Smell - Think - Write

Using Scent Blotter Strips: A Guide for Professional Perfumers

Using scent blotter strips is essential for perfumers to develop their olfactory abilities, understand fragrance materials, and create unique and appealing scents. The process involves several key steps:

1. Preparation: Gather various fragrance materials, including essential oils, absolutes, or aroma chemicals. These represent a range of scents from floral and fruity to woody and spicy.

2. Labeling: Clearly label each fragrance material to identify its name and origin, ensuring accurate record-keeping and preventing mix-ups.

3. Cleanse the Nose: Before starting, cleanse the olfactory system by inhaling a neutral scent, like coffee beans or unscented paper, to reset the sense of smell and avoid residual odors.

4. Application of Fragrance Materials: Use a dropper or pipette to apply a small amount of each fragrance material to separate sections of the blotter strip. The porous blotter allows the scent to diffuse and develop over time.

5. Observation and Smelling: Smell the blotter at various intervals, noting the initial impression, development of different scent notes (top, heart, and base), and any nuances or changes.

6. Time Recording: Record the time intervals when smelling the blotter to understand the fragrance's longevity and evolution.

7. Comparative Analysis: Compare different fragrance materials side by side on separate blotter strips to distinguish their unique characteristics and identify potential combinations for new fragrances.

8. Creative Exploration: Mentally explore different combinations of fragrance materials, imagining how certain scents could complement or enhance each other for a harmonious fragrance profile.

9. Recording Observations: Maintain a fragrance journal or database to record observations, impressions, and creative ideas, serving as valuable references for future formulations.

10. Ongoing Learning: Continuously expand knowledge by smelling and studying new ingredients, staying updated with trends, and exploring innovative combinations.

This meticulous and artistic process helps perfumers understand fragrance materials and create unique, appealing scents.