The language of perfumery uses a kind of musical scale comprising of base notes, middle notes, and high notes. It is a symphony of aromatic elements moving together in harmony. It is an art that is taken as seriously as musical composers or painters creating a masterpiece. Enter Angelica.
Angelica archangelica is considered a feminine top note. Top notes are the most volatile, meaning they evaporate quickly and are therefore the ones you smell first. The top note gradually evaporates and leaves the middles notes, which eventually fade and reveal the base notes. The following list gives you a few ideas of base notes and middles notes to blend with angelica in orchestrating your own aromatic, harmonic fragrance.
Base Notes
- Cedarwood
- Cinnamon
- Frankincense
- Myrrh
- Patchouli
- Sandalwood
- Vetiver
Middle Notes
- Cassia
- Clary Sage
- Marjoram
- Neroli
- Nutmeg
- Palmarosa
- Thyme
How to Decide
Know what fragrance you are aiming for when blending together. Are you aiming for it to be woodsy, floral, musky, fresh, minty, resinous, camphorous, etc.? Then from here, decide which type of perfume you would like to make.
Type of Perfume
Type of Perfume – Essential Oil Concentration – Diluent Concentration
Perfume, 15-30%, 70-85% (5-10% is water)
Eau de parfum, 8-15%, 85-92% (10-20% is water)
Eau de toilette, 4-8%, 92-96% (10-20% is water)
Eau de cologne, 3-5%, 95-97% (30% is water)
Splash cologne/body spritz, 1-3%, 97-99% (20% is water)
The above ratios are broken down first by the essential oil blend you create using base, middle and top notes. In perfume, the essential oil blend will make up 15%-30%. Next is adding the alcohol which will make up 70-85% with 5-10% being distilled water. This makes up your perfume. Follow the ratios for Eau de parfum, Eau de toilette, Eau de cologne, and splash cologne/body spritz if you decide on one of them as well.
The strength of a fragrance will depend on the ratio of the finished blend. Perfume will always be the strongest formulation.
Once you have made up your perfume, set in a cool, dark place for a couple of weeks, checking on it often and giving it a swirl to allowing the essential oils to combine into a harmonious blend.
Popular Essential Oil in the Perfume Industry
Do a quick google search to see how popular angelica is amongst perfumers in this industry. It is quite fascinating!
Your Turn
So what do you think, will you give this a try? Are you ready to compose your masterpiece? When you do, did your perfume blend together harmoniously or, as they say in the perfume industry, were they not “hanging together” (a popular term meaning they weren’t integrating harmoniously).
Have fun with it. Involve the kids and let them try their own hand at making perfume. Best of all, you will have peace of mind knowing the ingredients contained in your final product.
