Velvet Grain Formula

Tying off the trail

Most woody scents build their base from many woods of similar weight. Here almost half the batch is one plush, even wood that is felt on the skin more than it is smelled as a separate note, and every other line is arranged around it as lighting: a bright citrus and lavender opening above, a drier cedar and a shaded root to give it an edge and a shadow, and a little petal and musk to keep it warm. Because the main wood is so gentle, it can be very large without ever becoming heavy.

Working with dilutions

How a rose oil, an orange-blossom note and an intensely green, fruity material are each made into a one-in-ten solution before weighing, so that drops this small can be measured accurately.

Holding up in a product base

How the same balance is meant to work at a hundredth in a shampoo or body wash, where the softer, more stable citrus materials help the fresh opening survive a soapy base.

Amarocit · Citronellol · Ethyl linalool · Iso E Super · Linalyl acetate

24 more materials · proportions only in the card you receive