Making Perfume with Essential Oils : A Guide For the Impatient Perfumer

Back in the olden days before synthetics were invented (or maybe ‘golden days’ is closer to the truth), perfumes were natural, the air was clean and everyone walked daily.

Then along came the novelty of creating scents that weren’t found in nature and a whole new world appeared for perfumers and those who longed to offer proprietary perfumes with their own unique signature.

While it might be ‘fun and cool’ (as I recently read in an article on the perfume industry) to wear scent notes that aren’t found in nature or are difficult/impossible to source commercially from nature, plenty of science exists that questions the effects of synthetic ingredients on our body chemistry and wellbeing. You can find out more in this short video.

That said, it can be hard to let go of wearing your favourite perfume and the pampering daily luxury we’ve been groomed to associate with designer fragrances for as long as they’ve been around. (Those marketing departments really know what they are doing.)

If you could easily create your own signature perfume using authentic essential oils, you’re not only dodging the dodgy synthetics, you’re crafting something that has wellness benefits for your mood and disposition. Win-win !

But where do you start? And what if you don’t love dibble dabbling around with recipes? No problem. Our guide is quick and easy !

Basic Formula

• 30 mL vodka (100% proof if you can / if less, you’ll have to shake the bottle before each use)
• 24 drops authentic, genuine essential oils
• Use a dropper to put these into a clean, dry amber glass spray bottle

Allow to percolate for at least 48 hours and preferably a couple of weeks, shaking the bottle daily, during which time the molecules will get to know each other and the fragrance will round out. After this, you’ll have a more reliable sense as to whether you love it or not.  If you love it, multiply the formula evenly to make a bigger brew. This is around eau de parfum strength.  For a lighter strength, increase the amount of vodka.

TIP: Put the bottle next to the bathroom sink while percolating and shake it every time you wash your hands.

Which Oils to Choose?

The easiest way is to use your favourite ready-made essential oil blend. Some exquisite and popular ones to use as personal fragrances are:

• Young Living Joy™
• Young Living Harmony™
• Young Living Gentle Baby™

For the More Patient Perfumer, here’s a simple formula to get you started, using the basis of choosing one base note, one middle note and one top note.

This is a very, very loose goose way of labelling these notes, but we’re keeping it simple here. You can search online for specific lists if you’re more of an ‘it’s all in the details’ kind of soul. We could call this formula TGOD No:5 but that might be a bit cheeky.

• Base notes: oils distilled from wood, bark, roots or resin (5 drops)
• Middle notes: oils distilled from spices and flowers (12 drops)
• Top notes: oils distilled from herbs and citrus (7 drops)

Having fun ? Then you can get adventurous and incorporate more than one of each note.

How to Use?

Apply the French way, which is to spray the air then walk through the mist, allowing the perfume to settle over your hair and clothing. Or spray it on your pulse points and the warmth of your body will help release the scent.

Important

Play it safe and avoid ‘hot oils’, like cinnamon, oregano and thyme (easily done unless you want to create Eau de Spaghetti Bol), and avoid photosensitive oils unless indicated on the label as ‘furocoumarin-free’: check the labels and your trusty essential oil reference books.

Follow the usual guidelines for safe essential oil use and exercise common sense. You don’t spray your ‘fashion perfume’ in your face, so please don’t spray this in your face, either.

Write down every addition so that you can replicate it when you find your magic 100% natural signature scent, aka ‘The One’. It would be right up there with spilling milk and ringing ears if you forget and the right mix eludes you forever more.

Enjoy the good oil daily.

The information on this site does not constitute advice. Please consult with your health practitioner. When using any of the products mentioned throughout this site, please be sure to read the labels and follow their suggestions for safe use.