The Natural Beauty Workshop

Using Preservatives

Natural products are wonderful.  I love the way they feel on my skin, how they smell, how they look, and I especially love the process of creating them.  Making natural products for yourself is relatively simple.  Make small batches, use them up quickly, and take care not to contaminate anything.  When you plan on sharing your creations with others the situation can grow a little more complex.  Because you cannot be sure how your product will be handled or how quickly it will be used once it leaves your hands, adding a preservative may be a necessary step.

Formulas that contain only oils and waxes are fairly stable on their own.  An average balm, or water free body butter will last several months to a year before going rancid.  Some formulators choose to add an antioxidant such as Rosemary Oil Extract or Vitamin E (T-80) to protect the shelf life of the oils contained in the formula.  Preservatives are not generally used in these simple balms and butters for two reasons:

• The formula does not contain water or water based ingredients such as Hydrosols or Aloe Vera Gel.
• The formula is not likely to come into contact with water during use. Most balms are applied to dry skin or lips.

When water or water based ingredients are introduced to a formula it becomes fragile.  Fresh lotions and creams are a good example of a fragile formulation, but any product that contains any amount of water will be subject to the same issues.  This includes wet masks, bubble baths, tinctures and more.  The water in these formulas will attract bacteria, mold, and other unsavory characters causing the product to become contaminated, break down, or go rancid.  This growth can pose serious health risks and unfortunately, is often invisible to the naked eye.  Extreme care must be taken when creating fresh creams and lotions even for personal use.  If you choose to create a lotion, cream, or other recipe that includes water without a preservative you must store it carefully and use it up within a few days to be safe or store it in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.  In order to responsibly share your product with others an effective preservative must be added.

You should also consider adding a preservative to products that may come into contact with water during use.  Sugar and Salt Scrubs are a great example of this situation.  While the product does not contain water, the user is likely, despite your best instructions, to bring the entire jar of product into the shower with them, introducing bacteria, water, and other unwanted additives into the product when it is used.  The jar will then be sealed up until it is used again.  Meanwhile, the bacteria that has been introduced will be growing inside the jar.  Another alternative to using a preservative in oil based scrubs is packaging the scrub in single serving portions so that your customer will use the entire jar in one shot, eliminating the dangerous situation.

Natural preservatives such as Grapefruit Seed Extract or Optiphen can be helpful in warding off bacterial growth, but unfortunately are not always enough to preserve an aqueous formulation for an extended period of time.  Synthetic preservatives offer stronger preservation properties, but unfortunately can be very controversial.  Great care must be taken when selecting a preservative and professional testing is necessary if you intend to sell the formulation to the public. Without the use of a Professional Challenge Testing Lab it is very hard, if not impossible, to be certain of whether your formula has been properly preserved. 

Scents for Men's Skin Care

Selecting scents for male consumers can be especially challenging.  The range of aromas that men prefer can seem limited in comparison to the vast array of fragrances that are marketed toward women.  However, with the right ground rules in mind, it is possible to create a wide variety of natural, aromatic blends that men will adore.

When formulating for men, it is best to start out with the basic types of aromas that they tend to prefer.  Most male fragrances are composed of woods, waters, and spices.  Vanilla also makes a great base for male fragrances and blends. When you are building a unique aroma, remember to keep the basics of perfumery in mind.  Base notes, mid-notes, and top notes must be combined thoughtfully to achieve the best possible result.  Here are some popular Essential Oils and Absolutes for use in male oriented blends.

Top Notes
Basil
Eucalyptus
Grapefruit
Lemongrass
Mandarin
Spearmint

Mid-Notes
Allspice
Bay
Cinnamon
Clary Sage
Clove Bud
Cypress
Fir
Hemlock
Hyssop
Nutmeg
Palmarosa
Pine
Rosewood

Base Notes
Amyris
Cedarwood
Frankincense
Ginger
Myrrh
Patchouli
Sandalwood
Vanilla
Vetiver

Do you have a favorite male oriented blend that you would like us to share on The Natural Beauty Workshop?  Please let us know! 

Making Handmade Lip Balms

Lip balms are one of the first handmade cosmetics that most people create.  They are easy to customize and a cinch to make.  They also make great gifts, party favors, and are perfect for group projects.  Even the simplest natural balm will usually receive rave reviews from those who are used to commercial petroleum based lip balms.  Unlike many commercial lip balms, a natural formula can help to soothe, heal, and protect your lips, not just seal them beneath a layer of sludge.

Base
A lip balm base can be created using this simple formula:

• 1 part Wax
• 1 part Solid Oil or Vegetable Butter
• 1 part Liquid Oil

The ratios will change slightly depending on the Butter, Wax, and Oil you choose.  For example, Beeswax is much softer than Carnauba Wax.  If you use a vegan wax such as Carnauba Wax or Candelilla Wax you will probably need to add a little more Oil and Butter to compensate.  Some Butters are softer than others as well.  For example, Kokum, Cocoa, and Illipe Butters are very hard at room temperature, while Shealoe, Aloe, and Macadamia Nut Butters are soft and creamy.  The best way to create a lip balm base that you'll love is to experiment!  Try starting at the ratio above using your favorite ingredients.  Let your mixture cool, than readjust as needed.  If your balm is too soft, add more wax.  If it is too hard, add more Oil or Butter.  Once you achieve the perfect base you can choose some additives to further enhance your lip balm.

Additives
There are many ingredients you can add to color, scent, or enhance your lip balm.  Lecithin and Lanolin Oil are two additives that can give your lip balm and extra creamy texture that most people love.  You only need to add a tiny percentage of either of these additives to enhance the lip balms texture.  Try adding soy based Lecithin at or animal derived Lanolin Oil at 1-4%.  Vitamin E Oil (400IU/g) can also be a useful addition to your lip balm.  This potent antioxidant is very beneficial to the skin, making it a helpful addition to any lip balm.  Vitamin E Oil (400IU/g) should also be added at a very small percentage  to your formula.  *About 1/8 - 1/4 teaspoon of Vitamin E Oil (400IU/g) per ounce is enough to add the products properties to your formula.

Scent & Flavor
Lip Balms can also be scented in many ways.  Certain Essential Oils can be used in lip balm formulations but they must be chosen with care.  Many Essential Oils can be damaging to the sensitive skin of the lips or toxic if ingested.  Be sure to research any Essential Oil thoroughly before adding it any product, especially a lip balm!  Some Essential Oils that work well in lip balms are:

• Peppermint Essential Oil
• Peppermint, Chocolate Essential Oil
• Lavender
• Spearmint Essential Oil
• Cornmint Essential Oil
• Tea Tree Essential Oil

Mint Oils will add a refreshing, tingling sensation to your lip balm.  This is a very popular, natural way of scenting lip products.  Synthetic Flavor Oils are an un-natural, but lip safe alternative to these natural Essential Oils.  Flavor Oils come in a wide variety of scents.  Unlike their name suggests they do not actually add a taste to lip products.  Instead they enhance the scent.  If you want your lip balm to have a flavor, you can add a sweetener such as Stevia Powder in conjunction with a Flavor Oil.  When a lip balm is sweetened it tricks the mind into thinking it is tasting the scent.  For example, a lip balm that is scented with Raspberry Flavor Oil, and sweetened with a product like Stevia Powder will create the illusion of a raspberry flavor.  While there are other sweeteners available, be sure to only scent or sweeten your lip balms with oil based, lip safe products.  Ingredients such as honey or baking flavors are not compatible with lip balms.

Color
Adding color to your lip balms can be a fun way to enhance your product.  Lip balms can be colored naturally by infusing one of our Natural Tinting Herbs into the oil you are using.  While these natural herbs will add a color to the balm, it will not leave a color on your lips.  Pearlescent Micas can be used to incorporate sheer color into your lip balm. Be sure to choose only Micas that are marked as "lip safe".  Please view our Mica Safety Chart to help you select an appropriate mica for lip products.  You can add a very small amount of Mica to add a touch of color to your lip balm or you can add a heavier amount to create a balm that will leave a sheer color on your lips.  Begin experimenting with a very small amount of Mica to achieve your desired color and shade.

Packaging
The type of packaging that will be ideal for your lip balm will depend on the texture that you have created.  If you've created a soft lip balm you can package it in one of the following small jars or tins:

• 1/4 oz. Clear Dome Jar
• 1/8 oz. or 1/4 oz. Dome Cream Jar
• 1/8 oz. or 1/4 oz. Flat Cream Jar
• 4 ml Crystal Jar
• 1/2 oz. Silver Tin

If you've created a very firm lip balm you may prefer to package it in one of our Lip Balm Tubes.

Instructions
To create your lip balm, simply heat the Oils, Wax, and Butter in a double boiler over medium heat.  Once the mixture is fully melted remove the mixture from the heat.  Give the mixture a few moments to cool before adding any additives, colorants, Essential Oils or Flavor Oils.  Once the mixture has cooled slightly add any additional ingredients and quickly transfer the hot mixture into Lip Balm Tubes or Jars.  While the balms cool they will develop sink holes.  You may want to reserve a small amount of lip balm mixture to remelt later on and top off your jars or tubes.

 

*Please note that if you are using a different strength of Vitamin E Oil you will need to adjust the usage rate. Vitamin E Oil comes in many strengths and can be harmful if it is over dosed.

Making Mineral Cosmetics

FromNatureWithLove.com is proud to announce the newest addition to our Online Library, The Guide to Creating Your Own Mineral Cosmetics.  Mineral cosmetics have become incredibly popular over the past few years.  Though large cosmetic companies have joined this makeup revolution, they are not alone.  Countless small businesses, boutiques, and spas offer their own lines of Mineral Cosmetics, many of which have become very successful as a result! 

Making your own Mineral Cosmetics can be a fun, rewarding experience.  Our new Guide to Creating Your Own Mineral Cosmetics can help you get started by teaching you the following basic information:

• Common Ingredients
• Necessary Equipment
• Packaging and Application
• Shelf Life

Our Guide to Creating Your Own Mineral Cosmetics will also show you the necessary steps to creating the following Mineral Cosmetic Recipes:

• Powdered Foundation
• Sheer Lip Color
• Powdered Blush or Bronzer
• Eye Liner

We hope that you'll enjoy experimenting with Mineral Cosmetics.  We encourage you to show us your creations and experiments while you are learning this exciting new craft.  Let us know about your challenges and discoveries along the way.  Most importantly, have fun, and practice, practice, practice! 

Using Natural Herbs to Color Products

Adding color to natural products can enhance their appearance, and the user's overall perception of the experience.  While there are several ingredients available to color or dye skin care products, none are as unquestionably natural as Tinting Herbs.  Many plants release natural pigment when they are infused into oil or water.  These infusions can be added to the oil or water portions of your formulas, yielding a range of lovely earth toned colors. 

To create an infusion, simply warm your water or oil, place herbs into the liquid, and steep for 20 - 40 minutes.  After the infusion has taken place, the herbs must be strained from the liquid.  You can use a Cheese Cloth or a Fine Mesh Strainer to strain the plant material from the liquid.  Alternatively, you can avoid the mess by placing the herbs into a Large Tea Bag or a Large Mesh Tea Ball.  The colored oil or water can be added drop by drop to your formulas or it can be substituted for a portion of the water or oil called for in a recipe. 

Experimentation is the best way to find your favorite shades of color.  While these herbs are likely to repeat a shade in different formulas, they may react differently in unique oils or liquids.  To give you some ideas, I've listed a few of the most popular Tinting Herbs with the colors they are most likely to produce:

Alkanet Root Powder - Dark Red to Purple
Annatto Seed - Orange
Henna Leaf Powder - Orange
Paprika Powder - Orange
Parsley Powder - Green
Red Sandalwood Powder - Maroon to Purple
Turmeric Powder - Yellow

Valentine's Day

February is just around the corner.  Before we know it, that special day that sets hearts all a flutter will be upon us.  Before you set your heart on giving a classic gift, such as chocolate or flowers, consider this.  While heart shaped chocolates are certainly romantic, pampering your sweetheart with a custom made home spa basket will knock their socks off. (Maybe more than just their socks!) Here are some great ideas for spa baskets that can charm men and women alike.

Sensual Massage Basket
A basket filled with hand blended massage oils carries the promise of a euphoric evening.  The loving touch of massage can be an enjoyable experience for both you and your partner.  Include some candles, a mix cd of your favorite soothing music, and perhaps a handy massage roller.  When the time is right, light the candles, and enjoy some quality time in the company of each other's affectionate touch.

Mani-Pedi Basket
A manicure and pedicure is a wonderful way to pamper your partner.  This would be an extra special treat for men, who may feel uncomfortable enlisting this kind of service in a salon.  Prepare a basket with manicure and pedicure tools, as well as handmade lotions, scrubs, and cuticle serum.  A monogrammed bath robe or hand towel would be a luxurious addition.  To add an extra flair to the arrangement, present this spa basket in a foot bath tub!  The best part of this gift will be when you personally treat your partner to a full manicure and pedicure treatment.   Now that is love!

Chocolates for the Bath Lover
Give your partner the decadence of chocolate without giving them the added "gift" of calories and carbs.  Milk Bath, Bar Soaps, Bath Melts, and Body Butter are just a few of the many possibilities for a themed basket.  Simply take your favorite bath and body recipes and fragrance them with a rich chocolate aroma.  Dark Chocolate Supreme is my personal favorite, but Milk Chocolate or Chocolover's are also nice choices.  If your partner isn't a chocolate lover, you can customize this idea by scenting your products with any other gourmet aroma.  If they have a taste for tropical fruit try making a Mango Basket.  If they are a fan of flowers, a Red Rose or Wild Flower basket would be lovely!

Bath and body products make fabulous, and unexpected Valentine's Day gifts, especially when they promote quality time spent together.  I picked a sampling of ingredients and accessories that I thought might help inspire your baskets. Enjoy!

Intensive Balms for Winter Skin

The winter is a harsh time for our skin.  Hands and feet often take the worst of the damage.  During these dry frigid months I rely on balms and body butters to give my skin the intensive moisture it needs. Balms are easy to make, and can be constructed out of the most common skincare ingredients.  A basic balm can be created by combining the following items:

• 1 part Vegetable Butter - My favorites to use are Cocoa Butter, Shea Butter, and Mango Butter. For my most intensive blends I turn to pure Nilotica Shea Butter.  This organic butter is highly nutritive, 100% organic, and has a naturally soft, creamy texture.
• 2 parts Vegetable Oil - Common oils such as high grade Olive Oil, Sweet Almond Oil, or Sunflower Oil will work nicely in a balm.  Specialty oils such as Papaya Oil or Manketti Oil are wonderful for use in balms, since the oils will be in direct contact with the skin.  Solid oils such as Organic Virgin Coconut Oil or Babassu can also be used in balms.  The will however, produce a harder balm if the recipe is not adjusted to accommodate them.
• 1 part Beeswax or Vegetable Wax - Beeswax is a common ingredient that works splendidly in balms.  Organic, yellow, or white beeswax are all great choices.  If you prefer using vegetable wax, Candelilla Wax is also a good choice.  Please keep in mind though, that Candelilla Wax is considerably harder than beeswax and may affect the finished balm's texture.

Your balm can be further enhanced by a variety of additives.

• Essential Oils - Certain essential oils are perfect for scenting balms.  Lavender is a popular choice for this kind of recipe, but as with all essential oils, be careful to choose an oil that is safe for the application and the user.  Other oils such as Mandarin, Geranium, Basil, or Chamomile may also make nice choices, but be sure to research any warnings or restrictions that these oils may have.  Essential Oils can be added at between 1% and 5% of your total formula.
• Fragrance Oils - Cosmetic grade synthetic Fragrance Oils can also be used to scent your balm.  Using synthetic fragrances gives you a much larger variety of scents to choose from, including many designer type oils.  They can also be added at between 1% and 5% of your total formula.
• Lecithin or Lanolin - These additives give balms a creamy texture when added at 1% to 4%.

To create the balm, melt your wax in a double boiler over medium to high heat.  When it has fully melted, add your butters and solid oils.  After these have melted, remove the mixture from the heat and add your liquid oils.  If you are adding lecithin, add it to your mixture while it is still very hot.  Give the mixture a few moments to cool, then add your fragrance or essential oil.  The mixture may take several hours to fully cool and set up.  If you find that your balm is too hard, simply remelt it and add a small amount of liquid oil.  Alternatively, if you find the balm to bee too soft, remelt the mixture and add a little beeswax.

You will only need a small amount of balm per application.  The balm may feel greasy at first, but it will soon soak into your skin, providing moisture and relief.

This is one of my latest balms.  I used Organic Nilotica Shea Butter, Organic Apricot Oil, and Organic Beeswax to create the balm's base.  The yellow tinge in this balm comes from a dash of Organic Calendula CO2 Extract.  This herbal extracts helps to soothe the dry and cracked skin.  Recently, I made a second batch of this balm for a friend's baby.  It makes a wonderful, all natural, baby bottom balm.

This is a lighter balm.  Made from Shea Butter, Watermelon Seed Oil, and White Beeswax. Lecithin was added to this balm to give it a creamier texture.  It was also generously scented with Bergamot and Ylang Ylang essential oils.  This fragrant balm often served as a quick pick-me up through the sometimes stressful holiday season.

Creating Moisturizing Facial Oils

The winter can be a harsh time for your skin. As soon as summer comes to an end, my skin begins to change as quickly as the leaves outside. By the time Winter arrives, my skin becomes very dry. Lotions, creams, and balms become constant companions for my hands and feet. My face however, has a different ally. When the cool dry breezes of winter come along, I abandon the light facial creams that sustain my summer skin. Facial Oil is the only thing that can keep my skin happy from December on.

At first glance, using an oil as a facial moisturizer seems counter intuitive. Most people react to this idea with the concern that it will cause your skin to become too greasy. While that could be true in some extreme cases, most people's skin actually reacts quite well to facial oils. After all, most creams and facial serums are oil based. Water and emulsifiers are added to give the product the cool feeling and pleasant texture that we are so familiar with. Unfortunately, the commercial versions of these products are almost always accompanied by chemical preservatives and other questionable ingredients. Facial oils can be made in small batches that can be used quickly, eliminating the need for a strong chemical preservative.

The key to a great skincare routine is making sure that it matches your unique needs. Creating a custom facial oil allows you to directly control the properties of your daily moisturizer. Since you'll be using ingredients that have not been diluted with water and additives, you'll be essentially (no pun intended) cutting out the middle man. You can be sure that the beneficial components of the oils you are using are reaching your skin at their full strength. You only need to apply about 3 to 6 drops of facial oil per application, but each drop will be packed with full strength natural ingredients.

When it comes to creating a blend for delicate facial skin all oils are not created equal. Even if your skin tends to be dry, your blend should be light, penetrating, and non-comedogenic. My favorite oil to use as a base for any facial blend is Rosehip Oil. With high levels of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, Rosehip oil is a champion in the world of natural skincare. It has been shown to help improve skin elasticity, regenerate skin cells, slow down premature aging, reduce the formation of wrinkles, and reduce scarring. While Rosehip Oil makes a wonderful base for most skin types it is especially suited to mature skin.

Evening Primrose Oil and Borage Oil are also great for facial blends. These oils are high in G.L.A. (or gamma-linolenic acid), an essential fatty acid that helps to balance the skins moisture and auto-immunity. This makes these oils especially beneficial to people who suffer from skin conditions such as psoriasis or eczema. G.L.A. is introduced during infancy through breastfeeding, but it is not otherwise produced by the human body. This particular fatty acid is rarely found in significant concentrations in plants, but Borage, and Evening Primrose are two of the highest sources of G.L.A. Their oils have been found to be very effective when used by people with severe skin conditions such as psoriasis, eczema or chronically dry skin, but are not limited to use in only those situations. Most skin types can benefit from the use of Borage and Evening Primrose Oil.

Jojoba, a liquid wax which is commonly referred to as an oil, is another classic ingredient for use in facial blends. Jojoba's chemical composition is very close to sebum, a natural fluid produced by human skin. Sebum acts as the skin's natural protective barrier. It also aids in regulating moisture. Jojoba is a smart addition to any facial oil blend, but sensitive skin blends may be particularly helped by the use of Jojoba. It contains a significant amount of myristic acid, a fatty acid that is known to act as an anti-inflammatory.

Fruit and Berry Seed Oils are some of the highest sources of antioxidants found in natural skincare today. Blueberry Seed Oil is at the top of this list. It is one of the most potent sources of antioxidants found in the natural world! Antioxidants and essential fatty acids are known for their amazing anti-aging properties and can also act as a barrier against allergens, free radicals, and even sun damage. Fruit and Berry Seed Oils are mild in aroma, light in texture, and penetrate the skin easily. Each Fruit or Berry Seed Oil boasts its own unique benefits. If you plan on including them into your blend it is worth reading up on which is the right oil for you. For example, Red Raspberry Seed Oil possesses natural anti-inflammatory effects, while Blackberry Seed Oil contains an impressive amount of Vitamin C. Please visit FromNatureWithLove.com to view these oils along with their individual descriptions. You can also refer to my earlier article on the benefits of Fruit and Berry Seed Oils.

Choosing between these fantastic oils can seem almost impossible. Fortunately, you are better off blending two or more of these carrier oils to use as your base than just choosing one. For example, my facial oil at the moment is composed of one quarter of an ounce of Rosehip Oil, Evening Primrose Oil, Red Raspberry Seed Oil and Pomegranate Oil. I also add one drop of Sandalwood Essential Oil, one drop of Chamomile Essential Oil and one drop of Carrot Seed CO2 Extract. You must be careful to dilute your Essential Oils or CO2 Extracts very well in a facial oil blend, especially if you have sensitive skin. They can be beneficial additions to your oil when they are chosen wisely and used with care. Alternatively, essential oils can be extremely irritating or even damaging if not used properly. It is worth reading in detail about the benefits and warnings of any essential oil before adding it to your facial formula. Aromaweb offers detailed profiles of 90 different essential oils. You can also visit FromNatureWithLove.com to view our listing of essential oils along with their individual descriptions.

Create Customized Treatments Using Cosmetic Clays

FromNatureWithLove.com offers a large selection of Cosmetic Clays, each with its own unique properties and characteristics. Gentle Kaolin Clays come in a wide range of beautiful colors and are especially versatile due to their fine texture and mild absorption. Mineral rich French Green and Dead Sea Clays are renowned for their exceptional detoxifying properties. You can combine any of these clays with fresh ingredients like pureed fruit, yogurt, honey or Dead Sea Water for a unique home spa experience that you will not soon forget. Clays can also be mixed with a multitude of other natural products, including: Carrier Oils, Milk Powders, Herbs, CO2 extracts, Essential oils or Hydrosols. The addition of these ingredients offers you a unique opportunity to create products and treatments that are customized to an individual skin type. For example, combining a clay with strong drawing properties with a moisturizing wetting agent, like Jojoba or plain yogurt, will leave skin purified without becoming  overly dry and irritated. Adding a blend of antibacterial essential oils and moisturizing carrier oils to gentle clay can be a wonderful treat for tricky combination skin. Every person's skin is different. Clays allow you to create every facial, body mask or hair treatment with that fact in mind.

Do you have a customized skincare recipe that uses Cosmetic Clays? If so, we would love to hear from you.

Building an Aroma

The perfect fragrance can be hard to find. There are countless fragrances on the market, and hundreds on FromNatureWithLove.com alone, but sometimes you have a product that needs that extra special touch. A uniquely blended fragrance has the potential to take your product from pleasant to unforgettable in just one whiff.

Fragrance Blending Basics
Fragrances can be comprised of many different ingredients. Some of the most common are essential oils, absolutes, CO2 extracts, attars, and synthetic fragrance oils. The fragrances are then carried in an oil, a solid balm, a perfume, or directly in a product, such as a lotion, soap, or room spray. Building a great fragrance has been compared to architecture, musical composition, or even madness! The most notable comparison is that of the process being musical. Musical terms are found throughout perfumery.
There are three sections of a fragrance:

Top notes are the first aromas to be experienced by the user. They are often sweet or fruity, sometimes fresh, green, or even spicy. Top notes are a great place for playful scents because they are the first to fade away. They make up the smallest part of your fragrance at only 15 to 25%. Some good examples of top notes are:

Apple, Basil, Bergamot, Black Pepper, Cardamom, Cinnamon, Eucalyptus, Grapefruit, Green Tea, Lavender, Lime, Mandarin, Neroli, Pear, Pine, Spice, Tangerine, White Peach

Middle notes, also referred to as heart or bouquet notes, act as a bridge between the top and bottom notes. Their scents are usually distinctive aromas, such as florals, herbs, or spices. Their aroma blooms after the top note has faded. Middle notes make up about 30 to 40% of the total fragrance. Some examples of middle notes are:

Cedar, Chamomile, Coconut, Clove, Gardenia, Honey, Jasmine, Lily, Petitgrain, Magnolia, Oakmoss, Rose, Rosemary, Tiare, Ylang Ylang

The base or bottom notes make up the bulk of the fragrance, usually comprising 40 to 55% of the total formula. They are the longest lasting element in a fragrance. These notes are often deep, heavy scents, like woods, resins, and spices. Some examples of base notes are:

Amber, Frankincense, Ginger, Musks, Patchouli, Sandalwood, Tonka Bean, Vanilla, Vetiver

For a detailed list of aromas categorized by note, please visit our Aromatic Notes page.

When you have achieved a fragrance that you are happy with, there are many ways of using it. Fragrance blends can be used to enhance products or they can be showcased in perfumes. For more information on making perfumes and blends try one of these great books from the FromNatureWithLove.com Bookstore!

The Aromatherapy Companion by Victoria H. Edwards
There is a lot more than just perfumery in this book! It is an indispensable resource to me and I’m sure you’ll find it to be the same. Pertaining to this subject, it has a great chapter on making natural perfumes and shares a lot of expert advice on blending essential oils.

Perfumes, Splashes and Colognes Book by Nancy M. Booth
A more in depth look into creating perfumes and other fragrance based products. There are a lot of great recipes in this book and is great for someone who really wants to dig their teeth into perfumery.