Fragrance Oils: S thru Z

We don't particularly care for the aroma of sage on its own (it's a bit reminiscent of poultry stuffing), but in this blend, it's delightful. Russian sage blends with Canadian fir needle at the top of this fragrance, leading midnotes of Canadian cedarleaf and bottom notes of Texas cedarwood, oakmoss, fir balsam, and alpine hay. BOTTOM LINE: A terrific, down-to-earth, unisex scent with a touch of the Southwest. Flashpoint: 160º F.

A perfectly balanced unisex blend. It mellows gorgeously in soap -- think Sam Elliott in a faded denim shirt. (Younger customers, replace Sam Elliott with Owen Wilson; international customers, please substitute Jude Law, Russell Crowe, and Deepak Chopra.) NOTE: This is *not* a non-discoloring vanilla -- your cold-process soap *will* turn brown. Flashpoint: >200º F.

Captivating top notes of damask rose and geranium lead to a heart of sweet orange honey. But this fragrance is all about the bottom notes -- a warm, sweet, smoky, comforting accord of vanilla, patchouli, and honeyed pipe tobacco. BOTTOM LINE: A comforting, smooth honey-tobacco blend that's a natural for Christmas, or blend it with patchouli and/or lavender essential oils for year-round use. Flashpoint: 180º F.

This fragrance came about when two women in marketing at a fragrance oil company were lunching with the senior perfumer, also a woman. The marketers challenged the perfumer to come up with a scent that captured the essence of a sexy man. I'm happy to report that the perfumer rose to the challenge, and luckily for us all, her ideal man is understated, soft-spoken, and a bit of an outdoorsman if her choice of perfumery notes -- citrus, hay, musk, green, fresh air, musk, oakmoss, and patchouli -- is any indication. (More specifically, the perfumer told me she closed her eyes and thought of George Clooney the whole time she was dreaming up this formula . . .) Important note for CP soapers: In our tests of this fragrance in cold-process soap, the finished soap at cure time was a gorgeous deep plum-purple color. Your mileage may vary, but definitely expect a color change anywhere from pale tan to deep purple. Flashpoint: 183F.

An irresistibly cool and clean blend. Top notes of Siberian fir needle meld with tart Granny Smith apple, lemon zest, and pineapple. A floral middle of lily of the valley and frosted jasmine petals leads down a big snowy slope to bottom notes of glacial woods and rich patchouli. BOTTOM LINE: Sure to be a best-seller for you during the holidays, but consider working with it year-round, as it truly is one of the most interesting and likable fragrances we've come across in a long time. Flashpoint: 195F.

Quite simply the richest, most buttery vanilla in the entire universe, and always a top seller here at Sweet Cakes. Like virtually all vanilla fragrances, this one turns cold-process soap dark brown as it cures (for nondiscoloring vanillas, please see our White Vanilla and Vanilla, Fruity fragrances) and may darken melt-and-pour soap and lotion as well. Flashpoint: >200°F.

Very realistic -- not overly sweet or synthetic smelling. Great on its own, or combine it with Juicy Lime, Gin Martini, or Kiwi fragrance (just to name a few). Flashpoint: 152º F.

An amazing duplication of Bath & Body Works' popular blend, with a healthy helping of natural essential oils. Top notes of peppermint and spearmint are believed to reduce fatigue and increase mental alertness. Essential oils of lavender, clary sage,and juniperberry are considered to be calming and uplifting to the spirit. Additional accent notes include laurel leaf, coriander, mandarin, and menthol. A warm and woody drydown is created from amber, sandalwood, jasmine, clove, pine needle, and opoponax resin. BOTTOM LINE: A perennial best-seller here at Sweet Cakes. Flashpoint: >200º F.

Wonderfully realistic and peachy, which means tart, sweet, and juicy -- with none of that icky chemical smell found in most synthetic peach oils. If you're looking for our "truest," most realistic peach scent, this is it. Flashpoint: 160 F.

Perfect for spring! This sweet, simple floral begins with green, water-caressed top notes of lily of the valley, summer melon, and apple. A fruity-floral middle of jasmine and rose blended with orange and lemon oils leads to a drydown of white musk and vetiver. BOTTOM LINE: This is one of Bath & Body Works' best-selling fragrances -- irresistibly simple, old-fashioned, and sweet. Flashpoint: >200º F.

A most unusual rain fragrance, one that sparkles with dancing, upscale florals. Sparkling top notes of fresh citrus, peach, and plum are balanced by a sweet floral bouquet of jasmine, rose, heliotrope, violet, and iris. Warm vanilla notes and precious woods round out the fragrance. NOTE: Smells very much like Crabtree & Evelyn's "MayFlowers" fragrance. Flashpoint: >200º F.

A complex, fresh, grassy fragrance with a bit of a sweet note. In Europe, the dried herb was often used to sweeten stored clothes and linens, and a combination of sweetgrass and sage is used in American Indian purification rituals. One Southwestern soapmaker who purchases it assures me it smells just like the sweetgrass braid she purchased at a pow-wow and has hanging in her home. There's something irresistible about this scent . . . Flashpoint: >200º F.