Making your own perfume is a great start to capturing the scents that uplift and move you. It can seem overwhelming, but with a few key ingredients, you can make a simple scent you will love.
Most fragrances have a top, middle (heart), and base ‘note’... not a musical note, but when you hit the right ones you will be senses will be singing. These notes layer your fragrance and impact the scent based on how quickly they dissipate. To start off easy you can do a single-note perfume that includes just one scent, and build on those as you test out what you like. Some easy and foolproof recipes I enjoy include Rose and Neroli, Grapefruit and Cedarwood, and Vanilla and Sandalwood. Although, most of the fun comes from experimenting with different oils and strengths.
High-proof ethanol is the best when making a natural perfume. The alcohol acts not only as a preservative but is vital to bind the oils ensuring you get a well-combined and effective evaporating spray. Our Organic spirits don’t contain any chemicals so you know your end product is pure. All of our Organic spirits would be great to use, however, each has a slightly different scent profile so our sample packs are a great way to find one that works for you. Many perfumers swear by our Organic Grape spirits for perfume making!
Make sure to get high-quality organic essential oils, and test out your oils first to see if they cause irritation. You can add carrier oil or water to your fragrances, but adding water to your mixture will make the perfume cloudy. As with any essential oils and products containing alcohol avoid sensitive skin, fabrics, and finishings!
This is one of my favorite blends including a carrier oil as well as alcohol. I always take notes on what oils worked well together. This recipe is very simple, but the true recipes are yours to create. You can also try infusing the alcohol with spices and blooms to see how it carries into your final potion! Natural perfumes with essential oils tend not to keep as long as synthetic fragrances, make sure to label and date.
It can take years to learn the subtle art of blending fragrances to create the desired effect. At the bottom of the page, I have linked a few great books to get you started.
WHAT YOU'LL NEED
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- 1 1/2 oz. OAC Organic Grape 190-proof Alcohol
- 25 drops Frankincense
- 25 drops Geranium
- 20 drops Orange
- 1/2 tsp. Almond oil
- Small glass spray bottle 2-4 oz. (this recipe makes 2 oz.)
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WHAT YOU'LL DO
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- In a small spray bottle add alcohol and carrier oil
- Drop in essential oils one at a time
- Cap and shake well
- Label and date
Shake before use and enjoy!
With all sprays containing alcohol and essential oils, be mindful of spraying near flame or on the skin, and keep away from children. Some fabrics and finishes may be prone to damage.
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If you are eager to learn more here are a few book recommendations from aromatic masters:
375 Essential Oils and Hydrosols, Jeanne Rose
Jeanne Rose is a leading authority on herbalism, aromatherapy, and more. With over 20 published books, Jeanne shares a wealth of experience and knowledge.
Essence & Alchemy, Mandy Aftel
One of the books I re-read every so often, this book is inspiring and poetic.
