Antonio Mcgowan
Gardenias are prized for their captivating fragrance, which many people love and want to preserve. The scent is also known to reduce stress and promote calmness and relaxation. Gardenia perfume can be made at home, but it is a delicate process. The flowers have a very short life, so they must be picked and processed quickly. The perfume can be made by steeping the flowers in a carrier oil to extract the scent from the petals, or by using alcohol. The yield will be low, and the scent will not last long, but the perfume can be enhanced by adding other flowers, herbs, or spices.
How to make gardenia perfume:
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Method | Enfleurage/Flower infusion |
| Ingredients | Fresh gardenia flowers, carrier oil, distilled water, alcohol |
| Additional ingredients | Mint, lavender, roses, rosemary, sage, basil, hollyhock, lilac, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg |
| Equipment | Glass bottle, cheesecloth/strainer |
| Process | Separate petals from stems, steep flowers in carrier oil, strain oil, add distilled water and alcohol |
| Yield | Low |
| Cost | High |
| Longevity | Short |
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What You'll Learn
Pick fresh flowers and separate petals from stems
Picking fresh flowers is the first step in making gardenia perfume. The blooming season for gardenias is short, and the flowers begin to fade with the summer heat, so it is important to be quick and prepared to process the flowers right after picking them.
When picking, look for fresh, white flowers and avoid any that are turning brown. Gardenias have a very short life, but more will blossom until fall, so you can keep picking fresh flowers every day.
Once you have picked the flowers, separate the petals from the green stems. You can now decide what you want to do with the petals. One option is to dry the petals by placing them in a dehydrator or drying them in the sun. Once dried, you can store the petals in a mason jar to use later for making tea or perfume.
Alternatively, you can use the fresh petals to make a flower infusion or enfleurage, which is a method of extracting the fragrance from the petals by steeping them in a carrier oil. This process is suitable for gardenias as they are too fragile to withstand heat-facilitated extraction.
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Use an enfleurage method to extract the scent
Enfleurage is a traditional French method of extracting the scent from flowers using solid or liquid fats. The word comes from the French "enfleurer", which means "to saturate with the perfume of flowers". The enfleurage extraction method can be done via two primary methods: hot or cold enfleurage.
For cold enfleurage, you will need a glass tray, an odorless fat such as coconut oil, and fresh flowers. First, spread a thin layer of coconut oil on the tray and then place a layer of fresh flowers on top. Recharge the flowers daily until the desired scent is achieved. This method is less labour-intensive than hot enfleurage and easier to achieve the desired final product. However, it is still labour-intensive and can be costly due to the amount of flower petals needed.
For hot enfleurage, gently heat the coconut oil in a microwave until melted. Pour the oil onto a baking tray, ensuring the whole tray is covered. Leave the oil to cool and solidify, then press the petals into the soft oil.
The enfleurage process can be used to create a unique perfume by adding complementary essential oils and storing them in vintage perfume jars. These aromatic waxes and fatty oils can also be added to body butters and skincare products.
When choosing flowers for enfleurage, opt for those with a strong fragrance, such as lilacs, lilies, roses, and daffodils. Harvest the flowers on a moisture-free day, and let them wilt slightly for around half an hour before starting the enfleurage process.
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Mix with a carrier oil, alcohol, or water
To make gardenia perfume, you can mix gardenia extract with a carrier oil, alcohol, or distilled water.
Carrier Oils
Gardenia perfume can be made by steeping fresh gardenia flowers in a carrier oil to extract the scent from the petals and deposit it in the oil. This method is called enfleurage or effleurage. Suitable carrier oils include sweet almond oil, jojoba oil, avocado oil, or fractionated coconut oil.
Alcohol
To make cologne, you can add a small amount of gardenia-infused oil to high-test (150-proof or higher) alcohol. You can also make a perfume with just alcohol and one essence. For a 20% solution, multiply your final volume by 0.2 to get the amount of gardenia absolute to add, and by 0.8 to get the amount of alcohol. For example, for 50ml, you would need 10ml of gardenia absolute and 40ml of alcohol. You can also add pure distilled water to this mixture to increase its longevity, although this decreases projection.
It is not possible to mix carrier oil and alcohol.
Distilled Water
To make a water-based gardenia perfume or spritz, mix distilled water with an alcohol base in equal amounts.
You can also experiment with adding other flowers, herbs, and spices to your gardenia perfume, such as mint, lavender, roses, rosemary, sage, basil, cinnamon, cloves, or nutmeg.
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Add other flowers, herbs, or spices for variety
To make a gardenia perfume with added flowers, herbs, or spices, you can follow the same process as making a simple gardenia perfume, with a few adjustments. Firstly, pick your fresh flowers, as gardenias do not last long after picking. You can then decide whether to use the whole flower or separate the petals from the green stems.
For added fragrance, you can include other flowers such as magnolias, roses, lilies-of-the-valley, lavender, lilacs, or mint. Herbs such as sweet marjoram, lemon verbena, oregano, basil, and spices like cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, nutmeg, allspice, and cloves can also be used. You can also experiment with scented wood shavings, or even sawdust, using the fatty Effleurage method.
To make the perfume, you will need to use a carrier oil to extract the scent from the petals and deposit it into the oil. This is known as enfleurage, a method of making essential oil or perfume oil. The flowers are too fragile to withstand heat-facilitated extraction, so they must be steeped in the oil. You can then bottle your finished perfume oil in a tightly closed glass bottle or an eyedropper bottle.
For a more traditional perfume, you can add a small amount of high-test (150-proof or higher) alcohol to make a cologne. You can also add distilled water to increase longevity, although this may decrease projection.
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Bottle and store in a cool, dark place
When it comes to bottling and storing your homemade gardenia perfume, there are a few important steps to follow to ensure its longevity and maintain its potency. Firstly, choose an appropriate container for your perfume. It is recommended to use a tightly closed glass bottle or an eyedropper bottle to store your perfume. This type of bottle helps to preserve the properties of the perfume and prevent evaporation.
Once you have selected your bottle, it is crucial to store it in the right environment. Find a cool, dark place, such as a fruit cellar or a dark cabinet, to keep your perfume. Avoiding direct sunlight and heat sources is essential, as these elements can cause the perfume to degrade and lose its fragrance over time. The ideal storage temperature is even and cool, helping to prolong the life of your perfume.
In addition to temperature control, maintaining a consistent environment is crucial. Try to store your gardenia perfume in a place with stable humidity levels. Moisture fluctuations can affect the perfume's consistency and fragrance. By keeping it in a controlled environment, you can ensure the perfume remains effective and pleasant to use.
To further preserve your gardenia perfume, consider adding a fixative. While natural fixatives like basenotes can highlight the gardenia fragrance without overpowering it, synthetic options like Glucam P-20 have been known to increase the longevity of top notes. However, fixatives may come with trade-offs, so choosing the right one is essential to avoid losing projection.
Lastly, proper storage and handling are critical. Keep your gardenia perfume away from children and pets, and always handle it with clean hands to prevent contamination. By following these steps, you can ensure that your homemade gardenia perfume lasts longer and retains its delightful fragrance.
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Frequently asked questions
Pick fresh flowers, as gardenias are delicate and do not last long after picking.
Separate the petals from the green stems and steep them in a carrier oil to remove the scent from the petals and deposit it in the oil.
Store the perfume in a tightly closed glass bottle or an eyedropper bottle at an even, cool temperature.
Apply a few drops of gardenia oil directly to your pulse points—behind the ears, neck, and wrist—just as you would with any perfume.
You can add flowers like roses, lavender, lilacs, and herbs like cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, and nutmeg.
