Blending oils is fun but can be tricky, and sometimes the results are not what you expect. Use blotters to get a basic creation and then work in small batches so you aren't wasting oils and getting unexpected results. 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 maybe not 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.

Equipment:

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 - Champagne, Green Tea

Fruit – top or middle notes – citrus is always top, bolder fruits like cranberry are middle. Apple, Blueberry, Mulberry, Cherry, Orange, Cranberry, Peach, Lemon, Raspberry, Lime

Pine/Wood – usually middle or base notes – add earthy and natural characteristics. Balsam, Frankincense, Peppermint, Eucalyptus, Patchouli, Sandalwood

Sweet – sweetens up aromas and can be top, middle or base notes. Vanilla should be its own category. Chocolate, French Vanilla, Coconut, Vanilla

Spice – spices up any aroma. Usually base notes. Cinnamon, Ginger, Clove

Floral – Usually middle notes. Jasmine, Lilac, Lavender, Rose

Sensuous – gives a blend of sex appeal. Usually middle and base notes. 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

Rose, Lavendar, and Vanilla Equal parts: Orange, and Pomegranate

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 Brule- 2parts: Strawberry 1:part Creme Brule

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