Fragrance Notes - A Beginners Guide
Understanding Candle Fragrances - A Beginners Guide to Fragrance Notes
Candles are beautiful - those flickering flames, maybe the 'sound and light' ambience from wood wick candles but what about the fragrances or scents? In this Beginners Guide to Candle Fragrances, we explain Fragrance Notes for candles to help you choose what's best for you and each room in your home.
Fragrance notes are essentially the different layers of scent which make up the fragrance in your candles and reed diffusers. These scents are analysed into three distinct elements, known as the top, middle and base notes. The combination of these different notes working together in harmony create the beautiful fragrance of your candles or reed diffusers. The word 'Notes’ is used in the fragrance world based on its scent and staying power.
- top notes:these scents are noticed intially when you first light your candle. They are usually lighter, more volatile fragrances that evaporate relatively quickly. making way for the heart of the fragrance. Examples include, citrusy and herbal scentslike leon, bergamot and lavender.
- middle (also known ans Heart) notes: as your candle burns these notes become apparent and charactierise the body of the fragrance. Examples might include floral or spicy scents like rose, jasmine and cinnamon.
- base notes: these are last to develop but also last the longest. They provide the lasting impression and depth to the fragrance. Examples include rich, deep scents like sandalwood, vanilla, or amber.
Fragrance Notes
Fragrances enrich our senses, evoke emotions, and trigger memories in a way few other sensory experiences can. At the heart of understanding how fragrances unfold their complexity and depth lies the concept of the fragrance pyramid. This pyramid serves as a guide to the intricate makeup of perfume notes in a home fragrance candle.
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Fragrance Notes - The Top Notes
The top notes of a fragrance are the scents that you will smell first and will last for between 5 to 15 minutes. They are also known as the opening or head notes for this reason. Top notes are the first impression of any fragrance, and we all know that making a first impression is important! You will be aware of these top notes as soon as you light a new candle or open a diffuser. Top notes are lighter in smell and tend to be citrusy or soft florals.
Typical top notes fragrances include, citrus oils (orange, lemon, grapefruit), neroli, peppermint and eucalyptus.
Fragrance Notes - The Middle Notes
The middle notes, also known as the heart notes, provide a balance between the top and base notes. The middle notes are at the heart of any fragrance and will be the most prominent aromas you will smell. They last longer than the top notes, 20 to 60 minutes and can make up to between 40-80% of the overall fragrance of your candle or diffuser.
Typical middle notes include geranium, rose, lemongrass, ylang ylang, lavender, coriander, nutmeg, neroli and jasmine.
Fragrance Notes - The Base Notes
The base notes themselves can make up to between 10-25% of the overall fragrance and can last for hours! However, the base notes also blend with the middle notes to deepen the complexity of the fragrance. The base notes are associated with the dry-down period of the fragrance. Base notes are often rich and smooth, as well as being the longest lasting of the three notes.
Typical base notes include cedarwood, sandalwood, vanilla, amber, patchouli, oakmoss and musk.
FelinFach Candles, Diffusers and Accessories
Modern-Day Candle Chandler
A Candle Chandler? - "a handmade maker and seller of tallow, wax candles, and also usually soap".
We are a modern-day handmade candle chandler, hand pouring soy wax candles using traditional methods and skills but also other fragrance items such as reed diffusers and wax melts. Our eco-friendly candles are made from sustainable and renewable plant-based candle waxes.
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Extensive Candle-Care Resources all in One Place
If you need the full low-down on our chandlery, candle and soapery products, we’ve got all the details and information you’ll need in our Knowledge Base. Browse through these articles and experience all your candle-care resources in one place, click here...
Candle Safety
It is always important to treat your 3 wick candles safely and with care. Please note the follow candle care advice...
- Never leave a burning candle unattended.
- Place candles on a stable surface away from flammable objects.
- Keep candles out of reach of children and pets.
- Extinguish candles before going to bed or leaving the house.
- Do not place candles too close together.
More information on Candle Safety and Care, click here...
About FelinFach
Located in Pembrokeshire Wales, our ethos is defined in the three words...
NATURAL TRADITIONAL HANDMADE.
- Hand woven iconic Welsh blankets.
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Handmade candles, candle accessories and Candle Making Workshops.
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Last updated 10th July 2024
