All About Fragrances

One of the advantages of making your own soap and bath products is that you can customize the fragrance to your liking. However, blending fragrances can be intimidating. Fragrances are not cheap, and you may worry about having to discard a blend that simply did not work for you.

Here is some information to help you experiment with greater confidence.

✨ How does fragrance work?

People have used different types of fragrances for about 4,000 years. The ancient Egyptians distilled fragrances from plants and flowers. When we smell something, molecules from the substance are drawn into the nose and then absorbed by a thin membrane. Information about these molecules is sent to the olfactory bulb, which in turn leads to four other areas of the brain: the frontal cortex, the hippocampus, the amygdala, and the hypothalamus.

Connecting emotion and memory with our sense of smell gives us a survival advantage. If we smell a predator or a fruit that poisoned us in the past, we can recognize those scents as dangerous. As a result, our sense of smell can evoke intense emotions and memories. This may explain why we love fragrances so much and have used them since the dawn of civilization.

Fragrances are used in all kinds of products: perfumes, skincare products, soaps, bubble baths, air fresheners, candles, shampoos and conditioners, household cleaners, and more. That is why we are exposed to fragrances every day.

🌿 Fragrance Oils

Fragrance oils are artificial fragrances. They are made up of aromatic compounds, and some can be very complex, containing hundreds of them. Some of these compounds are extracted from natural plants; for example, linalool can be extracted from lavender.

Synthetic fragrances are created to smell like natural scents or to create scents that are not found in nature. They are also developed to reproduce the scents of fruits and flowers that cannot be extracted as essential oils.

In short, fragrance oils offer a very wide range of creative possibilities.

🌿 Essential Oils

Essential oils are extracted from plants or parts of plants using methods such as distillation, solvent extraction, or expression. They contain natural chemical compounds that represent the essence of the plant of origin.

In addition to scenting products, they are used in aromatherapy for their ability to evoke sensations, calm or stimulate the mood, and bring back memories.

Not all essential oils are safe: some can be toxic or irritating when ingested or applied to the skin undiluted. Therefore, it is essential to learn about each oil and its proper use before incorporating it into your creations.

In our store, you will find this information on each product page. If you have any questions, review the product page.

🌧️ Top, Middle, and Base Notes

Fragrances evolve over time. When applied, they release different layers of scent, known as notes:

Top notes: the first impression; they are volatile and fade quickly.

Middle notes: also called heart notes, they emerge after the first notes evaporate. They define the fragrance's main character.

Base notes: these last the longest. They blend with the middle notes and provide depth and lasting power.

🌺 Scent Families

Fragrance families group scents according to their main characteristics, which helps you combine them harmoniously.

Fresh scents: vibrant and revitalizing.

• Watery notes, green leaves, citrus, and fruits. E.g.: Caribbean Bloom
• Floral, aldehydic, powdery, and orange blossom notes. E.g.: Lirios del Valle & Jacinto.

Warm scents: comforting, intense, and enveloping.

• Amber, vanilla, incense, and resins. E.g.: Black Vanilla
• Woods, leather, and moss. E.g.: Cuero & Miel.

Some ingredients, such as lavender or sandalwood, can belong to both families depending on what they are blended with.

🔮 Blending Scents

A common formula for creating balanced fragrances is:

• 20% top notes
• 30% middle notes
• 50% base notes

Woody scents make excellent base notes. Florals often shine in the top notes. Amber notes pair very well with citrus and spices. Green scents blend beautifully with citrus and earthy notes.

Let the blend rest for at least 48 hours so the compounds can integrate. You can add a “bridge note” to connect layers (e.g., vanilla with citrus to soften transitions).

🧠 Testing Fragrances

Test your blends on scent strips before applying them to products or skin. If you are making perfumes, dilute them first in alcohol or carrier oils.

Let them settle before deciding whether you like them. If you test several, refresh your sense of smell by smelling coffee or stepping outside for a moment.

Developing a good nose takes time. With each attempt, you will refine your intuition and create unique scents that define your style.

Copyright Brambleberry

Photo 4 - footer