We (well, actually … you!) have selected the final fragrance oils for the 2013 Spring S.O.A.P. (Soap Opinion Awesome Panel)! A diligent 8 person team tested 7 different oils for us and took detailed notes on everything from first impressions out-of-bottle to how it reacted in many products from candles to cold process soap. Thanks to our panelists for their painstaking efforts to make sure that our newest additions are the most well-rounded, long-lasting fragrances we can offer. Many of the testers shared their thoughts via blogs and even video, and I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention a few of our favorite posts.
Roxana of Pink Sudz Soap was particularly excited when her S.O.A.P. box arrived and gave some great first impressions.
Andrea with Soap4Squares brought her testing samples to the local art walk and got the opinions of fellow art walkers. My favorite part is how well she captured reactions as people sniffed away. This was a particularly clever way to gauge reactions. Kudos for being so creative (and brave!), Andrea.
Katie of Royalty Soaps was kind enough to shoot video for her testing thoughts. Not just once, but twice!
Here are the Spring 2013 S.O.A.P. Survey winners!!
Tart Apple (Mystery Fragrance #1)
There’s no doubting that this is a true apple! Wonderfully tart like the Granny Smith variety, it finishes with a slight hint of tropical pineapple. Try blending it with Cinnamon Sugar Fragrance Oil to conjure up a warm apple pie, or round out a floral blend with this as a delightful top note.
What the panelists said:
“Very cheerful and happy!” — Amy of Foam on the Range
“It reminds me of apple tea. Sweet yet cut with a floral subtlety.” — Andrea of Soap4Squares
Shave and a Haircut (Mystery Fragrance #2)
This fragrance oil was a favorite for its distinctly masculine notes. Aromatic spices and a slight musk combine with notes of orange zest that finish clean and crisp. This one reminded our testers of a barber shop, and we agreed!
What the panelists said:
“Smells just like a hot guy fresh out of the shower.” — Janet of Janet’s Candles and Creations
“This was my #1 choice.” — La Shonda of Nyah Beauty
Spring Meadow (Mystery Fragrance #3)
This scent is a delightful and sweet floral with fresh and herbaceous notes. Feminine and light, Spring Meadow has just the right balance of earthy greens for something that’s not overwhelmingly floral.
What the panelists said:
“This initially reminded me of lilacs, gardenias, a hint of rose and freshly cut flower stems.” — Andrea of Soap4Squares
“This is the best behaving floral I have personally ever used!” — Katie of Royalty Soaps
“My husband thought it smelled like an apple orchard or like early morning dew in an English meadow.” — Amy of Foam on the Range
Thanks again to our wonderful testers. Which of the new fragrance oils will be the first you try? Or, is there something our Bramble Berry line is desperately missing that you’d like to see us add? Tell us because we’re always on the hunt to round out our line of fragrance oils.
I am wondering what number #5 was. Everyone was saying things like Jolly Rancher and Pineapple. I LOVE fruity scents. It also seemed to be universally loved in the panel reviews. Will it be making an appearance in your fragrance line up soon?
A reveal of all 7 scents would be fun!
Stacey
Hi Stacey!
We appreciate the feedback! If you love fruity scents, I highly suggest trying out the Tart Apple. It smells just like a Granny Smith and it has notes of tropical pineapple that you might love. =)
-Becky with Bramble Berry
Tart Apple Fragrance Oil: https://www.brambleberry.com/Tart-Apple-Fragrance-Oil-P5645.aspx
So excited to try the new fragrances! Everyone seems to be requesting true apple fragrances from me this summer more than any other scent. Also, I loved Katie’s video! She is fantastic!
Hi Jennifer!
You are just going to LOVE the new fragrances. We’ve had them out in the office for the last few days and I can’t stop smelling them — they are all fantastic. If you want a true apple scent, then Tart Apple will be the one for you. It makes my mouth water and will be perfect in any recipe. =)
-Becky with Bramble Berry
Tart Apple Fragrance Oil: https://www.brambleberry.com/Tart-Apple-Fragrance-Oil-P5645.aspx
I agree with Holly, I need to know more. In fact I would like to see the breakdown and comments on all 7 of the fragrances….please?
Hi Susie!
All of our panelists did such a great job on the Spring S.O.A.P. Team and we were so excited with the fragrances that they picked. If you are interested in reading more about the mystery fragrances, you can actually check out the panelists blogs where they notated what each fragrance smelled like and how each one worked for them. You can find their blogs here:
http://www.soapqueen.com/bramble-berry-news/announcing-the-spring-2013-s-o-a-p-team/
Here are some links to the specific blog posts where you can get some great testing notes from our panel:
Stripped Soap Co.: http://www.strippedsoapco.blogspot.com/2013/05/my-spring-2013-bramble-berry-soap-team.html
Pink Sudz Soaping Diaries: http://pinksudzsoapingdiaries.blogspot.com/2013/05/final-testing-spring-2013-soap-team.html
Soap4Squares: http://soap4squares.wordpress.com/2013/05/02/testing-testing-1-2-3-7/
Be sure to subscribe to the Soap Queen blog for up-to-the-date news about all of our new fragrances. And, if you get a chance, we’d love for you to check out our other two new ones that we just got in:
Red Brazilian Mandarin Essential Oil: https://www.brambleberry.com/Red-Brazilian-Mandarin-P5664.aspx
Cucumber Oak Fragrance Oil: https://www.brambleberry.com/Cucumber-Oak-Fragrance-Oil-P5613.aspx
Happy Soaping!
-Becky with Bramble Berry
Ummm…I heard Katie say that fragrance #6 ended up smelling like COCONUT to her…and she used it in cold process (oven no less!!)- OMGosh!! I, along with loads of other soap makers, have been seeking a coconut scent that sticks in cold process so am SUPER excited. When can we get it, what’s the name…this is wonderful!! Thank you scent testers!
Hi Holly!
I’ll pass onto the team that you would like to see #6 become a Bramble Berry fragrance. In the meantime, you can also check out our other new fragrance and essential oils we’ve recently gotten here:
Red Brazilian Mandarin Essential Oil: https://www.brambleberry.com/Red-Brazilian-Mandarin-P5664.aspx
Cucumber Oak Fragrance Oil: https://www.brambleberry.com/Cucumber-Oak-Fragrance-Oil-P5613.aspx
We hope you get a chance to try out our new S.O.A.P. fragrance, we’d love to hear your feedback. =)
Happy Soaping!
-Becky with Bramble Berry