Seamus Hammond
Essential oils can be added to perfumes to create a unique scent. It is important to be cautious when mixing essential oils with perfumes as the wrong combination of oils can cause skin irritation. To avoid this, it is recommended that you perform a patch test before applying the perfume to your skin. When creating blends, it is best to start with a small number of drops and work with a single type of oil at a time. Once you have found a combination you like, you can mix a larger batch. Essential oils are highly concentrated, so only a small amount is needed to create a strong scent. It is also important to consider the solubility of the essential oil you are using, as adding too much may cause the mixture to separate.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of essential oils | A minimum of three essential oils are required. |
| Essential oil concentration | It is recommended to use a 20% concentration of essential oils in the carrier oil mixture. |
| Carrier oil | Use lightweight, non-greasy oils such as almond oil, jojoba oil, fractionated coconut oil, grapeseed oil, sunflower oil, tomato seed oil, or safflower oil. |
| Dilution | Always dilute essential oils and do not apply them directly to the skin. |
| Testing | Perform a patch test and check for any signs of irritation, redness, or itchiness before using the oil. |
| Application | Spray, dab, or roll the perfume onto pulse points, such as behind the ears, the back of the knees, inside the elbows, wrists, and throat areas. |
| Top notes | Quick-evaporating aromas that create the first impression of the blend. |
| Middle notes | The heart of the perfume, softening the base notes and complementing the top notes. |
| Base notes | The foundation of the perfume, which the middle and top notes complement. |
| Solubility | Essential oils dissolve in alcohol but only up to a certain point of dilution. Calculate the maximum amount of essential oil to add based on the solubility limits. |
| Experimentation | Start with small amounts of oil and experiment with different combinations before mixing larger batches. |
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What You'll Learn
Essential oil blends for beginners: 30/50/20 rule
When creating essential oil blends, beginners are often advised to follow the 30/50/20 rule. This rule is a straightforward and balanced approach to combining oils harmoniously. It is called the 30/50/20 rule because it involves using 30% of a top note, 50% of a middle note, and 20% of a base note.
Top notes are light and floral or citrusy, such as bergamot, citronella, or sweet orange. They are usually the first scent noticed in a blend and provide freshness and lightness. Middle notes, on the other hand, are derived from whole herbs and spices, such as lavender, rose geranium, or clary sage. They are known as the "heart" of the blend and balance and harmonise the other components. Base notes are deeper, grounding scents, typically found in woody oils like ylang-ylang, cedarwood, or sandalwood. They add depth and longevity to the blend.
The 30/50/20 rule is a simplified method for note-based blending, and it provides an even distribution of essential oil notes. For example, a blend following this rule could be 6 drops of a top note, 10 drops of a middle note, and 4 drops of a base note. It is important to note that this rule is not mandatory, and you can certainly experiment with different ratios to create unique fragrances.
Before blending essential oils, it is crucial to perform a patch test to ensure the blend is safe for your skin. Apply a small amount of the blend to your forearm and wait 24 hours to check for any signs of irritation, redness, or itchiness. Additionally, when blending, always use a small amount of oil at first, so you don't waste your oils if you end up disliking the result.
Essential oils can be added to existing perfumes, but it is important to be cautious. Firstly, you should ensure that the essential oil is not already diluted in a carrier oil, as you need the concentrated form. Additionally, consider the solubility limits of the essential oil and the composition of your perfume to ensure they are compatible.
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Dilution ratios: how to calculate them
When creating a perfume with essential oils, it is important to dilute the essential oils for safe use. Dilution ratios can be calculated by weight or volume, but it is crucial not to mix these measurements. While working with drops is a common practice, it is important to remember that conversion rates based on drops are approximate since no two drops of essential oil are the same.
For body care products, essential oils typically make up no more than 2% of the total volume. However, for perfumes, a higher proportion of up to 5% can be used since perfumes are applied sparingly and to localized areas. It is important to note that not all essential oils have the same potency, so researching the specific oils you plan to use is crucial.
When blending essential oils, it is recommended to start with a small amount, such as 10 drops, to create a test blend. This allows you to experiment with different oils and adjust the blend as needed. Once you have found a combination you like, you can calculate the dilution ratio by determining the number of parts of essential oil in relation to the total number of parts in the blend. For example, a blend with one part essential oil and four parts carrier oil would be a 20% dilution.
It is important to be cautious when working with dilution ratios, as some ratios may be unsafe. For instance, a ratio of 1 part essential oil to 4 parts carrier oil translates to a 25% dilution, which is much too concentrated for safe use. Always start with a low concentration and increase gradually if needed. Additionally, be mindful of potential skin reactions, as the risk of adverse reactions increases with higher concentrations of essential oils.
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How to test your blend
Once you've created your blend, it's important to test it before committing to a larger batch. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to test your essential oil and perfume blend:
Prepare the Testing Area
- Choose a well-ventilated area to perform the test. A room with open windows or outdoor space is ideal to prevent the scent from becoming too overwhelming and to ensure you get an accurate impression of the fragrance.
- Gather your supplies, including the blend you've created, a
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How to apply your perfume
Applying perfume is an art. It is the final step in your beauty routine, but there is more to it than meets the eye. The way you apply your perfume can make all the difference in how long the scent lasts and how pleasant it smells. Here are some tips on how to apply your perfume:
Firstly, it is important to choose the right scent. Consider your tastes, personality, and the image you want to project. Think about whether you want a citrus, fruity, woody, or spicy fragrance. For example, if you are a fun, bubbly person, you might opt for a fruity fragrance. For a daytime event, choose a lighter, uplifting, and energizing scent, such as a citrus fragrance. On the other hand, for a night out, you may want something heavier and more opulent.
Secondly, the key to a pleasant but not overpowering scent is to diffuse it all over, rather than concentrating it in one area. Dab it onto your pulse points—areas where your veins sit closest to your skin, and you can feel your pulse. These include the inside of your wrists, inner elbows, below your belly button, behind your earlobes, and the back of your knees. These warm spots emit extra body heat, which helps to naturally diffuse the scent. Hold the bottle about six inches from your skin and spritz or dab it on a few pulse points. Remember not to rub it in, as this can break down the fragrance molecules and affect the composition.
Thirdly, you can do what is called a "spritz and step": spray your perfume in front of you, then walk right into it and back out. This will leave a light layer on your clothes, ensuring you are covered without overdoing it. You can also spritz a bit of perfume into your hair, as the movement of your head will release the scent. However, be careful not to put every perfume formula in your hair. Additionally, avoid spraying on clothes that can stain, like silk, and always let the fragrance dry before putting on jewellery to avoid tarnishing or discolouring certain metals.
Lastly, less is more when it comes to perfume. A few spritzes should be enough to leave a lasting impression. Be mindful of the strength of your fragrance and adjust the number of sprays accordingly. Depending on the fragrance strength, you can apply 4-6 sprays to your torso and thighs, or mist the air and walk through it. If you have any cuts or abrasions on your skin, avoid applying perfume to these areas as the alcohol can be irritating.
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Carrier oils: which to use
Carrier oils are a key component of making perfume with essential oils. They are necessary to dilute the essential oils, which are highly concentrated and should not be applied directly to the skin.
When choosing a carrier oil, it's important to select one that is lightweight and non-greasy. Some popular options include:
- Fractionated coconut oil: This oil is a good choice for perfume-making, but it can be expensive and difficult to find in plastic-free packaging.
- Sweet almond oil: Almond oil is a lightweight, non-greasy oil that is commonly used as a carrier oil for essential oils in perfume-making. It has a mild, nutty scent that can complement many essential oil blends.
- Jojoba oil: Jojoba oil is another suitable carrier oil that can be used as a base for essential oils in perfumes. It is similar to the natural oils produced by the skin, making it a good option for those with sensitive skin.
- Grapeseed oil, sunflower oil, tomato seed oil, and safflower oil: These oils are also suitable for use as carrier oils and can provide a good base for essential oils without overwhelming their scent.
When mixing essential oils with a carrier oil, it's important to follow the correct ratios to ensure safety and effectiveness. A common ratio is 80 drops of carrier oil to 20 drops of essential oil. This can be further broken down into the "30/50/20 rule," which suggests using 30% top notes, 50% middle notes, and 20% base notes. Top notes create the first impression of the blend, middle notes form the heart of the perfume, and base notes complement the other notes and help the scent last longer.
It's important to note that essential oils should always be patch tested before use to ensure they do not cause any skin irritation, redness, or itchiness. Additionally, when applying perfume, focus on pulse points such as behind the ears, the back of the knees, the inside of the elbows, the wrists, and the throat, as these areas emanate more heat and can enhance the projection of the fragrance.
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Frequently asked questions
It is recommended that you use a 20% concentration of essential oils in your carrier oil mixture. First, add your base note oil, then soften with a middle note, and finish with a top note.
Carrier oils include fractionated coconut oil, sweet almond oil, grapeseed oil, sunflower oil, tomato seed oil, and safflower oil.
Essential oils are highly concentrated, so only a tiny amount is needed. It is recommended that you start with a small amount of oil and build from there. For a 5ml rollerball bottle, you will need around 100 drops of liquid extracted from a pipette.
