Mixing proportions of perfumes with suitable ingredients

Mixing proportions of perfumes with suitable ingredients

Creating a perfume is a blend of chemistry and intuition. Think of it like building a house:-

 you need a solid foundation, some walls for structure, and a roof to make it look good.

In the industry, the "Standard Ratio" for a balanced fragrance is usually 30% Top notes, 50% Heart notes, and 20% Base notes.

1. The Ingredients:- The Holy Trinity

To make a professional-grade perfume, you generally need three main components

Fragrance Oils/Essential Oils:- This is your scent "juice."

Perfumer's Alcohol

 Usually high-proof Ethanol (SD 40-B is the industry standard). It dilutes the oils and helps the scent "lift" off the skin.

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Fixatives/Distilled Water:- Fixatives (like Glycerin or Benzoin) help the scent last longer, while a tiny amount of distilled water can soften the alcohol's bite.

2. Mixing Proportions (Concentration Levels)

The "strength" of your perfume depends on the ratio of oil to alcohol. Here is a quick reference table

Type Fragrance Oil % Alcohol % Longevity

Eau de Cologne 2% – 5% 95% – 98% ~2 hours

Eau de Toilette 5% – 15% 85% – 95% 3–4 hours

Eau de Parfum 15% – 20% 80% – 85% 5–8 hours

Extrait de Parfum 20% – 40% 60% – 80% 12+ hours

3. The "Note" Hierarchy

When mixing your oils, you want to layer them so the scent evolves over time rather than disappearing all at once.

Top Notes (The First Impression)

Characteristics:- Light, fresh, evaporates quickly (5–15 mins).

Ingredients:- Citrus (Lemon, Bergamot), Herbs (Mint, Basil), Light Fruits.

Ratio:- ~30% of your oil blend.

Heart/Middle Notes (The Personality)

Characteristics: The core of the fragrance; emerges as the top notes fade.

Ingredients:- Florals (Rose, Jasmine), Spices (Cinnamon, Cardamom), Greenery.

Ratio-: ~50% of your oil blend.

Base Notes (The Foundation)

Characteristics: Heavy molecules that anchor the scent to your skin for hours.

Ingredients:- Woods (Sandalwood, Cedar), Resins (Amber, Vanilla), Musk.

Ratio:- ~20% of your oil blend.

4. Basic Steps to Mix

Blend the Oils:- Mix your Top, Heart, and Base oils in a glass container. Let them "marry" for 48 hours.

Add Alcohol:- Add your alcohol based on the concentration table above.

Age (The Hard Part):- Store the bottle in a cool, dark place for 4 to 6 weeks. This allows the chemical bonds to stabilize.

Filter & Bottle:- If the mixture looks cloudy, filter it through a coffee filter before moving it to its final spray bottle.

Pro Tip:- Always record your recipes in drops or grams. There is nothing more heartbreaking than creating the "perfect" scent and realizing you didn't write down how much Patchouli you used!

Would you like me to help you design a specific scent profile, such as a "Fresh Summer Citrus" or a "Warm Winter Wood" blend?