Notes that tend to work well

 

Amber

Beeswax

Black Amber

Black Musk

Black Orchid

Black Patchouli

Cardamom

Carnation

Cognac

Clove

Earth

Ebony

Ginger

Honey

Indonesian Patchouli

Incense

Lavender

Lilac

Mahogany

Moss

Myrrh

Nutmeg

Orchid

Red Musk

Sandalwood

Skin Musk

Smoke

Spice

Teak

Tobacco

Tonka

Vanilla

 

Notes that depend on other notes in the blend

 

Ambergris

Ambrette

Apple Blossom

Benzoin

Bergamot

Black Narcissus

Blue Musk

Cassia

Cedar

Cider

Cinnamon

Cocoa

Fig

Galbanum

Gardenia

Honeysuckle

Iris

Lily

Neroli

Night-blooming Jasmine

Oak

Oakmoss

Opium

Opoponax

Orange Blossom

Nag Champa

Pine

Poppy

Red Ginger

Red Patchouli

Rose Otto

Rosewood

Sandalwood

Star Jasmine

Vetiver

White Musk

Whiskey

Wisteria

 

Notes that tend not to work (But have in one or two blends)

 

Almond

Anise

Apple

Aquatics

Bay

Caramel

Civet

Champaca

Cherry

Coffee

Copal

Cream

Eucalyptus

Frankincense

Gardenia

Grapefruit

Jasmine

Lemon

Lemongrass

Lime

Lotus

Mandarin

Milk

Mint

Orange

Ozone

Paperwhites

Plumeria

Pomegranate

Pumpkin

Red Sandalwood

Red Rose

Rose Attar

Rosemary

Sweet Pea

Sugar

Tea Rose

Thyme

Verbena

Violet

White Rose

Wine

Wisteria

Ylang Ylang

 

I tend to gravitate towards the sweet musk and resins, and shy away from florals and anything overly foody. My skin will make most wine scents go "juicy" and I can turn almost ANY fruit blend to generic children's vitamins in a hot minute.