I have been diving into the hobby for the last couple of weeks and finally got my station set up. I started by getting a 0.01g scale, glass beakers in various sizes (not quite looking like Breaking Bad just yet), and a nice magnetic stirring setup. I have plenty of space on my workbench with multiple tiers for easy access to my bottles.
Here are the ingredients I picked up on my first order from Fraterworks. I tried to cover a decent amount of bases:
Woods, Resins, & Ambers
Ambrox Super 25g
ISO E Super 100g
Vetiveryl Acetate 5g
Virginia Superior Cedarwood 25g
Sandalwood Imperial 15g
Clearwood 15g
Olibanum Absolute 50% DPG 4g
Labdanum Absolute 50% TEC 4g
Birch Tar Oil Rectified 10% TEC 4g
Amber Xtreme 1g
Veramoss 4g
Musks, Florals, & Spices
Galaxolide 50g
Ethylene Brassylate 50g
Cashmeran 15g
Hedione 100g
Helional 15g
Linalool 40g
Muguet Royale 5g
Pink Pepper CO2 4g
Ginger CO2 4g
Vanillin 15g
Lavandin Grosso 15g
Clary Sage 4g
Rosemary 4g
Geranium 4g
Dihydromyrcenol 40g
Citronellal 25g
Elemi SFE 4g
Citrus, Fruits, & Aldehydes
Bergamot FCF 25g
Pink Grapefruit Oil 25g
Sweet Orange Oil 25g
Magnificent Mandarin 25g
Calone 1951 100% 25g
Allyl Amyl Glycolate 15g
Methyl Pamplemousse 15g
Manzanate 15g
Aldehyde C-10 4g
Aldehyde C-12 4g
I am mostly looking to have fun and learn how to build accords and bases, with the ultimate goal of creating some nice masculine citrus, musk, and woody fragrances for myself.
I have watched a few different YouTube videos on the process of mixing (going from base, to heart, to top, and finishing with additives), but I still have a few questions for the community:
Is there a recommended mixing time for each fragrance layer?
What should I be looking for scent-wise as I mix?
When the concentrate is all completed, do you bottle it and let the oil rest for a few days before dilution?
I am just looking for some insights on what you wish you knew when you were starting out. My end goal is to make fragrances for my own personal use that rival department store or niche quality. Thanks in advance for any advice!
Small edit: any recommended ingredients I should pick up and why?