Re: Absolutes

[Guest guest]

There is a big difference between an absolute and an EO. You can say that

absolutes are more " complete " since they are closer to the scent of the plant

that it was derived from and absolutes generally last longer on the skin than

eo's. As far as which absolutes to get started with I think you are on the

right track by getting the big three you mentioned. My favorite rose absolute

is May Rose absolute and my favorite jasmine is jasmine grandiflor absolute from

india. Neroli is generally the name of the EO, the absolute is generally sold

under Orange Blossom Absolute. If I were you, I'd get Neroli EO first and then

get the absolute so you can see how different they are even though they come

from the same flower. Other EO's and absolutes to consider getting are,

Sandalwood EO, Vanilla Absolute, and Expressed Bergamot EO (bergaptene free or

FCF is the version that is safer for the skin, and expressed is better than

steam distilled for perfumes). Adding these essences plus what you already have

gives you several of the more classic essences used in perfumes. I hope this

helps.

[Guest guest]

There is a big difference between an absolute and an EO. You can say that

absolutes are more " complete " since they are closer to the scent of the plant

that it was derived from and absolutes generally last longer on the skin than

eo's.***text removed*** I hope this helps.

Thank you so much, this was very helpful - I really appreciate your advice...

xo

[Guest guest]

You've actually already got a great collection there to play with...

I'ts worth while starting slowly and truly getting to know each

substance...with the collection you have you can create endless

different blends in alcohol and solids for quite a while!

And by pure chance, most of them harmonize really well with each other...

There is just one in there that won't play quite as nicely with the

others...wonder if you'll pick which one!

Ambrosia

http://perfumebynature.blogspot.com

http://www.perfumebynature.com.au

[Guest guest]

> Hi all,

>

> I was just after some much-needed advice as to which Absolutes would be good

for

> me to buy in small quantities in order to learn about their properties. I

want

> to get the big three at least: rose, jasmine and neroli (not sure of which

> varieties). I have recently purchased the following eo's:

>

> Cedarwood Himalayan

> Clary Sage

> French Lavender

> Olibanum

> Palmarosa

> Patchouli

> Sweet Orange

> Vetiver

> White Grapefruit

> Ylang Ylang 1st

>

Hi , Folks.....

You might add Vanilla absolute too....It seems ubiquitous in the world

of perfumery...<G>....!

I also happen to like Lavender absolute....A good Orange Flower absolute

(neroli is an EO, usually) is one of the most stunning absolutes in

existence (personal opinion).....

When I first started messing around with essences, it was from the point

of view of Aromatherapy...The funny thing was....every AT book I can

remember would extol the virtues of jasmine, and yet jasmine is not

commercially available as an EO...

A lot of AT folks were concerned with the solvent nature of absolute

extraction...Typically hexane as a solvent (giving you a concrete), then

ethanol wash to separate out the waxes...leaving you with the absolute...

There are *many* great sources for absolutes....

Here's a few places online you can check out to see the variety of

absolutes that are available....I believe all have minimum orders,

except Eden...I'm suggesting these just to familiarize yourself with

what's out there...And get a rough idea what prices are like...

The Good Scents site is a true gold mine of information...

Liberty Natural Products http://www.libertynatural.com/

Essential Oil University http://essentialoils.org/shop/

The Good Scents Company http://www.thegoodscentscompany.com/

Eden Botanicals http://www.edenbotanicals.com/

White Lotus Aromatics http://www.whitelotusaromatics.com/

Appalachian Valley Natural Products http://www.av-at.com/

(Absolutes are listed under the EO heading)

I will warn you....Absolutes can be very addicting...

--

W. Bourbonais

L'Hermite Aromatique

A.J.P. (GIA)

http://www.facebook.com/Le.Hermite

[Guest guest]

You've actually already got a great collection there to play with...

I'ts worth while starting slowly and truly getting to know each

substance...with the collection you have you can create endless

different blends in alcohol and solids for quite a while!

And by pure chance, most of them harmonize really well with each other...

There is just one in there that won't play quite as nicely with the

others...wonder if you'll pick which one!

Ambrosia

http://perfumebynature.blogspot.com

http://www.perfumebynature.com.au

Is it the Patchouli???

__

,___

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

Thank you so much for your advice and all of those links, I really appreciate

you taking the time to respond. I will now be deeply immersed in these sites

for some time.....

xo

[Guest guest]

>

>

>

> Liberty Natural Products http://www.libertynatural.com/

>

> Essential Oil University http://essentialoils.org/shop/

>

> The Good Scents Company http://www.thegoodscentscompany.com/

I would not recommend those three for various reasons. I won't buy from

them.

Anya McCoy

http://AnyasGarden.com

http://PerfumeClasses.com

http://NaturalPerfumers.com

[Guest guest]

> > Liberty Natural Products http://www.libertynatural.com/

> >

> > Essential Oil University http://essentialoils.org/shop/

> >

> > The Good Scents Company http://www.thegoodscentscompany.com/

>

>

> I would not recommend those three for various reasons.

I would love to know the reasons so I could watch for them or be pro:active....I

have always wondered about the EOU to be honest but their volume requirements

are a bit much for me. I thought that Nature's Gift was on your don't list as

well or did I get that wrong?

I only have experience with Eden, Liberty, Mountain Rose and White

Lotus...actually now that I look at the " Links-Suppliers " I don't see Eden or

White Lotus.

I'm sure I'm not the only amateur/hobbyist perfumer that relies on

recommendations from experts such as yourself and would use sites from this link

if they were there, as well as maybe a links category of " my negative

experiences with (______) supplier " , sort of like an ebay bad/good review

feature? As the credit crunch continues we don't have the cash to throw around

we once had so this is more important than ever I'm thinking.

I'm looking forward to your EO shop re:opening in August by the way; I have such

a love/hate relationship with Vanilla Ab. and Sandalwood sourcing and these two

sound delicious! M.

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

Thank you too for all the information + links, I really appreciate.

Janel

[Guest guest]

>

>

>>> Liberty Natural Products http://www.libertynatural.com/

>>>

>>> Essential Oil University http://essentialoils.org/shop/

>>>

>>> The Good Scents Company http://www.thegoodscentscompany.com/

>>>

>>

>> I would not recommend those three for various reasons.

>>

> I would love to know the reasons so I could watch for them or be

pro:active....I have always wondered about the EOU to be honest but their volume

requirements are a bit much for me. I thought that Nature's Gift was on your

don't list as well or did I get that wrong?

>

> I only have experience with Eden, Liberty, Mountain Rose and White

Lotus...actually now that I look at the " Links-Suppliers " I don't see Eden or

White Lotus.

>

> I'm sure I'm not the only amateur/hobbyist perfumer that relies on

recommendations from experts such as yourself and would use sites from this link

if they were there, as well as maybe a links category of " my negative

experiences with (______) supplier " , sort of like an ebay bad/good review

feature? As the credit crunch continues we don't have the cash to throw around

we once had so this is more important than ever I'm thinking.

>

> I'm looking forward to your EO shop re:opening in August by the way; I have

such a love/hate relationship with Vanilla Ab. and Sandalwood sourcing and these

two sound delicious! M.

>

Hi M (michael?)

Reasons vary for my decision not to buy from these sellers and others.

I'll just have to let it be that I make that statement and nothing else,

because, frankly, I'm a bit tired of being a watchdog and having to put

myself out there. YMMV with these sellers, and others. As far as Eden

or White Lotus, they or customers of theirs could have added their

links, I can't do everything, nor can my moderators, as we're unpaid and

have busy stressed lives. Will at Eden is active here, maybe he just

forgot to add his link. I have no idea why didn't add his

link. Over time, I've added a few for those who couldn't, like Jeanne

Rose before she was computer savvy, and one or two others. Suppliers,

IMO, should put their own links in, otherwise they may reap the benefits

of the group, while contributing nothing.

I may not be offering sandalwood anymore, I want to hold on to what I

have. You can get samples from other sellers and try to find some that

you like.

Anya McCoy

http://AnyasGarden.com

http://PerfumeClasses.com

http://NaturalPerfumers.com

[Guest guest]

Regarding Liberty - I'm quite puzzled by them. I know a lot of people here

seem to like their stuff, but I made a small order from them a wee while

ago, and was really underwhelmed by what I got, from an olfactory point of

view.

Their customer service was fantastic - really pro-active. But the products

just didn't do it for me.

For example - I have samples of kewda attar and violet leaf abs from Eden.

The same two from Liberty, compared to the Eden ones - what a difference!!!!

The Eden kewda attar has richness and tenacity. The Liberty one just fades

away by comparison.

The Eden violet leaf is to die for - I practically want to drown in it. The

Liberty violet leaf - well I guess it smells like violet leaf, but it just

doesn't have any of whatever it is about the Eden one that pulls the

heartstrings - some X factor, which an expert could probably pinpoint and

articulate, but I can't.

There were other examples, that I won't detail

All that said, someone here (Albert??) has said he loves their citrus oils,

and I didn't try any of those.

Someone else has said Liberty can be hit and miss - they have so many

products. Maybe I just had bad luck with more misses than hits?

Best

Johanna

[Guest guest]

> >> I would not recommend those three for various reasons.

I've ordered samples from Liberty and have ordered a few citrus oils from eo

university but that is all of the experience I've had with those to suppliers so

I can't say much for them but I can vouch for the good quality of Eden

Botanicals and White Lotus Aromatics.

[Guest guest]

Matheson wrote:

>

>

>

>

> You've actually already got a great collection there to play with...

> I'ts worth while starting slowly and truly getting to know each

> substance...with the collection you have you can create endless

> different blends in alcohol and solids for quite a while!

> And by pure chance, most of them harmonize really well with each other...

> There is just one in there that won't play quite as nicely with the

> others...wonder if you'll pick which one!

>

> Ambrosia

> http://perfumebynature.blogspot.com

> http://www.perfumebynature.com.au

>

> Is it the Patchouli???

>

Actually no, not at all. Patchouli is a surprisingly friendly oil that

plays well with almost everything...used in small amounts....It's one of

my favourite oils!

Ambrosia

> ._,___

[Guest guest]

Anya's Garden Perfumes wrote:

>

>

>

>

> >

> >

> >

> > Liberty Natural Products http://www.libertynatural.com/

> >

> > Essential Oil University http://essentialoils.org/shop/

> >

> > The Good Scents Company http://www.thegoodscentscompany.com/

>

> I would not recommend those three for various reasons. I won't buy from

> them.

>

> Anya McCoy

> http://AnyasGarden.com

> http://PerfumeClasses.com

> http://NaturalPerfumers.com

>

I've had problems with the essential oil university...tried for 2 weeks

to place an order with them...they never even bothered to reply.

Ambrosia

> ._,___

[Guest guest]

>

> Liberty Natural Products http://www.libertynatural.com/

>

> Essential Oil University http://essentialoils.org/shop/

>

> The Good Scents Company http://www.thegoodscentscompany.com/

I would not recommend those three for various reasons. I won't buy from

them.

Anya McCoy

http://AnyasGarden.com

http://PerfumeClasses.com

http://NaturalPerfumers.com

Thank you Anya, I appreciate your input, xo

__._

_

[Guest guest]

>

> Hi all,

>

> I was just after some much-needed advice as to which Absolutes would be good

for

> me to buy in small quantities in order to learn about their properties. I

want

> to get the big three at least: rose, jasmine and neroli (not sure of which

> varieties).....

> xo

Hi

you and the others in our Aussie-NZ region may want to know about these local

suppliers too.

For starting out, when you want to be exposed to as many different ones as you

can for your available $$$, I think it's good to shop locally, as you'll be

forever paying currency conversion and freight charges for overseas purchases.

Ahimsa - you can buy per gram, up to large volumes if you want.Ideal for your

first investments in the expensive and the rare. They have an extensive

catalogue.

From memory, they have no minimum order. I have always been very happy with

their products and service. Though don't get excited about their 'amber' - if

you order it they will warn you this is the 'real', horrid, tar-smelling icky

thing. { no idea why they've stocked it }

http://www.ahimsaoils.com.au/

SEOC

Very popular with the local aromatherapy community, and a good reputation for

customer service.

$200 minimum order. A big commitment to carrying organic products.

http://svc043.wic025v.server-web.com/about-sydney-essential-oil-company.asp

Auroma

http://www.auroma.com.au/

I know Ambrosia is happy with them.

Subtle Energies

http://www.subtleenergies.com.au/

In times past I have always used their Indian attars, sandalwood and jasmines,

vetiver etc - outstanding - but I see they're clearly changing their business

focus, having just checked the link. Hope they'll still be selling individual e

oils and absolutes and attars!

Have fun.

Happy tinkering!

And never throw a stinker away!

Label it, date it, and put it at the back of the cupboard. It may surprise you

in a few months, in the most delightful way. Or not

Margi

in Brisbane

http://margihealing.wordpress.com/

[Guest guest]

> Is it the Patchouli???

>

Actually no, not at all. Patchouli is a surprisingly friendly oil that

plays well with almost everything...used in small amounts....It's one of

my favourite oils!

Ambrosia

> ._,___

Hhhhhmmmm.....

Is it the Cedarwood? Surely not the vetiver....

_G

[Guest guest]

Hi Margi,

Thanks so much for the links and advice. I'll check out your suggestions! I do

get annoyed with the whole currency conversion/freight issue...so local is

great!

Have you had any experience with a company called New Directions? I ordered a

catalogue and have looked online and a lot of their stuff seems to be really

cheap...that bothers me...not that I don't like a bargain but since I don't know

their quality, it seems a bit odd to me.

Sorry for " top posting " here but there is something really weird going on with

my computer and every time I try to respond after cutting off all the extra

text, my type disappears...

Also, this email from you popped up in my spam filter instead of the main

inbox...sometimes I find my own posts in there too....???

Thanks again,

xo

[Guest guest]

Regarding Liberty - I'm quite puzzled by them. I know a lot of people here

seem to like their stuff, but I made a small order from them a wee while

ago, and was really underwhelmed by what I got, from an olfactory point of

view. Someone else has said Liberty can be hit and miss - they have so

many

products. Maybe I just had bad luck with more misses than hits?

hi,

White Lotus Aromatics and Eden are both great sources (still recommended to

get samples for spendy things) and in my 16yrs experience Liberty Naturals

is indeed hit or miss. about 8 or 10yrs ago they had a fantastic

incense (when i was sampling about 40 different sources of every

month or two) but i am often underwhelmed or outright dissatisfied. FWIW all

three of these suppliers are excellent in customer relating. with WLA and

Eden you are usually dealing with the owners when you post. they're quite

committed to serving up hi quality stuff.

osmic blessings,

crystal

[Guest guest]

Matheson wrote:

> > Is it the Patchouli???

>

> Actually no, not at all. Patchouli is a surprisingly friendly oil that

> plays well with almost everything...used in small amounts....It's one of my

favourite oils!

> Ambrosia

> > ._,___

>

> Hhhhhmmmm.....

> Is it the Cedarwood? Surely not the vetiver....

>

> _G

>

Nope, grin!

Ambrosia

[Guest guest]

Matheson wrote:

> > Is it the Patchouli???

>

> Actually no, not at all. Patchouli is a surprisingly friendly oil that

> plays well with almost everything...used in small amounts....It's one of my

favourite oils!

> Ambrosia

> > ._,___

>

> Hhhhhmmmm.....

> Is it the Cedarwood? Surely not the vetiver....

>

> _G

>

Nope, grin!

Ambrosia

[Guest guest]

>

> Hi Margi,

>

......

> Have you had any experience with a company called New Directions? I ordered a

> catalogue and have looked online and a lot of their stuff seems to be really

> cheap...that bothers me..

>

> Thanks again,

> xo

>

Hi

edited your previous post a bit.... New Directions... yeah, good for bottles and

jars

Margi

[Guest guest]

> Have you had any experience with a company called New Directions?

Actually, their bottles and jars are really expensive. Cospak or

Plasdene are much better!

Ambrosia

[Guest guest]

> Have you had any experience with a company called New Directions?

Actually, their bottles and jars are really expensive. Cospak or

Plasdene are much better!

Ambrosia

[Guest guest]

> > There is just one in there that won't play quite as nicely with the

> > others...wonder if you'll pick which one!

> >

> > Ambrosia

> > http://perfumebynature.blogspot.com

> > http://www.perfumebynature.com.au

> >

> > Is it the Patchouli???

> >

>

> Actually no, not at all. Patchouli is a surprisingly friendly oil that

> plays well with almost everything...used in small amounts....It's one of

> my favourite oils!

>

> Ambrosia

> > ._,___

>

Is it the palmarosa?

kate gavin