Fragrance Notes
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Aromatic
Aromatic notes in perfumery refer to scents that are:
- Herbal: Think of medicinal smells of herbs such as lavender, rosemary, sage, and mint.
- Spicy: Peppery such as cloves, cumin, and black pepper.
- Camphoraceous: A sharp, medicinal scent, like eucalyptus or menthol.
Blends well with other fragrance families like citrus or floral to balance out the aroma.
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Citrus
- Many citrus fruits contribute to this fragrance family, including lemon, orange, lime, grapefruit, mandarin, bergamot, and yuzu.
- Uplifting and refreshing character: Think of the zesty peel of a freshly cut lemon, lime, and orange.
- Tangy and Juicy: Sometime a sharp and slightly sour quality that awakens the senses.
Blends well with floral notes to add a touch of sweetness, while woody notes can provide a grounding base.
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Floral
The spectrum of floral scents includes:
- Fresh and Dewy: Freshly picked roses or lilies. These notes are light and airy with a touch of green, reminiscent of stems and leaves.
- Sweet and Heady: A rich and intoxicating sweetness, like jasmine or tuberose. These notes have a more intense aroma. These notes can be described as heady and musky.
- Spicy and Powdery: Certain floral notes have a touch of spice or a powdery undertone such as carnation, ylang-ylang, and iris.
Blends well with citrus and woody notes.
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Gourmand
Gourmand notes are like a delicious dessert buffet. The notes capture the essence of edible delights and spiced beverages.
Sugary Delights: Vanilla, caramel, honey, and chocolate are common gourmand notes. They bring a sense of sweetness and richness.
Fruity Allure: Juicy fruits like berries, cherries, and peaches.
Spiced Delights: Spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, add a touch of warmth and complexity.
Gourmand notes can be overwhelming if used in excess and are often used as base notes or accents.
Blends well with fresh citrus notes, while woody notes can provide a grounding base.
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Woody/Earthy
Woody and earthy notes are like a walk in the forest, with a sense of nature, grounding, and even a touch of mystery.
- Warm and Dry: Imagine the scent of freshly cut cedarwood or sandalwood. They can be slightly smoky or resinous.
- Rich and Earthy: Think of the smell of damp soil after a rain shower, or the rich musky aroma of freshly turned earth. Often have a touch of vegetal or mossy character.
- Variety of Woods: Sandalwood, cedarwood, vetiver, oud, and patchouli.
Woody and earthy notes are typically used as base notes in perfume.
Blends well with citrus notes to create a fresh and invigorating fragrance, and floral notes to add a touch of sweetness. Earthy notes like musk or amber can be added to create a more complex mysterious aroma.
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Marine
Marine notes are like fresh ocean air, they capture a sense of cleanliness, open space, and coolness.
- Salty and Mineralic: A scent of ocean air, with hints of salty spray and crashing waves.
- Electric and Clean: The crisp air after a storm. They often have a slightly ozonic quality, reminiscent of fresh air charged with electricity.
Since the ocean itself does not have a distinct scent, marine notes rely on synthetic molecules that are based on elements such as saltiness, freshness, and a touch of algae.
Blends well with citrus notes for a touch of zing. Floral notes can provide a touch of sweetness. Woody notes can create a more sophisticated aroma.
Glossary
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Base Notes
Foundation. Provide a long-lasting scent that lingers in the air even after you extinguish the candle.
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Middle Notes
Core. Middle notes emerge after the top notes start to fade and become the most prominent scent. They define the main character of the candle's fragrance.
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Top notes
First Impression. They provide the initial scent you experience when you first take a whiff of an unlit one.
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Essential Oils
A substance extracted from the seeds, flowers, leaves, roots, stems, and barks, typically through steam distillation, expression, or extraction.
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Fragrance Oils
A combination of essential oils and synthetic aroma chemicals.
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Tunneling
A common problem occurs when the melted wax pool does not reach the edges of the container. This leaves a hard ring of unmelted wax around the edge of the container.