Perfume makers have sought inspiration from nature for hundreds of years, and essential oils are the best way to showcase nature’s beauty. These concentrated plant extracts are the main ingredients in DIY perfumes. They give fragrances that are pure, complex and full of character. With essential oils, you can create something that is all yours, whether you want to blend a romantic floral scent or a fresh, energetic citrus scent.
The benefits don’t stop with perfume. You can use the same oils that give your scents depth and personality to make natural soaps, scented candles, bath spray balls and other high-quality handmade products. The most important thing if you are just starting to explore fragrances is to buy a few high-quality oils that can be used in many different ways.
In this guide, we discuss the five most important essential oils every DIY perfumer should have in their home, and how to mix, store and find them.
Why essential oils are at the heart of DIY perfume
Essential oils differ from synthetic fragrance oils because they are made by distilling flowers, leaves, seeds, roots and resins. This means they not only smell like the plant, but also retain many of its good properties. Essential oils have three main uses in perfume making:
Aromatic beauty: each oil has a unique scent that cannot be copied.
Long shelf life: some oils help retain lighter fragrance notes, keeping your perfume smelling longer.
Therapeutic effects: lavender calms, citrus gives a perking effect and sandalwood is grounding, all through fragrance.
Essential oils are also a cleaner choice for products that come in contact with the skin, if used properly and in safe amounts.
How to choose the right essential oil for perfume making?
Making your own perfume is both an art and a science. The secret to creating a fragrance that smells great and lasts long on the skin is knowing how to blend essential oils. There are a few basic rules to follow when blending fragrances, whether you want a light and airy scent for daytime or a deep, sensual scent for evening.
The scent pyramid
People often talk about the structure of a perfume as a “fragrance pyramid,” dividing the fragrance into three layers:
Top notes (about 30%): These are the first scents you notice when you put on the perfume. They smell light and fresh and usually disappear within the first 15 to 30 minutes. Bergamot and lemon oil, for example, or fresh herbs such as mint.
Heart notes (about 50%): These are the most important fragrance notes in your perfume, also called the “heart notes. They emerge as the top notes fade and can linger for hours. Examples include lavender, rose and jasmine oils, as well as soft spices.
Base notes (20% of total): These are the base notes of your perfume, giving it depth and making it linger longer. They are thick, rich and linger on the skin for hours, sometimes even all day. Examples include sandalwood, patchouli, vanilla and resins.
Keep this pyramid in mind when buying essential oils to make perfume. To create a balanced fragrance, you need at least one oil from each group.
Perfume formula for beginners
This is a simple blend well suited for everyday use:
- 6 drops of bergamot (top note) make the fragrance bright and fresh.
- 10 drops of lavender (heart note) make the citrus scent less pungent and more soothing.
- 4 drops of sandalwood (base note) make the fragrance last longer by making it warm and grounding.
Here’s how to proceed:
- Put the essential oils in a clean, dark glass bottle.
- Add 10 ml of jojoba oil (for an oil-based perfume) or perfume alcohol (for a spray).
- Shake gently to mix.
- Leave the mixture for at least 48 hours, but preferably one to two weeks, to allow the fragrance notes to fully blend.
Dilution Guidelines
Essential oils are very strong, so it is best to mix them with something else before using them on your skin.
- Perfumes with alcohol: Make sure essential oils make up 15 to 30 percent of the total mixture.
- Oily perfumes must contain 5 to 15 percent essential oils and the rest must be carrier oils.
Too much can irritate the skin and too little can cause the scent to fade quickly.
Experiment and adapt
Making perfume is a creative process. Start small, keep track of each blend and don’t be afraid to adjust the proportions. Adding just one more drop of a base note can change the mood of the fragrance and make it last longer.
Preservation and shelf life of essential oils
To maintain strength:
- Store in dark glass bottles.
- Keep them away from heat and light.
- Do not leave the caps open for a long time.
Citrus oils have a shelf life of 1 to 2 years, but woody oils such as sandalwood can have a shelf life of up to 6 years.
Essential oils for more than perfume: making natural soap
One of the best things about having a collection of essential oils is that you can use them in many different ways. You can use the same oils that make perfumes smell good to make natural soaps:
- Lavender, tea tree and peppermint retain their fragrance well in cold-pressed soap.
- Melt and pour soap: You can add more delicate oils such as rose and jasmine at lower temperatures to preserve the fragrance.
Always check the safe use dosage when making soap. Too much essential oil can irritate the skin.
Where can you buy high-quality essential oils?
The quality of your perfume blends depends on the ingredients you use. Therefore, it is important to choose a supplier you can trust. At YouWish, you can do the following:
- Buy essential oils from trusted growers.
- You can choose from a wide range of floral, citrus, herbal and wood oils.
- Take advantage of competitive prices without sacrificing quality.
Latest tips for beginning perfumers
- Start with small amounts so you can experiment without wasting.
- Keep a journal of your recipes for mixing.
- Learn more about IFRA safety regulations for products that come into contact with the skin.
Frequently Asked Questions
V1. Can I mix essential oils and fragrance oils in perfume?
Yes, but keep in mind that they work differently and have different safety standards.
V2. How much essential oil should I put in my perfume?
Essential oils can make up 15% to 30% of the blend in alcohol-based perfumes. 5-15% is safer for perfumes made with oils.
V3. Are all essential oils safe for use on the skin?
No, you should always check IFRA regulations. Some oils can make your skin sensitive or cause irritation.
V4. Which essential oil lasts the longest in perfume?
Sandalwood and patchouli are two base notes that linger the longest.
V5. Is it possible to use the same essential oil to make soap and perfume?
Yes, you only need to adjust the concentration for soap making.
Conclusion
Every DIY perfumer should have lavender, rose, sandalwood, bergamot and jasmine oils in their home. These oils have a good blend of top, middle and base notes, and you can also use them for other creative projects, such as soap making. These oils are a good base to start with, whether you want to make your own fragrance or learn how to make natural soap.
Explore the full range and buy essential oils for your next creation at YouWish.
