How to Make Perfume Oil

Making your own perfume allows you to blend your favorite scents to develop a signature perfume all your own while saving money. As far back as ancient Egypt, people have been combining fragrant herbs with oils in order to create aromatic scents. With a little knowledge, you, too, can quickly become a perfume maker.

Things You'll Need

• Base oil
• Essential oils (your choice)
• Dark glass bottle
• Funnel
• Eye droppers

Instructions

1. Choose a base oil. Vegetable oils are inexpensive and will provide a good base for perfume oil that you intend to use quickly. However, they tend to become rancid sooner than other oils. For a velvety-smooth, lightweight feel, try almond oil or grape seed oil.

2. Pick your fragrance. You can use one or a combination of scents to create your perfume oil. Essential oils are highly concentrated extracts made from flowers and herbs. Visit an aromatherapy counter to sample the different scents before choosing.

3. Find old bottles with tight-fitting lids or stoppers or purchase new bottles for your perfume. Dark glass works the best as it blocks the light rays that damage oils. Place old bottles in a large saucepan of water and add a few drops of dish soap. Bring to a rolling boil and drain on a clean kitchen towel.

4. Fill the bottles no more than 2/3 full with your base oil. Use a funnel if the bottle opening is narrow to prevent spills.

5. Add the chosen fragrances one drop at a time, using a different eyedropper for each scent. Test the aroma by smelling after each addition until you reach a formula you like.

6. Place the new perfume oil in a dark cool place for 2 weeks to infuse the scent with the oil.

Tips & Warnings

• Experiment with different blends of essential oils and fragrance oils when creating your perfume.

• Consider the aromatherapy aspect of different scents to enhance your oils. Massage oils that contain lavender are relaxing, while the scent from grapefruit oil is motivating and refreshing.

• Record the exact amount of base oil and fragrance used if you intend to make the same formula again.