NO. 1200 - Inspired by: Ambre by Diptyque Soaps & Candles Fragrance Oil Showcase
NO. 1200 - Inspired by: Ambre by Diptyque fragrance oil evokes the passage of the forty million years it took to create tree sap. Petrified, golden, then distilled into a beautiful oil with a resinous, woody and slightly smoky aroma.
NO. 1200 - conjures up a long-lost necklace of amber beads. Beautifully strung, over the years the fragrance of their ancient treasure box has infused with them. Wisps of balm, hints of tropical spices, and deep, earthy wood notes all come together to create this sensuous golden wonder.
Earthy Vetiver and Patchouli dance with Tonka Bean’s warm vanilla-like notes. Smoky Incense wafts Cistus petals. While Aniseed’s mysterious notes leave a delicious final, flourish.
Warm, earthy, smokey, tenacious and utterly, utterly divine. I can’t hide my love for NO. 1200 - Inspired by: Ambre by Diptyque, and I’m going to thoroughly enjoy this month!
Fragrance Notes
- Top: Aniseed
- Mid: Incense, Balm
- Bottom: Vetiver, Patchouli, Tonka Bean, Cistus
Blend Like A Professional With NO. 1200
I’ve been waiting for someone to ask me “How would you blend this”? I’m so excited about this fragrance oil's versatility and the many ways we can blend the golden delights of NO. 1200 - Inspired by: Ambre by Diptyque.
NO. 1200 is one of the most versatile fragrance oils you will find and while there aren’t a huge amount of ‘gaps’ in its profile, it compliments many others readily. Allow me to highlight gaps in the profile for you and define the space you have to play with. Then simply fill some of those gaps with new scents and accords to create something truly unique.
Discover creating new and exciting accords with harmonizing oils. These can be made up of essential oils, fragrance oils, or a synergistic combination of both.
Blending NO. 1200
NO. 1200 is extremely versatile and there are so many ways that we can use it to its best effect.
Amber is always a popular choice in perfumery. Aromatic and resinous, it is associated with elegance, luxury and sophistication. A rare and precious commodity, and an expensive one at that, fragrance oils offer us a viable alternative.
Unusually, because of its innate versatility, in this post, I shall split advice into two categories.
These are:
- Blending with NO.1200 as the star of the show.
- Blending NO. 1200 as a support act.
Top Notes
The top notes sing with the fruity notes of Aniseed. This strong spice is capable of spanning all three scent notes with its complex and pungent aroma. But in this blend, it’s been kept softer, more subdued and restrained thanks to how it has been amalgamated into a very harmonious accord.
As Star Of The Show
I detect hints of Orange and Tea and these are where we can build on here. I get wisps of Black Tea and a hint of Orange, reminding me of a smoky Earl Grey Tea. Add stronger notes of Black Tea and Bergamot to enhance that effect, or ‘golden’ aromas will enhance the whole profile. Try blending in Orange, Mandarin and Tangerine. I would avoid the yellow/green citrus notes.
Blending No. 1200 could also work well with herbal florals like Lavender, Chamomile or Helichrysum. It gives them a smokey earthiness that is complementary and also takes the edge off the medicinal aroma.
As a Support Act
NO. 1200 will bring a counterbalancing effect that you can use with many essential oils and fragrance oils.
It will bring warmth to any light, green and fresh aromas, as well as add earthy smokiness to heady spring florals. Use it where you want that golden warmth and a sense of decadence. Create rich and opulent pairings.
It is the perfect complimentary aroma to add to other resins, spices and woods. Its earthy, musky and smokey notes are easy to blend here.
Suggestions For Essential Oils
Sweet Orange, Bergamot, Mandarin and Tangerine all enhance the golden effect and lighten, brighten and balance NO. 1200.
Use it with Lavender and Roman Chamomile to reduce the medicinal notes and enhance the floral aspects.
Suggestions for Fragrance Oils
Pair it with the fresh orange lightness of NO. 1204 - Inspired by: Fleur D'Oranger by Diptyque
Warm up NO. 47 - Lavender Vanilla and balance it beautifully. Try the same balancing act with NO. 1013 - Inspired by: California Love & The Delano Hotel too.
Heart Notes
The delicious heart notes of NO. 1200 are rich in smoky Incense and comforting notes of Balm. These envelop you in a warm embrace, cosseting you, and I strongly encourage you to build on this through the heart and base notes.
As Star Of The Show
Build on the Balm aspect with the sweet honeyed lusciousness of Peru Balsam. Add the lighter woody notes of Copaiba here too, it will add to the warmth and intensity of the wood.
Think of your favorite Incense, what’s in it? My favorite is OODH by Satya, and Amber and Oud work beautifully together to create that air of richness and unrivaled opulence. Sandalwood is another aroma that will bring luxury and sophistication but these are base notes. What about heart notes?
Go floral through the trail of incense and add Rose, Ylang Ylang, and Jasmine for a headier affair. Plump for Neroli and Gardenia, especially if you added orange citrus in the top notes.
Spices also work well with NO. 1200 and I recommend the orange tones of Cardamom and the fruitiness of Black Pepper. Nutmeg, Cassia, and Cinnamon all work beautifully here too.
As a Support Act.
The options are pretty limitless.
You might not realize that Amber is a Pine resin, so it works beautifully supporting those fresh green aromas of Pine and Fir with its complimentary scent notes. It warms, balances and softens these aromas, and combined can make uber-sophisticated holiday scents for the home.
Try NO. 1200 with Dwarf Pine, Scotch Pine and Balsam Fir.
You can take most of our floral-based fragrance oils and add in NO. 1200 to create extra depth and dimension. Adding in a ribbon of rich, sensuous aromatics.
Suggestions for Essential Oils
Introduce those complimentary scent notes with Dwarf Pine, Scotch Pine and Balsam Fir.
Balms add luscious layers and complexity; try Balsam (Peru) and Copaiba Balsam.
Rose, Rose Geranium, Jasmine, and Ylang Ylang can all be enhanced, deepened and balanced with NO. 1200
Neroli bolsters the golden aspects of the aroma, as can Gardenia fragrance oil, despite being a white flower too!
For a spicier affair, add some spice accords with Cardamom and Black Pepper
Suggestions for Fragrance Oils
Enhance the Incense aromas with NO. 54 - Nag Champa and NO. 32 - Frankincense & Myrrh
Deepen floral profiles with NO. 33 - Fresh Cut Roses, NO. 38 - Gardenia fragrance oil and NO. 49 - Lilac Blossom fragrance oil
Base Notes
The base notes are glorious. Earthy and smoky with Vetiver, Patchouli and Cistus, all of which can be quite intense. Yet, they are masterfully balanced here. Tonka Bean brings an unmistakable Vanilla-like aroma to the final flourish in the base notes.
There is plenty that we can do with it in the base notes, both as the star and the support act.
As Star Of The Show
As a fragrance, I often described Amber as ‘divine’ and that is how Amber essential oil always feels to me. It lifts and elevates your spirit and connects you to your sense of ‘God’ or ‘Source’. I find NO. 1200 blended with super precious essential oils like Blue Lotus, Frankincense, Sandalwood, Rosewood or Palo Santo can deliver a more spiritual experience.
When you add the comforting aroma of Vanilla Oleoresin through your blends, it has a direct impact on the limbic system in the brain. It affects your brain in a way that will foster feelings of comfort, safety, and security. Run rich ribbons of it through NO. 1200 for a cosseting and comforting embrace.
You can enhance it with stronger spices like Clove and Cinnamon. They will add an extra dimension and enhance that sense of warmth even further. These blend well with the orange citrus tones too.
Go for all-out opulence with Leather, Oud, tonk Bean and Tobacco for something ultimately luxurious and very masculine.
As a Support Act.
Again, NO. 1200, with its delicious booming base notes, supports and balances many essential oils and fragrance oils. It’s just that kind of scent!
I like the marriage of deeper, masculine notes mentioned above and it can enrich fragrance oils with those main themes, like NO. 39 - Genuine Leather.
Essential Oil Recommendations
Stronger spices add dimension and extra warmth; try Cinnamon Bark and the similar notes of Cassia.
Connect with the divine aspects and try Sandalwood, Palo Santo and Frankincense
Build on the incense-type aromas with Frankincense and Myrrh and don’t forget that comforting ribbon of Vanilla Oleoresin
Suggestions for Fragrance Oils
Enhance the earthy aspects with NO. 59 - Patchouli and plump for that rich and delicious opulence with NO. 1205 - Inspired by: Oud Paris by Diptyque.
Mellow things out beautifully with NO. 3100 - Inspired by: Tobacco Vanille by Tom Ford and NO. 39 - Genuine Leather
Designing Bespoke Diffuser Blends With NO. 1200
Before we go ahead, just check you have chosen the right type of fragrance oil for your diffuser.
And if you are new to blending, I have added some extra tips for support on your new adventure.
With just a small handful of hints and tips, you can soon be blending like a professional.
NO. 1200 offers you incredible versatility and gives you the choice to use it as the star of the show or the supporting act.
I cannot emphasize enough how readily this will blend with both essential oils and other fragrance oils and the list would be VERY long to include everything. I’m going to focus on what I feel it blends best with. This ups your chances of success, especially if you are a nervous beginner.
I think it is genderless, so you can experiment with the gender balance and play with tipping it one way or the other.
Don’t forget, these are not hard and fast rules, they are very much suggestions. Have fun building your blending skills and expand on your confidence by creating your accords and diffuser blends all of your own.
| Fragrance Notes |
Original Scent Profile | Ideal Companions |
|---|---|---|
| Top | Aniseed | Citrus: Bergamot, Mandarin, Sweet Orange, Tangerine Floral: Lavender, Roman Chamomile, Helichrysum, Narcissus Green: Eucalyptus, Fennel, Hyssop, Sweet Basil |
| Heart | Incense, Balm | Spice: Black Pepper, Cardamom, Coriander, Nutmeg, Pink Pepper Floral: Gardenia, Hyacinth, Jasmine, Lilac, Neroli, Rose, Rose Geranium, Ylang Ylang Forest: Dwarf Pine, Scotch Pine, Fir Needle, Balsam Fir, Palo Santo, Copaiba Balsam, Balsam (Peru) |
| Base | Vetiver, Patchouli, Tonka Bean, Cistus | Resin: Frankincense, Myrrh Spice and Bean: Cassia, Cinnamon Bark, Clove Bud, Star Anise, Tobacco, Vanilla Wood: Amyris, Oud, Sandalwood Animalic: Leather, Musk |
Follow This Blending Framework
Top Notes
With Aniseed leading in the top notes. You can go three ways:
- Citrus: Introduce those orange citrus notes to warm and complement the profile. Bergamot adds sharpness, and Mandarin, Sweet Orange and Tangerine all bring that zesty, joyful zing.
- Floral: Plump for herbal floral scents with Lavender, Roman Chamomile and Helichrysum. Try those heady but top-note spring flowers like Narcissus.
- Green: Be careful balancing menthol or camphor scents. However, it will balance Eucalyptus rather wonderfully. Try the complimentary Aniseed notes of Fennel.
Heart Notes
The heart space is rich in the more complex aromas of Incense and Balm, but you can still add things into the heart to create amazing accords.
- Floral - NO. 1200 readily blends with floral scents, both light and heady so you can exploit this. Pair it with those intoxicating aromas of Gardenia, Hyacinth, Jasmine, Ylang Ylang and Lilac. Or, go lighter and brighter with Neroli, Rose, and Rose Geranium.
- Spice - Spices work wonderfully here and there are so many to choose from, but my favorites would be Black Pepper & Pink Pepper, Cardamom, Coriander, and Nutmeg.
- Forest: Draw down on the woody aspects of NO. 1200 and create accords with the scents of the forest, go green with Dwarf Pine, Scotch Pine and Fir Needle. Ramp up the notes of Balsalm with Balsam Fir and Peru Balsam. Lighten the woody aspect with Palo Santo and Copaiba Balsam.
Base Notes
Find gorgeous accords for the big booming base notes of Vetiver, Patchouli, Tonka Bean, Cistus. The base is inhabited with a complex array of earthy, woody and musky aromas, but there is still plenty of space to experiment with.
- Resin: Amber is a resin and you can build on that resinous aroma with Frankincense and Myrrh. I’ve got a bottle of Copal Santo in front of me and is that a delicious combo too!
- Spice and Bean: Go rich, heady and as deep as you dare here with the spice. Try Cassia, Cinnamon Bark, Clove Bud and Star Anise. Add mystery and masculinity with Tobacco and a sense of comfort and warmth with creamy Vanilla
- Woods: Add to the woody notes with the lighter aroma of Amyris. Maybe go deep, sensuous and uber rich with precious Oud and Sandalwood.
- Animalic: Gosh this is such an amazing combo, it goes beautifully with notes of Leather and Musk, and it creates a very sensual effect, almost erotic.
IFRA Safety for Diffuser Blends
Diffuser Blends appear in IFRA Category 12. NO. 1200 - Inspired by: Ambre by Diptyque fragrance oil carries no safety restrictions in this particular category.
Method:
- Grab a small measuring jug and measure out all of your fragrance oils and/or essential oils into it carefully.
- With a glass stirrer or stainless spoon, give them a good mix until thoroughly combined.
- A funnel helps you to keep the bottle as clean and oil-free as possible to help your label stick!
- Decant your diffuser blend into a 10ml dropper bottle with your funnel.
- Get every last drop of oil out of the jug and into the bottle with a really good quality silicone spatula. It’s more sustainable and better for the planet to make use of every precious drop.
- It is crucial to label your bottles! They present a significant safety hazard, as they contain undiluted oil.
- Good labeling is essential, so use an oil and waterproof label and list all of the ingredients.
- Add the date to the label and a 12-month expiry date as well.
- For obvious safety reasons, mark the label as ‘UNDILUTED’.
How To Use Your Diffuser Blends:
- For specific guidance on your diffusers, please consult your individual manufacturer's instructions.
- Please follow your manufacturer's instructions if you are not sure if you should be diluting your diffuser blends, or not.
- How To Use Vinevida Oils will give you some generalized advice on using fragrance oils in different types of diffusers.
Opulent and Luxurious Diffuser Blends With NO. 1200
Sacred Temple
Create a moment of sacred reflection and bliss with this deeply evocative Diffuser Blend. Use it to create sacred space, aid meditation or just as an offering. However you choose to use it, do it with intent and deep reverence, for this is something truly special.
Ingredients:
- 5 ml of NO. 1200 - Inspired by: Ambre by Diptyque fragrance oil
- 25 drops of Rose Geranium Essential Oil (Pelargonium Roseum X Asperum)
- 20 drops of Frankincense Essential Oil (Boswellia Serrata)
- 20 drops of Jasmine Absolute Oil (Jasminum Grandiflorum)
- 20 drops of Patchouli Essential Oil (Pogostemon Cablin)
- 10 drops of Myrrh Essential Oil (Commiphora Myrrha)
- 5 drops of Palo Santo Essential Oil (Bursera Graveolens)
Safety:
- Not designed for use on the skin.
Golden Aurora
Fill your home with this Golden Aurora, you can feel the glorious sunset tones oozing out of it. It’s bright and lively with zingy Orange aromas which will uplift you and energize you.
Oud balances all the citrus and brings luxury and opulence to the delicious blend.
Use it all around the home to bring in a sense of joy, hope and vibrancy. I’d avoid using it at night in bedrooms, as it is a little too upbeat to be conducive to sleeping!
If you want it a little deeper and more masculine, use more NO. 1200 and less of NO.1204.
Ingredients:
- 3 ml of NO. 1200 - Inspired by: Ambre by Diptyque Fragrance Oil
- 3 ml of NO. 1204 - Inspired by: Fleur D'Oranger by Diptyque Fragrance Oil
- 1 ml of NO. 1205 - Inspired by: Oud Paris by Diptyque Fragrance Oil
- 20 drops of Sweet Orange Essential Oil (Citrus Sinensis L)
- 20 drops of Mandarin Essential Oil (Citrus Reticulata)
- 20 drops of Tangerine Essential Oil (Citrus Reticulata Blanco)
Safety:
- Not designed for use on the skin.
The Monk’s Amber Mala
You can see it now, a precious set of Amber Mala beads sitting in the hands of a serene meditating monk. Wisps of incense curl around him, as the scent of the temple wood itself imbues itself into the atmosphere.
It’s a classic Oriental fragrance, rich in spices, incense and wood. There is just a hint of a floral in the heart space, but you could build on that more if you wanted to.
This is a stunning fragrance to use anywhere in the home, at any time of day.
Ingredients:
Safety:
- Not designed or formulated for topical use.
Luscious Recipes With NO. 1200
NO. 1200 - Inspired by: Ambre by Diptyque is such a versatile fragrance oil that I could write this article a hundred times over and still find new ideas for it.
Let’s focus today on how it can seamlessly move from feminine to masculine and right back again with a few carefully chosen accords.
We are going to make a versatile and effective deodorant. You can choose from two different blends, and you will be able to decide if you want a roll of Deodorant or a spray of Deodorant.
We are also going to make a rather divine Serum that can be used as an Aftershave Serum for men or a Moisturizer Serum for women. One product, two blends, you decide how to use it.
Deodorant
I think people think that there is some mystery to making your deodorant, or that you somehow get an inferior product when you make your own. Well, I’m about to burst your bubble! Pop!
You need very few ingredients, which are very easy to source. You will be stunned that you can make such an effective deodorant with so little.
The Magic Ingredient - Magnesium
The magic ingredient is Magnesium. Like Witch Hazel, Magnesium helps to constrict the pores which stops sweat in its tracks.
Pair that with bacteria and microbe-fighting essential oils and you have yourself a highly effective product.
The Issue With Magnesium
Because of our modern lifestyles, an abundance of people experience low levels of Magnesium.
If you apply Magnesium to your skin, when you are deficient in it, you may experience a mild tingling or stinging sensation. I had this happen to me and it wasn't too bad, it certainly wasn't awful.
You need to expect your skin to react like this until it gets used to it and your Magnesium levels rise. I helped it along and got over it pretty quickly by adding Magnesium flakes to my bath and taking Magnesium supplements. In time, your skin acclimates to its use and will tingle or sting less as your Magnesium levels rise. Eventually, it won’t affect you at all.
Hear me on this - keep using it despite the tingling or stinging. The time to stop would be if your skin breaks out in a rash and is genuinely red raw and sore. Use your common sense though and cease using it if your skin reacts to it beyond a tingle/sting.
Magnesium and Consistency
When you dissolve Magnesium in Witch Hazel or Water it creates a viscous fluid, the more Magnesium you add, the thicker it becomes. So we can use this to our advantage when designing our Deodorants.
Spray Deodorant
If we want a Deodorant Spray, you would simply use less Magnesium. It will give us a nice light fluid, which will pass through the spray nozzle much easier and reduce the chances of it clogging up.
Roll On Deodorant
If we desire a Roll-On Deodorant, we need to make it with a thicker, more viscous consistency.
We can achieve this in several ways.
- The easiest is to simply add more Magnesium. However, we need to have our skin adjusted to the higher levels of Magnesium, so this is something we may want to graduate to.
- The perfect Roll-on consistency can be achieved by combining up to 4 tbsp of Magnesium Flakes in 120ml of Witch Hazel.
- For more viscosity and less Magnesium, we can use a little Cornstarch or Arrowroot Powder to make it thicker. However, the downside is that it will affect its shelf life considerably down to just a few weeks, instead of 12 months.
Want To Avoid Magnesium?
There are alternatives to Magnesium and much more information in How To Make Essential Oil Body Spray.
IFRA Safety
NO. 1200 in IFRA Category 2 has maximum safety restrictions of 1.23%.
This means that in 100ml of product, you can use up to 1.23 ml of NO. 1200 - Inspired by: Ambre by Diptyque Soaps and Candles fragrance oil.
This is a very low safety dilution rate, so we need to consider what else we can add to bolster it.
You can use the Deodorant option on the VINEVIDA Calculator when working out the correct safety data for your formulations and recipes.
You Will Need:
- Small measuring jug
- Stainless steel spoon
- Bottle funnel
- 120 ml spray bottle or roll-on deodorant dispenser
- Label(s)
Deodorant Base Ingredients:
- 120ml Witch Hazel (Hamamelis virginiana)
- 1 tbsp Magnesium Flakes (You can up this to up to 4 tbsp for a roll on’s)
Optional:
- Preservative, follow your individual manufacturer's instructions for how much to use and when in the process to add it.
- Thickening agents like Arrowroot, Cornstarch or Kaolin Clay.
Masculine Blend
- 1 ml of NO. 1200 - Inspired by: Ambre by Diptyque Soaps & Candles fragrance oil
- 20 drops of Eucalyptus Essential Oil (Eucalyptus globulus)
- 10 drops of Thyme Essential Oil (Thymus vulgaris)
Feminine Blend
- 1 ml of NO. 1200 - Inspired by: Ambre by Diptyque Soaps & Candles fragrance oil
- 30 drops of Lavender essential oil (Lavandula angustifolia)
- 30 drops of Rose Geranium essential oil (Pelargonium Roseum X asperum)
Safety:
- Do not use these blends in the first 16 weeks of pregnancy.
- Magnesium sensitivity - please read the section above.
Method:
Dissolving The Magnesium
- This bit needs a little time and patience, be prepared to leave it overnight!
- Take your measured Magnesium Flakes and dissolve them into the Witch Hazel.
- Depending on the size of your flakes, it could take a little while to completely dissolve. Periodically stirring it until it is all dissolved.
- You may have to leave it overnight if necessary.
- If you have a few stubborn bits, simply strain them out and remove them. Pop them in a jar though and then chuck them in your next bath!
- The consistency is bang on when it develops an almost oily consistency. Rub it between your fingers to gauge it more accurately.
- This oily effect is just what we want here. (When you see Magnesium Oil in the shops for aching legs or sleep, this is exactly what it is)!
Adding Scent and Power
- Once you hit the sweet spot, add in your fragrance oil and essential oils, mix it well.
Bottling and Labeling
- Always use a funnel, it helps keep your bottles clean and oil-free which helps your labels stick on better.
- Decant into your bottle and lid tightly.
- If you are filling a roll-on, make sure it does not leak when you tip it upside down. If it does leak, you need to make your fluid base thicker with more Magnesium or some thickening agent.
- Label your containers with an oil and waterproof label, clearly listing all ingredients for obvious safety reasons.
How To Use:
- Always do a 24-48 hour patch test before first use. Especially if you have never used Magnesium before.
- Apply the spray or the roll onto your underarms up to 3 or 4 times a day.
- If you are magnesium deficient, it will tingle and sting a bit at first.
- However, it should not burn or make your skin look sore or redraw. Should this happen, discontinue use.
- If the tingling is just too much to bear, try to raise your magnesium levels with supplements, magnesium oil and magnesium flakes in the bath and then try the deodorant again in a month or so.
Unisex Face Serum
This Serum base is packed with nourishing carrier oils, bursting with antioxidants that will fight those pesky free radicals and the signs of aging. Loaded with super nourishing and mega-hydrating ingredients, your skin will drink this up!
It helps leave your skin feeling more supple and noticeably firmer, refreshed and renewed and glowing with health and vitality.
Make it your own by deciding which blend to go with, do you go deep and mysterious or fun, flirty and floral?
IFRA Safety
NO. 1200 in IFRA Category 5B has maximum safety restrictions of 1.4%.
This means that in 100ml of product, you can use up to 1.4 ml of NO. 1200 - Inspired by: Ambre by Diptyque Soaps and Candles fragrance oil.
This is a very low safety dilution rate. We may need to consider what we can add to it, to enhance the overall formulation.
You can use the Face Cream option on the VINEVIDA Calculator when working out the correct safety data for your formulations and recipes.
You will need:
- Measuring jug - small size
- Stainless steel spoon or glass stirrer
- Bottle funnel
- 50 ml dropper bottle
- Oil and waterproof label
Serum Base Ingredients:
- 15 ml of Jojoba Carrier Oil (Camellia japonica)
- 15 ml of Argan Carrier Oil (Argania Spinosa)
- 5 ml of Rosehip Carrier Oil (Rosa Canina)
- 10 ml of Glycerine (Glycerol)
Optional - Preservative of your choice - follow the manufacturer's guidance on how much to add and when and note where in the recipe it should be added.
Fun, Flirty and Floral Blend
- 1 ml of NO. 1200 - Inspired by: Ambre by Diptyque Soaps & Candles fragrance oil
- 20 drops of Rose essential oil (Rosa damascena)
- 20 drops of Sweet Orange essential oil (Citrus sinensis L)
- 4 drops of Ylang Ylang essential oil (Cananga odorata)
Safety: Do not use it in the first 37 weeks of pregnancy.
Deep, Mysterious and Masculine Blend
- 1 ml of NO. 1200 - Inspired by: Ambre by Diptyque Soaps & Candles fragrance oil
- 20 drops of Amyris essential oil (Amyris balsamifera)
- 20 drops of Frankincense essential oil (Boswellia serrata)
- 10 drops of Patchouli essential oil (Pogostemon cablin)
Safety: Do not use it in the first 16 weeks of pregnancy.
Method:
If you choose to use a preservative, follow your individual manufacturer's instructions for how much to use and note when in the process of adding it.
- Measure out your carrier oils and combine them well.
- Add the Glycerine to the carrier oil and mix.
- Add in your carefully measured fragrance oil and essential oils and mix thoroughly.
- Always use a funnel to fill your bottle, it keeps it clean and saves getting the bottle oily. An oily bottle makes it very difficult to attach your label and can spoil the appearance of your label too.
- Decant your Serum into your 50ml dropper bottle and cap tightly.
- Using an oil and waterproof label, list all of your ingredients clearly and date.
- Add the instruction to ‘Shake Well Before Use’.
- Add an expiry date and instructions to use within 6 months of production.
How to use:
- Always do a 24-48 hour patch test before using it on your precious face.
- Apply your Serum after moisturizing lightly.
- You need very little, literally a couple of drops.
- Apply with your fingertips in gentle, upward circular motions.
- If you find you need more, by all means add more. I always need much more if I do not moisturize my face first. If you have to wipe off any excess with a paper tissue, you are using too much. It should absorb quickly and completely.
- Avoid getting in your eyes, should any product get in your eyes, rinse well with clean, tepid water immediately. If irritation is persistent, seek medical advice, taking the clearly labeled container with you.
Safety:
- Depending on which blend you choose, do not use it in the first 16 - 37 weeks of pregnancy. See the blend recipe for precise instructions.
- Do not use it over broken and highly irritated skin
Protect Surfaces and Furnishings From Fragrance Oil
Disclaimer: As oil-based products, fragrance oils may stain polished and painted surfaces, furniture, and furnishings. Please take steps to protect surfaces before use.
Always carry out patch tests in inconspicuous areas, especially on your more precious surfaces and linens.
Some Final Tips for Success
Balance
Defining and maintaining the balance of a scent is key to your success. Sit for a minute with your fragrance and assess the scent, try and discern where its balance point is and where it sits in the scale of notes. Most fragrance oils are balanced in the heart notes, but it is not always the case, so don’t just presume it to be so.
You can expand on your blending skills by defining that balance, which elements are creating it? Can you tell? If you flood the top notes, heart notes or base notes with a harmonizing accord and overwhelm one of those aspects, will it disrupt the whole balance?
A key question is - How do you introduce new accords and keep that balance? It is in these spaces, where you begin to learn how to define and maintain that all-important balance.
You greatly improve your chances of creating successful and sensational blends, when you keep that balance in mind.
Patience
If you are anything like me with anything new, I want at it! I’ll be honest, this has cost me in the past with some expensive mistakes, because I went at it like a bull at a gate. This is one of those times where I do, dispense my wisdom based on experience.
Be patient when you start blending. Get in the habit of working in tiny steps and increments, and work just a couple of drops at a time. I know! It’s almost painful, but you will learn to relish the process, slow down and immerse yourself in a world of beautiful fragrances.
Add a couple of drops, stop, mix and test it, and so on, until you reach the perfect balance. When you work in this disciplined manner, it is hard to go wrong and stops you from making expensive mistakes, (like mine).
Scent Strips
You can evaluate a developing scent much more effectively by getting the fragrance into the air and out of the bowl/bottle. It helps you evaluate the aroma much more accurately, this is because it reacts to the oxygen in the air, just like it will in your Diffuser Blends or a Reed Diffuser.
Scent strips are highly cost-effective and an eminently useful tool. I can’t recommend them highly enough to beginners to evaluate your fragrances. You will soon appreciate the marked differences it makes. They give you an accurate assessment of the developing scent, allowing you to evaluate its aroma more effectively.
Expensive Oils
When it comes to using costly essential oils and absolutes, you may appreciate the value of these former points.
Whilst I appreciate it requires diligence, patience and a sense of discipline to work in this way, the results will speak for themselves.
It will also help you avoid potentially costly mistakes using this relatively foolproof method, built upon years of experience and my own mistakes! Heeding my wisdom here can help you avoid doing the same.
Breaks
The scent is processed in the brain, and like most things, after a while, it gets bored and stops doing its job. Your brain simply stops processing these scents, and this is what the industry calls going ‘nose blind’.
Avoid going nose blind by:
- Take a ten-minute break every twenty minutes
- Get some fresh air, if you can, as it helps your brain reset.
- Take regular breaks when working with heady, intoxicating or narcotic essential oils.
If you go nose blind, you simply lose the ability to effectively evaluate your scent. Therefore, it makes perfect sense to take regular breaks.
Why Not Extend Your Skills?
Serums are so easy to make and give you a super luxurious product at the end of it.
Explore more recipes in How to Make Face Serum with Essential Oils. Find out why I wax lyrical about using Rosehip carrier oil in face and skin care products in Rosehip Oil Benefits: Sublime Serum, Cream Mask & Moisturizer Recipes.
Try our latest Body Spray recipe from last month, Oil of The Month.
NO. 1200 - Inspired by: Ambre by Diptyque Fragrance Oil is FANTASTIC as a supporting role in making perfume. All the trials I have on the go at the moment are maturing beautifully. I highly recommend it to Create Your Own Signature Scent and Craft Cologne With Essential Oils
Getting The Most From NO. 1200 - Inspired by: Ambre by Diptyque Fragrance Oil
Normally we have a whole section here for you, but today we don’t need it. It is sufficient to say that NO. 1200 - Inspired by: Ambre by Diptyque Fragrance Oil is extraordinary in its ability to seamlessly shift from ‘star of the show’ to ‘supporting act’.
I had a good long think about it, and I was going to say, it was in my top three all-time favorites. But actually, it IS my favorite, because of its amazing and seemingly endless versatility.
I have scanned my entire list of fragrance oils and there is NOTHING on this list that would NOT work with NO.1200. A dash of caution is needed for very light fragrances like Cucumber and Melon, but you can still use it, just judiciously.
There is no other fragrance oil that CAN DO THIS or works in this incredibly versatile way. It is ONE OF A KIND fragrance oil.
Dance between masculine and feminine, light and dark, sophisticated and formal and erotic and sensuous. It’s a revelation in a bottle.
Ensure You Have The Right Tool for The Job
Have you noticed that we stock two different versions of NO. 1200 - Inspired by: Ambre by Diptyque Fragrance Oil
- Soaps and Candles Fragrance Oil
- Diffuser Fragrance Oil
Soaps and Candles Fragrance Oils
VINEVIDA Soaps and candle fragrance oils give you exceptional versatility and potentiality.
- Professionally designed for professional formulations and home applications
- Reliable performance in fragrancing candles and soaps as they withstand high heat in rigorous production processes
- Resilient and long-lasting fragrance in candles, soaps, scented home and topical products
- Reliable and consistent results every time.
- Outstanding versatility and potentiality across a myriad of applications
How To Get The Best From Your Soaps & Candles Fragrance Oil will give you the lowdown on everything you need to know about working with Soaps & Candles fragrance oil.
Diffuser Fragrance Oils
VINEVIDA’s Diffuser Fragrance Oil has been specifically formulated for Nebulizing or Cold Air Diffusers. They work differently to other types of diffusers and require a specialist formulation which must be used for this purpose only.
Got a Nebulizing or Cold Air Diffuser? Make sure you purchase NO. 1200 - Inspired by: Ambre by Diptyque - Diffuser Fragrance Oil
Discover more information about our fragrance oil variations. Learn about their inherent differences and applications in How To Use Vinevida Oils.
Are You New to VINEVIDA Fragrance Oils?
Our Fragrance Oil Of The Week article has a whole section of links just for you beginners. Take a look at the latest issue. Fragrance Oil Of The Week: NO. 1206 - Inspired by: Philosykos by Diptyque.
Join The Facebook Group
Have you discovered the delights of the VINEVIDA Facebook Group yet? Get yourself over there!
The Final Word
Its versatility is unsurpassed.
You’d be daft not to add it to your collection!
