Originally published December 8 2009
Homemade Essential Oil and Aromatherapy Fragrances Make Great Gifts
by Fleur Hupston
(NaturalNews) Looking for an all-natural homemade gift idea for family members or friends? Making a personalized perfume made from base oils and essential oils is not difficult and will surely be appreciated as a wonderful gift. A scent can be made for that aunt who loves the fragrance of roses or the friend who loves lavender by matching the applicable essential oil to make a unique scent, and the fragrance will be a pleasure to make and give. By making fragrances yourself there is no need to worry about added chemicals and preservatives on the skin which can cause dryness or adverse reactions.
Examining Perfume Notes
Generally speaking, base notes tend to be woody, earthy scents that take the longest time to evaporate, while the herb and floral oils come between middle and top notes. Oils that evaporate quickly are top notes.
Base notes: sandalwood, vanilla, cedar, patchouli, vetiver, cinnamon, cederwood and pine
Middle notes: nutmeg, geranium, lemongrass, neroli, clove, ylang-ylang
Top notes: jasmine, lavender, bergamot, rose, lemon, lime, neroli, mandarin, orange and lemongrass
Bridge notes: lavender, vanilla, neroli
When selecting which essential oils to use, it is a good idea to stick to a `scent family`, that is, combining scents that are similar, such as having a citrus, floral or spicy theme. Aromas that have similar fragrance impressions usually blend well with each other and won`t clash. For example, rose, jasmine and lavender are all floral oils and blend well together to make a lovely scent.
Another way of choosing which oils to use is to make a decision based on aromatherapy such as deciding whether the fragrance should have a calming, restorative, meditative or focusing effect.
Basic Fragrance Recipe
Ingredients:
15 ml (1/2 ounce) jojoba oil
90 ml (3 ounce) alcohol - pure grain or vodka
10 drops top note essential oil of choice
12 drops middle note essential oil of choice
12 drops base note essential oil of choice
Dark glass bottle
Method:
Place the jojoba oil into the dark bottle,
Add the essential oils starting with the base notes, then middle, then top notes, smelling as you go,
Add an extra drop if desired,
Add the alcohol and shake well.
Allow the mixture to stand in a dark, cool spot for a minimum of 48 hours or up to 6 weeks. The longer the fragrance is left to stand, the stronger the smell will be.
Recipe for Splash on Eau de Cologne for Men
10 drops lavender oil
20 drops coridander
22 drops sandalwood
23 cedarwood
5 drops frankincense
90ml (3 ounce) alcohol - pure grain or vodka
Place the alcohol/vodka mixture into a mixing bowl, add the oils in the order given and mix well. Store in a dark or amber colored glass bottle, allow to stand for at least two weeks and then decant into a bottle of choice.
http://www.wlnaturalhealth.com/aromatherapy-...
http://www.essentialoils.co.za/recipes.htm
http://www.aromaweb.com/articles/aromaticble...
About the author
Fleur Hupston is a professional freelance writer. She is passionate about natural, healthy living and is currently studying to be a naturopath. She divides her time between writing for Natural News and various other sites, home schooling her children and studying part time.
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