Creating Unique Fragrance Oils At Home

Making your own fragrance oils is a fun and creative process that can be done at home with the right equipment. You can make your own natural perfume to touch up as needed, combining a delicate selection of dried petals and essential oils. The oils you choose will depend on the notes you are drawn to, with top notes giving the first impression, middle notes forming the core of the perfume, and base notes giving depth and lasting the longest.

Choosing your essential oils

When choosing your essential oils, you should consider the notes you are drawn to. Top notes are the first impression of your scent, think citrus and herbs, light and evaporative. Middle notes, or heart notes, form the core of the perfume and take longer to develop on the skin. These are often floral or fruity. Base notes last the longest and give depth, think woody or resinous scents. A good rule of thumb is to follow the "30-50-20 rule": 30% top notes, 50% middle notes, and 20% base notes.

You will need a dropper pipette for each raw oil you use. Make sure all your materials, including bottles and droppers, are clean. Open up your base note and insert your pipette. Gently squeeze the bulb and let go to get the oil in. Carefully count out 10 drops of your base note into a 5ml bottle. Close the lid and put the pipette to the side. Next, open your heart note and count out 5 drops. Put the pipette aside and then count out 5 drops of your head note. Once you have transferred the three essential oils into your bottle, close the lid and shake gently to mix the oils.

Your oils should be used indirectly. You can use them in oil warmers or add a few drops to a piece of cloth and hang it in a warm place, like over a lamp or on a radiator. Do not be tempted to make scented candles from the oil, as there is too much water in it and you risk rapid boiling and spraying molten wax.

Blending your oils

The first step in blending your oils is to choose a variety of oils based on the notes you are drawn to. Top notes are the scent's first impression, so think citrus and herbs. Middle notes form the core of the perfume and take longer to develop on the skin, so opt for floral or fruity scents. Base notes last the longest and give depth, so go for woodsy or resinous oils. A good rule of thumb is to follow the "30-50-20 rule": 30% top notes, 50% middle notes, and 20% base notes.

Once you've selected your oils, it's time to start blending. Make sure all your materials – bottles, droppers, and pipettes – are clean. Open up your base note and insert your pipette. Gently squeeze the bulb to draw the oil in, then carefully count out 10 drops into a 5ml bottle. Close the lid and put the pipette aside. Repeat this process with your heart note, counting out 5 drops, and then with your head note, again counting 5 drops.

When you've transferred all three essential oils into your bottle, close the lid and shake it gently to mix the oils together. You can then add a few drops to a piece of cloth and hang it in a warm place, like over a lamp (but not too close to the bulb) or on a radiator.

If you're blending oils, you may also need to gently heat some water so that it simmers rather than boils. This will create a steady supply of steam that can pass through ingredients like lavender to release their fragrance.

Using a pipette

When making your own fragrance oils, you will need a pipette for each raw oil you use. First, make sure that all your materials – bottles, droppers – are clean. Open up your base note and insert your pipette. Gently squeeze the bulb and let go to get the oil in. Carefully count out 10 drops of your base note into the 5ml bottle. When you’re done, close the lid and put it and your pipette to the side. Next, open up your heart note. Count out 5 drops; then put that EO and pipette aside. Last, count out 5 drops of your head note. Once you have transferred the 3 EOs into your 5ml bottle, close the lid of the bottle and shake it up gently to let the oils mix in with each other.

Storing your fragrance

Once you've made your fragrance, you'll need to store it in a clean, dry place. Make sure you use a clean bottle and pipette to transfer your oils. You can use a 5ml bottle to store your fragrance, or you could use a conical flask or a film canister. If you're blending oils, you'll need a separate dropper pipette for each oil you use.

It's important to keep your fragrance away from direct heat and sunlight, as this can affect the scent. Store it in a cool, dark place, such as a cupboard or drawer.

You can also store your fragrance in a pretty bottle or container. This can be a fun way to personalise your fragrance and make it unique. You could use a decorative bottle or jar, or even a fabric bag.

If you want to add a touch of luxury to your fragrance, you can store it in a glass bottle with a gold or silver lid. This will give it a sophisticated and elegant look.

Finally, don't forget to label your fragrance with the date you made it and the ingredients you used. This will help you keep track of your creations and ensure you know what's in each bottle.

Using your fragrance

Now that you've made your fragrance, you can use it in a variety of ways. You can add a few drops to a piece of cloth and hang it in a warm place, such as over a lamp (but not too close to the bulb), on a radiator, or in front of your car air vents. You can also use it in an oil warmer.

If you want to apply it directly to your skin, you can follow the "30-50-20 rule": 30% top notes, 50% middle notes, and 20% base notes. Top notes are light and evaporative, like citrus or herbs, and give the first impression of your scent. Middle notes form the core of the perfume and take longer to develop on the skin—think floral or fruity scents. Base notes last the longest and give depth, like woodsy or resinous scents.

You can also get creative and add dried petals to your fragrance to make a natural perfume oil that uplifts and calms the mind.

Remember to store your fragrance in a pretty bottle, like a conical flask, and keep it in a cool, dry place to prolong its shelf life.

Frequently asked questions