Make Your Own Signature Fragrance Every Day Of the Year (yes, you really can)
mixing fragrance notes isn’t so easy!
Fragrance mixing isn’t easy. I have reviewed hundreds of fragrances, and learned a great deal about fragrance notes, so I thought I was prepared to blend a fragrnace, The photo above shows some of the notes I used when I tried creating my own signature scent for the first time. I had expert guidance and after a lot of confusion, I realized I really wasn’t up to the task as much as I thought I was. The end result was fine, but I had an ever better appreciation for the artistry and skill of professional perfumers (“noses”) who can do this so much better than an untrained beauty editor! Even if you’re completely familiar with top, heart and bottom notes, getting your creation to smell the way you envisioned, while working in harmony with the top, heart and bottom notes, and also smelling great on your skin, is truly an art.
But if you’ve ever smelled a fragrance and thought: “I’d like a little more floral in this, or spice, or fruit or….) or if you just haven’t smelled the fragrance that you know would be your signature, now you can “DIY” fragrance blends with a bit of confidence.
Enter Mix-o-logie. This company creates easy to use rollerballs with different fragrances notes that let you create your own signature scents every day of the year. The key is not to start from scratch with single notes, but to let their expert perfumers steer you in the right direction with basic fragrance categories that they’ve already expertly blended. Then you can put together a little more or a little less of what you like.
The Mix-o-logie collection includes alcohol-free rollerball fragrances that have notes that evoke specific fragrance categories. You can wear them “as-is” or blend them together in seemingly limitless combinations as you please. The master perfumers who created the eight fragrances have, apparently, figured out a way to create these rollerball scents so you can’t get it wrong, even if you mixed them all together or any which way. However, if you want guidance, there are also recipe cards included.
Each rollerball is color-coded and named so you don’t have to guess what’s in them. Use a recipe card and just apply the suggested number of rollerball “splashes” wherever you’re going to want the fragrance). I applied each of these to various parts of my arms, hands, wrists, fingers, etc. By the time I finished trying all of them, I had a “fragrance mix” of my own without even trying and guess what? It smelled pretty good! So I guess it proves the point that even if you carelessly roll these fragrances on any which way, you’ll come up smelling lovely.
Here are the basic descriptions of the eight rollerballs and fragrance notes with my impression of them:
Serene: Light Floral: A floral blend of white freesia, jasmine, rose, ylang, and cyclamen host a few special guests: sparkling bergamot, Madagascar vanilla, musk, and sheer woods. *it’s a light floral, almost powdery. This rollerball feels “clean” think: Philosophy’s super popular Amazing Grace scent.
Tender: Fruity: Sugar-dusted black raspberries burst with citrus from Sicilian lemon and orange zest. Bright, verdant accords of green tea, moss, silver sage, French lavender, and geranium leaf add vitality and a clean crispness. A kiss of warm ambergris completes the blend for a scent that beautifully captures honesty and innocence. *are you a girly fragrance fan? This rollerball reminds me of those sweet and fruity celebrity fragrances really popular with young women and the young at heart.
Sultry: Wild Musk: A compliment to any composition, the velvety foundation of musk adds warmth, sensuality, and a touch of exotic intrigue. *musk can often be quite heavy and noticeable in bottom notes, but this one is very subtle.
Free: Ocean Mist: Cool, refreshing, and brisk. This scent’s top notes of salty marine air soar over watery peony blossoms, Caspian rose, and cool sea moss. Ambergris and white musk give way to a sheer, clean, and dry finish. *marine scents are uplifting and often unisex. This rollerball has a very light marine “scent-ability” that slightly reminds you of the sea.
Inspired: Rose Floral: A soft, luminous floral scent evokes timeless beauty and elegance. Fresh and bright top notes of bergamot, petitgrain, and geranium leaf blend effortlessly into the heart of rosa damascene with highlights of cyclamen, white lilies, and neroli blossoms. Warming cardamom, patchouli, and sandalwood add a touch of seduction while amber and white musk offer a soft, romantic finish. *rose is a perfumer’s favorite, but there are so many different kinds of rose notes! This one is noticeable, but fresh and light and will “play well” with other notes.
Electric: Citrus Twist: A playful citrus medley of pink grapefruit, zesty lemon, and sweet mandarin join sparkling cassis berries for an upbeat treat. Oceanic accords keep it clean and fresh with soft, sweet undertones of island jasmine, mimosa, and spun sugar. *Citrus is very uplifting and is often used as a top note that gets your attention. This rollerball has a strong and definitely tart citrus vibe that will liven up any scent mixture you make.
Assured: Natural: The understated and the unforgettable come together in an organic but provocative blend of warming amber and cashmere musk. Creamy sandalwood, patchouli, and vetiver create rich, smokey undertones. Fresh and aqueous marine notes keep things light and airy while crushed violet leaves add a feminine touch. *This is an interesting rollerball, mostly with what I recognize as classic bottom notes, but it smells kind of herbal and it’s one I’d wear by itself, especially for a “date night” or on a chilly day. A personal favorite “as-is”
Tenacious: Crisp Vanilla: vibrant and sophisticated interpretation of a nostalgic favorite. Madagascar vanilla bean harmonizes with smokey musk, amber, and masculine nuances from woody sandalwood and white oak. Aged bourbon, tobacco flower, and tonka conclude the blend with just the right amount of mystery. * as with rose notes, vanilla is a standard, and there are tons of different kinds of vanilla notes. Vanilla is a classic mixing note on the bottom of fragrances or sometimes, in the heart. This one is kind of light and sweet, most likely chosen because it won’t overpower the other notes.
Once you start “rolling” you probably won’t even need the recipe cards anymore. It’s just so much fun!!!!!
What I like so much about the Mix-o-logie set is not just the idea that you can make your own fragrance creations and they will smell good and satisfy your need for individuality, but you will also learn a lot about fragrance, and what makes a nice mix. It takes years, maybe decades, and special talents to become a perfumer (a “nose”) but this Mix-o-logie fragrance set will help you become more sophisticated about fragrance notes and teach you how to be more discerning about the other fragrances you choose in the future. It’s a great learning experience as well as a way to show your personal style. At just $75.00 for the entire set, it’s also a pretty great bargain.
Mother’s day is coming up pretty soon, and there will be weddings, graduations and other events as well as Spring turns into Summer. Imagine how good it will feel to easily make the perfect scent for every event you attend, and have at least one person come up to you and say: “You smell amazing, what is that scent you’re wearing?” “Oh, it’s just a little something I created myself,” you’ll reply.
