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The Most Common Mistakes When Creating a Fragrance (and How to Avoid Them) Creating your own perfume can be an exciting, creative, and very personal experience. But like any artisanal process, it has its tricks… and also its common mistakes. If you're just starting out with home perfumery, this article will help you avoid the most common pitfalls and improve your blends from the very first try. Mistake 1: Using Too Many Ingredients One of the most common mistakes among beginners is trying to blend too many essences at once. The more scents you use, the harder it will be to identify what works and what doesn't. How to Avoid It: Start with simple formulas: a top note, a middle note, and a base note. Three well-combined ingredients can be much more pleasing than seven poorly balanced ones. Mistake 2: Not Respecting the Olfactory Pyramid In perfumery, fragrances are built in layers: the top note (the first impression), the heart note (the soul of the perfume), and the base note (the longest-lasting part). Blending without considering these proportions can result in unbalanced perfumes. How to avoid it: Follow a guideline ratio such as 30% top notes, 50% middle notes, and 20% base notes. You can adjust them later, but start with a clear base. Mistake 3: Testing the perfume immediately after mixing Many people get frustrated because their blend doesn't smell as they expected... right after making it! But perfumes need time to rest for the aromas to blend and evolve. How to avoid it: Let your blend macerate for 24 to 72 hours (or even longer). During this time, the alcohol and oils balance, and the final scent will be more rounded and defined. Mistake 4: Using low-quality ingredients Not all essential oils or synthetic fragrances are created equal. Some are diluted, contain added alcohols, or lose their aroma quickly. How to avoid it: Buy quality ingredients from trusted brands, and make sure the essential oils are 100% pure. Cheap is often expensive in perfumeries. Mistake 5: Not Writing Down the Formulas You might make an incredible blend one day... but if you don't write down the quantities and ingredients, it will be almost impossible to reproduce it again. How to Avoid It: Keep a notebook or digital pad where you write down each blend: name of ingredients, number of drops, sensations it generates, date of creation. It's a simple habit that will save you a lot of trouble. Mistake 6: Not Testing on Paper or Skin Some people make the blend, smell it directly from the bottle, and decide whether they like it or not. But the scent changes depending on the medium, and on the skin it behaves differently than in the air. How to Avoid It: Test on scent strips (absorbent paper) and on your wrist. Wait a few minutes, smell again, and evaluate how the scent evolves. Mistake 7: Using Alcohol or Unsuitable Materials If you use pharmacy alcohol with added perfume or plastic bottles, the result may not be what you expect. Some materials can alter or contaminate your fragrance. How to avoid it: Use pure ethyl alcohol (95°), distilled water if necessary, and glass bottles, preferably dark. This will protect the quality of the perfume and its longevity. Mistake 8: Lack of patience Perfumery requires time, trial, and error. The first blend won't always be perfect, and that's okay. How to avoid it: Enjoy the process. Test, adjust, compare, and start again. perfume trend is an opportunity to learn and improve your skills. Conclusion Making mistakes when creating your homemade perfume is completely normal, especially at the beginning. The important thing is to know the most common pitfalls and how to avoid them to save time, ingredients, and frustration. Ready to continue creating unique fragrances? Remember: less is more, write everything down, be patient, and trust your sense of smell. Practice makes perfect.