Re: TOTD 120108: top notes

[Guest guest]

>

> What top notes or top-note accords do you favor and/or find useful?

> Do you use any uncommon essences regularly?

>

I wanted to answer this. I really did. And every time I tried to

think about it, my mind just wanted to focus on base notes and heart

notes. Maybe it's because of the season. I'm all about top notes in

warmer times of the year. I wonder if others are there too...

However, that said, here's mine. Black pepper. Oh -- and cardamom.

And the two together, with some ginger. Mmmm!!!! I don't yet use

uncommon top notes regularly. I lean more to the unusual in the base

and heart. Not sure why... Probably because I've still so much to learn.

Cheers!

Andrine

[Guest guest]

>

> What top notes or top-note accords do you favor and/or find

useful?

> Do you use any uncommon essences regularly?

>

Top notes for me are almost always citrus, followed somehow by notes

from culinary herbs and spices, every-day leaves, and flowers... my

fragrance-constructing-model-for-today is that nature gets it 'right'

in how she guides us to our choices - in an olfactory and fiscal

sense.

Those eoils which are available in abundance, grow everywhere, are

familiar and - relatively - inexpensive, are for most people, also

the most approachable... the invitation to what comes next ... they

often contain an abundance of lighter , rather than heavier

molecules, lending themselves to top-note territory.

[ Experienced, discerning perfumistas will, of course, be longing for

something less familiar, but at this stage, I'm working on things for

people just graduating out of synths ]

As we move deeper into a complex, well-crafted NP, the notes of those

things which are less abundant, more difficult or expensive to

extract and distill, become major players.

Finally, the rarest, stinkiest, oddest, things from exotic and far-

away places, or animals - an adventure in themselves just to acquire,

and to love - reveal themselves long after the first citrus-y, fruity

invitation.

In summary, the journey into a purely botanical perfume requires that

you plan, take a whole pile of food, maybe some herbs & spices, a

sprig of jasmine between your teeth, a rose in your buttonhole, and

then set off into the jungles, mountains, deserts and oceans for the

rare treasures.

A bit off-topic but kind of how I think about the olfactory,

emotional, and fiscal journey into a botanical perfume.

Margi

[Guest guest]

I think I'm backwards.......I like that first scent of a sweet spice. It has to

be soft but intriquing. Like Amber.  Its just got that earthy resinous sweet

spicy but sublte thing going on, and yes I know unless I find amber resin in a

tree with bug in it thats real....but still, the ability of that scent has so

many ways to take a fragrance. I like it with a touch of my vanilla, just a

touch and then in a nice body 'perfume'. The release is ever so nice....I wish

for the pefect 'symphony' of scent that just has that ability to at one point or

another to have one of the notes have their 'solo moment'.....I've yet to find

that magical blend but I'll always strive for it.

 

I use so much citrus in my house cleaning soaps I tend to blend citrus with

floral or I'll think of cleaning house again LOL!

 

Speaking of which......what about perfume for your wood work? I'd love to make a

nice wood loving cleaner/shiner/moisturizer with scent i can rub into the

grains........man would that not just be the most wonderful thing to come into

your home and smell?

 

evie

[Guest guest]

> Speaking of which......what about perfume for your wood work? I'd

love to make a nice wood loving cleaner/shiner/moisturizer with scent

i can rub into the grains........man would that not just be the most

wonderful thing to come into your home and smell?

>  

> evie

I don't post a lot but this one caught my eye. I have had this

recipe around for about 10 years and love it. I changed the original

because it used mineral oil and I didn't want that.

Fragrant Wood Polish

1 oz beeswax

8 oz oil and I use olive oil but any good base oil will work

Peru balsam,lavender, orange, tangerine, lemon, bergamot, rosemary,

and spruce. Melt the beeswax in the oil and allow to cool below the

flash point for your eo. Mix in your eo blend and store in a covered

jar. To apply use a soft cloth and rub on the wood, let dry and buff

it just a bit.

This is just a beginner fragrant wood polish, You will come up with

your own blend that matches your home. Hope you enjoy

Jane

adobesoapworks

[Guest guest]

>

> Speaking of which......what about perfume for your wood work? I'd

love to make a nice wood loving cleaner/shiner/moisturizer with scent

i can rub into the grains........man would that not just be the most

wonderful thing to come into your home and smell?

>  

> evie

Like my accidentally sealing part of my butcher block with benzoin?

<g> It just soaked right in. And then there was this nice little

sweet-smelling spot on the block.

Then again, there are recipes for furniture polish that call for

ground sweet cicely seeds and lemon balm. With beeswax. Yum! I've

been thinking I should make some of that...

Andrine

[Guest guest]

LOVELY...........I am putting that into a folder thanks Jane!

[Guest guest]

> LOVELY...........I am putting that into a folder thanks Jane!

Ditto