Fragrance oil recommendations for shampoo and conditioner?

[MaryWaldman]

I just did a sample batch of shampoo and condition with Lavender and Fresh Herbs FO (from Candles & Supplies) at a scant 1%. Test subjects are not loving it, although it's a popular FO in my cold process shea butter soaps. Comments are "smells good in the bottle but not on my hair", "kind of musty", "scent is heavy".

What are some hair care appropriate FOs that would appeal to both men and women?

 

[lsg]

Why not check the reviews at WholesaleSupplies.com or Brambleberry to see what their customers recommend?

 

[MaryWaldman]

Why not check the reviews at WholesaleSupplies.com or Brambleberry to see what their customers recommend?

I have checked BB and WS but there are hundreds of FO's and the opinions are all over the place. As a member of SoapmakingForum I was hoping to get the recommendations of other members here. Am I in the wrong place?

 

[AliOop]

Here are the favorite scents of my shampoo and conditioner bar users:

Fresh Ginger Lime from WSP - this is the absolute fave of everyone who has used it.
Peche de Vigne from Oregon Trails
Oatmeal Milk & Honey from WSP (although I call it Cherry Almond bc that's what most folks smell)

 

[dibbles]

I don't make shampoo, but one thing I have found in liquid soapmaking is that far less fragrance than I like in my bar soap seems to be best. I think I fragrance at 1-2% in liquid soap, where bar soap is more like 5% to have the scent level I like.

If you want to stick with herbal, I really like Flowering Herbs from WSP. Citrus scents are pretty universally liked, and for me and mine Pink Grapefruit from BB or WSP are the favorite. Volcano might be another good option (in my testing, I like WSP version).

 

[MaryWaldman]

The citrus suggestions sound wonderful - the Pink Grapefruit and the Ginger Lime especially. I've used Oatmeal, Milk and Honey for ages and it is always a crowd pleaser but I never considered it for the shampoo/conditioner. Thank you for the suggestions.

 

[lsg]

I have checked BB and WS but there are hundreds of FO's and the opinions are all over the place. As a member of SoapmakingForum I was hoping to get the recommendations of other members here. Am I in the wrong place?

I like something with a coconut fragrance. However, you will probably have to use a vanilla stabilizer with it, because most coconut FOs contain vanillin which can discolor a product in which it is used.

 

[KiwiMoose]

I've used ocean scents, coconut scents, and citrus scents. All smell good. How about a green tea and lemongrass?

 

[MaryWaldman]

I like something with a coconut fragrance. However, you will probably have to use a vanilla stabilizer with it, because most coconut FOs contain vanillin which can discolor a product in which it is used.

I have three bottles of various coconut FO's but yes I was worried about needing a stabilizer. And the Green Tea is a great idea - it's subtle, fresh, and I hope won't over play it's hand.

 

[A-Polly]

A current citrusy favorite of mine for CP soap is Grapefruit + Mint from Midwest Fragrance Company, and I think it would be stellar in shampoo and conditioner. Max usage rate 5.96 percent for IFRA Categories 7A & 7B. It's a strong fragrance oil so maybe experiment with smaller amounts as you were doing. Everyone seems to just love this one, from my 5-year-old grandson on up. I can't stop sniffing it myself!

Grapefruit + Mint FO

 

[not_ally]

Daggone it, @A-Polly, it has been a long time since I've made soap and thus a long time since I've had to deal with FO buying withdrawal, now back with a vengeance. That Grapefruit Mint one looks really good.

ETA: how well/long does it stick in CP?

 

[A-Polly]

Daggone it, @A-Polly, it has been a long time since I've made soap and thus a long time since I've had to deal with FO buying withdrawal, now back with a vengeance. That Grapefruit Mint one looks really good.

ETA: how well/long does it stick in CP?

I made a CP batch in early April and so far it's holding up very well. Last week my son was packing for a trip across country to visit his girlfriend's family and I gave him a bar as a gift for them (among others), but he said no way, he was keeping this one for himself!

 

[MaryWaldman]

I'm going to get a small bottle of the grapefruit + mint and try it in a lotion, it sounds wonderful. Definitely for CP. Since I'm making the shampoo and conditioner for friends and family I'm not sure about mint notes in hair care, so I'll do a test batch and see how strong it is (the description says 'a hints of mint leaf'. I used a grapefruit + black pepper a few years ago in CP that was very popular but I kind of forgot about it. As KiwiMoose says, a citrusy FO would be a fresh and neutral choice.
Thank you for all these suggestions, they really help.