Re: Trouble with top notes

[Guest guest]

> I'm new to natural perfumery, and thanks to Mandy Aftel's advice in Essence

and Alchemy, I have been getting to know my oils and building my first perfumes

over the last few months. One difficulty I've been having is with the first 30

seconds of the scent. I love vetiver and patchouli, but every time I use them,

there is a rush of earthiness during the first few seconds of the scent that I

can't seem to control. When I add more top notes (I'm thinking of the citruses

in particular), it seems to extend their scent for a bit longer, but the first

few seconds continue to be just a blast of earth. Am I using too high a

proportion of base notes? Or is this just part of the beautiful quirkiness of

the natural essences?

>

> I'd love the advice anyone has to offer!

>

> -Matt

>

Hi Matt!

The specific aromatics you mentioned (patchouli and vetiver) are very strong and

if blended anywhere near equal proportions of the other notes in the blend will

definitely overpower everything else. I would recommend using very little of the

very strong oils and having a higher proportion of middle and top notes. The

proportion of oils used to get a good balance always varies depending on which

oils are used. Sandalwood, for example, is a base note that can be easily

overpowered by middle and top notes. :-)

I hope this helps!

Amy

HartBlends.com