Katrina Rosales
Creating fragrances with essential oils is a fun and easy DIY project that can be done in a matter of minutes. It is also cost-effective and safe, as you can control exactly what goes into your perfume and onto your skin. Essential oils are natural, pure plant extracts that carry amazing properties for both the body and mind. They are highly valued in the cosmetic industry due to their antimicrobial properties and ability to act as preservatives and active agents. They also offer various benefits to the skin, such as anti-acne, anti-aging, skin lightening, and sun protection. Additionally, they can be used to mimic the scent of certain plants, making them a popular choice for those who want to avoid the potential health risks of artificial fragrance chemicals. With some basic equipment and a few simple steps, you can create your own signature fragrance that rivals store-bought perfumes.
Mimicking store-bought fragrances with essential oils
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Advantages of essential oils | Natural, safe, cost-effective, control over ingredients, variety of smells, health benefits |
| Materials | Essential oils, amber/dark-coloured glass bottle, perfumer's alcohol, pipette, funnel, measuring cup |
| Process | Choose blend, add 15-20 drops of base note, 10-15 drops of middle note, 6-10 drops of top note, fill bottle with perfumer's alcohol, shake, wait a week, test |
| Precautions | Always dilute essential oils, do a patch test, store in a cool, dark place, use within a month |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing your essential oils
There are a few different categories of essential oils to be aware of when creating your own fragrance. These are top notes, middle notes, and base notes. Top notes are the scents that you will notice first when applying your perfume. They are usually 5 to 20% of your blend, and some examples include lime, orange, and ginger essential oils. Middle notes are the heart of your fragrance and appear after the top note has dissipated. They are usually the biggest portion of your blend, at 50 to 80%. Floral scents are often used for this note. Base notes are the scents that last the longest in your perfume and are usually earthy scents. They can be 5 to 20% of your blend. Examples of base notes include vetiver oil and sandalwood.
When choosing your essential oils, it is important to consider any health advisories and complete a patch test to check for skin compatibility. You should dilute a small amount of the oil and apply it to the inside of your elbow. Cover with a plaster and leave for 24 hours. If you notice any signs of irritation, redness, or itchiness, do not use the oil.
You can also use a neutral-scented carrier oil to help dilute your essential oils and make them last longer. Some options for carrier oils include jojoba oil, almond oil, and coconut oil. These can also help your perfume absorb faster, which is ideal for all-day wear.
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Blending the oils
Blending essential oils for fragrances can be challenging, and you may not get it right on your first try. It is important to always dilute essential oils and not apply them directly to the skin. If you are a first-time user of an essential oil, it is recommended to complete a patch test to check that it is compatible with your skin. To do this, dilute a small amount of the oil and apply it to the inside of your elbow. Cover with a plaster and leave for 24 hours. If you do not notice any signs of irritation, redness, itchiness, etc., the oil should be fine to use.
When blending oils, use a pipette to add the desired number of drops of each oil to a rollerball bottle. The number of drops of each oil will depend on the recipe you are following and the desired strength of each scent. Typically, a blend will include a base note, a middle note, and a top note. The base note is the scent that will last the longest in your perfume and is often an earthy scent. The middle note is the heart of your fragrance and appears after the top note has dissipated. This is usually the biggest portion of your blend. The top note is the scent you will notice first when applying your perfume.
Once you have added the desired number of drops of each oil to your bottle, replace the lid and shake well. Put a label on the bottle so you always know what fragrance is inside. To preserve your fragrance, use a dark-coloured bottle, preferably amber or brown, as this will keep the light out. Store your bottle in a cool, dark space away from direct heat and light sources.
After blending your oils, let the mixture sit for a week before testing it. If you are not happy with the scent, you can try adding a drop of orange oil to help cancel out other aromas. If you are satisfied with your blend, you can add alcohol to preserve the fragrance and make it last longer. For a 10ml bottle, add 7ml of alcohol. You can also add a few drops of distilled water.
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Diluting the blend
To dilute your blend, you will need a carrier oil. Carrier oils are lightweight, non-greasy, and light in colour. They help to “carry" the essential oils and make them easier to apply to the skin. Some popular carrier oils include:
- Fractionated coconut oil
- Sweet almond oil
- Jojoba oil
- Grapeseed oil
- Sunflower oil
- Tomato seed oil
- Safflower oil
The amount of carrier oil you need will depend on the dilution ratio you are using. For a 1% dilution, you would use 1 drop of essential oil to 99 drops of carrier oil. For a 2% dilution, you would use 2 drops of essential oil to 98 drops of carrier oil, and so on. A higher dilution ratio will result in a stronger scent and a more concentrated blend.
It is important to note that essential oils can cause skin irritation or an allergic reaction, even when diluted. It is recommended to complete a patch test before using a new essential oil or blend. To do this, dilute a small amount of the essential oil and apply it to a small area of skin, such as the inside of your elbow. Cover with a bandage and wait 24 hours to see if any irritation or redness occurs.
Once you have chosen your carrier oil and determined the appropriate dilution ratio, simply add the desired amount of carrier oil to your blend and shake well to combine. Always shake your perfume before each use to ensure that the scents are mixed properly. Store your perfume in a cool, dark space, away from direct heat and light sources to preserve the fragrance.
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Storing your perfume
Keep it in a cool, dry place: Store your perfume in a cool, dry, and dark location, such as a cupboard or bookshelf that doesn't receive direct sunlight. This will help prevent degradation caused by heat and sunlight, which can cause your perfume to lose its intensity and other vital properties.
Use a dark-coloured bottle: Use an amber or cobalt glass bottle to store your perfume. Dark-coloured bottles help block UV rays, keeping light out and preserving your fragrance.
Keep it away from oxygen and moisture: Ensure that your bottle is tightly closed after each use to prevent oxidation and moisture infiltration, which can lead to deterioration and evaporation of the oil.
Transfer to smaller bottles: If you have a large container of perfume, consider transferring it to smaller bottles. This reduces the amount of air space in the bottle, which is better for preserving your fragrance.
Label and date your bottle: Label your bottle with the fragrance name or ingredients used. Additionally, write the opening date on the label to keep track of its expiry window. Most fragrance oils have a shelf life of 1-2 years, but this can vary depending on storage conditions and usage.
Store out of reach: Keep your perfume stored in a place that is not easily accessible to children and pets. Fragrance oils are highly concentrated, and unsupervised exposure could lead to accidental ingestion or allergic reactions.
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Applying your perfume
Like any perfume, the best areas to focus on are your pulse points, as they emanate more heat, increasing the scent throw of the fragrance. Pulse points include the back of your knees, the inside of your elbows, your wrists, throat, behind your ears, the nape of your neck, collarbone, across your chest, and the top of your arms.
If you want to apply perfume to your hair, you can use the rollerball method to apply some to your hands and then run your hands through your hair. Hair is a natural scent carrier, so this will not only soften your hair but will also make you carry a natural fragrance with you.
Before applying your perfume, always shake your bottle so the scents mix within the bottle.
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