Anisha Riggs
Making your own perfume at home is a fun, easy, and rewarding experience. It can be cheaper than buying perfume, allows you to customize the scent to your liking, and ensures that there are no harmful chemicals in the mix. One of the key ingredients in DIY perfumes is witch hazel, which acts as a substitute for rubbing alcohol or vodka and helps to emulsify the oils. Essential oils are another important component, as they are natural, super-concentrated, and have potent fragrances. With these two ingredients, you can create a simple, non-toxic, and affordable perfume right in the comfort of your own home.
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What You'll Learn
Using essential oils
Making perfume with essential oils and witch hazel is a fun and easy way to create your own unique scent. Essential oils are natural liquid plant extracts with potent fragrances, and witch hazel acts as a good substitute for rubbing alcohol or vodka in perfume recipes.
When making a perfume spray, you can use a combination of essential oils of your choice. Popular options include lavender, bergamot, geranium, lemon, frankincense, cardamom, sandalwood, and many others. Add about 15-20 drops of your chosen essential oil to a bottle. If you are using a roller bottle, top it off with fractionated coconut oil. If you are using a spray bottle, fill it about 3/4 full with witch hazel. Shake the bottle gently a couple of times before applying to ensure the ingredients are mixed.
If you are making an essential oil body spray, you can double or triple the recipe and use a larger spray bottle. You can also add vitamin E to your perfume if desired. It is recommended to use your perfume within 6 months, especially if it contains citrus oils, as these have shorter shelf lives.
For a 2% dilution, use 4 drops of essential oil per 10ml of perfume or body spray. You can use a glass dropper with markings to measure each ingredient precisely. Always shake your perfume well before each use, as the witch hazel will not completely mix the essential oils, and they are bound to separate after a while.
You can also create an essential oil aroma spray by mixing 2 tablespoons of witch hazel and 2 tablespoons of distilled water in a glass pourable container. Add essential oils according to your chosen recipe and mix until the oils are well incorporated. Pour the mixture into a spray bottle and print labels if desired.
It is important to note that essential oils can stain fabrics, so always test the perfume on an inconspicuous area before spritzing it onto your clothes. Additionally, if you have sensitive skin, it is recommended to spritz the perfume onto your clothes instead of directly onto your skin.
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Adding a base
When making perfume with witch hazel, the witch hazel itself acts as the base. It is a good substitute for rubbing alcohol or vodka, which are typically used in homemade perfumes. Witch hazel is also a natural emulsifier, helping to mix essential oils and other ingredients together.
If you are making a rollerball perfume, you can use fractionated coconut oil as a base instead of witch hazel. However, if you are making a spray perfume, you will need to use witch hazel, as coconut oil is too thick for a spray applicator.
When using witch hazel as your base, it is important to ensure that the product contains a preservative. Witch hazel is mostly water, so it needs a preservative to prevent the growth of mould and bacteria in your perfume. You can also add vitamin E as a preservative.
If you are using an emulsifier in your perfume formula, you can skip the coconut oil and replace it with an equal amount of witch hazel. However, this may cause your perfume to turn cloudy.
For a 2 oz (60 ml) spray bottle, fill the bottle about 3/4 full with witch hazel, leaving room for your essential oils and other ingredients. For an 8 oz (240 ml) spray bottle, use 2 parts witch hazel and 1 part distilled water.
Now that you've added your base, you're ready to move on to the fun part: choosing and adding your essential oils!
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Using a roller bottle
Making perfume with witch hazel is a great way to create a fragrance that is affordable, non-toxic, and easy to make. It is also a good substitute for rubbing alcohol or vodka, which are commonly used in DIY perfumes. When using witch hazel, it is important to note that it will not completely mix with essential oils, so you will need to shake your perfume well before each use.
If you are using a roller bottle for your perfume, the process is simple. First, gather your supplies, including a roller bottle, essential oils of your choice, fractionated coconut oil, and optionally, vitamin E. The roller bottle is preferred by many as the scent is more concentrated when rolled on.
Once you have your supplies, you can start by adding your essential oils to the bottle. You can choose a variety of oils and create a unique scent that you like. The number of drops will depend on the desired concentration of your perfume. A good rule of thumb is to use 4 drops of essential oils per 10ml of perfume for a 2% dilution.
After adding your essential oils, it's time to fill the bottle with fractionated coconut oil. You can use a tiny funnel and a pipette to carefully add the coconut oil to the bottle. Fill the bottle about three-quarters full, leaving some space at the top.
At this point, you can also add vitamin E to your perfume if you wish. Vitamin E can act as a preservative and extend the shelf life of your perfume.
Finally, pop in the rollerball and secure the lid. Shake the bottle gently a couple of times to combine the ingredients. Your perfume is now ready to use! You can apply it to your wrists, neck, and pulse points as desired.
Remember to store your perfume in a dark place or use an amber bottle to protect the fragile essential oils. It is also recommended to use your perfume within 6 months, especially if it contains citrus oils, as they have shorter shelf lives.
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Using a spray bottle
Perfume making is complex, but you can make your own perfume at home. It is fun, easy, and cheaper than buying perfume. You can also customise the scents to your liking and avoid any toxic chemicals.
To make perfume with a spray bottle, you will need a spray bottle, essential oils, and witch hazel. You can also add fractionated coconut oil, vitamin E, and distilled water if desired.
Firstly, add essential oils to your spray bottle. You can use a variety of essential oils to create your desired scent. Popular choices include bergamot, lavender, geranium, and lemon or frankincense, cardamom, and royal Hawaiian sandalwood.
Next, top the bottle with witch hazel. Fill the bottle about 3/4 full, leaving some space at the top. You can also use vodka or high-proof alcohol instead of witch hazel. If you want to use distilled water, add it at this stage.
If desired, you can also add a few drops of fractionated coconut oil and vitamin E.
Finally, shake the bottle gently a couple of times before applying. It is important to shake the bottle well before each use, as the witch hazel may separate from the essential oils over time.
You can also colour your perfume by infusing it with flowers or adding mica powder. However, mica powder is only recommended for roll-on perfumes, as it can clog small perfume atomizers.
It is recommended to do a patch test before using your perfume to ensure it does not cause any irritation.
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Making it last longer
Making perfume with witch hazel is a great option for those who want to avoid using rubbing alcohol or vodka as a base. However, one downside to using witch hazel is that the perfume will need to be shaken very well before each use, as witch hazel does not completely mix with essential oils and will separate after a while.
To make your perfume with witch hazel last longer, there are several things you can do:
Vegetable Glycerin
Vegetable glycerin is an ingredient that helps to keep the perfume together and makes it stick to your skin or clothing, increasing its longevity. It also has moisturizing properties, so it will leave your skin feeling soft and smooth.
Apply to Pulse Points
Applying perfume to your pulse points, such as your wrists, inside the elbow, and behind the ears, will help to prolong the fragrance. This is because these areas of the body emit heat, which helps to activate and diffuse the perfume, allowing the scent to develop and linger.
Moisturize Skin First
Applying moisturizer to your skin before spraying perfume can help to make the fragrance last longer. Hydrated skin holds scent better, allowing the perfume to adhere to the skin and slowly release the fragrance over time.
Store in a Dark Place
To prolong the life of your perfume, it is important to store it correctly. Keep the bottle in a dark place, such as a drawer or cabinet, and avoid direct sunlight or excessive heat. Clear glass bottles may look aesthetically pleasing, but they are not ideal for storing essential oils. Instead, opt for an amber bottle, which will protect the fragile oils from light degradation.
Add Vitamin E
Vitamin E is a natural preservative that can be added to your perfume to help extend its shelf life. This is especially beneficial if you are using natural ingredients that may be more prone to oxidation or spoilage.
Use High-Quality Essential Oils
Not all essential oils are created equal. The sourcing and production methods can significantly impact the purity, efficacy, and scent quality of the oil. By choosing reputable brands and high-quality essential oils, you can ensure that your perfume has a more potent and long-lasting fragrance.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can make perfume with witch hazel. It is a good substitute for rubbing alcohol or vodka, which are commonly used to make perfume.
To make perfume with witch hazel, you will need essential oils, a carrier oil (such as fractionated coconut oil), and a glass bottle. Add your chosen essential oils to the bottle, then top it up with witch hazel. Shake the bottle gently a couple of times before applying.
Making perfume with witch hazel allows you to create a natural, non-toxic fragrance. You can customize the scent to your liking and avoid any questionable chemicals found in some store-bought perfumes. It is also cheaper than buying perfume and can be fun to make.
