Antonio Mcgowan
Creating your own perfume allows you to design a unique fragrance that suits your preferences. Homemade perfumes are made using a combination of essential oils, fragrance oils, infused oils, and flavour extracts. The fragrance is then diluted with distilled or spring water and an emulsifier such as vegetable glycerine, before being stored in a bottle of your choice. The process of making perfume involves understanding base, middle, and top notes, as well as the different scent families, to create a harmonious blend. With some experimentation and creativity, you can craft a personalised scent that is inexpensive and makes a thoughtful gift.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ingredients | Alcohol, carrier oil, essential oils, distilled water, vegetable glycerin, witch hazel |
| Alcohol type | Everclear, 190 proof alcohol, vodka |
| Carrier oils | Fractionated coconut oil, jojoba oil, almond oil, apricot kernel oil, avocado oil |
| Essential oils | Lavender, lemon, orange, grapefruit, lime, bergamot, spearmint, peppermint, coriander, palmarosa, marjoram, basil, rosemary, rose geranium, petitgrain, patchouli, vetiver, frankincense, cedarwood, sandalwood |
| Other oils | Fragrance oils, infused oils, flavour extracts (vanilla extract) |
| Equipment | Glass bottle, atomizer bottle, roller bottle, spray bottle, funnel, dropper |
| Process | Mix base, middle, and top notes, shake well, let sit for up to 3 months, test, and adjust as needed |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing a carrier: alcohol or oil
When creating a homemade perfume, the carrier you choose—alcohol or oil—will influence the length of time the perfume lasts and how far the scent travels. Alcohol-based perfumes are typically sold in stores and are packaged in spray bottles or atomizers. Alcohol carries the scent further because it evaporates quickly, taking the fragrance with it. However, alcohol can also dry out your skin.
On the other hand, oil-based perfumes, such as those made with fractionated coconut oil, keep the scent closer to the skin because the oil absorbs into the pores. Oil-based perfumes are also moisturizing and tend to last longer than alcohol-based perfumes. However, they may not be suitable for atomizers due to their thicker consistency.
If you're looking for a subtle fragrance that lasts a long time, an oil carrier might be the best choice. Common carrier oils include fractionated coconut oil, sweet almond oil, and jojoba oil. These oils are moisturizing and have a long shelf life, making them ideal for perfume-making.
For a stronger, more diffusive scent, an alcohol carrier is preferable. High-proof alcohol, such as Everclear or vodka, is suitable for perfume-making. However, alcohol can be challenging to find and expensive. If using alcohol, it's important to let your perfume sit for several weeks to months before use to ensure the alcohol scent dissipates and the fragrance notes shine through.
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Essential oils and their proportions
Essential oils are a key ingredient in making perfume. They are what give your fragrance its unique scent. You can use a single-scent essential oil, such as lavender, or a blend of several different essential oils to create a custom scent. Most essential oil companies sell their own blends, making it easy to achieve a unique fragrance.
When mixing essential oils, it's important to start with a small amount and add more as needed. A good starting point is around 30 drops of essential oil, and you can add more drops for a stronger scent. The proportion of essential oils to carrier oil is important. A suggested ratio is 20% essential oils, 70% alcohol, and 10% distilled water. This translates to 40 drops of essential oil, 140 drops of alcohol, and 20 drops of distilled water.
It's also important to consider the different notes of your essential oils when creating a fragrance. Top notes are the initial scent when you first apply the perfume, middle notes appear after the top notes disappear, and base notes are the foundation of the perfume and appear last. When mixing your perfume, start by adding your base notes, then middle notes, and finally your top notes. This will create a harmonious fragrance.
You can also get creative by mixing scents from neighbouring fragrance families, such as floral, oriental, woody, and fresh. This will add depth and complexity to your perfume.
Finally, it's important to let your perfume sit for at least a month to allow the scents to blend properly. After this maturation period, test your perfume by spritzing a small amount on your pressure points. The alcohol smell should dissipate after a few seconds, leaving only your desired fragrance.
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Blending and diluting the fragrance
To create a harmonious perfume, it's important to understand the different notes and how they work together. The top note is the initial scent that disappears quickly and includes fragrances such as citrus fruits and herbs. The middle note appears after the top note and includes coriander, palmarosa, and lavender, among others. The base note is the foundation of the perfume and includes scents like patchouli, cedarwood, and sandalwood. When mixing your perfume, start with the base notes, followed by the middle and top notes. You can also add scents from neighbouring families to create a harmonious blend.
Once you've chosen your desired notes, it's time to blend them with a carrier. You have two main options: alcohol or carrier oil. If you choose alcohol, ensure it has a high proof, preferably 190, as lower proofs may not effectively dissolve the oils and aromachemicals. You can use perfumer's alcohol or very high-proof vodka. If you opt for carrier oil, there are several options, including fractionated coconut oil, jojoba oil, almond oil, apricot kernel oil, or avocado oil. The choice of carrier depends on your preference and the availability of ingredients.
The next step is determining the proportions of your blend. A common ratio for a 200-drop mixture is 20% essential oils (40 drops), 70% alcohol (140 drops), and 10% distilled water (20 drops). You can adjust these ratios to suit your desired fragrance strength and consistency. Mix the ingredients well, and if using a spray bottle, ensure the nozzle doesn't clog.
After blending, let your perfume sit for at least a month. Then, test it by spritzing a small amount on your pressure points. The alcohol smell should dissipate within a few seconds, leaving only the fragrance notes. If the alcohol scent persists, you may need to adjust the ratio or let the perfume mature for a more extended period. Three months is often considered the optimal maturation time for homemade perfumes.
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Bottling and storing the perfume
Once you've created your perfume, it's important to carefully bottle and store it correctly to ensure its longevity and maintain its scent.
Firstly, you'll need to choose the right bottle. You can use a spray bottle, a roller bottle, or a regular perfume bottle. If you're using a spray bottle, ensure that the oil won't clog the spray nozzle. For regular perfume bottles, you can use a funnel to avoid spillage. Sterilize the bottles, especially if they are reused, by washing them with alcohol and running them through the dishwasher.
When bottling your perfume, only fill the bottle halfway with your perfume to allow for leeway in case you need to adjust the scent. After adding the perfume, seal the bottle tightly and shake it well to ensure that the oils combine. If you're using a roller bottle, fill the bottle with the carrier oil first, then add the essential oil drops with a dropper. Snap on the rollerball after filling, then shake to combine the ingredients.
Store your perfume in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight or heat sources. If using clear bottles, cover them with aluminium foil or wrapping paper to protect the fragrance from light, which can cause it to go off. Allow your perfume to sit for a few months to develop and mature fully.
With proper bottling and storage, your homemade perfume will last long, and you can enjoy your unique fragrance.
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Applying the perfume to your skin
When applying perfume to your skin, there are a few key things to keep in mind to ensure that the scent lasts and that your skin tolerates the fragrance well.
Firstly, it is important to apply perfume to pulse points, which are areas of your body that emit more heat due to the concentration of blood vessels close to the skin. These areas include the wrists, neck, behind the ears, the crease of your elbow, chest, and behind the knees. Applying perfume to these areas will help the scent to emanate from your skin and last longer.
It is also recommended to moisturize your skin before applying perfume. This can be done by using an unscented lotion or by mixing a few drops of essential oils with a carrier oil, such as fractionated coconut oil, sweet almond oil, jojoba oil, apricot kernel oil, or avocado oil. Moisturizing the skin will help the perfume to adhere better and last longer.
Additionally, it is important to be mindful of the amount of perfume you apply. A little goes a long way, and over-application can lead to an overpowering scent that may be unpleasant for you and those around you. Spray or roll-on a small amount of perfume to the desired areas, and if needed, you can always add more.
When applying perfume, it is best to avoid areas of your skin that are exposed to direct sunlight, as this can cause discolouration and increase the risk of skin irritation. It is also not advisable to rub your wrists together after applying perfume, as this can break down the fragrance molecules and affect the scent.
Lastly, it is important to perform a patch test before fully applying the perfume to ensure that your skin tolerates the fragrance. Apply a small amount of the perfume to a discreet area of your skin, such as the inner elbow, and wait 24 hours to ensure that no allergic reaction occurs.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need a carrier—either alcohol or carrier oil—and essential oils. Common carrier oils include fractionated coconut oil, jojoba oil, almond oil, apricot kernel oil, and avocado oil. If you opt for alcohol, you will need a high-proof variety, such as 190-proof vodka. You can also add distilled water and glycerine to preserve the fragrance.
Scents can be divided into three different notes: top, middle, and base. Top notes are the initial scent and include fragrances like lemon, orange, and peppermint. Middle notes appear after the top notes disappear and include coriander, palmarosa, and lavender. Base notes appear last and include fragrances like patchouli, cedarwood, and sandalwood. When mixing your perfume, start by adding your base notes, then the middle notes, and finally the top notes. You can also add scents from neighbouring families to create harmony in your perfume.
You will need a bottle to store your perfume. You can reuse an old perfume bottle or purchase a new one. If you are using a spray bottle, make sure the oil doesn't clog the spray nozzle. If you are using a clear bottle, cover it with aluminium foil or wrapping paper to protect the fragrance from light. You will also need a dropper and a funnel.
First, sterilize your bottle by running it through the dishwasher. Then, fill the bottle halfway with your carrier oil. Next, add your essential oils. Start with about 30 drops and add more if you want a stronger scent. After adding your essential oils, shake the bottle well to mix the ingredients. Finally, test the perfume by spritzing a little on your pressure points.
