Make Your Own Perfume: Fragrance Oil Magic

Making perfume using fragrance oil is a fun and creative process that allows you to develop your signature scent. While it may seem complicated, creating your own perfume is simple and only requires a few tools and ingredients. In this guide, you will learn the basics of perfume-making, including the different fragrance notes and the step-by-step process of combining fragrance oils with other ingredients to craft a personalised aroma.

Choosing your essential oils

The essential oils you choose will depend on your desired scent. Essential oils fall into different aroma categories, such as citrus, floral, herbal, spice, resin, woodland, and exotic. You can use a single essential oil from one category or mix several from different categories to create different scents and customised blends.

Citrus scents

Citrus fragrances such as lemon, orange, grapefruit, and bergamot tend to work well during warmer periods of the year. They are strong, crisp, and revitalising.

Musk scents

Musky scents are adjacent to woody fragrances, with the likes of vetiver, patchouli, benzoin and myrrh offering deep, earthy smells that linger and are perhaps better suited to autumn and winter.

Woody scents

Frankincense, sandalwood, cedarwood, pine needle, and juniper berry are good picks for this category and work well when paired with brighter, more vibrant scents.

Floral scents

Ylang-ylang, lavender, neroli, geranium, and magnolia are always popular floral picks, bringing garden and springtime freshness into your homemade perfume.

Herbal scents

For something a little lighter and herbaceous, you could mix in essential oils like rosemary, lavender, or oregano, which tend to blend well with woody fragrances.

Other tips

• Know your perfume pyramid: A perfume pyramid is a graphical representation of how the notes in a fragrance are organised. The top, middle, and base are the three levels of the pyramid. The most volatile and swiftly evaporating notes are found at the top level. The middle level contains the heart notes, which are less volatile and long-lasting. The least volatile and longest-lasting notes are at the base level. The pyramid illustrates how the notes work together and evolve while you use the perfume. A well-structured perfume contains three notes: base, middle, and top.
• Know your preferences: Ultimately, knowing what you enjoy and what matches you is the best method for choosing essential oils for your scent. You can experiment with various essential oil blends to determine how they smell on your skin.

Using a glass container

Making perfume using fragrance oil involves a few simple steps and ingredients. Here is a detailed guide on how to make perfume using a glass container:

Ingredients and Materials

Firstly, gather your ingredients and materials. You will need fragrance oil or essential oil, a carrier oil such as jojoba or sweet almond oil, a glass mixing jar or beaker, a glass perfume bottle, measuring tools like pipettes or droppers, and a funnel.

Prepare the Glass Bottle

Before you begin, it is important to sterilize your glass bottle and ensure it is clean and dry. This step is crucial to prevent any contamination that could affect the quality of your perfume.

Create Your Fragrance

In your glass mixing jar, start by adding your base notes, which are the longest-lasting scents, such as vanilla or sandalwood. Then, add your middle notes, which are slightly less intense, and finally, add your top notes, which are strong but fleeting. Play around with different combinations of scents to create your unique fragrance.

Mix the Fragrance Oil and Carrier Oil

Once you are happy with your fragrance combination, it's time to mix it with the carrier oil. The standard ratio is 20% fragrance oil and 80% carrier oil. Mix the oils together in your glass jar and allow them to marinate for at least a month. This step is crucial to ensure the oils blend well and develop a more mature fragrance.

Bottle Your Perfume

After the aging process, it's time to bottle your perfume. Using a funnel, carefully pour your perfume into your glass perfume bottle. If using a clear glass bottle, cover it with aluminium foil or wrapping paper to protect the fragrance from light, which can cause it to spoil.

Storage and Usage

Store your perfume in a cool, dark place, away from direct sunlight. It is recommended to wait for at least 5-6 weeks before using your homemade perfume to allow the fragrance to develop and mature fully.

Adding alcohol

Choosing the Right Alcohol

The type of alcohol you use is crucial. High-proof alcohol, also known as perfumer's alcohol, is the best option. Avoid regular alcohol, vodka, or grain alcohol as they will not blend properly with the oils and may impart an undesirable smell to your perfume. Perfumer's alcohol, on the other hand, acts as an excellent solvent and facilitates the mixing of oils without separation.

Mixing the Alcohol with Fragrance Oil

Once you have your high-proof alcohol, pour it into a glass container. Glass is essential as some plastics can react with the perfume oil and alter its scent. Using a mini funnel will help prevent spills and messes.

Next, add the fragrance oil to the alcohol. The general guideline is to use a 20% fragrance oil to alcohol ratio. Stir the mixture with a glass rod to combine the ingredients, creating the base of your perfume spray.

Allowing the Mixture to Mature

After combining the alcohol and fragrance oil, let the mixture sit undisturbed for 24 hours. This maturation period is essential for the alcohol and fragrance oil to properly blend, resulting in a well-balanced perfume.

Adding Water and Glycerin (Optional)

While the alcohol-fragrance oil mixture matures, you can prepare a water-glycerin mixture. This step is optional but can enhance your perfume by adding moisture and helping the aroma cling to your skin for longer. Combine distilled water with vegetable glycerin in a separate container.

Combining the Mixtures

After the 24-hour waiting period, it's time to combine the alcohol-fragrance oil mixture with the water-glycerin mixture (if you chose to make one). Using a small funnel, pour the water-glycerin mixture into the spray bottle containing the alcohol-fragrance oil blend. Cap the bottle and lightly shake it to ensure the chemicals are thoroughly combined.

Testing and Storing Your Perfume

Before using your homemade perfume, test its strength by spraying a small amount on your skin. Adjust the perfume oil or water as needed until you achieve the desired intensity. Once you're satisfied, label the spray bottle with the fragrance name or any other relevant details. Store your perfume in a cold, dark place, away from direct sunlight, and wait 5-6 weeks for optimum benefits before use.

Mixing in water and glycerin

Firstly, add two tablespoons of distilled or spring water to your fragrance. If you are making a perfume spray, you may want to add a little more water. The amount of water you add is dependent on the consistency you are trying to achieve.

Next, add around five drops of glycerin. Glycerin is a preservative and will help your fragrance last longer. It is important not to add too much glycerin as this will make your perfume sticky. It is also important to note that glycerin is unnecessary in perfumes and can create solubility problems.

Finally, mix your perfume well and pour it into your chosen bottle.

Testing and storing

Once you've made your perfume, it's time to test its strength and store it correctly. Here are the steps to follow:

Testing Your Perfume:

• After combining the fragrance oil, alcohol, water, and glycerin, test the spray strength by spraying a small amount on your skin.
• Adjust the amount of perfume oil or water as needed until you achieve the desired intensity.
• It's important to note that the perfume's intensity may change over time as the ingredients continue to blend and mature. Therefore, testing the perfume after a few days or weeks may give you a more accurate idea of its final strength.

Storing Your Perfume:

• Label the spray bottle with the fragrance name or any other relevant details. You can use a sticker or a marker for this.
• Store your perfume in a cold, dark place, away from direct sunlight.
• The ideal storage location is somewhere with a consistent temperature, such as a cupboard, shelf, or drawer.
• Keep the perfume away from heat sources and direct sunlight, as these can affect the scent and composition of the oil.
• If you want to prolong the shelf life of your perfume, consider storing it in the fridge. However, remember to take it out 1-2 hours before application to allow it to warm up.
• Always remember to replace the cap after using your perfume to prevent oxidation and prolong its shelf life.
• Keep the perfume out of the reach of children and pets to avoid any accidental exposure, which could be harmful.
• To further preserve your perfume, you can transfer it to a smaller bottle once it's half full. This reduces the oxygen 'headspace', slowing down the oxidation process and helping the perfume last longer.
• Finally, keep track of the dates by writing the opening date on the label. Most fragrance oils have a shelf life of 1-2 years, but this can vary depending on storage conditions and usage.

Frequently asked questions