Skip to main content

Scent Strips "Piano"

I was exploring some of my more unusual essences yesterday evening. The technique I learned from Mandy's workbook works very well. I place a single drop of an essence on a labeled scent strip and write down the time of application in my notebook. Then I decribe the scent. I wait 10-15 minutes and I label strip number two and then place a drop of the same essence on that strip. Then I compare the two strips. I was looking for a place to leave the first strip while it was drying out and I decided to put it in under the little drawer on my "organ".
See the photo above. It hung there very nicely. I carried on with my explorations. I did the base notes first then the middle...then I had a realization. They were all hanging there and reminded me of the keys on our piano. I leaned in a little and started from the base notes end, I smelled up, and then I smelled back down. The effect was quite extraordinary. I could tell which notes did not belong and I could tell which notes did. I closed my eyes and tested myself, trying to recognize each scent as my nose came upon it.
Another usful thing I discovered using this technique was which notes smell the strongest and must be used gingerly in a blend. This technique could also be used to help to build the shape or structure of a perfume. By moving the strips around, and for example placing the africa stone tincture near the araucaria instead of the myrrh I get a different composition completely. I could also add a third strip of an essence that was there already to get an idea of what it would be like to use more of it in a blend. Or I could take one of the strips away to get an idea of using less.
I got such a kick out of this idea, I hope you like it too!

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Shelly Waddington to Teach Unit at Natural Perfume Academy

We have a new addition to the Natural Perfume Academy's year long Natural Botanical Perfume course starting in May. Shelley Waddington is going to teach a unit about Isolates. "The use of natural isolates is a new cutting edge trend in natural perfumery. This course is designed to allow the perfume student to take advantage of this new trend by providing a basic understanding of what an isolate is, how it is produced, and how to incorporate isolates into their own perfume compositions. The student will also receive a comprehensive bibliography for personal reference. Upon completion of this unit, the student will have a basic understanding of natural isolates and will be ready to begin blending using these fragrance materials. A kit of natural isolates will be available at the store and is highly recommended for the course." About Shelley Waddington Shelley Waddington is the President of Beau Soleil, LLC, and the Chief Perfumer for The Carmel Perfumery, locat...

Anti-perfume trails and Molecules 01

I received a gift yesterday that blew me away totally. A Bottle of Molecules 01 : I have never smelled anything like this. EVER! My first impression was cedarwood. A beautiful cedarwood too, it reminded me of a Lebanese cedarwood perfumery essence that I have. It's dark, deep and incredibly velvety. But then I realised that I wasn't smelling a perfume per se, because normally cedarwood is a middle to base note and doesn't come through immediately after applying a perfume and more importantly, at that moment when I expected to smell a different note, what I was smelling simply wasn't there anymore. It did a vanishing act. I became rather perplexed and very curious. Twenty minutes later I felt as though I was sitting in a cedarwood forest on a warm sunny day. Wow! The perfume seemed to be all around me rather than on me. When I smelled my skin I had to bury my nose before I got the delicious warm clean scent that reminded me of rain on skin. How incred...

Academy of Natural Perfumery Course Review

"The course is excellent, it's in depth and very comprehensive, since it covers creative as well as scientific topics. This is very important for me as a botanist and scientist. It's a very good opportunity to extensively develop one's intellectual and practical creativity. You are guided by a marvellous expert, Justine. It is amazing how she is always there to explain and help. It is an incredible support she provides all the time. It warmly would recommend this curriculum to everyone who is passionate about nature and scents. Gudrun Hugelshofer, Switzerland" Now accepting applications. Available through English and Portuguese COURSE FAQ: https://npacertification.com/natural-perfumery-diploma-faq/ ABOUT DIPLOMA COURSE: https://npacertification.com/cpd-certified-natural-perfumery-diploma-course/ APPLICATION FORM DIPLOMA COURSE: https://npacertification.com/npa-natural-perfumery-diploma/ PAYMENT PAGE - DIPLOMA COURSE: https://npacertification.com/cpd-certified-dipl...