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