Lance Carson
Making perfume at home is a fun and rewarding project, allowing you to create a unique signature scent or a thoughtful gift. It's an art form that takes patience and passion to master, but the process is simple and affordable. With essential oils, fragrance oils, alcohol, and water, you can design your own fragrance blends, mimicking brand-name perfumes or drawing inspiration from nature and your favourite foods. The key to success is understanding scent notes and their harmonious combinations, as well as proper storage to preserve your creations.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ingredients | Essential oils, fragrance oils, infused oils, flavour extracts, vodka, distilled/spring water, glycerine, beeswax, witch hazel, coconut oil, sweet almond oil, alcohol |
| Tools | Spray bottle, funnel, measuring cup, glass container, coffee filter |
| Storage | Store in a cool, dark place to preserve fragrance. Use coloured glass bottles, preferably covered with aluminium foil if using clear bottles. |
| Notes | Top, middle and base notes. Top notes include citrus scents like lemon and orange, while middle notes include coriander and lavender. Base notes include woody scents like cedarwood and sandalwood. |
| Scent Families | Floral, oriental, woody, fresh |
| Duration | Handmade perfumes should be used within three to six months. |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing a base, middle and top note
Choosing a Base, Middle, and Top Note
When creating a perfume, it's essential to understand the different layers of scent or "notes". These layers are known as the top, middle, and base notes, and they work together to create a harmonious and captivating fragrance. Each note has a distinct role in the perfume's overall scent profile and longevity.
Top Notes
Top notes are the initial scent that captivates you when you first spray a perfume. They are usually made up of fresh, uplifting floral or citrus scents, such as lemon, orange, grapefruit, lime, bergamot, spearmint, and peppermint. Top notes have a lighter molecular structure, which makes them evaporate quickly, giving way to the middle notes.
Middle Notes
Middle notes are the heart of the perfume. They emerge once the top notes dissipate and last for approximately 20-60 minutes. These notes are well-rounded and full-bodied, providing balance between the fresh opening and the rich base notes. Common middle notes include coriander, palmarosa, marjoram, basil, rosemary, rose geranium, petitgrain, and lavender.
Base Notes
Base notes are the foundation of the perfume and appear after the middle notes. They have a heavier molecular structure, making them the least volatile and longest-lasting notes. Base notes provide depth and richness to the fragrance, ensuring it evolves beautifully over time. Common base notes include patchouli, vetiver, frankincense, cedarwood, sandalwood, and amber.
When mixing your own perfume at home, it's important to start by adding your base notes, followed by the middle and then the top notes. This allows the different layers to interact and create a well-rounded, harmonious fragrance.
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Using essential oils
Making perfume using essential oils is a simple process, but it can take some time to get the blend just right. Essential oils are pure plant extracts and are highly concentrated, so only a small amount is needed.
Firstly, you will need to select your essential oils. These can be chosen based on their scent family: floral, oriental, woody, or fresh (citrus). You can also choose oils based on their aromatherapy benefits, such as uplifting your mood. Essential oils are divided into three categories: top notes, middle notes, and base notes. Top notes are the initial scent and include fragrances such as lemon, orange, grapefruit, and peppermint. Middle notes appear after the top notes and include coriander, palmarosa, basil, and lavender. Base notes are the foundation of the perfume and include scents like patchouli, vetiver, and cedarwood. When mixing your perfume, start by adding your base notes, then middle notes, then top notes. You can also add scents from neighbouring families to create harmony in your perfume.
Once you have chosen your essential oils, you will need to add them to a glass bottle. Make sure the bottle is clean and sterile, especially if you are reusing an old one. You can use a funnel to avoid making a mess. The amount of essential oil you use will depend on the desired concentration of your perfume. A typical blend may use around 15 drops of essential oil. You can also dilute your essential oils in a lightweight, non-greasy oil such as sweet almond oil, grapeseed oil, or sunflower oil.
After adding your essential oils, you will need to add alcohol to your blend. Vodka or grain alcohol can be used, but if you want to make an Eau de Parfum, you will need to use high-proof alcohol, such as Everclear. However, Everclear is illegal in many places, so you may need to use an alternative such as grape alcohol. You will typically need around 7ml of alcohol for a 10ml bottle of perfume. Pour the alcohol into your bottle using a funnel, shake the bottle, and then store it in a dark place for a week before using your perfume.
Your perfume should be used within three to six months, and it should be stored in a cool, dry, and dark place to prolong its lifespan.
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Adding alcohol
When making perfume at home, the type of alcohol used is important. Perfumers typically opt for high-proof grain alcohol, such as Everclear, which is considered ideal for homemade perfumes. However, due to its high alcohol content, Everclear is illegal in many places. An alternative is to use grape alcohol, though it may be challenging to source. Vodka is a suitable substitute for those who are unable to procure high-proof alcohol or are simply experimenting with perfumery.
The amount of alcohol used in a perfume is calculated based on the desired concentration. For a 10ml atomizer bottle, each ml can hold 20 drops of liquid. If your formula calls for essential oils to make up 20% of the total volume, you would need 40 drops of essential oil. This leaves 160 drops to be divided between alcohol and distilled water. A common ratio is 70% alcohol and 10% distilled water, which would equate to 140 drops of alcohol and 20 drops of distilled water for this example.
When adding alcohol to your perfume, it is important to follow a process. First, blend your essential oils in a bottle and set it aside in a dark place for a week. This allows the oils to mature and ensures you are satisfied with the scent. After the week has passed, pour 7ml of alcohol into a measuring cup and, using a funnel, carefully add the alcohol to your bottle of essential oils. Seal the bottle and shake it to combine the ingredients.
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Blending and storing
Blending your own perfume at home is an art form and a difficult one to master. It takes patience and passion, but the result is worth it—a unique, signature fragrance.
When mixing your perfume, it's important to understand the different notes. Perfumes are a blend of different levels of scent, known as notes. Top notes are the initial scent when you first apply the perfume, examples include lemon, orange, and peppermint. The middle note appears after the top note disappears and might be rosemary or lavender. The base note is the foundation of the perfume and comes through after the middle note; examples include patchouli and cedarwood. When blending, start by adding your base notes, then the middle, then the top notes. Adding scents from neighbouring families creates harmony in your perfume.
To blend your perfume, you will need a bottle, a funnel, a measuring cup, and alcohol. You can use vodka or, if you're serious about perfumery, you can buy 190-proof grain alcohol. Everclear is the best, but it's illegal in many places. You will also need essential oils. Make sure to look up any health advisories as not all essential oils are safe for the skin. You can also add fragrance oils, which are diluted in carrier oil and less irritating.
To blend, follow the ratios for the different notes. For example, if you are making a 10ml perfume with essential oils making up 20% of the blend, you will need 40 drops of essential oil. 70% alcohol makes up 140 drops, and 10% distilled water is 20 drops. Pour the alcohol into your measuring cup, then add the alcohol to your bottle of essential oils through a funnel. Put the lid on and shake.
Once you have blended your perfume, you need to store it in a cool, dark place to preserve the fragrance. Most homemade perfumes should be used within three months but will last up to six months if stored correctly. Heat, humidity, and light will cause the perfume to deteriorate faster.
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Presentation and bottling
When it comes to bottling your homemade perfume, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, you'll need to choose the right type of bottle. You can use a 10ml atomizer bottle, or a spray bottle if you're making a body mist. You can also reuse old perfume bottles, as long as you wash them thoroughly with rubbing alcohol and then run them through the dishwasher. If you're using clear glass bottles, it's important to cover them with aluminium foil or wrapping paper to protect the fragrance from light. Alternatively, you can use coloured glass bottles, which are often available at dollar stores.
Once you've selected your bottle, you'll need to sterilize it to ensure it's clean and free of any contaminants. This can be done by washing it with very hot water, placing it in a baking pan, and drying it in the oven at 110 degrees Celsius. Another option is to sterilize the bottles in the dishwasher, especially if you're reusing them.
Before bottling your perfume, it's important to let the fragrance develop. Put your bottle in a dark place for about a week before adding the alcohol. This will allow the oils and alcohol to blend properly. After the week has passed, check your blend to ensure you're happy with the scent. If not, you can adjust it by adding more essential oils or alcohol.
When you're ready to bottle your perfume, use a funnel to pour the fragrance into the bottle. If you're using a rollerball application, fill the bottle with the fragrance and then snap on the rollerball. For spray bottles, add the required amount of distilled or spring water, along with vegetable glycerine, witch hazel, and essential oils. Shake well to mix the ingredients, and then spritz onto your wrists, neck, or anywhere you desire.
It's important to store your bottled perfume in a cool, dark place to preserve the fragrance. Most handmade perfumes have a shelf life of about three to six months, so it's best to use them within this timeframe. You can also share your creations with family and friends, or even consider selling them online or through social media accounts dedicated to your new perfumery business!
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Frequently asked questions
You will need essential oils, fragrance oils, infused oils, flavour extracts (vanilla extract, for example), alcohol (vodka or grain alcohol), distilled/spring water, and vegetable glycerine.
You can use a spray bottle, a glass bottle, or a small bowl. If you are using a clear glass bottle, cover it with aluminium foil or wrapping paper to protect the fragrance from light.
Perfumes are a blend of different levels of scent, also known as "notes". Top notes include scents like lemon, orange, and peppermint; middle notes include coriander and lavender; and base notes include patchouli and cedarwood. Try blending scents from neighbouring families to create harmony in your perfume.
Most handmade perfumes should be used within three months but can last up to six months. The longevity of your perfume will depend on how it is stored—keep it in a cool, dry, and dark place to make it last longer.
When choosing essential oils, look up any health advisories as not all are safe for the skin.
