Ever wanted to smell great and feel fantastic without exposing yourself to the synthetic chemicals found in commercial perfumes? Crafting your perfume using essential oils and alcohol is a great way to embrace the power of botanical fragrances. In this guide, we will show you how to easily concoct your unique and natural scent!
Table of Contents
The Benefits of Making Your Own Perfume with Essential Oils
- Natural ingredients: By using essential oils, you avoid synthetic chemicals found in commercial fragrances. Essential oils are derived from plants, providing a pure and natural scent.
- Customizable: Create your bespoke perfume by combining your favorite essential oils to match your preferences, mood, or occasion.
- Aromatherapy benefits: Essential oils contain therapeutic properties that can positively impact your mental and emotional wellbeing, making your perfume more than just a scent.
- Eco-friendly: Avoid contributing to the wastefulness of the mainstream perfume industry by making your own in small batches and reusing containers.
Materials and Tools
To make your essential oil-based perfume, you will need the following materials and tools:
- Essential oils of your choice
- Carrier oil (such as jojoba oil, sweet almond oil, or grapeseed oil)
- Alcohol (preferably high proof, like vodka or Everclear)
- Dark glass bottle with a tight cap (preferably a dropper or spray bottle)
- Pipettes or droppers
- Measuring cup
- Funnel
- Labels and/or pens
Steps to Create Your Essential Oil Perfume
Step 1: Choose Your Essential Oils
Identify which essential oils you’d like to include in your signature scent, considering your desired aroma and any therapeutic effects. Choose oils based on their scent notes and compatibility with each other.
Perfume Notes
- Top notes: The initial impression of a fragrance, usually light and evaporating quickly. Examples: lemon, bergamot, and lavender.
- Middle notes: The main body of the perfume, emerging after the top notes fade. Examples: geranium, rose, and jasmine.
- Base notes: The longest-lasting scent that emerges after the middle notes fade, providing depth and foundation. Examples: sandalwood, cedarwood, and patchouli.
Step 2: Blend Your Essential Oils
Combine your chosen essential oils in the following proportions:
- Top notes: 25 – 30% of the total blend
- Middle notes: 30 – 40% of the total blend
- Base notes: 25 – 30% of the total blend
Mix the oils in a separate container, starting with the base notes, followed by the middle notes, and finally the top notes. Allow the blend to sit for at least 12 hours to allow the scents to meld together.
Step 3: Add the Carrier Oil and Alcohol
Fill your dark glass bottle 10 – 20% full with the carrier oil, then add your essential oil blend. Fill the remaining space with the high-proof alcohol, leaving a small gap at the top.
Step 4: Age the Blend
Store your perfume in a cool, dark place for at least two weeks to let it mature. The longer it ages, the smoother and more intricately blended the fragrance becomes.
Step 5: Enjoy and Store Properly
After aging, give your perfume a good shake before using it to ensure the oils are well blended with the alcohol. Apply as desired, but remember that essential oil perfumes are often more concentrated than commercial scents and should be used sparingly. Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to preserve its potency.
How To Make Perfume With Essential Oils And Alcohol Example:
Anne, a lover of floral scents, decides to make her own essential oil perfume. She chooses lavender as her top note, rose, and ylang-ylang as her middle notes, and vanilla and sandalwood as her base notes. Following the steps above, Anne combines her chosen oils, adds the carrier oil and alcohol, then allows her perfume to age. After two weeks, she starts using her new, alluring floral fragrance and enjoys the aromatherapeutic benefits it brings to her daily life!
Now you know how easy it is to create your personalized and natural perfume using essential oils and alcohol. Share this guide with your friends and family, so they too can enjoy the power and beauty of botanical scents. If you’re keen to learn more about essential oils and aromacology, don’t forget to explore other guides on Oshu Oils and discover our range of artisan essential earth oils to enhance your wellbeing.
