Smell a single essential oil on its own and it can feel a little flat or one-note. Blend three or four together and something different happens: the scent becomes rounder, lasts longer and changes gently as it sits on your skin. Here is how blends work, how the five Mirosuna blends are built and how to make a simple blend at home.
Quick answer: an essential oil blend combines several oils, usually a bright top note, a fuller heart note and a deeper base note, in a carrier oil. Blends work better than single oils because the notes balance each other and the scent lasts longer as it unfolds. A common starting ratio is three parts top, two parts heart and one part base.
What an essential oil blend is
Perfumers describe scent in three layers:
- Top notes are what you smell first. They are light and bright, like citrus and mint, and fade within minutes to an hour.
- Heart notes appear as the top notes settle. Florals, herbs and spices usually sit here.
- Base notes are the deepest layer. Woods and resins such as cedarwood, patchouli and frankincense linger longest and anchor the blend.
All of these are diluted in a carrier oil, which makes the blend comfortable to wear. Mirosuna uses camellia oil.
Why blends work better than single oils
- Balance. A sharp oil is softened by a sweet one, a heavy oil lifted by a bright one.
- Longevity. Base notes hold the lighter oils on your skin for longer.
- A more rounded scent. The scent shifts gently from first breath to the end of the day, which keeps it interesting.
The five Mirosuna blends, note by note
| Blend | Top | Heart | Base | Feels like |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Patience (citrus) | Lime, lemon | Mandarin | Camellia carrier | Bright, fresh, uplifting |
| Intention (floral) | Lavender | Geranium, rose, jasmine, palmarosa | Ylang ylang | Soft, romantic, calm |
| Generosity (warm spice) | Bergamot, pink grapefruit | Palmarosa, ginger, cinnamon bark | Cedarwood, clove | Warm, cosy, open |
| Impermanence (Australian bush) | Lemon myrtle, eucalyptus | Cypress, juniper | Frankincense, Australian sandalwood | Clean, earthy, grounded |
| True Self (minty) | Peppermint, orange, bergamot | Black pepper, rose petals | Patchouli | Clear, focused, grounding |
Want to know more about the ingredients? Read about lemon myrtle, bergamot, patchouli, frankincense and the floral oils.
How to choose a blend
| If you want to feel | Time of day | Try |
|---|---|---|
| Awake and bright | Morning | Patience |
| Clear and focused | Workday | True Self |
| Warm and open | Afternoon, before seeing people | Generosity |
| Grounded and steady | Before meditation or a walk | Impermanence |
| Soft and calm | Evening | Intention |
Not sure? The Full Set of 5 Mirosuna Oils lets you try all five and find the one you reach for most.
All five blends for $190 with free shipping, or $38 each. Ships Australia-wide. Thank you for supporting a small Melbourne studio.
Making your own blends at home
- Start with a carrier. 10 ml of a light oil such as camellia, jojoba or fractionated coconut in a clean roller bottle.
- Keep the dilution low. For adults, around 4 to 6 drops of essential oil in total per 10 ml is a gentle 2 to 3 per cent.
- Build in layers. Try 3 drops top, 2 drops heart and 1 drop base.
- Let it rest. Leave the blend for a day or two before deciding, as the scent settles.
- Label it. Write the oils and the date on the bottle.
A few cautions: never apply undiluted oils to your skin, take care with citrus oils such as bergamot before sun exposure, and please check with your doctor or midwife before using oils in pregnancy. See the roll-on guide for where to apply your blend.
Every Mirosuna oil is for external use only. Please patch test on a small area of skin first, keep it away from your eyes and face, and stop using it if irritation occurs. Take extra care with aromatherapy in pregnancy and around children, and if you have any health concerns, please check with a registered health practitioner before use.
Frequently asked questions
What essential oils blend well together?
Oils from neighbouring families tend to blend easily: citrus with florals, florals with woods, woods with spice and mint with citrus. Lavender and bergamot go with almost anything.
What is a good ratio for an essential oil blend?
Three parts top note, two parts heart note and one part base note is a reliable start. Adjust from there to taste.
Are pre-made blends better than single oils?
For most people, yes. A well-made blend is already balanced and diluted to a safe level, so it is ready to wear straight away.
Thank you for reading. If you would like help choosing a blend, please email hello@mirosuna.com.