Teach Soap

I have never used Litsea as an anchor before. I am making a blend for my orange spice soap. for a 6# batch I will be using
55 g Orange 10x
25 g Tangernine
8 g Cinnamon
8 g Clove

Would I need to add some litsea to anchore the orange/tangerine? If so how much?

I would start with just a couple of grams, since too much can overcome a blend.

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Irena
Closed minds are like faulty parachutes; they refuse to open.

The clove will anchor as well but you need the base notes to be about 10- 20 % of your blend (0.84oz). Your blend is currently at .56 oz base notes. So your litsea needs to be at least .28 oz or you can increase the clove to make up for that (*see note below), or add another base note (patchouli, vetiver, balsam anise, benzoin,cedarwood,jasmine,rose or sandalwood) to your blend. You can also add some clay to anchor. No matter what, you can add another 0.9 oz EO's to this blend and still be good with numbers.
*The clove and cinnamon combined could go up to .96 oz (1%) but I do not like going past 0.5% personally, so I would keep them where they are or even a tad less, and add another base EO or some clay.

ETA: To clarify, you may add another .9 oz of EO's, however, you cannot go past 0.96 oz total in cinnamon and clove combined.

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Remember, it's not just that we weather the storm, but how we dance in the rain.

Tammy

That was just the information I was going to look up! I haven't used spice eo's much but my hubby wants a lime/clove blend. Thanks!

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Linda

I learn so much when I can't leave well enough alone!

Lime can be pretty abrasive too, especially some crops. So I tend to use it like I use the other potentially irritating EO's. In other words, I would keep the clove and lime at 0.5 to 1% of the blend and use something else to anchor it and bolster the scent. Ginger is nice in a clove lime blend, as is vetiver or patchouli and these would all anchor the lime too. You may also want to look for a middle note to add to the blend. But I always start off at the low end, the 0.5%, with potentially irritating Eo's.
Have fun blending!

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Remember, it's not just that we weather the storm, but how we dance in the rain.

Tammy

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Linda

I learn so much when I can't leave well enough alone!

yw, Creating scents is my favorite thing to do! You could try some fennel, juniper, lavender or rosemary in there and see how you/he likes that blend. These are all I can think of at the moment that might fit well with the others. Remember, you don't need to add in the same proportions, a lot of times, just a touch of an eo gives it that umph that it needs. Good luck and have a blast!

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Remember, it's not just that we weather the storm, but how we dance in the rain.

Tammy

Do you think basil might work? I use it in another blend and noticed a licorice note in it. Sounds kinda odd but lime and basil play nicely together. Thanks again!

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Linda

I learn so much when I can't leave well enough alone!

If you want a licorice note, add fennel., basil is a top note and you already have your top note.

ETA: sorry, didn't mean to sound bossy. I am tired! Forgive and add, "I suggest you add..."

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Remember, it's not just that we weather the storm, but how we dance in the rain.

Tammy

Thanks, Tammy! I understood. Dumb of me as I only use it for an accent I never paid attention that basil gives a top not middle note. How awful that I'll just have to go play some more!

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Linda

I learn so much when I can't leave well enough alone!

I don't use basil in my soaps as it reminds me of pizza.

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Irena
Closed minds are like faulty parachutes; they refuse to open.

In this blend, it smells nothing like pizza! 3g in 120 oz (oil weight) just adds a hint. I'm starting to want pizza though and it's not even noon.

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Linda

I learn so much when I can't leave well enough alone!

Now you both did it, you made me hungry! You know.....any reason to blend and play more, so glad I could help

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Remember, it's not just that we weather the storm, but how we dance in the rain.

Tammy

Sounds like my son. His answer is always "my nose is stuffy."

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Linda
I know the voices in my head aren't real, but they sure have some great ideas!