Sunday, November 19, 2006

Blending perfume


Today I was thinking about the difference between a blend and a perfume. I still don't know the difference but I guess a blend is a simple mix of some aromatic materials, well maybe it doesn't need to be a simple mix but it isn't a perfume although you could call perfume a blend but that's not a common word used for a perfume(I think). You're still with me? It sounds a bit confusing.

I searched for the word "blend"(in verb form) in the free online dictionary and this is what it says:

*To combine or mix so that the constituent parts are indistinguishable from one another.

*To combine (varieties or grades) to obtain a mixture of a particular character, quality, or consistency.

*To form a uniform mixture.

*To become merged into one; unite.

*To create a harmonious effect or result.

Mmm you could say the same thing about perfume, so maybe you can use both words but I prefer to use the name perfume above a blend. A blend to me is a mix but not necessarily a perfume. To mix some aromatic materials doesn't make a perfume even when it smells good. You wear a perfume on your skin it becomes a part of you, perfume has something special it becomes personal. I think you can say that a perfume is a blend but not every blend is a perfume.

Blending different aromatic materials is a remarkable process, you think you know how the result will smell because you know what you just mixed but the outcome is sometimes different than you expected. Sometimes you know because of earlier experiences but you can't always predict how a mix will smell. Like when you paint and you mix colors you'll see that blue and yellow mixed together will form a whole new color; green. We all know that by now, it's the same in perfumery we know the outcome of some combinations but we can't predict them all. A couple of days before I added a tiny bit of Maltol to a creation. Maltol is an aroma chemical that smells like sugar. I added a real small bit, but the outcome wasn't sugary at all, it made the fragrance more stand out it gave the fragrance a solid base what gave the top and heart notes a lift. I like discoveries like that.

5 comments:

chayaruchama said...

Hello, Jenny-
This is fascinating to me...
And I agree w/ your definition.
A question :
Would you be willing to let me sample some of your favorite creations ?
My curiosity is considerable !

Give it some thought, and get back to me...

Be well, and happy-

Dikke kus...

Jenny said...

Hi Chaya,
I don't have sample vials but I just ordered some because we on the Perfumemaking group will do a Perfume Swap, that means that we are going to send our perfumes to each other to study and give advice. So I will send you a sample when I have the vials, we going to swap on January 15th this way we have time to let the perfume mature(I need to make a bigger amount of the perfume before I can send it), you have to be a little patient.
I'm a bit nervous to send them but I also like to know what people think about it, I can learn from those comments.
Fragrant wishes

Anonymous said...

Hi - this is a wonderful blog entry. Your analysis of blend / perfume is very thought provoking. When I think "blend" - I think it is something that melds with my personal chemistry.

Theresa

Jenny said...

Hi Theresa,
I never thought about it that way, but a blend is a perfume to you? To me a blend sounds like it's a mix of aromas, a perfume is more than that it even can tell a story, perfume is a mystery, a complex thing.
What's your thought about it?

syed said...

Hi Jenny
can you help me with how to blend Mukhallath or dehn-el-oudh, popular oriental perfume in middle east