There is a trend in the world of perfume-making to use essential oils rather than synthetic fragrances. This is because essential oils are pure substances found in nature and have an array of health benefits. Plus, they give off a more natural scent so you can enjoy them while you’re at work or on the bus to work! There’s even an assortment of perfumes and mood-changing blends for every occasion (and even some that people might’ve never thought about before). In this guide, you’ll learn about the scientific properties that make essential oils so popular. You’ll also learn about the essential oil types you can find in most stores today with descriptions on each type. Then, you’ll be able to understand how the different “notes” in an essential oil blend are made to create a perfume with your favorite scent! Plus you will also learn about the best blends you can make for Work, School, and Relaxation
After this guide, you’ll be able to make your own blend of essential oils for everyday use or special occasions.
- What Is An Essential Oil?
- Understand The Different Notes Involved In A Perfume To Create Your Own Essential Oil Blend
- Ingredients & Supplies To Make Your Own Perfume With Essential Oils
- How To Create Your Own Perfume Blend Using Essential Oils
- Blending Tips
- 7 Tips For Making Your Own Perfume.
- Ways To Enhance The Fragrance Of An Essential Oil Perfume Blend
- The Best Blends For Working, School, And Relaxation
- 8 Questions To Ask Yourself When Making Your Own Perfume Blend
- Conclusion
What Is An Essential Oil?
Essential oils are found in nature and the plants from which the oil originates. They are taken from these plants and distilled by a process called steam distillation or cold pressing. The resulting liquid is then mixed with a carrier oil to create a final product. Because of this process, essential oils have not been tested on animals and are completely vegan friendly.
Essential oils have been used for thousands of years as a perfume carrier and healing aid. In fact, some of today’s most effective medicines are based on the properties found in essential oils.
Understand The Different Notes Involved In A Perfume To Create Your Own Essential Oil Blend
There are 4 main notes in a perfume (or an essential oil blend) that can help you to understand how to create your own perfume. They are accords, fixatives, bases, and top notes. Each note has its own special properties which can be used in creating scents for different smells. However, before you go out and buy all of these, it’s important to understand each of these notes so you can create a truly unique scent for yourself.
The First Note: Accords
It is believed that one key to a great perfume is using the best accords for a perfume. Accords are the primary ingredients that comprise a perfume or an essential oil blend. An accord or base can be very simple or complex depending on how you combine different notes together. They are the main body of the scent. An accord contains a specific odor that lingers for a long period of time. You can create your own accord by combining different notes that you like. These notes may last as little as a few minutes or as long as hours, depending on what you combine and how much you use.
Some common accord notes are:
- Accord of fruitiness – lemon, apple, and grapefruit
- Accord of woody – sandalwood and cedarwood
- Accord of floral – rose, jasmine, and lily
- Accord of spices such as lavender (synthetic) or clove (natural)
A couple of tips to make your own accord: Add drops of each note you want to the bottle. This way, you’ll be sure to get the smell you want. Also, remember that some scents last longer than others. Choose more expensive notes to prolong the life of your perfume.
The Second Note: Fixatives
The second note is the fixative or base note in an essential oil blend or perfume. This note is responsible for how long your perfume will last. The base note is the last thing that you smell in the perfume. It is also sometimes referred to as the bottom or ground note. It’s responsible for holding the scent in place so that it lasts all day long, especially when you are out and busy.
Some common Fixatives are:
- Oakmoss – “the green note” – reminds you of the outdoors
- Cinnamon – warm and sweet
- Jasmine – alluring and floral, even used as a perfume for women
- Geranium- similar to the smell of a bouquet of flowers
The Third Note: Bases
The third note is the base note in an essential oil blend or perfume.
Base notes are the foundations of a great essential oil blend or perfume. They are responsible for holding together all of the other notes in your blend. A base note can be very strong, which is why they include several notes in your blend. These are the most common notes found in perfumes.
Some Common Bases are:
- Patchouli – very strong and musky
- Vanilla – sweet and pleasing
- Honey – pleasant and sweet
- Lavender – floral, has a calming effect
The Fourth Note: Top Notes
Top notes are essential oil blends and perfume’s first impressions. These notes evaporate right away so you get a whiff of them right when you spray your perfume or essential oil blend. They go away quickly so they need to be strong so that the other notes in the perfume can come through. Top notes are responsible for making you notice the fragrance, bringing it to your nose. They are also responsible for how long the perfume lasts. This is why most perfumes have several top notes.
Some common Top notes are:
- Fir – woody and masculine
- Mint – fresh and cool
- Rose – sweet and feminine
- Jasmine – floral, very feminine
Ingredients & Supplies To Make Your Own Perfume With Essential Oils
1) Certified Pure Grade essential oils: Peppermint, Rosemary, Lavender, Cinnamon Leaf, Eucalyptus Blue Gum
2) Alcohol: Vodka or Witch Hazel (70 proof)
3) Glass spray bottles – you can get these from amazon or a craft store. Look for glass, not plastic. Some plastics can cause your oil to interact in an unfavorable way and give off a bad smell.
4) Essential oil Carrier like Jojoba or Sweet Almond Oil (you can skip this if you do not want to make a lot of oil)
How To Create Your Own Perfume Blend Using Essential Oils
The first thing that you’ll need of course is essential oil. Essential oils can be found at most health food stores or online retailers, such as Amazon. There is no real way to tell how strong an oil is, so keep this in mind before purchasing something.
You can also make your own essential oil blend at home by choosing a note, such as oakmoss, and combining different types of oils together. The easiest way to make your blend is to simply mix the oils in a bottle and use it as soon as you open it.
There are a couple of simple steps you can follow to make a perfume with essential oils:
Step 1: Add essential oils to the bottle or cup you want to use for your perfume. Keep in mind that the last thing you add needs to be the fixative.
Step 2: Add the fixative, I usually just add water since I’m just making a small bottle that is for my own use.
Step 3: Add your alcohol. The alcohol will evaporate and make the oils more concentrated. This is why it needs to be at least 70 proof (30% alcohol). You can also use Vodka or Witch Hazel instead of water.
Step 4: Finally, add your fixatives. You can add a mix of essential oils and a fixative if you’d like a stronger smell.
Step 5: Add the top notes (if you’re adding them).
Step6: Stir or shake them together.
Step 7: Put the lid on the bottle and put it in a cool, dark place for at least 3-4 weeks to let it develop. The perfume will be ready when you like the smell.
Blending Tips
- This is what I do when I don’t have a lot of time. Pour your base note into your glass, with your fixatives and top notes in another bottle or cup. Then, stir it all together until they are completely mixed together. Put it in your bottle, cap it up and place it in the fridge. Repeat this with your top note and fixatives. Let them sit for at least 3-4 weeks, or longer if you want. It will be ready when you like the smell.
- Once your perfume is done, there are a few things to consider before you use it. It is important to make sure that you do not use too much perfume at one time. You’ll want to make sure that you don’t go overboard with it because it can lead to skin irritation. It is also important to store your perfume in a place where it won’t be exposed to heat or sunlight. This will help preserve the ingredients and prevent the scent from changing.
- Most perfumes are around 10% essential oil, which is considered safe for most people who are not allergic to the oils used in the blend. You can always add more or use less of your blend. Adding a little bit at a time is generally the best way to go.
- If you are allergic to essential oils, you can always dilute them with a carrier oil. A carrier oil is an essential oil that has been diluted with another type of oil in order to reduce the concentration in the blend. These are used when you want to use essential oils for aromatherapy, but do not want the individual oils to be strong. They are also very useful if you are making your own perfume because it helps keep your perfume lighter and more pleasant smelling.
7 Tips For Making Your Own Perfume.
1) A little goes a long way! You don’t need to use a lot of essential oil to make or smell nice. A little goes a long way!
2) Make your bottle. This is especially an important step if you are just learning how to make perfume or essential oil blend with oils. It will stay nice and cool all day and will last longer.
3) Keep your bottle or cup in a cool, dark place.
4) Enjoy and share it with your friends!
Ways To Enhance The Fragrance Of An Essential Oil Perfume Blend
Here are some ways that you can enhance the fragrance of your essential oil perfume blend:
- Use a few drops of solvent from a previously used fragrance from your wardrobe.
- Try to find a vintage bottle from a perfume store.
- Mix it with your favorite scent from your wardrobe.
- Add a few essential oils from herbs and spices that you have around the house to create a unique smell.
- Use a few drops of essential oil from an herb that gives off a scent that you like.
- Add a few drops of essential oil from a flower you have around the house.
The Best Blends For Working, School, And Relaxation
Consider using the following mixes when creating your own essential oil blends:
For stress relief, consider using oils from lavender, basil, cedarwood, and orange. They are known to be great for stress relief and can even help you sleep better at night. You can also try bergamot or frankincense for relaxation.
When you’re at work, consider using oils from peppermint, geranium, and ginger. They are known to be great for relieving headaches and can even help your concentration at work. Choose options with different levels of zinginess depending on what you need to get rid of.
For school time, try using oils from clary sage, cypress, lavender, patchouli, rosemary and thyme which are known to help focus in school.
When you’re relaxing at home, mix in some rosemary and peppermint oils to help you unwind. You can also add lavender and tagetes for a great scent.
8 Questions To Ask Yourself When Making Your Own Perfume Blend
1) Do I have the time, energy, and patience to make my own perfume blend? If the answer is yes, you can start making your blend.
2) How much of this homemade mix do I want to make at once? If you make a small bottle for personal use, 3-4 ounces (or about 90 ml), then you only need 2-4 drops of essential oil.
3) Are there certain essential oils that I want to utilize in my mix?
4) What is my price range? If you are making your own perfume you can save money by putting your essential oils in an expensive bottle. This will help you save money. Remember, you can put just a few drops of oil into your bottle. Even if the bottle is small, it will last quite a while.
5) Do I have a favorite perfume? If so, consider making a blend of scents that you like.
6) Do I want to use a certain scent because of the mood it gives me? There are certain scents that you can use to create a specific mood or set point. For instance, if you’re stressed, mix in lavender and orange to help relieve your stress.
7) Do I have a favorite fragrance? You can always make an essential oil blend off of your favorite scent!
8) Will this perfume blend be used at the gym or during the summer? By this time of year, many people are starting to wear perfume. After all, it does make you smell good. Consider creating a scent that will help you unwind or give you that boost of energy before or after working out. You can even add a few drops of peppermint oil for this purpose.
Conclusion
Just like the world of fragrances, there are so many different essential oil perfume blends and scents to choose from. Try them all and see which ones work best for you!