Soap and candle makers use the Fragrance Wheel to classify and categorize different scents based on their olfactory characteristics. This wheel is an amazing guide to creating different scent profiles for your products. 

If you have some of our fragrance oils in your stash, you'll notice that some were tailored from the fragrance wheel. 

As a crafter, your scent selection is crucial to creating marketable products. Those scents you choose can evoke various emotions and set the mood for your creations.  However, there are so many options and the choices could get overwhelming. This is where the fragrance wheel comes in handy. It allows you to mix, match and experiment with different scent categories and sub-categories to achieve your desired scents.

The wheel is split into 4 sections

Though many modern fragrance wheels have a variety of categories or subcategories to provide more nuanced descriptions, the conventional fragrance wheel is split into 4 sections. 

1. Floral notes category
   
   These fragrances are derived from flowers such as rose, jasmine, lavender, and lily. Floral scents are popular in soap and candle making for their romantic and soothing qualities.

1. Oriental notes category
   
   These scents are characterized by rich, exotic, and sensual notes such as spices, vanilla, amber, and resins.
   
   
2. Woody notes category
   
   Woody fragrances can range from earthy and rustic to sophisticated and refined. This category features woody scents such as cedarwood, sandalwood, pine, and oakmoss.
   
   
3. Fresh notes category
   
   These are light, crisp, and invigorating scents. Such examples are citrus fruits, aquatic notes, and green foresty foliage. These fragrances often evoke a sense of cleanliness, vitality, and refreshment.
   

Learn the fragrance wheel

The wheel may look overwhelming at a glance but once familiarized, it’s simple to use. By learning the different scent notes and categories, it will be easier to combine scents effectively and create your recipes.

Your imagination is the limit here: experiment, test, blend and repeat. Don’t be scared to make mistakes. Experiment with blending different fragrance notes within the same categories or across different categories to create balanced and harmonious scent combinations.

For example, you could blend floral notes with citrus for a refreshing scent. Try out woody notes with spicy scents for a warm and inviting aroma that is perfect for your winter product line.

Pay attention to the intensity of each note in your recipe. You’re looking for a balanced scent profile where no single note overwhelms the others.

Tip: Always test your fragrance blends in small batches before incorporating them into your soap or candle recipes. This will allow you to adjust the ratios of each note as needed.

Selecting your ideal scent profiles

Creating your ideal fragrance profile will depend on what you’re trying to achieve. The first consideration would be your personal preference as a crafter. Then, there’s your target market. Evaluate what types of scents you will be selling. 

Also consider the theme or purpose of your products. For example, floral and fruity scents might be perfect for a spring-themed soap, while woody and spicy scents could be ideal for a cozy winter candle.

Layering your scent profiles

Because it’s fun to do so!

Use top, middle, and base notes from various fragrance families to create depth and complexity in your formulations. Layering different notes allows a more multi-dimensional scent experience.

If you’re not familiar with the scent layering techniques, it’s a straightforward concept to follow:

Top Notes

It is the initial burst of fragrance that greets the nose. Usually, crafters make them light and volatile, which means these scents evaporate quickly. Consider it as an introduction to the product’s scent profile.   

Middle Notes

This is the heart of your scent profile. It unveils once the top notes dissipate. The middle notes linger throughout the scent experience. 

Base Notes

Anchoring the scent composition, base notes impart depth, richness, and longevity to the scent. They are called Base Notes because they are the foundation of the scent profile, lingering long after the top and middle notes have faded. 

Testing to perfection

Conduct thorough fragrance testing before mass-producing your soap or candle products. Assess the scent throw, longevity, and overall performance of your recipes. 

As always, when handling fragrance oil for soap and candle making, follow product guidelines and proper usage rates to ensure the safety and quality of your products.