Heidi Norton
Solid perfume balms are a great DIY option for those looking to make handmade gifts for their loved ones. They are also a fantastic way to create a long-lasting scent that is travel-friendly and eco-friendly. Solid perfumes have a long history, dating back to the ancient Egyptians, who used them for a stable scent. Making solid perfume balms is a simple and fun process that can be completed in about 15 minutes. All you need are a few key ingredients, such as beeswax, carrier oils like jojoba or sweet almond oil, and essential oils or fragrance oils for scent customisation. With these ingredients and a few simple steps, you can create endless gift possibilities that are sure to impress!
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Time taken | 5-15 minutes |
| Ingredients | Beeswax, essential oils, carrier oils (jojoba, olive, grapeseed, sweet almond oil), vitamin E oil, fragrance oils |
| Containers | Lockets, tins, compacts, small moulds, lip balm tubes, Altoid tins |
| Benefits | Eco-friendly, long-lasting scent, travel-friendly, customisable, easy to make, reusable containers |
| Application | Rub a small amount onto fingers and dab behind ears, on wrists, or wherever desired |
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Choose your container
When it comes to choosing a container for your perfume balm, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, you'll want to select a container that is made from a material that will protect your perfume and keep it in top quality. While plastic containers may be tempting, they are not ideal as perfumes often contain concentrated ingredients that can eat through plastic over time. Additionally, plastic has inferior absorbent qualities when compared to glass. Glass or ceramic containers are a better option as they will protect your perfume from degradation and keep it fresh for longer.
You'll also want to consider the size and shape of the container. Small compartments such as lockets, compacts, tins, or pocket watches can work well for solid perfumes. If you're planning on selling your perfume balms, you may also want to consider the aesthetic appeal of the container and choose a design that is visually appealing and marketable. Flat-shaped containers, for example, are ideal if you want to be able to mail your product without incurring high costs.
It's important to ensure that the container you choose is skin-safe, especially if you're using it to store a balm that will be applied directly to the skin. Containers marketed for lip balm or salve are typically skin-safe and will hold your wax mixture securely. If you're concerned about the shelf life of your product, you can incorporate preservatives into the final oil phase. However, keep in mind that if your product is made solely of oils and waxes, preservatives are unnecessary as bacteria and mould need water to grow.
Finally, if you're looking for a vegan option, you can consider using candelilla wax as your base and adding deodorized coconut butter or shea butter. These mixtures will work well in tins, which are a cost-effective and practical option for solid perfumes.
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Prepare your wax
To prepare the wax for your perfume balm, you will need a wax of your choice, such as beeswax, a heat source, and a bowl.
First, measure out the wax. You will need 2 tablespoons of beeswax pastilles, which is roughly 0.6 ounces or 17 grams. You can also use a block of beeswax and slice off a tablespoon amount. Place the wax in your bowl.
Next, you will need to melt the wax. You can do this over a candle, or use a double boiler by placing your bowl over a pot of simmering water on the stove. Stir the wax occasionally as it melts. This should take around 2-3 minutes.
Once the wax is completely melted, turn off the heat source. You are now ready to add in your choice of oil and stir. If you see solids forming, gently stir the mixture until it becomes liquid again.
Finally, pour the liquid into your chosen container and allow it to cool and harden. You can use a pipette to transfer the liquid to avoid spills, but be aware that the wax may be difficult to remove from the pipette afterwards.
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Add oil
To make a perfume balm, you will need to add oil to your mixture. You can use essential oils or fragrance oils. If you want a completely natural perfume, opt for essential oils. Fragrance oils, on the other hand, tend to be less irritating because they have already been diluted in a carrier oil. However, they may contain synthetic ingredients.
When choosing essential oils, be sure to research any health advisories associated with them, as not all are safe for skin application. If you have sensitive skin, start with a smaller amount of essential oil to see how your skin reacts. Remember that the warmth of your body will amplify the aroma of the perfume balm.
You can use a variety of carrier oils, such as jojoba, olive, grapeseed, or sweet almond oil. Jojoba oil is a good option for those with dry skin. For a 5-ounce batch of perfume balm, you will need about 1/2 cup of carrier oil.
Once you have melted your wax, turn off the heat and add in your oil. Mix well to ensure the wax does not harden too quickly. If you are making multiple batches with different scents, you can add a few drops of your chosen scent to the bottom of each container and mix well with a spoon or toothpick once you pour in the wax mixture.
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Mix in your scent
Now that you've melted your wax and it's in liquid form, it's time to mix in your scent. This is where you can get creative and choose a fragrance that you like. Essential oils are a great option, and you can even create your own aromatherapy blends by mixing different essential oils. If you want to keep it natural, stick to essential oils, but if you're open to synthetic fragrances, you can use fragrance oils as well. Fragrance oils are already diluted in carrier oil, so they tend to be less irritating to the skin. However, when choosing essential oils, make sure to look up any health advisories as not all of them are safe for direct skin contact.
You can also decide if you want to create different layers of scent by using base, heart, and head notes. This will give your perfume balm a more complex and dynamic fragrance. The base note forms the foundation of your scent, while the heart note adds a complementary layer, and the head note is the topmost layer that gives the first impression of the fragrance. Play around with different essential oils and see which combinations you like best.
When mixing in your scent, use a pipette to add your chosen essential oils or fragrance oils to the melted wax. The general rule of thumb is to use equal parts wax and oil, but you can adjust this ratio to your preference. If you're using essential oils, you can add about 80-120 drops to your wax mixture. You can also add a few drops of your chosen scent directly to the bottom of each container before pouring in the wax mixture if you're making multiple balms with different scents.
If you want to add a skin-nourishing element to your perfume balm, you can include carrier oils such as jojoba oil, sweet almond oil, olive oil, or grapeseed oil. These oils will not only moisturize your skin but also form a good base for your chosen scent. Vitamin E oil is another great addition to promote skin health.
Once you've added your scent and any additional oils, stir the mixture gently over low heat to ensure everything is well combined. Make sure the wax doesn't harden too quickly, and be careful not to burn the mixture. Before the mixture begins to dry, it's time to pour it into your chosen containers.
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Let it set
Once you've mixed your melted beeswax and essential oil/carrier oil mixture, it's time to let it set. Pour the mixture into your chosen container—a locket, tin, or even a reused lip balm tube—and let it sit open for 15 minutes. You'll be able to watch the liquid slowly solidify. Once it's cooled down and hardened, close the lid. Your perfume balm is now ready to use, but if you can bear to wait, it will smell even better if you let it sit untouched for a week. If your perfume balm turns out mushy, this may be a sign that you didn't add enough beeswax; if this happens, simply remelt the mixture and try again.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need beeswax, essential oils, and a carrier oil such as jojoba, sweet almond oil, olive, or grapeseed oil.
You will need a microwave-safe bowl, a pot, a stove, a spoon or toothpick, and a container for your perfume balm.
First, melt the beeswax in the microwave-safe bowl over the pot of simmering water on the stove. Once the beeswax is completely liquid, turn off the heat and add your carrier oil and essential oils. Mix well, making sure the wax doesn't harden. Before the mixture dries, add in your scent of choice. Pour the mixture into your container and let it sit until it hardens.
The ratio of beeswax to carrier oil should be equal parts. For the essential oils, you can use around 80-120 drops of your chosen scent(s).
