How to Use Essential Oil in Perfume Making

Are you having trouble finding the perfect scent? Do you enjoy being creative? If the answer to both of those questions is "yes," perfume making might be for you. Not only can you make any scent you can imagine, you can often do so for far less than the cost of most store-bought perfumes. One method is to use essential oils.

Things You'll Need

• Vodka or pure grain alcohol
• Jojoba oil
• Glass bottles
• Plastic droppers

Instructions

1. Learn the character of the various oils. They are commonly divided into three categories: the top notes, the middle notes and the base notes.

2. Select an oil(s) to use as the base note. Oils used as base notes are usually darker, earthy scents, as they tend to remain on the skin for a long time. Some common base-note essential oils are clove, sandalwood, vanilla and patchouli.

3. Understand that the second part of the perfume is composed of the middle notes. The oils used in the middle notes will also linger on the skin, but not quite as long as the base-note oils. As the name implies, the middle notes help pull together the essential oils that are used in the base and top notes. These oils often make up the largest part of the perfume. Oils that are commonly used as middle notes include lavender, rose, thyme, ylang-ylang and sage.

4. Know that the final part of the perfume is composed of the top notes. The top note gives the perfume its initial smell. Typically, the oils used in the top note tend to be represented in the smallest quantities, so as not to be too overpowering. Essential oils commonly used as top notes include bay, peppermint, lemongrass and orange.

5. Mixing the base, middle and top notes and place them in a carrier solution. This is usually some type of vegetable oil. Jojoba oil is commonly used because of its neutral and skin-conditioning properties. The essential oils will comprise approximately 20 percent of your mixture, followed by the carrier and an ounce or two of alcohol (pure grain alcohol or vodka) if you are using an average-sized, 4-oz. perfume bottle. The complete mixture will need to sit anywhere from a few days to several months, depending on how powerful and lingering you want the end product to be.

Tips & Warnings

• Experimentation is the key. Don't be afraid to try new and unusual combinations. Use amber, light-protective bottles for your perfume. Some essential oils are sensitive to light. Use the highest-quality essential oils you can afford. Work slowly and smell the results as you go. A drop or two can make all the difference. Don't forget to name your new fragrance.

• Be careful when applying new essential oils and perfumes to your skin. Try a small amount first, to make sure you are not allergic. Don't overdo it. Add essential oils to the mixture in drops. Don't just pour it in.