Whether you’re a novice or a self-proclaimed ‘fragrance buff’, being able to make sense of the strength of oils can make a world of difference when seeking to use them. The purpose of this guide is to give a better understanding of perfume strength, ‘sillage’, and essential oil distinctions thus being fully fit when going to make purchases.
What is Scent Strength?
Scent strength is a term that is used to assess the degree of fragrance in any product. It expresses the degree of concentration when a scent is applied and the duration that it will remain on the skin or in the atmosphere. Essential oils are highly potent liquid concentrates that are derived from botanicals, hence the variances in scent strength between the different oils and their formulations.
When you understand the strength of any scent, you can help yourself pick oils that satisfy your needs and preferences, be it for personal use, aromatherapy or even making your own perfumes.
Fragrance Category or Level of Concentration in Perfume
Essential oils vary in their degrees of concentration in which they can be subdivided into three major categories:
Top note:
These types of fragrances are mild and in most cases rejuvenating. These are for people who do not like strong scents. Most common light scents are citrus oils such as lemon and bergamot.
Ideal for: Daytime use, walking, and situations that require a light touch.
Middle scents:
Scents labeled in this category are neither too weak nor too strong. Their acceptability is broad as they can easily suit many instances. Essential oils of this grade include; geranium and lavender.
Ideal for: Work environment, parties, night outs.
Base note:
These types of fragrances are strong and generally very heavy. They are also long lasting and can create a headache if not used wisely. Commonly patchouli, sandalwood, and rose.
Ideal for: Occasions, evening wear, or when one would like to wow people.
Lasting Power of Essential Oils
The lasting power of essential oils depends on several factors, including their chemical composition, application method, and individual body chemistry. Here are some key considerations:
- Essential oils are known to be loaded with scent that has a great influence in the production of aromatic products, however, the ability to hold or retain the scent tends to vary. This is attributed to a number of factors such as the, Here are some of them:
- Base Notes: Scent oils are divided into three parts, top note, middle note and base note. Base notes, which include vanilla and myrrh, last longer and have essence that enhances the sweet smell.
- Application Method: How you apply essential oils can affect their lifespan. For example, applying oils on pulse points like the wrist and neck may increase the effectiveness of the scented oil because there’s more heat. On the other hand, applying them on a diffuser gives off a milder scent that does not last long.
- Skin Type: Your skin type can also affect the rate in which a fragrance wears off. Oily skin types usually prolong the life of the scent while dry skin types tend to absorb such scents promptly.
Selecting Essential Oils Based on the Level of Fragrance
Essential oils come with their own packaging and various aspects which affects their pricing. Below are some of the characteristics that can help you identify how strong or weak the scent is.
Know Your Preferences: State whether the liking is towards stronger or lighter tones. Would the individual want a chock of the fragrance or just a hint? Knowing yourself helps you know what to look for.
Gesture Reading: Others indicate how strong the scent of their essential oils is. Look for phrases such as strong, medium, or light.
Occasion: Picture the situations in which you intend to use the oils. For a comfortable day in, a mild indoor scent might work, for a night out, a strong fragrance could be suitable.
Try Mixing: You can also combine essential oils as you wish. A light scent added to a moderate or strong scent can be easier as you will be in control of the fragrance’s strength.
Popular Essential Oils by Scent Strength
Here are some essential oils according to their category of scent strength:
Light Scents:
Lemon Essential Oil: Freshening, very lime scented, great at the start of the day.
Peppermint Essential Oil: Cooling, very minty and easy to moderate most activities.
Medium Scents:
Lavender Essential Oil: Helps in relaxing as well as settling.
Eucalyptus Essential Oil: An excellent oil that is clarifying and refreshing as well.
Strong Scents:
Patchouli Essential Oil: Sweet, woody, and very solid incense helps integrate blends.
Sandalwood Essential Oil: Contains long-lasting fragrance that is rich and woody.
Chose Other Items From HBNO
In case you are after quality essential oils which vary in their scent strength, HBNO is the place to be. Here they have a range of different essential oils in order to meet different user’s needs and functions. Here are some recommended products:
- Lemon Essential Oil: Very stimulating and can lift your spirits and create life into a space.
- Lavender Essential Oil: Soothing in nature; aids in relaxing and promotes sleep.
- Patchouli Essential Oil: This will give a very motivated and woody smell to your collection.
- Sandalwood Essential Oil: Great for a soothing ambiance with warm undertones.
Conclusion
When you delve into the world of essential oils, one of the key aspects that you will need to be aware of is scent strength. As you get used to varying degrees of concentration and longevity understand how the fragrances work for them and on which occasions. Also include your personal fragrance experiences and opinions together with the product lines available at HBNO.
Now that you have started using essential oils, I appreciate that every oil has something unique that attracts to it and also your nose will be a major factor in what oils you would want to use and when. Happy exploring!
