Anisha Riggs
Ylang ylang is a fragrant flower with a wonderful scent that is used in many perfumes, including Chanel No.5. Its scent is usually extracted by means of a solvent or by steam distillation. You can make your own ylang ylang perfume at home by combining ylang ylang essential oil with other oils and ingredients such as vodka, witch hazel, vegetable glycerin, and other essential oils such as lavender and bergamot. The perfume can be made as a spray or roll-on and has a great shelf life.
How to make Ylang Ylang perfume
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Base note | Ylang Ylang |
| Middle note | Lavender |
| Top note | Bergamot |
| Ingredients | Vodka or witch hazel, vegetable glycerin, essential oils |
| Recipe | Pour, swirl, and store |
| Quantity | 5-7 drops per teaspoon (1-2 per ml) |
| Method | Combine vodka/witch hazel and vegetable glycerin in a clean, amber spray bottle. Add essential oils one by one, swirling gently after each addition. Close the bottle and swirl to combine. Leave to sit for 24-48 hours in a cool, dark place. |
| Other ingredients | Sunflower, jojoba, or coconut oil, vanilla absolute oil, frankincense essential oil |
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What You'll Learn
Ylang ylang's scent is extracted via solvent or steam distillation
Ylang-ylang is a yellow, star-shaped flower that grows on the Cananga tree (Cananga odorata), a tropical tree native to the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, and parts of Australia. The flower is used to make essential oils, fragrances, and perfumes, and it is widely known for its calming and soothing aroma.
To make ylang ylang perfume, you'll need to start with the extraction of the flower's essence, which can be done through solvent extraction or steam distillation. In this case, let's focus on the steam distillation process:
Ylang ylang's scent is carefully extracted through steam distillation, a process that captures the flower's essence. The flowers are picked at sunrise when their fragrance is at its peak, and then they are quickly steam-distilled. This first and most intense distillation is called "ylang ylang extra" and is the most fragrant, usually reserved for perfumery. The steam distillation process involves using steam to extract the aromatic compounds from the flowers. The steam carries the compounds through a condenser, where it cools and turns back into a liquid state, separating the essential oil from the floral water.
The essential oil obtained through this process is then graded according to its fragrance and potency. The different grades include "ylang ylang extra," which is the most potent and fragrant, followed by "ylang ylang 1," "2," or "3," which have decreasing levels of potency and fragrance intensity. These grades are determined by when the distillates are obtained during the distillation process, with the earliest distillates being the most potent.
After the extraction and grading, the essential oil is ready to be used in perfume-making. To make a simple ylang ylang spray perfume at home, you'll need a clean, amber spray bottle, vodka or witch hazel, vegetable glycerin, and your choice of essential oils. Combine the vodka (or witch hazel) and vegetable glycerin in the bottle, and then add your essential oils one by one, gently swirling the bottle after each addition. Close the bottle and give it a final gentle swirl to combine all the ingredients. Store your perfume in a cool, dark place for 24-48 hours to allow the scents to mature and blend, resulting in a balanced fragrance.
With its intoxicating mix of floral, sweet, and spicy notes, ylang ylang perfume is sure to boost your mood and leave you feeling confident and gorgeous.
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Vodka or witch hazel is used as a base
To make the perfume, you will need a clean, amber spray bottle, vodka or witch hazel, vegetable glycerin, and essential oils of your choice. The essential oils are added one by one to the bottle, swirling gently after each addition. Close the bottle and give it a final gentle swirl to combine all the ingredients.
The vodka or witch hazel acts as a base and preservative in the perfume, helping to blend and mature the scents. It also adds a subtle fragrance that enhances the overall scent. The amount of vodka or witch hazel used can be adjusted to personal preference, but typically, a small amount is sufficient to create a balanced fragrance.
If you prefer a roll-on application, you can leave out the vodka and use a carrier oil instead. Roll-on perfumes are a great option for those who want a more concentrated and long-lasting scent. The carrier oil helps to distribute the perfume evenly and smoothly, ensuring a seamless application.
The beauty of making your own perfume is that you can customise it to your liking and experiment with different ingredients. You can create a unique fragrance that suits your personality and preferences, and it's a fun and rewarding experience.
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Essential oils are added to the base
Ylang-ylang is an intoxicating mix of floral, sweet, and spicy notes that boost the olfactory system and enhance your mood. Its scent is usually extracted by means of a solvent (petroleum ether) or by steam distillation. To create a perfume with ylang-ylang as the base note, you will need a carrier oil, such as sunflower, jojoba, or coconut oil, and other essential oils to create a balanced fragrance.
When selecting essential oils, consider their notes and how they will layer with the ylang-ylang. For example, lavender, with its light, herbaceous, and floral fragrance, is a perfect middle note to balance the heavier base. Bergamot, a citrus oil with earthy notes, blends well with floral scents and can be used as a top note. You can also add vanilla absolute oil for a sweet, woodsy scent.
Once you have selected your essential oils, it's time to combine them with your carrier oil. Mix 20 drops of each essential oil and vanilla absolute oil (if using) in a bottle, leaving some empty space at the top. Gently shake the bottle to combine the oils. If you are using coconut oil, you may need to melt it over low heat first and store your perfume in a jar, as it will solidify once cooled.
For a spray perfume, combine vodka or witch hazel with vegetable glycerin in a clean, amber spray bottle. Add your essential oils one by one, swirling the bottle gently after each addition. Close the bottle and swirl it again to combine the ingredients. Store your perfume in a cool, dark place for 24-48 hours to allow the scents to mature and blend.
Always do a patch test when applying natural perfumes to the skin to check for any allergic reactions or irritation. Enjoy creating your own luxurious fragrance with essential oils and experience the joy of a custom scent.
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The perfume is left to sit for 24-48 hours
Once you've added the essential oils to the vodka, witch hazel, and vegetable glycerin mixture, it's time to let your perfume sit and mature. This is a crucial step in the perfume-making process, allowing the scents to blend and develop into a more balanced fragrance.
Choose a cool, dark place to store your perfume for 24-48 hours. This waiting period gives the perfume time to rest and the fragrances time to meld and harmonize. It's similar to how wine or whisky needs time to age and develop its full flavour.
During this time, the perfume's scent will evolve and mature. The sharp, individual notes of the essential oils will soften and round out as they interact and blend. The ylang-ylang, with its floral, sweet, and spicy notes, will become more nuanced and complex as it interacts with the other scents.
Leaving the perfume to sit undisturbed is an important step, and it's worth the wait. After this resting period, you'll have a well-rounded, balanced fragrance that will be a delight to wear.
This process of letting the perfume mature also gives you time to prepare your packaging. You can decorate a simple amber spray bottle or roll-on container to make it unique and personalised.
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It's best to patch test before use
Making your own perfume can be a fun and rewarding experience, and it's always important to be cautious when applying any new product to your skin. Ylang-ylang perfume is no exception, and it's best to patch test before use to ensure you don't have any adverse reactions.
A patch test is a simple way to check for any allergic reactions or irritation before using a new product. This is especially important when creating your own natural perfumes, as essential oils can sometimes cause skin irritation or allergic reactions in certain individuals. By performing a patch test, you can identify any potential issues and avoid unpleasant surprises after applying the perfume more generously.
To conduct a patch test, choose an area of skin that is typically less sensitive, such as the inner forearm. Apply a small amount of the perfume to this area and wait 24 to 48 hours, observing the skin for any signs of irritation or allergic reaction. If you experience any redness, itching, or other discomfort, wash the area with mild soap and water, and refrain from using the perfume. If you have a positive reaction, you can confidently proceed to enjoy your new ylang-ylang fragrance.
It's worth noting that fragrance allergies are relatively uncommon, affecting only a small percentage of individuals. However, when they do occur, they can cause significant discomfort. Symptoms of an allergic reaction can include redness, swelling, itching, and even blistering. In the context of ylang-ylang perfume, common sensitisers to be aware of include cinnamic alcohol, cinnamic aldehyde, alpha-amyl cinnamic aldehyde, eugenol, isoeugenol, and geraniol.
By taking the time to perform a patch test before using your ylang-ylang perfume, you can ensure a safe and enjoyable experience. This simple precaution allows you to monitor your skin's reaction and make informed decisions about using your new fragrance without worrying about potential adverse effects.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need ylang ylang essential oil, a carrier oil (sunflower, jojoba, or coconut oil), and a base (vodka or witch hazel). You can also add other essential oils such as bergamot, lavender, or vanilla absolute oil.
First, combine the vodka or witch hazel with vegetable glycerin in a clean, amber spray bottle. Next, add your essential oils one by one, swirling the bottle gently after each addition. Close the bottle and swirl it again to combine the ingredients. Let the perfume sit for 24-48 hours in a cool, dark place to allow the scents to mature and blend.
Before applying any natural perfume to your skin, it is important to do a patch test to check for allergic reactions or irritation. You can also make ylang ylang perfume in a roll-on format by leaving out the vodka and using a carrier oil instead.
