Is This Scent Worth It? How I Decide If a Fragrance Makes the Cut
If you’ve ever wondered how I decide which fragrances earn a spot on my shelves, and which ones get quietly escorted out the back door, welcome to the chaos. Testing scents is one of my favorite parts of candle making, but it’s also the thing that turns my workspace into something between a perfumer’s lab and a crime scene of wax melts.
People assume I just smell a fragrance once and know instantly whether it’s a winner. I wish. The truth is picking a scent isn’t just about liking how it smells in the bottle. It’s a whole journey involving science, performance, storytelling, and sometimes a little back-and-forth debate with myself.
Here’s how I decide if a fragrance is actually worth it.
The OOB Test: First Impressions Matter (Don’t Tell the Hot Throw I Said That)
This is the classic: open the bottle, take a sniff, judge with an open mind. The OOB (out-of-bottle) aroma doesn’t tell you everything, but it does tell you:
- Is the profile intriguing?
- Is there anything off-putting right out of the gate?
- Does it match the vibe or season I’m testing for?
- Does it make me want to pour a tester immediately?
Sometimes a scent passes the OOB test with flying colors and then flops later. Sometimes it smells chaotic in the bottle but blossoms in wax. It’s important to remember that when you’re smelling out-of-bottle you’re getting a super concentrated, in-your-face aroma—this is often the reason makers feel a scent might smell too “chemically.” They’re smelling the scent in its most concentrated form. Blotter strips are a good way to balance the OOB aroma with the final result once the fragrance is in wax, soap, or another base.
Does it tell a story I want to hear?
This is the part I can’t teach—what I call the story spark. A scent needs to evoke something:
- A memory
- A place
- A season
- A vibe
If it doesn’t transport me somewhere, it’s probably not going to connect with anyone else either.
The Candle-Enjoyer Test: Would I Actually Burn This?
My final, personal rule: If I wouldn’t burn it in my own home, it’s not going in my line.
That doesn’t mean everything needs to match my taste, but it does need to meet my standards. If I can’t picture myself enjoying it—even hypothetically—then it won’t resonate with customers either.
So… Is the Scent Worth It?
The reality is, we aren’t going to love every single scent we sample. Oh, if that were so! (Though, it would make choosing even more difficult!) Some are an instant no. Some almost make it. And a tiny handful rise to the top and become instant favorites.
So, when you’re in the market for new fragrances, become a thorough review-reader and don’t be shy to reach out to other makers for their thoughts and experiences. Testing scents is equal parts science and gut instinct, but that’s exactly what makes it fun.
Be sure to tag us in your finished creations on Instagram using #makesymade for a chance to get featured on our wall of inspo! Happy making!
