Many people can get a headache at the mere idea of spritzing toxic chemical-laden fragrances on themselves. If this is you, then you may want to make your own custom fragrances with pure, therapeutic essential oils instead. Here are a few tips and recipes for lovely fragrances that you can feel good about.
The Basics
The perfume note is important.
Before you begin mixing away oils, there are a few things you should keep in mind. Essential oils are categorized according to their perfume note. Read more about this method in my blog about Blending Essential Oils by Perfume Note.
When you combine oils for fragrance, the general rule of thumb is to balance among top, middle, and base notes. Keep in mind, this is not a hard-fast rule. When you combine your oils, let your nose tell you how much to use according to your personal preference. One of my favorite books that tells the note of each essential oil is Mixing Essential Oils for Magic.
The carrier is also important.
These recipes use vodka as the carrier. Another option is everclear. You just want to choose an alcohol that does not have an odor. Yes, you can use water to mix your perfumes, but I don’t recommend it. The oils separate way too much in water and the fragrance won’t be the same. Whatever you do, don’t use denatured (isopropyl) or rubbing alcohol. If you want to use a carrier oil instead, keep in mind that this will make your perfume oily when you apply it. Choose a neutral carrier oil such as sweet almond oil or fractionated coconut oil.
Making Your Own Perfume Blends
Sometimes it’s good to have a starting place rather than just experimenting with your oils. The more you blend, the more you will learn from experience how to create scents that you like.
Here are 3 recipes that I love to get you started. Feel free to tweak them to make them your own or make substitutions if you don’t have the oils in a recipe. Just use care to pick another oil in the same note category as the one you’re substituting.
Basic Instructions
- Combine about 25-40 drops essential oils in a 10 mL roller bottle.
- Using a small funnel, top off with vodka.
- You can begin using your perfume immediately, or allow it to rest for a few days for the fragrances to combine.
Recipe Blends
Simply Seductive
6 drops myrrh essential oil
15 drops jasmine essential oil
8 drops orange essential oil
6 drops high quality vanilla extract
Captivate
12 drops bergamot essential oil
8 drops frankincense essential oil
4 drops rosemary essential oil
4 drops cinnamon bark essential oil
12 drops high quality vanilla extract
Long Kiss Goodbye
2 drops orange essential oil
2 drops geranium essential oil
3 drops jasmine
4 drops lavender essential oil
6 drops sandalwood essential oil
10 drops rose essential oil
10 drops high quality vanilla extract
Elusive*
7 drops jasmine essential oil
5 drops palmarosa essential oil
7 drops grapefruit essential oil
5 drops spearmint essential oil
10 drops palo santo essential oil
5 drops cedarwood essential oil
20 drops high quality vanilla extract
*Recipe shared with consent from creator, Melissa Poepping. For 20 more creations, check out her book, Essential Parfumerie.
Do you have a favorite essential oil perfume blend? Comment and share your recipe!
Looking for more DIYs, education, and tips about essential oils and other natural health and wellness options? Then come , your essential oil encyclopedia!
