The last essential oils to add into a blend are Head or Top notes. Previous blogs described Base and Heart notes for a blend. A one- ounce blend in a carrier oil requires 9 drops of Head essential oils to complete a blend.

Top notes are very volatile and quickly grab your attention, the first aromas you smell when opening a blend. Top notes dissipate quickly into the air within 15 minutes, as the Heart essential oils begin a transformative aromatic experience. Without Top essential oils, blends would be boring and dull.

The most familiar top notes are citrus: lemon, lime, bergamot, tangerine, sweet orange, petitgrain and pink grapefruit. Lime and Bergamot blend well with all essential oils. Bergamot is used in most perfumes and commercial blends. Use Bergapten free Bergamot to avoid the possibility of sun sensitivity to the skin. Lime especially blends well with florals. The solvent extract of lime blossoms yields Linden Blossom absolute, a beautiful heart note that blends with most aromas.

Many spices are excellent head aromas to define a blend: Black pepper, Coriander, Cardamom, Nutmeg, Ginger root and Spearmint herbal top note.

Floral Top notes include Lavender essential oil and Rosewood. Lavender absolute, extracted from a solvent is a heart note. Do not use lavandin; it is chemically produced as a synthetic. Trees include Cabreuva, Fir needle, Juniper berry, and Cedars. Cedarwoods should be dosed lightly, a few drops combined with other top notes. Texas Cedarwood, which is in the Juniper family and Himalayan Cedarwood are sweeter and milder than Virginia or Atlas Cedarwood.

Top or Head notes are inexpensive and available. Most are familiar scents and pleasing to the psyche.

Keep Citrus and Lavender essential oils refrigerated after opening to maintain freshness. Store all essential oils and absolutes in a cool, not cold place. Alos store your aromablends in cool and dark places. Allow up to 3-4 weeks to blend and transform into their greatest aroma potential.