Seamus Hammond
Creating a perfume with essential oils is a great way to make a personalised scent. It's easier than you might think, and you can create your own signature scent. There are a few different methods, but the basic steps are: choosing your essential oils, combining them in the right quantities, and then adding a carrier oil or alcohol. You can also add other ingredients like vanilla extract or beeswax to create a unique fragrance. The most common perfume formulas are liquid and can be applied by rolling, spraying, or dabbing.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Easy to learn, but challenging to master |
| Ingredients | Essential oils, carrier oils, alcohol, water |
| Equipment | Glass bottle, small funnel, dropper, atomizer bottle |
| Process | Combine essential oils, add carrier oil/alcohol, wait a week, test |
| Benefits | Personalised scent, natural ingredients, no scary ingredients |
| Notes | Top, middle, base |
| Top Notes | Quick-evaporating, first scent smelled |
| Middle Notes | Heart of the perfume |
| Base Notes | Complement the other notes |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing your essential oils
There are three categories of essential oils: top notes, middle notes, and base notes. Top notes are the first impression of the scent, and tend to consist of citrus oils and herb-y oils, such as bergamot, lemon, grapefruit, lavender, chamomile, and rosemary. Middle notes are the heart of the perfume, and can include floral scents like rose, geranium, iris, jasmine, magnolia, peony, and ylang-ylang. Base notes complement the other notes, and can include vanilla, but be aware that this may stain clothing.
When choosing your essential oils, it is important to consider any health advisories, as not all essential oils are safe for the skin. For example, some citrus essences, like lime oil, can cause photosensitivity, and herbaceous oils derived from peppermint, oregano, clove, thyme, jasmine, and cinnamon may cause skin irritation or induce allergic reactions.
To create your own unique scent, you can combine different essential oils from each category. You can experiment with different combinations by putting the oils in a diffuser to experience the full essence of the oils when combined.
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Combining different oils
Combining different essential oils is an art. It is not as simple as randomly adding a few drops of your favourite essential oils. There is a science to it. Different scents are assigned to one of three categories: top notes, middle notes, or base notes. A perfume needs the right combination of these notes to "work".
Top notes are the first scent we smell upon application. They tend to evaporate quickly, typically within 30 minutes of application. Examples of top notes include citrus oils and herb-y oils, such as eucalyptus, lemon, lemongrass, and orange sweet.
Middle notes make up the bulk of the fragrance, with the scent becoming apparent under the top note. For a fresh and energizing perfume, you can add 10 drops of lime essential oil.
Base notes are the heaviest scent and the slowest to disperse. They are the scent that lasts the longest. Examples of base notes include woody scents and vetiver oil.
When creating your own fragrance, you can start by picking out one or two favourite essential oils from each category. If you are unsure about which oils might smell nice together, try putting the combination in a diffuser using 3 drops of the top note, 5 drops of the middle note, and 2 drops of the base note. Once you have your selection, place 6 drops of your "top note" choice(s) into your bottle.
The number of drops of each note you use can vary depending on the desired strength of the scent. For example, some recipes suggest using 15-20 drops of the base note, 10-15 drops of the middle note, and 10 drops of the top note.
You can also experiment with different carrier oils to dilute the essential oils and help retain the fragrance longer. Some popular carrier oils include jojoba oil, fractionated coconut oil, sweet almond oil, and grapeseed oil.
Once you have added all your oils, give the bottle a little swirl to combine the essential oils. Then, fill the remainder of the bottle with vodka or a carrier oil. For larger spray bottles, add your oils and then add 1 oz of vodka and fill the rest of the bottle with distilled water. Allow the perfume to sit for at least 24 hours, or up to a month, for the scents to meld together.
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Using a carrier oil
Carrier oils are used to dilute essential oils, making them safe to use on the skin. They are made from natural and organic plant-derived ingredients, such as coconut oil, avocado oil, almond oil, and jojoba oil. Carrier oils help to extend the amount of essential oil you have, while also making it easier to apply to the skin.
When creating a perfume with essential oils, it's important to maintain the right balance of fragrances. This includes the top, middle, and base notes. The top notes are the fragrances that you smell first, followed by the middle notes, which let the perfume linger longer, and then the base notes, which last the longest. To create a well-balanced scent, you'll need to layer the essential oils from each of these categories appropriately.
When mixing essential oils with carrier oils, the general rule of thumb is to use two drops of essential oil with one teaspoon of carrier oil. However, the ratio may vary depending on the application and the desired concentration. For example, if you're making a perfume, you can use a higher concentration of essential oil, such as a 10-20% dilution. On the other hand, if you're making a massage oil, a 2% dilution is recommended.
Before mixing, be sure to read the instructions on the essential oil bottle, as some oils may have specific recommendations for the ratio of essential oil to carrier oil. It's also important to consult a medical or aromatherapy professional before using essential oils, especially if you have any allergies. Keep in mind that essential oils should never be ingested or applied directly to the skin without being diluted first.
When creating your own fragrance, feel free to experiment with different combinations of carrier oils and essential oils to find a scent that you enjoy. You can also add your fragrance to a small sachet to place in your clothes or diffuse it to make your home smell nice.
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Blending ratios
Blending essential oils is an art and a science. While there is no right or wrong way to blend oils, it is important to understand the basics of blending ratios and fragrance families to create harmonious and balanced fragrances.
The first step in blending essential oils is to choose the oils you want to combine. It is recommended to select oils from the same fragrance family or complementary categories as oils from the same family generally blend well together. The five core fragrance groups are Citrus, Floral, Herbal, Spicy, and Woody. For example, citrus oils blend well with floral, woody, herbal, and spicy oils. Once you have selected the oils, you can start experimenting with different ratios to find the perfect blend.
The next step is to understand the concept of top notes, middle notes, and base notes. Top notes are light and floral or citrusy, such as bergamot, citronella, and sweet orange. Middle notes are derived from whole herbs and spices, such as lavender, rose geranium, and clary sage, and help to bind the top and base notes together. Base notes are deeper, grounding scents, typically found in woody oils, such as ylang-ylang, cedarwood, and sandalwood. These notes create a well-rounded and complex fragrance that evolves over time.
The general rule for blending these notes is the 30/50/20 rule, which states that a blend should comprise 30% top notes, 50% middle notes, and 20% base notes. This ensures a harmonious fragrance with freshness, depth, and lasting richness. You can also use the perfume note theory to create fragrances or blends that emanate preferred characteristics. For instance, choosing an oil from all three perfume notes can create a more complex and well-developed blend.
When blending essential oils, it is important to start with a small number of oils and gradually increase the complexity. You can start with three essential oils, using 1-3 drops of base notes, 2-4 drops of middle notes, and a few drops of top notes. Test and evaluate the blends using cotton balls or blotters, allowing 24 hours for scent changes before retesting. You can also add a drop of each oil to a fragrance strip or cotton wool ball to imitate the ratios and test the fragrance.
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Applying the fragrance
Applying your fragrance is an art in itself. There are many ways to apply your scent, and the method you choose will depend on the type of fragrance you've made and your personal preference.
If you've made a roll-on fragrance, you can apply it to your wrists, behind your ears or neck, or even to your hair. Hair is a natural scent carrier, so this will not only soften your hair but will also make you carry an incredible natural fragrance with you.
If you've made a spray fragrance, you can apply it to your pulse points. These are the points on your body that are warm and moist because your veins are closest to the skin. Pulse points include your neck, wrists, chin, collarbones, and inner elbows. Applying your fragrance to these points will allow you to experience the scent throughout the day.
If you're applying a spray fragrance, hold the bottle 3-6 inches from your body. Be careful not to spray the fragrance on your clothing, as this can prevent it from mixing with your natural oils and developing its unique scent. It can also be harmful to some fabrics.
You can also apply your fragrance immediately after showering, as the warmth of your skin will help the scent absorb. However, some sources suggest waiting until your skin is completely dry, as applying fragrance to wet skin can cause it to evaporate quickly.
Finally, remember that less is more when it comes to fragrance. Apply sparingly and strategically, and don't rub the fragrance into your skin, as this can cause the scent to fade faster.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need a lightweight, non-greasy, light-coloured oil, such as fractionated coconut oil, sweet almond oil, grapeseed oil, sunflower oil, tomato seed oil, or safflower oil. You will also need essential oils, a glass bottle, and a fixative like vitamin E to preserve the perfume.
Different scents are assigned to one of three categories: top notes, middle notes, or base notes. Top notes are the first scent you smell, and tend to consist of citrus oils and herb-y oils. Middle notes are the scent that comes out a little while after application. Base notes are the longest-lasting part of the scent. Choose oils from each category that smell nice together.
Top notes: eucalyptus, lemon, grapefruit, peppermint, spearmint, sage, tea tree, and orange. Middle notes: chamomile, geranium, juniper, pine, rosemary, ylang-ylang, nutmeg, lavender, cypress, and bay. Base notes: cinnamon, jasmine, cedarwood, rose, vanilla, myrrh, and clove.
First, add your essential oils to a glass bottle. Next, fill up the bottle with your carrier oil. Seal the bottle and shake well. Store your perfume in a cool, dark place.
