Aunt Polly
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:?: How do you ever decide which EO's/FO's and colorants to order. There are only about a bazillion to choose from. Please give me some guidance here!!
How do you ever decide???
- Thread starter Aunt Polly
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It is very easy for me, as it is a hobby, i choose essential oils, then natural colours, I go by what i can afford, like lavender. Then i might look at what essential oils go with lavender or what will make a good mix, like orange and cinnamon.
AlchemyandAshes
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My advice is to start off with "Single Note Scents"...like Lavender, Orange, Lemon, Peppermint, Patchouli, Cedarwood, Rosemary, etc
Then venture into what EO blends can be made out of those single notes to make a well rounded scent of top, middle, and base notes.
As for FO's, start with scents that are either "one trick ponies", like the FO versions of the EOs above...or try fragrances you're familiar with: Almond, Pumpkin Pie, Coconut, Rose, Vanilla, etc
With EOs and FOs, try a scent from different olfactory groups, like Floral, Spice, Wood, Citrus, Mint, etc
Once you've decided with fragrance notes appeal to you, and which ones don't, you can build your inventory. The posibilities are endless, and it doesn't take 1000 different oils to get a great long lasting scent.
Then venture into what EO blends can be made out of those single notes to make a well rounded scent of top, middle, and base notes.
As for FO's, start with scents that are either "one trick ponies", like the FO versions of the EOs above...or try fragrances you're familiar with: Almond, Pumpkin Pie, Coconut, Rose, Vanilla, etc
With EOs and FOs, try a scent from different olfactory groups, like Floral, Spice, Wood, Citrus, Mint, etc
Once you've decided with fragrance notes appeal to you, and which ones don't, you can build your inventory. The posibilities are endless, and it doesn't take 1000 different oils to get a great long lasting scent.
First pick a company that is close enough to you that shipping will not be too high. Then just pick a few of your favoret scents to try out. like no more than 5 to start. If you are new to making soap keep it small and only try one area at a time after you have a base you like and works well. So if after you got a good base only add scents for a bit before adding color. That way you get a feel for how it will change your base. Use the FO or Eo section here and the Soap Sccent Review boad to find those that cause the least problems from the company you order from.
jcandleattic
Well-Known Member
I've been doing this going on 11 years, and I still have a hard time deciding what I want to try/do next, so have a hard time choosing what/where to get supplies too.
LOL
LOL
Shannon_m
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Brambleberry will send you free 1oz samples of FO/EO with your order.. that really has helped me decide on plenty of my subsequent orders.
danahuff
Well-Known Member
It can be overwhelming. I tend to order ones I like myself in other companies' products, such as Bath and Body Works, Victoria's Secret, etc.
The others' suggestions of samples are good ideas. I also read reviews when I can find them. I like to know what I'm getting into!
Start with scents you know you like or that have high reviews. For what it is worth, the Jan/Feb issue of Saponifier had a great article about scents.
As far as colorants, I'm still learning. I like Bramble Berry's powdered oxides and pigments, but I just ordered a liquid one from Nature's Garden that soaped up beautifully and OMG the convenience! I may need to switch!
The others' suggestions of samples are good ideas. I also read reviews when I can find them. I like to know what I'm getting into!
Start with scents you know you like or that have high reviews. For what it is worth, the Jan/Feb issue of Saponifier had a great article about scents.
As far as colorants, I'm still learning. I like Bramble Berry's powdered oxides and pigments, but I just ordered a liquid one from Nature's Garden that soaped up beautifully and OMG the convenience! I may need to switch!
I tend to like "spa" scents and go with EO's. You might try your local natural food or health food store (or "head shop.") They often carry EOs and have tester bottles you can smell. Yes, they are more expensive than ordering online, but you are eliminating shipping costs (and the wait time). Or, if you find scents you like, you can order from Brambleberry or WholesaleSuppliesPlus.com I happened to notice, my Kroger even sells Tea Tree and Lavender EOs in the natural food section, and it's not as if I'm not in there 8 times a week already. Your local Rx may also either have or be able to order them for you.
marghewitt
Well-Known Member
This is at the bottom of this page: http://www.brambleberry.com/Store-Policies-and-Shipping-Info-W11.aspx#Samples
"Sniffy Samples: If you're interested in receiving a sniffy of any of our fragrance oils, (an absorbent cotton strip, dipped in fragrance, and sealed in a mini Ziploc baggie) please send a self-addressed, stamped envelope with the fragrance you'd like to smell written on a note inside. Please send a SASE for each scent you are interested in (so as not to co-mingle the scents) and keep in mind that all fragrances smell different in the final product so for best test results, take advantage of the small 2 oz. sizes we offer for purchase of the fragrances. Because of the extra labor involved, please do not request sniffy samples with your actual order. You are welcome to request a free ½ oz. sample of fragrance with your order, however. Please note that we cannot offer free samples of essential oils."
"Sniffy Samples: If you're interested in receiving a sniffy of any of our fragrance oils, (an absorbent cotton strip, dipped in fragrance, and sealed in a mini Ziploc baggie) please send a self-addressed, stamped envelope with the fragrance you'd like to smell written on a note inside. Please send a SASE for each scent you are interested in (so as not to co-mingle the scents) and keep in mind that all fragrances smell different in the final product so for best test results, take advantage of the small 2 oz. sizes we offer for purchase of the fragrances. Because of the extra labor involved, please do not request sniffy samples with your actual order. You are welcome to request a free ½ oz. sample of fragrance with your order, however. Please note that we cannot offer free samples of essential oils."
Badger
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I have gone through a lot of sites looking at scents, and a lot of it is knowing some of what I like or what my friends like, as the case may be. I am making soaps for myself and for my friends because I enjoy it as a hobby. If it goes well, it may eventually turn into more, but for now, I am keeping things to my own tastes. I have some scents that I really enjoy and have based my purchases around those, usually buying from stores where I am already placing an order at for other things. As an example, I placed an order for lye yesterday with Essential Depot and put in a FO that sounded like it was something one of my friend's would like. When I ordered my oils from WSP, I ordered a dupe of one of my favorite Bath and Body Works scents.
As for colorants, I am mostly working with oxides right now, but it is a matter of what you are looking for and if you wish to stay with natural colorants and such. I plan to get comfortable with the oxides first and then decide whether I wish to stick with them or move on to something else. Some with colors also depends on the effects you are looking for on whether you need/want non-bleeding colors. I also tend to get an idea in my mind about what I would like a soap to look like depending on the scent I plan to use with it, and then choose the colors from what I envision. I hope this helps some and good luck!
As for colorants, I am mostly working with oxides right now, but it is a matter of what you are looking for and if you wish to stay with natural colorants and such. I plan to get comfortable with the oxides first and then decide whether I wish to stick with them or move on to something else. Some with colors also depends on the effects you are looking for on whether you need/want non-bleeding colors. I also tend to get an idea in my mind about what I would like a soap to look like depending on the scent I plan to use with it, and then choose the colors from what I envision. I hope this helps some and good luck!
Awhile back I had asked about free samples and they said they said they just generally send sniffies.
Skin sensitivities are exactly why I only use FO's, not EO's. Fragrance oils are specifically formulated for use in products and tested for skin safety (the skin safe ones, of course). Essential oils are unregulated drugs and require a good bit of knowledge to use safely IMO.
jcandleattic
Well-Known Member
Yep, exactly... I just don't use EO's because I haven't put the time and effort into researching them, and know that some can be down right dangerous, I just don't know which ones - and I do find them (for the most part) to be more pricey than the FO's that I use...
im more worried about the alcohol in some of the fragrance oils irratating my psoriasis and my friend's excema some of the eo's can help ease the symptoms tho honestly just dropping the sulfates has helped the most lol
jcandleattic
Well-Known Member
If you get FO's specifically made for soap/candle making there isn't any alcohol in them. They definitely would NOT play nice in soapmaking if they did.
SueSoap
Well-Known Member
Well, all of the above is great advice. I try to plan the soaps I will be making, then order the appropriate fragrances.
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