Following my last blog I have had a few emails asking which oils a beginner should start with. The answer is there is no "should" as such - what I will provide is a list you "could" start with that will allow you to create a complete scent.
Essential Oils
These are natural ingredients which themselves contain many different aroma chemicals
Bergamot
Lavender
Sweet Orange
Sage
Rosemary
Frankincense
Elemi
Patchouli
Vetiver
Benzoin
Cedarwood
Aroma Chemicals
Synthetic or naturally derived components
Stemone - a leaf green, grassy note
Linalool - deep rosewood, woody, floral blender
Citronellol - light floral rose
Geraniol - heavier floral rose
Phenylethyl alcohol - a more youthful rosey floral note
Silvial - white floral, lily of the valley
Vanillin - a synthetic woody/floral/vanilla note
Ambroxan - woody amber/ambergris
Hedione - key component of jasmine notes, excellent for diffusivity
Galaxolide 50 - transparent white musk
Ethylene Brassylate - floral, animalic and powdery musk, very tenacious
Tonalid - white musk, think clean laundry
Iso E super - useful blender for woody and floral notes, helps diffusivity
Timbersilk/Sylvamber - alternative to Iso E, each has its own more woody/ambery facets
Isoeugenol - spicy, carnation, floral
Everynyl - warm, earthy, oakmoss substitute
Safraleine - saffron/leather/rose, complex, a sort of my little pony vibe at times
Alpha ionone - my favourite violet note component
Orivone - warm, earthy orris, heart note
Coumarin - tonka, hay, warm, long lasting base note
Alpha - pinene - quintessential pine note
Sandalmysore - warm, sweet, sandalwood note
This list is by no means exhaustive, but I hope a helpful start!
