How To Mix Your Own Perfume Scents

Although it is possible to make single-note perfumes (i.e., perfumes with only one scent), it is much more common to mix different scents together. In fact, that’s the fun part!

But where to begin?

Well, oils in the same category generally blend well together. And it’s also good to try to get at least one top note to lift the scent, one base note to ground it, and one heart note to bridge the two — beyond that, follow your nose!

To get you started, below are some categories that generally blend well together:

  • Florals blend well with spicy, citrusy and woodsy oils.
  • Woodsy oils generally blend well with all categories.
  • Spicy oils blend well with florals, oriental and citrus oils. Be careful not to overpower the blend with the spicy oils.
  • Minty oils blend well with citrus, woodsy, green, and earthy oils.

Tips for Mixing Perfume Scents

    Use Perfume Testing Strips

    When creating a new blend, use these fragrance strips to test out the scent blends. Put a drop of oil on each (labeled!) strip, then wave the strips under your nose like a fan to see how they work together. 

      Start with a Standard Blending Ratio

      Start off your blending experiments by creating blends that are made up in the following ratio: 20 percent top notes, 30 percent heart notes, and 50 percent base notes. You can measure small amounts by counting the drops. Measure larger amounts with a scale or a graduated cylinder.

      Use A Recipe Card

      Keep track of your formula with a recipe card. Our perfume formula cards include a place to record your name, the date of creation, the name of your fragrance, the fragrance description, the fragrance inspiration, other notes, and the formula itself. It can hold up to sixteen ingredients, tracking measurement by drop and note.

      Avoid Wasting Your Carrier

        After you have designed the blend, then you can dilute it by adding your carrier (fractionated coconut oil or perfumer's alcohol). If you hate the blend you created, you have then not wasted any carrier.

          Give the Scent Time to Settle

          After creating your blend, allow it to sit for a few days before deciding if you love or hate it. The constituents (natural chemicals) contained within the oils will get cozy with each other and the aroma can change, usually rounding out a bit.

          Cleanse Your Nasal Palate

            Try sniffing coffee beans between scents to clear out your nose.

            Nasal fatigue occurs when receptors gradually become less sensitive to different notes, making it difficult to tell one scent from the next. 

            Using coffee in between fragrance testing can actually “cleanse” your nasal receptors and provide you with an refreshed smelling palate.

            Have Fun with Perfume Making

              Finally, just have fun! Perfumery has no hard and fast rules. Mix what you think works. After all, it’s YOUR nose you have to please!