Seamus Hammond
Making perfume can be a fun and educational activity for kids. Not only does it allow them to create their own unique fragrances, but it also helps develop their fine motor skills, decision-making abilities, and sensory exploration. With the pleasant scent of lavender, kids can make their own natural perfumes using dried lavender, essential oils, and carrier oils. They can also add their personal touches with decorations and labels, making it a fun DIY project with a delightful end product.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ingredients | Lavender, carrier oil (jojoba oil, fractionated coconut oil, apricot kernel oil, avocado oil, etc.), essential oils, vodka, water, dried lavender, rose geranium leaves, etc. |
| Tools | Jars, sticky labels, teapots, jugs, pestle and mortar, glass bottle with a screw cap, pan, paper bag, rubber bands, string |
| Process | Clean and crush lavender, submerge in distilled water for 4 hours, strain into a container, add oil, shake, add decorations and labels |
| Time | 4 hours to a few weeks |
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What You'll Learn
Collecting lavender
Growing Lavender
If you have lavender plants in your garden, you can start by cutting the stems. Cut the stems so they are 6 inches (15 cm) or longer. This length ensures you can use the entire sprig, including the flowers, to infuse the oil for your perfume. Avoid cutting the thick, woody stems near the base of the plant as these are not suitable for infusing. The best time to pick the flowers is just before they are about to open.
Drying Lavender
Once you have cut the lavender stems, you will need to dry them. Tie the sprigs with rubber bands or string and let them hang upside down in a dry, warm area. It typically takes up to 2 weeks for the lavender to fully dry. Alternatively, you can purchase dried lavender if you don't have access to fresh lavender plants.
Storing Lavender
After the lavender is dried, you can store it in jars or bottles. Make sure the jars or bottles have tight-fitting lids to keep the lavender fresh and fragrant. You can decorate the jars or bottles with labels, stickers, or ribbons to make them unique and personalised.
Selecting Lavender
When it's time to make your perfume, you can select the dried lavender you have collected. Choose the amount of lavender depending on the intensity of fragrance you desire. You can experiment with different varieties of lavender, such as English, French, or Spanish lavender, to find the scent you like best.
Preparing Lavender
Before infusing the oil, separate the flowers and leaves from the stems. You can use a mortar and pestle to gently crush the lavender to release its fragrance. Clean the lavender before crushing to remove any dirt or impurities. The crushed lavender will then be ready for the next step in the perfume-making process.
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Choosing a carrier oil
When making lavender perfume, the choice of carrier oil is an important consideration. Carrier oils are non-scented or lightly scented and form the base of the fragrance. They help to dilute and carry the essential oil, in this case, lavender, so that it can be safely applied to the skin.
There are several suitable carrier oils that can be used as a base for lavender perfume. Jojoba oil is a popular choice as it is nearly odourless and has a long shelf life. It is also non-greasy and absorbs quickly into the skin. Another option is fractionated coconut oil, which is lightweight, non-greasy, and has a mild scent that won't overpower the lavender. Apricot kernel oil and avocado oil are also suitable carrier oils with similar benefits.
When choosing a carrier oil, it is important to consider the scent profile and how it will blend with the lavender. For example, a light olive oil can complement and enhance the skin benefits of lavender, but some olive oils may have too strong a scent that could overpower the lavender. Almond oil and grapeseed oil are other options, but their scent profiles should be considered to ensure they create the desired fragrance.
In addition to scent, other factors to consider when choosing a carrier oil include viscosity and absorption. Some carrier oils, such as jojoba and fractionated coconut oil, are less greasy and absorb more quickly into the skin, which may be preferable for a perfume that is meant to be applied to the skin.
Overall, the choice of carrier oil will depend on personal preference, the desired scent profile, and the specific characteristics of the oil. By selecting the right carrier oil, kids can create a safe and effective lavender perfume with a pleasant fragrance and suitable absorption properties.
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Adding essential oils
Next, they can add the essential oil. For a lavender perfume, add 20-30 drops of lavender essential oil, depending on the desired intensity of the fragrance. The more essential oil added, the stronger the scent will be.
After adding the essential oil, kids should put the lid on the bottle and shake it for a few seconds. They can then test the fragrance and adjust it to their preference. If the scent is too heavy, they can add more carrier oil. If it's too light, they can add more essential oil.
Once they are happy with the fragrance, they can add a few additional ingredients to finish the perfume. These might include vodka and hydrosol, which can be added to the mixture before shaking vigorously and transferring to a final perfume container.
Kids can also get creative by mixing different essential oils to create unique blends and personalized scents. Lavender is a versatile scent that complements almost any other essential oil, so kids can experiment with different proportions to develop their own signature fragrances.
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Mixing and shaking
When making lavender perfume, the mixing and shaking process is crucial to ensure that all the ingredients are well-combined and the fragrance is evenly distributed. Here is a step-by-step guide to the mixing and shaking process:
Mixing the Ingredients
Start by gathering your ingredients and materials. You will need a carrier oil such as jojoba oil, fractionated coconut oil, apricot kernel oil, or avocado oil. You can also use light olive oil, almond oil, or grapeseed oil if you prefer their scent profiles. Additionally, you will need lavender essential oil and a glass bottle with a tight-fitting screw cap.
Fill your glass bottle with a little less than 1 ounce of your chosen carrier oil. The carrier oil forms the base of your fragrance and helps to dilute the essential oil, ensuring it can be safely applied to the skin.
Adding the Lavender
Add 20 to 30 drops of lavender essential oil to the carrier oil in the bottle. The amount of lavender essential oil you use will depend on your desired fragrance intensity. Remember that you can always add more oil later if needed.
Initial Shaking
Put the lid on the bottle securely and give it a good shake for several seconds. This initial shaking will help combine the oils and create a basic perfume. You can test the fragrance at this point to see if any adjustments are needed.
Adjusting the Fragrance
If the fragrance is too heavy or intense, you can add a few more drops of carrier oil to dilute the lavender. On the other hand, if it is too light or subtle, add a few more drops of lavender essential oil. Remember that it is easier to add than to remove, so adjust gradually.
Enhancing the Perfume
To enhance your perfume and give it a longer-lasting fragrance, you can add a few additional ingredients. Some people like to add a small amount of vodka to the mixture, which can help preserve the fragrance and give it a sharper edge. Simply add the vodka to the bottle, shake well, and allow the bottle to sit for about a week with the cap closed.
You can also experiment with different essential oils to create unique blends and personalized scents. Lavender is known to complement many other essential oil fragrances, so you can try mixing and matching different oils in small batches until you find a combination you love.
Final Mixing and Shaking
Once you are happy with your fragrance, it is time to transfer it to your final perfume container. Typically, perfume containers are dark or opaque glass bottles with spray applicators. Before transferring, give your perfume a final, vigorous shake to ensure all the ingredients are combined.
And there you have it! You now know the process of mixing and shaking to create your very own lavender perfume. Remember to label your bottle and perhaps even decorate it with ribbons, stickers, or personalized designs. This activity is a wonderful way for kids to explore their creativity and develop their own unique scents.
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Decorating the bottle
Using Sticky Labels
Kids can design their own unique labels to stick onto their bottles. They can draw, paint, or write on these labels to make them personalised. This adds a creative touch to the bottle and makes it more special.
Ribbons and Bows
Ribbons or bows can be wrapped around the bottle to give it a elegant and decorative look. Use a strong adhesive to attach a bow to the top of the bottle, or tie a colourful ribbon around the neck of the bottle for a charming touch.
Stamping
Using stamps is a great way to add intricate designs or patterns to the bottle. Kids can choose their favourite stamp designs, such as flowers, butterflies, or other cute shapes, and carefully press them onto the bottle to create a beautiful impression.
Painting
Kids can paint the bottle with their choice of colours and designs. They can use paintbrushes, sponges, or even their fingers to create different effects. Painting the bottle allows for self-expression and can make each bottle truly one-of-a-kind.
Adding Dried Lavender
Another idea is to glue dried lavender flowers onto the bottle. This not only adds a decorative element but also reinforces the theme of the perfume. The dried lavender can be glued in a pattern or randomly scattered for a whimsical touch.
Gift Wrapping
If the perfume is intended as a gift, kids can have fun wrapping the bottle creatively. They can use colourful wrapping paper, ribbons, and tags to make the gift look extra special. This adds a layer of excitement for both the giver and the recipient.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need lavender, a carrier oil (jojoba oil, fractionated coconut oil, apricot kernel oil, or avocado oil will work), a jar, and some water.
First, you need to clean and crush the lavender with a pestle and mortar. Next, submerge it in distilled water for 4 hours. Then, strain the mixture into a jar and leave it in the sun for 2 weeks. Finally, shake the jar and test the fragrance.
You will need enough lavender to fill your jar. This could be around 6-inch sprigs, including the flowers.
You can use any type of jar that is clean and has a tight-fitting lid. A glass jar is recommended as it can be placed in a sunny window for infusion.
