Essential oils are nature’s most concentrated gifts. Each drop carries the pure fragrance, energy, and healing properties of the plant it comes from. But did you know there are different types of essential oils, each with unique characteristics and that you can combine them to create custom blends for mood, energy, or relaxation?
In this guide, we’ll explore the main types of essential oils and show you how to blend them safely and beautifully for your home, diffuser, or car.
Understanding the Types of Essential Oils
Essential oils are grouped based on the part of the plant they’re extracted from and the effect they have on the body or mind. Here are the most common categories and what makes each special:
1. Citrus Essential Oils
Citrus oils are uplifting, bright, and refreshing. They come from the skin or peel of fruits like lemon, orange, bergamot, and grapefruit.
Common examples: Lemon, Sweet Orange, Lime, Bergamot, Tangerine
Benefits: Energizing, mood-boosting, and great for reducing mental fatigue.
Best paired with: Woods, florals, or herbs for balanced freshness.
Try our Citrus Burst Car Aroma to experience a lively blend of lemon, grapefruit, and orange that keeps your car cheerful and clean.
2. Floral Essential Oils
Floral oils are delicate, comforting, and often used for emotional balance. They are extracted from petals and blossoms, creating fragrances that range from sweet to exotic.
Common examples: Rose, Geranium, Jasmine, Lavender, Ylang Ylang
Benefits: Relaxing, mood-stabilizing, and romantic.
Best paired with: Citrus or woody oils to add depth and harmony.
3. Woody Essential Oils
These oils have deep, grounding aromas that come from trees and roots. They evoke calmness and strength, making them ideal for relaxation or meditation.
Common examples: Cedarwood, Sandalwood, Patchouli, Frankincense
Benefits: Grounding, stabilizing, and emotionally centering.
Best paired with: Citrus or spice oils for a rich, balanced scent.
4. Herbal Essential Oils
Herbal oils carry a fresh, green aroma that feels clean and comforting. They are known for their purifying properties and their ability to support focus.
Common examples: Rosemary, Basil, Marjoram, Peppermint
Benefits: Stimulating and clarifying; helps mental alertness.
Best paired with: Citrus or wood oils to balance sharpness.
5. Spice Essential Oils
These are warm, energizing oils made from seeds, roots, or bark. They bring heat and depth to blends.
Common examples: Clove, Cinnamon, Ginger, Black Pepper
Benefits: Stimulating and warming; good for tiredness or cold weather.
Best paired with: Sweet or citrus oils for a cozy scent.
6. Resin Essential Oils
Resin oils come from tree resins and have earthy, incense-like aromas. They are often used for grounding, reflection, and deep calm.
Common examples: Frankincense, Myrrh, Benzoin
Benefits: Calming, restorative, and spiritually uplifting.
Best paired with: Woods, herbs, or florals for balance.
7. Minty Essential Oils
Mint oils feel cool and refreshing. They awaken the senses and help relieve mental tension.
Common examples: Peppermint, Spearmint
Benefits: Refreshing, clearing, and invigorating.
Best paired with: Citrus or woods to soften sharpness.
How to Blend Essential Oils
Now that you know the main types of essential oils, let’s learn how to blend them like a pro. Blending is both an art and a science, it’s about balancing scent families so that your aroma feels complete and harmonious.
1. Understand the Notes: Top, Middle, and Base
Every essential oil belongs to one of three aromatic “notes.” Together, they create a complete scent profile:
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Top notes – Light and uplifting (e.g., citrus, mint). They’re what you smell first but fade quickly.
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Middle notes – Heart of the blend (e.g., lavender, geranium, rosemary). They balance the composition.
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Base notes – Deep and long-lasting (e.g., sandalwood, patchouli, frankincense). They give stability and hold.
A good blend usually contains:
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30% top notes
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50% middle notes
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20% base notes
This ensures your scent opens beautifully, lingers gently, and finishes smoothly.
2. Choose a Blend Intention
Before blending, ask yourself: What’s my goal? Do you want energy, calm, focus, or romance?
Here are a few sample blending intentions:
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Relaxation: Lavender + Geranium + Sandalwood
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Focus: Lemon + Rosemary + Cedarwood
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Romance: Ylang Ylang + Orange + Patchouli
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Energy: Peppermint + Grapefruit + Frankincense
Each blend combines oils from different categories—floral, citrus, woody, and herbal—to create harmony and depth.
3. Test Ratios Slowly
Start with small amounts, about 10 drops total to test your combination. You can adjust drop by drop until the scent feels right.
Example formula:
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4 drops Top Note
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4 drops Middle Note
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2 drops Base Note
Once satisfied, you can multiply the ratio for a larger bottle. Always mix in a clean glass container.
4. Dilute Before Use
Essential oils are highly concentrated. Always dilute them before applying on skin or using in diffusers.
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For diffuser use: Add 5–8 drops per 100 ml of water.
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For body oil blends: Mix 3–5 drops per teaspoon of carrier oil (like coconut or jojoba).
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For car diffusers: Use 2–3 drops in a hanging bottle or felt pad.
Explore our Car Aroma Collection for pre-blended options made at safe dilution ratios using premium essential oils.
5. Store Blends Properly
Light and heat can damage essential oils. Store your blends in dark glass bottles, away from direct sunlight, and label them with ingredients and dates.
Properly stored blends can last up to one year, depending on the oils used.
How to Create Your Own Signature Blend
Creating your personal blend is fun and creative. Here’s a quick three-step approach you can follow:
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Pick one oil from each category:
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Citrus for brightness
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Floral or Herbal for the heart
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Woody or Resin for depth
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Add them using the 3-2-1 rule:
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3 drops Top Note + 2 drops Middle Note + 1 drop Base Note
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Smell, test, and adjust.
You’ll soon notice how each oil interacts differently with others—and that’s the beauty of blending.
Why Blending Essential Oils Matters
Blending is more than just creating a pleasant smell—it’s about synergy. When you combine oils thoughtfully, their properties complement each other, making the result more powerful than any single oil alone.
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Lavender + Orange = relaxation and joy
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Peppermint + Lemon = focus and freshness
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Frankincense + Geranium = balance and calm
A well-made blend doesn’t just perfume a space—it transforms how it feels.
The BlendToGlow Way
At BlendToGlow, every product is designed with this philosophy in mind. We combine essential oils in precise ratios to create harmony between scent, safety, and mood. Whether you need focus, peace, or inspiration, our blends help you experience the art of aromatherapy effortlessly.
Discover our Diffuser Oil Blends Collection to explore ready-to-use blends made for every mood and season.
Final Thoughts
Essential oils are powerful on their own—but when you learn how to blend them, they become a personal expression of mood, energy, and care.
From citrus that uplifts to florals that calm, each category brings something unique. Understanding the types of essential oils and how to blend them helps you enjoy the full beauty of aromatherapy, safely and creatively.
So, start small. Mix, match, and find your perfect balance. Soon, every scent you create will tell your own story—one drop at a time.
