Seamus Hammond
Lavender has been used for perfuming for a long time, and its oil is one of the few essential oils that can be applied directly to the skin. To make a lavender perfume without alcohol, you can use witch hazel as a substitute, although this may affect the final fragrance. You can also use a carrier oil such as jojoba oil, fractionated coconut oil, apricot kernel oil, or avocado oil, and add 20-30 drops of lavender essential oil, depending on the desired intensity. Another method is to crush lavender flowers and buds with a pestle and mortar, cover them with distilled water, and leave to steep for 20 minutes to 4 hours. The liquid is then strained through muslin and bottled.
How to make lavender perfume without alcohol
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Carrier oil | Jojoba oil, fractionated coconut oil, apricot kernel oil, avocado oil, or light olive oil |
| Amount of carrier oil | Less than 1 oz. |
| Essential oil | Lavender essential oil |
| Number of drops of essential oil | 20-30 |
| Water | Distilled or mineral water |
| Steep time | 20 minutes to 4 hours |
| Filter | Muslin |
| Container | Dark or opaque glass bottle with a spray applicator |
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What You'll Learn
Harvest and clean lavender flowers and buds
To make your own lavender perfume, you'll first need to harvest a lovely bunch of lavender flowers and buds. Try to do this just before you plan to make your perfume so that the essential oils in the flowers are fresh.
Next, carefully remove the flowers and buds from their stems. Rinse the flowers and buds under cold running water to remove any dirt, as this could spoil your finished perfume.
Place the cleaned lavender in a bowl and crush it as finely as you can. This will help to release the essential oils. You can use a pestle and mortar for this, or the end of a rolling pin or another hard object.
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Crush lavender with a pestle and mortar
To make lavender perfume without alcohol, you'll need to start by harvesting a bunch of lavender flowers. Carefully remove the flowers and buds from the stems, then rinse them under cold running water to remove any dirt. Once your lavender is cleaned, place it in a bowl and use a pestle and mortar to crush it as finely as possible. This step will help to release the essential oils from the lavender.
Using a pestle and mortar is a simple and effective way to crush and grind ingredients. To start, fill the mortar around one-third full with lavender. Bring the rounded end of the pestle down on the lavender in the mortar, using short, sharp hits with firm pressure. This will crush the lavender between the mortar and pestle. If the contents start to slide up, simply push them back down into the centre of the mortar with the pestle.
Once the lavender is mostly crushed, you can finish it off by muddling it. This technique helps to crack the lavender further so that it's easier to grind into a finer consistency. Cup your other hand or a small cloth over the mortar to catch any pieces that try to bounce out. Keep going until you're happy with the consistency of your crushed lavender.
Now that your lavender is crushed, you can add distilled or mineral water and let it steep. The longer you let it steep, the stronger your finished perfume will be. After steeping, strain the liquid through muslin to remove any lavender pieces, then bottle your perfume.
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Submerge crushed lavender in distilled water
To make lavender perfume without alcohol, you will need lavender flowers or buds, distilled water, a pot, and a small heat-safe bowl. First, clean and crush the lavender using a pestle and mortar. Strip the lavender buds from their stems as the stems are not needed. Next, place the crushed lavender in the bottom of the pot and add distilled water. The amount of water you add will depend on how much lavender you have, but it should be enough to cover the lavender.
Then, place a small heat-safe bowl in the centre of the pot, on top of the lavender. The edge of the bowl should sit above the waterline. Bring the water to a boil and let it simmer for 20 minutes to 4 hours, depending on how strong you want your perfume to be. The longer you let it steep, the stronger the fragrance will be.
Finally, turn off the heat and let the water cool down. Gently strain the liquid into a container, being careful not to include any bits of lavender as they could cause the perfume to go rancid. Your lavender perfume is now ready to be bottled!
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Add carrier oil (jojoba, coconut, avocado, etc.)
To make a lavender perfume without alcohol, you can use a carrier oil as a base. Carrier oils are usually odourless or have a very faint scent that does not overpower the scent of the essential oils. They are also usually lighter in viscosity and easily absorbed into the skin.
Carrier oils that can be used include jojoba oil, fractionated coconut oil, apricot kernel oil, avocado oil, almond oil, grapeseed oil, or olive oil. You can also use other carrier oils of your choice, depending on availability and preference.
The amount of carrier oil to be used depends on the quantity of perfume you intend to make, as well as the intensity of the scent. For a small batch of perfume, fill your perfume bottle with a little less than 1 oz. of your chosen carrier oil. You can then add 20-30 drops of lavender essential oil, depending on the desired intensity of the scent.
Carrier oils are a great way to enhance the benefits of lavender on the skin. For instance, lavender is known to promote wound and scar healing, and using a carrier oil that complements this benefit will make your perfume even more potent.
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Bottle and decorate
Once you've made your lavender perfume, it's time to bottle and decorate!
It is recommended to use a dark-coloured glass bottle to store your perfume. This helps to protect the ingredients from UV rays, ensuring that your perfume lasts longer. You can use a bottle with a spray applicator or a simple lid that you screw on and off. If you're giving the perfume as a gift, you might want to opt for a prettier bottle with a decorative lid or stopper.
Now it's time to get creative and decorate your bottle! You could try gluing some book text around the bottle, attaching a bow to the top with a strong adhesive, or stamping a label on the bottle. You could also decorate the bottle with ribbons, twine, or fabric to give it a unique look. If you're feeling artistic, you could even paint or etch designs directly onto the bottle.
Don't forget to label your perfume with the ingredients and the date it was made. This is especially important if you're giving the perfume as a gift, so the recipient knows exactly what they're using and how fresh it is.
Finally, don't forget to store your perfume in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight. This will help to prolong its shelf life and keep the fragrance fresh.
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Frequently asked questions
You can make a lavender perfume using witch hazel instead of alcohol. However, witch hazel may impact the final fragrance. Alternatively, you can use a carrier oil such as jojoba oil, fractionated coconut oil, apricot kernel oil, or avocado oil.
You will need a carrier oil, 20-30 drops of lavender essential oil, and a perfume bottle.
To make a lavender perfume with water, you will need to crush lavender flowers and buds with a pestle and mortar and then submerge them in distilled water for 20 minutes to 4 hours, depending on how strong you want the fragrance to be. Then, strain the liquid through muslin and bottle it.
Homemade lavender perfume will last longer if stored in a dark-coloured bottle to protect the ingredients from UV rays.
