Conair Aroma Beads: Easy Steps To Use Them

Conair aroma beads are a great alternative to burning candles. They are easy to make, long-lasting, and can be used to add a touch of fragrance anywhere from your car to your closet. To make your own Conair aroma beads, start by gathering your supplies: metal cookie cutters, parchment paper or a silicone sheet, a large nail with a flat head (optional), and a large container with a lid (HDPE plastic containers or glass jars work best). Measure out your aroma beads and fragrance oil using a digital scale, adding liquid candle dye or coloured pigments as desired. Combine the fragrance oil, dye, and beads in your container, shake well, and let the mixture sit for a few days until the oil is fully absorbed. Once the beads are dry, you can bake them into fun shapes using your cookie cutters or simply pour them into sachet bags to use as air fresheners.

Choosing a container: Use a large container with a lid, preferably HDPE plastic or glass

When choosing a container for your aroma beads, it's best to opt for a large container with a lid. This ensures that you have enough room to mix and shake the beads without any risk of spills. The two best types of materials for the container are HDPE plastic and glass.

HDPE plastic containers are lightweight and durable. They are also flexible, which can be helpful when removing the beads. You can find HDPE plastic containers at dollar stores or use Glad plastic containers. Just make sure to avoid crunchy plastic, as it will melt in the dishwasher.

Glass containers, such as mason jars, are another excellent option. They are sturdy and easy to clean. However, keep in mind that glass mason jars can get quite heavy, especially when filled with beads.

When selecting a container, it's important to avoid plastic bags. Bags will not only waste your oil but also taint other bags with the fragrance.

Once you've chosen your container, simply add your desired amount of fragrance oil, liquid candle dye or coloured pigments, and aroma beads. Secure the lid tightly and shake well to ensure even distribution. Remember to check your container regularly to ensure the fragrance and dye are not pooling at the bottom, and give it another shake if needed.

Adding fragrance: Pour in the fragrance oil, aiming for a 4-12% fragrance load

When adding fragrance to your Conair aroma beads, it's important to aim for the right fragrance load to ensure your beads are evenly scented without becoming oversaturated. The fragrance load is the percentage of fragrance oil added to the beads, and for aroma beads, this typically falls between 4% and 12%.

To calculate the fragrance load, you'll need to know the weight of your beads and the volume of fragrance oil you plan to use. For example, if you're using 1 pound of aroma beads, which weighs about 16 ounces, and you add 0.5 ounces of fragrance oil, you're aiming for a 4% fragrance load (0.5/16 x 100).

When adding your fragrance oil, it's best to start with a lower amount and gradually increase it until you reach your desired scent level. Adding too much oil at once can hinder absorption and cause pooling at the bottom of your container. Therefore, it's recommended to add no more than 1 ounce of fragrance oil per pound of aroma beads in a single application. This equates to approximately a 6.25% fragrance load.

If you're using 16 ounces of beads, adding 1 ounce of fragrance oil will give you a strong scent while allowing you to get the most out of your fragrance oil. This amount will also ensure that your beads are adequately coated without becoming overly saturated.

After adding your fragrance oil, seal the container tightly and shake vigorously for a couple of minutes. The beads should appear wet and will take time to fully absorb the oil, which can range from a few hours to a couple of days.

Once the beads have absorbed the oil, they are ready for use in various projects, such as creating scented ornaments or air fresheners. However, it's important to note that the absorption time can vary depending on the type of fragrance oil used, with heavier oils typically taking longer.

Adding colour: Mix in liquid candle dye or mica powder

When adding colour to your aroma beads, you can use either liquid candle dye or mica powder.

If using liquid candle dye, add 1-4 drops to your fragrance oil and stir them together. You can always add more dye if needed, but remember that a little goes a long way, especially with aroma beads. It's also important to note that food colouring and soap dye will not work for this purpose.

If you're using mica powder, add a spoon or two of the pigment to your oil and swish it around until it dissolves. You can also use the flat end of a chopstick to mix any clumps that may form. Mica powder is a cleaner option and usually cleans up with a bleach wipe. However, be sure to use it in a ventilated area and do not breathe in the powder.

Once you've added your chosen colouring agent to the oil, you can then add your aroma beads to the mixture. Secure the lid on the jar and shake vigorously for a minute or two. The beads should be completely wet and coated with the coloured oil. Keep shaking the jar every hour or so to ensure even distribution.

The time it takes for the beads to absorb the coloured oil will vary depending on the fragrance used. Heavier oils tend to take longer. Some fragrances may take up to 12 hours or even a few days to be fully absorbed by the aroma beads.

Shaking the container: Shake the container for a couple of minutes to disperse the oil and colour

Shaking the container is an important step in the process of making Conair aroma beads. This step helps to ensure that the oil and colour are evenly distributed throughout the beads. Here are some detailed instructions and tips for shaking the container:

First, make sure you are using the right type of container. It is recommended to use a large container with a lid, such as an HDPE plastic container or a glass container. The container should be large enough to allow the beads to move freely while mixing and shaking. Make sure the lid is on tight before shaking to avoid any spills.

Next, add the desired amount of fragrance oil and liquid candle dye to the container with the aroma beads. The amount of oil and dye will depend on the desired strength of the fragrance and the intensity of the colour. It is important to add the fragrance oil slowly, a little at a time, allowing it to absorb into the beads before adding more. For darker colours, add more dye, and for pastels, add less.

Now it's time to shake! Hold the container tightly and shake it vigorously for a couple of minutes. You may need to shake for a full minute or two to ensure that the colour and fragrance oil are fully dispersed throughout the beads. The beads should look very wet after shaking.

Depending on the fragrance oil used, it can take a few hours to a couple of days for the oil to be fully absorbed by the beads. Be patient and persistent, as some fragrances may take longer to absorb. It is a good idea to shake the container every hour or so to help speed up the absorption process.

If, after a few hours, there is still oil at the bottom of the jar that hasn't been absorbed, simply add more beads and repeat the shaking process. Continue doing this until all the oil has been absorbed and the beads feel dry to the touch.

Once the beads have fully absorbed the fragrance oil, you can use them in a variety of creative ways. You can pour the loose beads into a sachet bag, melt them into fun shapes using cookie cutters, or display them in a glass jar or organza bag.

Drying and curing: Leave the beads to dry for several days, then cure for a further 5-7 days

Drying and curing are important steps in the aroma bead-making process. After adding fragrance oil to your beads, you must allow them to dry thoroughly before using them. The length of time this takes can vary depending on the type and amount of oil used, as well as the weight of the beads. Typically, it takes anywhere from one to seven days for the beads to completely absorb the oil. Warmer temperatures and frequent shaking can expedite the process.

Once the beads appear dry to the touch and no longer stick to the sides of the jar, they have finished curing. At this point, you should seal the container and let the beads cure for at least another five to seven days. This additional curing time strengthens the beads and helps the fragrance last longer. The longer you allow the beads to cure, the more potent and long-lasting the scent will be.

During the curing process, it is important to keep the container sealed and undisturbed. This allows the fragrance to fully penetrate and saturate the beads. Avoid the temptation to open the container or shake the beads during this time.

After the curing period is complete, your aroma beads are ready to be used or packaged. You can pour the loose beads into sachet bags to freshen small spaces or melt them into decorative shapes using cookie cutters and an oven.

Frequently asked questions