The Art of Scent Stacking: Creating Aromatherapy Blends Like Perfume Through Top, Middle And Base Notes.
What Is Scent Stacking?
Have you ever noticed when a perfume or essential oil blend can smell totally different after 10 minutes or several hours later after you applied it.
Scent stacking is when you blend a combination of scents or essential oils according to their “aromatic notes” to create a balanced fragrance that gently releases over time.
Similar to natural perfumery, aromatherapists use top notes, middle and base notes to build depth, harmony and longevity with a blend.
The Synergy Of Scent Stacking
Rather than choosing essential oils solely for therapeutic properties, scent stacking invites us to consider the synergy of how aromas interact, develop and complement each other.
Through Scent Stacking, we can create aromatic experiences that not only smell beautiful but support our mental, emotional and spiritual wellbeing.
” A fragrance can awaken desire. A fragrance can awaken memory. A fragrance can awaken you.” Deep Bundela
Scent inhalation can have a profoundly positive effect on our mind and body. The simple act of breathing in a carefully crafted aroma, can instantly transport us to a cherished memory, evoke feelings of comfort and joy, or help us feel more grounded and present.
Understanding Essential Oil Notes In Scent Stacking
Top Notes: The First Note You Smell
Top notes are the lightest and most volatile aromas. They are what you notice first when you open a bottle of perfume or applying a blend of essential oils. In many ways the first notes of the scent layers.
Think fresh, uplifting and energising, but they evaporate quite quickly.
Examples of Top Notes: Lemon, Lime, Mandarin, Sweet Orange, Bergamot,
Middle Note: The Heart Of The Blend
Middle notes begin to unfold as the top notes begin to fade. They are often regarded as the “heart of the fragrance” because they provide balance and body to the perfume or essential oil blend. A middle note bridges the gap between the bright freshness of the top note with the more deeper foundations of the bottom notes of the scent.
Examples Of Middle Notes: Clary Sage, Geranium, Lavender, Rosewood, Ylang Ylang,
Base Notes: The Foundation Of The Scent
Bottom notes are the heaviest and longest-lasting aromas. They anchor a blend together and help slow down the evaporation of lighter oils and scents.
These scents to be rich, warm and grounding.
Examples of Base Notes: Sandalwood, Frankincense, Myrrh, Patchouli, Vetiver, Cedarwood
How To Create A Scent Stack
One of the simplest ways to layer scents is to begin with the structure of a classic perfume.
30% Top Notes
50% Middle Notes
20% Base Notes
For a 10-drop blend this may look like this
- 3 drops bergamot
- 5 drops lavender
- 2 drops frankincense
added to approx 9.5ml of carrier oil into a 10ml aroma roller ball
Scent Stacking Recipes
Morning Clarity
Perfect to start the day or to add to a diffuser for increased focus and clarity at work or study.
- 4 drops lemon
- 3 drops rosemary
- 2 drops lavender
- 1 drop cedarwood
Can be directly added to a diffuser or put into a 10mml roller ball and then fill with approx 9.5ml of carrier oil aroma roller ball
Emotional Balance
A lovely balancing blend for those seeking calm and emotional support
- 4 drops geranium
- 3 drops bergamot
- 2 drops frankincense
- 1 drop sandalwood
Add to a diffuser or put into a 10mml roller ball and then fill with approx 9.5ml of carrier oil aroma roller ball
Evening Grounding
Perfect for winding down before bedtime or creating a cosy relaxing evening.
- 2 drops mandarin
- 3 drops lavender
- 3 drops frankincense
- 2 drop vetivert
Add to a diffuser or put into a 10mml roller ball and then fill with approx 9.5ml of carrier oil aroma roller ball
Christmas Scent Stacking: Creating Festive Aromatic Scents
One of my favourite ways to use essential oils during Christmas is scent stacking. By pairing sweet orange with different middle and base notes. You can create your own Christmas aromas that evoke warmth, create comfort and evoke nostalgia. Great at help reduce christmas stress and overwhelm.
Traditional Christmas Scent Recipe: Christmas In A Bottle
Sweet Orange Oil + Cinnamon Oil + Clove Oil
Top Note: Sweet Orange
Middle Note: Cinnamon Oil
Base Note: Clove Oil
The cheerful notes of sweet orange is wrapped up in the warm spice of cinnamon, while clove adds richness and depth.
Aromatic Feel: Festive, cosy, warm and nostaglic.
Traditional Christmas Diffuser Scent:
- 4 drops of sweet orange
- 3 drops of cinnamon
- 2 drops of clove oil
Depending on the brands of essential oils you use, both clove and cinnamon can be a little strong. So you may want to add more than 30% of sweet orange, adjust each recipe to your preferred smell. Also keep this blend away from skin and children, both cinnamon and clove can irritate the skin.
Sacred Christmas Scent Recipe:
Sweet Orange Oil + Frankincense + Myrrh
Top Note: Sweet Orange
Middle Note: Frankincense
Base Note: Myrrh
Aromatic Story: The sweet orange opens the blend with warmth and festive cheer. Frankincense brings a deep sense of peace and spiritual grounding. While Myrrh adds a rich earthy depth that lasts long after the citrus has subdued.
Sacred Christmas Diffuser Blend:
- 4 drops of sweet orange
- 3 drops of frankincense
- 2 drops of myrrh
Again adjust recipe to your preferred synergy of scents.
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