Developing an aromablend
Creating a unique aromablend is a collaboration between the customer, myself as the developer, and the scents from Mother Nature. It's a creative process, teamwork, alignment, and listening with your nose. A delightful aromatic experience where we dive in together, aiming for an optimal end result. A blend composed of various pure essential oils.
How do you do it?
I'm often asked, "how do you actually develop such an aromablend? How long does it take? And how do you know what can be blended together and what cannot?
My response is:
"I am like a composer creating a musical piece for a symphony orchestra. Each element is harmonized, everything should be in the right balance. And the end result should evoke a reaction like - wow, I didn't know this was possible." The entire development process, from orientation and inspiration to testing and ensuring quality, can take around six weeks till six months.
Natural Perfumer - Artist
"Aha, so you're an artist... a creator with scents?" is often said to me. And yes, the word "artist" certainly fits, but it is also so much more. Knowledge and expertise in aromatherapy are essential. Understanding all the ins and outs of essential oils opens up a wealth of possibilities. Studying scientific research leads to innovative aromablends. Being developed into a natural perfumer ensures quality.
My 25 years of knowledge, skill, and experience, the alignment, forging connections, and continuous development, allowing my alchemist space during the creative process, all contribute to a unique aromablend. A blend where each drop tells a story, and every creation is a masterpiece. Welcome to my world of fragrant symphonies composed of the pure scents of Mother Nature, the essential oils.
Aromablend of Essential Oils
All my creations exclusively contain the purest and most pristine essential oils. They are crafted with a profound respect for both humans and nature. My belief is that scents are not merely superficial sensory experiences; they can also have a profound impact on our body, mind, and soul, provided you use pure essential oils. As our nervous system is bombarded throughout the day with numerous scent stimuli laden with synthetic substances, it is a conscious choice for me to work exclusively with natural materials. I wish every individual an aromablend of the purest quality, a true delight for the nose, a caress for the body, mind, and soul.
Orientation and Inspiration
The inception of the creative process always begins with orientation, inspiration, and a brainstorming moment. I absorb everything that comes up during an initial meeting with my client. Personalities, company philosophies, values, logos, colors, activities... I interconnect them all.
Keywords fill my notepad as the initial thoughts on matching scents unfold. I listen to the voice of my client and tune into my inner wellspring of inspiration. With bottles of essential oils in my hands, exploring possibilities, I let the client speak. All conceivable options are considered; I ask and keep asking, allowing them to smell to clarify the needs and desires of the client.
"Developing a scent, an aromablend, is the art of blending the right oils in the right quantities with the right energy. Your unique aromablend is more than the sum of its parts."
In the Nature
After the initial orientation conversation, I let nature inspire me in the coming days. When the world is still veiled in fresh morning dew, I set out on a journey. During the expansive walk with my dog, I frequently close my eyes and inhale the surroundings deeply. The subtle aromas that caress my nose, all the thoughts that arise, are carefully documented. My hiking bag is always with me, equipped with a pen, paper, and pruning shears. I collect everything nature offers me, creating a scent mood board that I further develop in my studio upon returning home.
Studio
The first words are put on paper, the beginning of a story that unfolds. Before me stand bottles of essential oils (I have a choice of more than 200 different ones). I smell, concentrate, and continue writing. Possible combinations take shape. A serene tableau unfolds in my studio. It's like a melody that lingers as I consider the next layers of the blend. There is room for considerations, rewriting, reselecting. I keep discovering new compositions until I feel the long-awaited "aha" moment. A process that can take several weeks.
First Blend, First Concept
And then there is a moment when I transform all the notes into a first concept blend. Bottles of essential oils slip through my fingers. Drop by drop falls into an amber-colored bottle. I mix, smell, add a little more, mix again, and smell once more. I create three completely different formulations. Because the client has the choice to smell and choose the direction they want to take. Every drop is noted, eventually leading to a basic recipe.
I let these three concepts sit for at least a week. Curious, I unscrew the caps one by one. I dip a paper test strip into the bottle, close my eyes... I smell, let the scent come deep inside with my breath... I smell again until I have completely immersed myself in the scent with its story. My findings are noted. I go through all three concept bottles this way. Each bottle is carefully sealed; no scent molecule can escape. The right scent test strip on the right bottle, and each concept scent is smelled and experienced over the next half hour. If I notice that something still needs to be changed, I do it... if I hesitate... I let it rest for another week. Each individual oil needs time to blend, to connect with each other. It's like a choreography of a dance, where each dancer still has to discover their place and movements.
The Dance of Ratios
In my studio, the dance of ratios begins. Like a choreographer perfecting the movements of a dance troupe, I experiment with the ratios of each essential oil. The base oils form a solid foundation, while accent oils emerge as elegant pirouettes that add depth and character to the composition.
Each drop is carefully weighed, each addition observed and noted. It is a creative process in which the scents meld into a beautiful symphony. I listen with my nose, feel with my heart, and see with my inner eye how each oil finds its own place in the fragrant composition. Everything takes time, and once I feel it is in balance, the three concepts are presented to the client.
Testing and Refining
During the presentation, I take the client on a fascinating scent journey. Together, we explore. Does the scent match the question, the desire? What is still missing, and where can refinement take place? Words, images, colors, stories, and memories come into play. During this captivating process, I make notes and ensure everything is clear for me, so I can bring depth and completion to the concept scents.
Scent Journey
The depths now reveal themselves as layers in an artwork, as a gradual buildup of a musical piece. I pay attention to every nuance, every tone, and listen to the whispers of my senses. Only when my inner symphony begins to smile, I know that the aromablend is ready for the next testing phase with the client. With the test bottles in hand, I go to the client to embark on a "scent journey" together again. The final round for the finishing touch is now ready, and the blend can be completed in my studio.
Fragrant Creation - Unique Aromablend
Once the scent resonates with the client, when the 'aha' moment occurs, the mission is accomplished. The masterpiece is complete. Every note, every nuance is perfectly tuned to personal preferences and experiences. The scent is not only experienced but also lived as individuality. The collection of oils forms a harmonious composition with a story. The story that unfolded during the creative process and was written by me. It is also a story that the client can complement and share. A name for this unique aromablend spontaneously emerged. Naturally, as an integral part of the creative process.
Scent Experiences
After months of dedicated development, careful maturation, and thorough testing, the aromablend is fully formed and ready to captivate many noses. The first bottle is personally delivered to the client, accompanied by usage advice. Tips for optimal utilization of this blend and making a lasting impression on all your clients are also provided.
Scent experience is possible anywhere. Also in your workplace, in your store, wellness centers, or practice space. Such is a unique scent, a blend of various essential oils. An aromablend tailored to you and your brand. An aromablend that inspires and resonates with your clients. Or a blend that supports a therapeutic practice.
Get inspired by others who have gone before you:
Real Happiness
A scent anchor during a training
Scroll down to the bottom of the webpage.
HypnoseMentor
Three different aromablends specifically designed for use during a hypnotherapy session.
Stories and Objects
Een exclusief verzorgingsproduct.
Eglantine Aromatherapy
A chakra kit with seven aromablends and various mood blends.
HormonYoga
A special yoga blend for women.
Curious about the authentic ways in which scent can contribute to your service or product? Then contact me. I am ready to inspire and guide you in discovering the untapped possibilities for a scent experience in your environment.
