Looking for a “signature scent?” Sure, you could shop around for an expensive perfume you like the smell of, but if you want to have a truly unique fragrance, you can try making your perfume at home. It’s more affordable, will make you stand out, and it’s not as hard as you might think! Here are a few things you need to know before you attempt to make your own perfume, as well as a few simple perfume recipes to try.
What to Know About Homemade Perfume
Before you try to make your own perfume at home, you should understand a few things about scents. Learning how different scents work together can help you create an amazing fragrance unique to your own personal style.
Understand the Basics
Perfumes consist of three notes: top notes, middle notes, and base notes. Top notes are the smells you first smell when you sniff the fragrance and are the most dominant. They are the most obvious for up to an hour. Base notes are the most subtle but the longest lasting. Your base notes will be what keeps your fragrance lasting all day. Middle notes live in between in terms of scent strength and longevity.
Types of Scents
Scents can be broken down into five basic profiles: woody, musky, citrus, herbal, and floral.
- Woody Scent: These scents are the more “forest type” smells. Familiar woody scents are cedarwood, sandalwood pine, and labdanum.
- Musky Scent: Historically derived from animals, there are also botanical options for a musky scent. It’s typically used as a base note and is combined with a floral or woody scent for balance.
- Citrus Scent: Fruity fragrances, like lemon, grapefruit, and orange, fall into the citrus scent category.
- Herbal Scent: Lighter botanical scents fall into the herbal category. Think lavender, chamomile, and rosemary.
- Floral Scent: Floral scents are at the heart of most perfumes and typically exist as top notes. There are a variety of options, so this is where you can get creative. Common floral scents are jasmine, rose, iris, peony, and ylang-ylang.
Homemade Perfume Recipes
Now that you know the basics of how scents combine to make perfume, here are a few simple recipes to help you get started on your perfume making journey.
Flower Power Spray
This floral essential oil perfume from Hello Glow is a fresh blend of jasmine, rose, lavender, and orange for a fun and light smell. It also acts as a natural deodorant.
Ingredients:
- Two tablespoons of vodka (the higher the proof, the better)
- Two tablespoons of distilled water
- Two drops of rose absolute essential oil
- Two drops of jasmine absolute essential oil
- Two drops of orange essence essential oil
- One drop of lavender essential oil
- A two-ounce glass spray bottle (a dark color works best to keep the essential oils from losing their potency)
Method:
- Combine all of your ingredients in the dark-colored spray bottle.
- Shake the bottle until the ingredients are thoroughly combined.
- To make sure the oils are distributed evenly each time you use your perfume. Shake the bottle before each use.
- Spritz on your body’s pulse points and let air dry.
DIY Roll-On Perfume
For a homemade perfume you can take on the go, this rollerball essential oil perfume recipe from A Blissful Nest is customizable for your favorite flavor preferences.
Ingredients:
- Fractionated Coconut Oil or Sweet Almond Oil
- 12- 25 drops of your favorite oil (or a mix of oils). Great scent combinations include:
- a) Grapefruit and peppermint
- b) Lavender, vanilla, and lemon
- c) Grapefruit and ylang-ylang
- d) Jasmine and lime
- e) Lime and clove
- Roller Bottles (dark-colored bottles work best to prevent the oils from losing their potency)
Method:
- Mix 12 to 25 drops of your favorite oil or mix (split the number of drops evenly) into the bottle.
- Fill the rest of the bottle with the fractionated coconut oil or sweet almond oil.
- Snap-on the roller ball to the bottle.
- Shake to combine ingredients.
- To ensure even distribution of fragrance shake before each use.
Solid Perfume
Solid perfume bars are a great homemade solution for a spill-proof, travel-friendly perfume. This jasmine-clove solid perfume from Hello Glow will keep you smelling fresh and floral.
Ingredients:
- Two tablespoons of almond oil
- Two tablespoons of beeswax
- Six drops of jasmine essential oil
- Two drops of clove essential oil
- Two drops of vanilla essential oil
- Clean containers.
Method:
- Slowly heat the beeswax in a double boiler.
- When the beeswax is completely melted, add in the essential oils.
- Stir together to combine thoroughly.
- Quickly transfer to a clean container.
- Let the mixture sit until it hardens – you can put it in the freezer to speed things up.
- To apply, rub with your finger to soften slightly and apply to the skin.
Takeaway
Making your own perfume at home is a great way to create a completely original signature scent. It’s also much more affordable (and more eco-friendly!) than buying a designer brand perfume at a store.
