberry - 1part: Cinnamon, and 3parts: Mulberry
Cinnamon Apple - Equal parts; Cinnamon and Apple
Cinnamon Apple Pie - 1/3 Cinnamon, and 2/3 Apple Pie
Cinnamon Rose - 1part: Cinnamon and 1part: Rose
City of Lights - Equal parts: Lavender and Cinnamon
Cosmopolitan - 2/3 Cranberry,and 1/3 Lime
Country Berry - 2parts: Blueberry, 2:parts Raspberry, and 1part: Strawberry
Cranapple Cider - 1 part MacIntosh Apple and 1 part Spiced Cranberry
Creamy Strawberries - 3/4 oz of wild strawberry and 1/4 oz of Cream Brulee
Dewberry - Equal parts: Mulberry & Honeydew
Dusty Rose - 1part: Baby Powder, 2parts: Rose
Energizing - 3parts: Purely Peppermint, 2parts: Lemongrass
French Vanilla Coffee - 2parts: French Vanilla, 1part: Black Coffee
Fuzzy Navel - Equal parts: Peach, and Orange
German Chocolate Cake - Equal parts: Fudge Brownie, and Coconut
Ginger Pumpkin - Equal parts: Spice Mix (ginger, nutmeg, cinnamon) and Amber (may want to add a bit of pumpkin)
Harmony - Equal parts: Jasmine, Cherry Blossoms, Vanilla, Honey, and Sandalwood
Harvest Fruit - 1part: MacIntosh Apple, 1part: Strawberry Daquiri
Herbal Delight - Equal parts: Gardenia, and Patchouli
Herbal Island - Equal parts: Green Tea, and Hawaiian Paradise
Honeysuckle Peach - Equal Parts: Honeysuckle, and Peach
Honeysuckle Rose - Equal parts: Honeysuckle, and Roses
Hugs and Kisses - Equal parts: Candy Corn, Peaches, and Strawberry
Hummingbird Cake - Half Coconut, Half Pineapple
Indian Healing - Equal parts: Sage & Lemongrass, and Eucalyptus
Innocence - Equal parts: Plumeria, and Vainilla
Inspired - Equal parts: Rose, Jasmine, and Lily of the Valley
Island Baby - Equal Parts: Plumeria & Baby Powder
Lavender Orange - 1part: Lavender, and 3parts: Orange
Lemon Lavender - 2parts: Lemongrass, and 1part: Lavender
Lemon Pound Cake - Equal parts: Lemon, and French Vanilla
Lick Me All Over - 1part: Cherry, 1part: Mulberry, and 1part: Strawberry
Lilac Breeze - Equal parts: Lilac, and Sex on the Beach
Malibu - Equal parts: Blueberry, Strawberry, and Black Cherry
Mango Punch - 2/3 Mango, 1/3 Orange and 1/4 Lime
Masculine - 2:parts Clove, 1part: Sandalwood, and 1part: Honey Vanilla
Melon Medley - Equal parts: Cantaloupe, Watermelon, and Honeydew Melon
Mona Lisa - Equal parts: Clean Cotton and Sunflower
Mother Earth - Equal parts: Clove, Sandalwood, Frankincense
Mystic Berry - 2parts: Wild Raspberry, 1part: lavender
New Car Smell - Equal parts: Leather, and French Vanilla
Orange Clove Spice - 1part: Harvest Spice, 1part: Orange, 1 part Clove
Passion Equal - parts: Cherry, Almond, and Coconut
Peach Cobbler - 2parts: Georgia Peach, 1part: Fresh Baked Pie Crust, and 1part: cinnamon
Peach Pie - 2parts: Georgia Peach, 1part: Fresh Baked Pie Crust
Peaches and Cream - Equal parts: French Vanilla, and Georgia Peach
Peachy Colada - 1 lb 1 1/4 Georgia Peach & 3/4 Pina Colada
Peppermint Herb Tea - 1part: Peppermint, 2parts: Green Tea
Peppermint Pattie - 2parts: Hot Fudge Brownie, 1part: Peppermint
Peppermint Patty - 1/2 Hot Chocolate, 1/2 Peppermint
Pina Colada - 30% Pineapple, 70% Coconut Milk
Pine Forest - 1part: Mountain Pine, 1part: Cedar, 2parts: Bayberry
Pineapple Sage - Equal parts: Pineapple, and Sage
Pineapple Upsidedown Cake - Equal parts: Pineapple, and Buttercream Vanilla
Pink Lemonade 2parts: Strawberry, 1part: Lemon
Planters Punch - Equal parts: Lime, Orange and Pineapple
Purple Flower Parade - 3parts: Lilac, 2parts: Lavender, and 1part: Gardenia
Quiet Time - 1part: Chamomile, and 3parts: Spearmint
Rainbow Skies - Equal parts: Cotton Blossom and Honeysuckle
Raspberry Zinger - Equal parts: Wild Raspberry and Key Lime
Love - Equal parts: Lilac, Strawberry, Lavander, and sage
Relaxation - Equal parts: Patchouli, Rose, and Sandalwood
Relaxing - Equal parts: Lavender, Peppermint, and Green Tea
Relaxing Aroma - 1part: Jasmine, and 1part: Ylang Ylang
Romance - Equal parts: Orange, and Patchouli
Rose Plumeria - Equal parts: Rose Bouquet, and Plumeria
Rosemary - Equal parts: Rosemary, and lavender
Rosemary Cucumber Melon- 1oz Cucumber Melon, and 10 drops Rosemary
Santa’s Whiskers -Equal parts: Home for the Holidays, and Sugar Cookie
Sea Breeze - 1part: Peppermint, and 1part: Rain
Sex on the Beach - Equal parts: Peach, Cranberry and Orange
Sexy Smelling - Equal parts: Lilac, Rose, Amber, Lemon, and French Vanilla
Soft Rose - Equal parts: Rose, and French Vanilla
Spiced Orange - 2parts: Orange, 1part: Red Clove, and 1part: Cinnamon
Spiced Orange Cranberry - Equal parts: Orange and Spiced Cranberry
Spiced Rose - 1 oz Rose, and 1 drop each of Cinnamon and Clove
Spiced Vanilla - Equal parts: Allspice and Vanilla
Spicy Apples and Peaches - 2parts: Spiced Apple Pecan, and 2parts: Peach
Strawberries and Cream - Equal parts: Strawberries and French Vanilla
Strawberry Brulee - 2parts: Strawberry 1:part Creme Brulee
Strawberry Coconut - 3parts: Strawberry, and 1part: Coconut
Strawberry Colada - Equal parts Strawberry, Pina Colada
Strawberry Daiquiri - 4 Strawberry, 1 Vanilla, and 3 Pina Colada
Strawberry Kiwi - Equal parts: Strawberry and Kiwi
Strawberry Lemonade - 1part: Lemon Poundcake, 2parts: Strawberries and Cream
Strawberry Banana - Equal parts: Strawberry and banana
Summer Showers - Equal parts: Spring Rain, and Sunflower
Sweet Apple Delight - Equal part: Pink Sugar, and Apple
Sweet Dreams - Equal parts: Lavender, and Sweet pea
Sweet Orange and Pomegranate - Equal parts: Orange, and Pomegranate
Vanilla Garden - Equal parts: Rose, Lavender, and Vanilla
Vanilla Musk - Vanilla and Musk
Vintage Perfume - 1part: Rose, and 3parts: Sandalwood
Wild Berries - Equal part: Blueberry, Cherry, Raspberry, and Strawberry
Wow Dog - 3/4 Lilac 1part: Vanilla, and 3parts: Blueberry