DIY Fragrance for Your Unique Scent

Making your own perfume is an art.The basic ingredients are always the same and preparation is easy, as long as you know how to combine the essential oils to reach your preferred scent.

As a rule of thumb, mainly for beginners, start with two or three essential oils. Once you have mastered this art, and feel more confident, you can juggle more essential oils of different categories to give depth to your eau de toilette.

a) Solid Perfume

Perfumed balm is easy to make and easy to store well. Basically you need 3 main ingredients for making perfume balm:
a) solid substrates like beeswax or shea butter;
b) liquid oils that used to soften solid phases, for example olive oil, almond oil or jojoba oil;
c) and a scent made by blending of several essential oils you prefer.

INGREDIENTS

• 3 oz (100ml) shea butter
• 1 oz (30 ml) almond oil
• 1/2 tsp of tangerine essential oil
• 1/2 tsp of grapefruit essential oil
• 20 drops (1 ml) peppermint essential oil

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Place shea butter in a double boiler and heat over medium heat, until the shea butter melt and then add the almond oil. Stir to mix with a whisk, turn off the heat, and continue whisking as you add the essential oils.
2. Transfer the mixture to the container, set it cool and then cover with the lid.
3. Use as a solid perfume by rubbing a small amount on warm body spots (e.g. behind the ears and inside the wrist).

 

b) Custom Eau de Toilette

It is very easy to make your own eau de toilette at a fraction of the cost and with fully known ingredients and all-natural fragrances.

INGREDIENTS

• 2 oz (60 ml) of distilled water
• 1 oz (30 ml) of rubbing alcohol
• ½ teaspoon your own essential oils blend

How to Make Your Own Essential Oils:

1. You need solid ingredients such as nutmeg, cloves, cinnamon sticks or lemon rind or zest, drop them into a glass jar, cover with rubbing alcohol, seal the lid.
2. Store in cool place away from sunlight for 1 week.
3. Shake frequently to help the oils transfer into the alcohol. Then filter through a cheesecloth and transfer to an amber bottle.

INSTRUCTIONS

1. If you are using a blend of essential oils, allow the scents to “fuse” for a couple of days before adding them to your mixture.
2. Mix the water and essential oils, shake well, and store in a dark-colored glass perfume bottle.
3. Use this mixture as you would any other eau de toilette. Do not spray on the face or on irritated skin.

 

c) Fresh Scent Body Spray

The perspiration caused by summer heat can be embarrassing, and a handy body spray can be a great relief. This recipe combines the fresh, clean smell of citrusy ingredients with the astringent effects of witch hazel and the antiseptic properties of green tea. Rubbing alcohol or vodka will help reduce the bacterial load on the skin surface and counteract body odor.

INGREDIENTS

• ½ cup rubbing alcohol or vodka
• 2 oz (60 ml) of witch hazel
• 2 oz (60 ml) of green tea
• 20 drops (1 ml) of grapefruit essential oil
• 20 drops (1 ml) of tangerine essential oil

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Prepare a spray bottle, combine all the above ingredients and shake to mix.
2. Do not use immediately. Allow the ingredients to “fuse” for a couple of days before using.
3. You can use this spray daily, especially on hot days when you’ve been perspiring. Always shake the bottle before spraying.

 

d) Odor-Neutralizing Spray

Body odor develops as the body releases accumulated toxins through sweat and sebum secretions. Since the skin folds are poorly ventilated, skin flora (bacteria normally present on the skin surface) tends to proliferate within those folds, where moisture and sweat are optimal.

Baking soda is a strong odor-neutralizing agent. It has multiple domestic uses such as eliminating odors, as a laundry detergent ingredient, and, of course, in baking. It also has cosmetic applications, including deodorants for odor control. The addition of two antiseptic essential oils will allow for the disinfecting effect of rubbing alcohol and limit bacterial proliferation. This synergistic effect is maximized by the addition of an astringent agent that will reduce the size of skin pores and limit the secretion of sebum. The addition of glycerin will counteract the drying effect of the rubbing alcohol.

INGREDIENTS

• 2 oz (60 ml) of witch hazel
• 2 z (60 ml) of green tea
• 2 oz (60 ml) of rubbing alcohol
• 1 tsp of vegetable-derived glycerin
• 10 drops (0.5 ml) of tea tree essential oil
• 10 drops (0.5 ml) of thyme essential oil
• 1 tbsp of baking soda

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Prepare a spray bottle, combine all the liquid ingredients.
2. Slowly add the baking soda and gently shake the bottle to dissolve and mix all the ingredients.
3. Shake the bottle vigorously before each use. Spray one to two times under the arms and allow the moisture to dry before dressing.