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lavender essential oil for perfume making
February 2, 2021

Lavender Essential Oil for Perfume Making

Conventional perfume can be expensive and we could spend a lifetime trying to find exactly the scent we're looking for. Using essential oils to make perfume is easy, requires just a few ingredients, and the fragrance combinations are virtually endless. There are a variety of creative ways to find a signature scent but none is as unique or personal as making a personal, one-of-a-kind fragrance. Certain aromas carry memories and associations with them, for both the wearer and those who may come into contact with them. It can be difficult to find a fragrance that evokes the particular feeling or aura that we are trying to project when looking at conventional perfumes. Creating our own essential oil perfume allows for unique and memorable scents without scary synthetic ingredients. Plus, we get to enjoy all of the wonderful aromatherapeutic benefits of the essential oils we choose.

Lavender Essential Oil is loved by many for its nearly endless benefits and its uniquely herbaceous floral aroma. This has made it a common choice in perfumery for thousands of years. It was often used in baths and laundry for its fragrance and it is believed that the name Lavender is derived from the Latin word “lavare,” meaning “to wash.” This may be the origin of why people often describe lavender as a “clean” or “fresh” aroma. Lavender is an extremely versatile scent that blends well with many other essential oils.

Blending Essential Oils for Perfume

When blending essential oils for perfume making, it is important to create a balanced aroma. Before you start choosing your essential oils, you need to know a few things about how fragrance works. There are different types of notes in a perfume that should be arranged in good proportions to create a unique and pleasing scent. The right combination of top, middle, and base notes is key to achieving success and creating the signature scent you are looking for.

Top Notes

Top notes are the light, fresh notes that give the blend its first impression and usually evaporate more quickly. They include aromas such as:

Middle Notes

Middle notes tend to become more apparent after the top notes fade. They give the signature identity to the perfume and create harmony between top and base notes. They include aromas such as:

  

Base Notes

Base Notes are the heavier, muskier, and lingering notes that give depth to the fragrance. They also help the blend to last longer when applied because they are slower to evaporate. They include aromas such as:

A good guideline to follow when starting is 30% top notes, 50% middle notes, and 20% base notes. To create a balance of top, middle and base notes, you can increase or decrease the proportions of each part, depending on what kind of perfume you want to create. 

Choosing a Perfume Base

Essential oils and other fragrant elements account for only a small percentage of a perfume’s ingredients. The base that is used determines how the fragrance will be applied and how long the scent will last. Many perfumes, especially solid or roll-on varieties, use carrier oils as the base to which the essential oils are added.

Fractionated Coconut Oil l is likely the most popular carrier oil for many uses. It is very neutral in scent and color and glides smoothly onto the skin, making it a good choice for roll-on perfumes.

Jojoba Oil is also an excellent perfume carrier. It moisturizes the skin and is absorbed quickly without leaving any greasy feeling.

Sweet Almond Oil is another great carrier oil for homemade perfume. It is soothing to the skin and a good moisturizer. Sweet almond oil is also very similar to the natural oils in the skin, making it generally non-irritating and easily absorbed for long lasting fragrance. 

Perfumes that are made for spray application may also employ a small amount of carrier oil or other emulsifying agent but alcohol usually serves as the main base. The alcohol allows the perfume to be spritzed anywhere you would like to apply your fragrance. As the alcohol in the perfume evaporates, it carries the scent away from you, creating a stronger aromatic presence. Alcohol-based perfumes usually employ ethanol. When making your perfume, high-proof, food-grade ethanol is the easiest alcohol to obtain. Vodka or grain alcohols are great because they're clear and don't have a particularly strong odor of their own. 

The recipes below are a few ways that you can enjoy Lavender Essential Oil in your DIY perfume. All formulas are created within safe usage rates for each essential oil. Be sure to do a patch test before using any essential oils topically for the first time.  

Lavender Bouquet Solid Perfume Recipe

Lavender Bouquet Solid Perfume Recipe

Solid perfume is a great way to keep the scent we love with us all day. The compact size and solid form make it easy to throw in our purse or travel bag so we’re never stuck without our signature fragrance. Nourishing Sweet Almond Oil helps the perfume absorb into our skin easily with no greasy residue. Beeswax helps the perfume stay smooth and solid while also acting as a barrier, giving the perfume long-lasting power on the skin. 

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Place Sweet Almond Oil and Beeswax Pearls in a glass bowl. Place the glass bowl on top of a saucepan partially filled with water over medium heat and allow the beeswax to fully melt. 
  2. Remove the bowl from heat and stir, allowing it to cool for a moment. Add essential oils and stir again.
  3. Pour the liquid into airtight storage containers. Small glass jars or small metal tins are a great choice for easy travel or as a gift.
  4. Place the lid on the container and allow the perfume to fully harden for approximately 30-45 minutes before use. 

Directions

Rub a clean finger across the top of the perfume and dab on wrists and nape of the neck. Reapply as needed.  

Sweet Flora Lavender Perfume Spray

Sweet Flora Lavender Perfume Spray

A perfume spray is a great way to cover yourself in a scent that others can't help but notice when you walk by. Adding a small amount of Vegetable Glycerin will help the carrier oil and essential oils to emulsify with the water so everything is well blended. Lavender, Geranium, and Grapefruit essential oils combine to make a bright, floral scent with a unique citrus twist.

Ingredients

Instructions

Add all the ingredients to an 8 oz spray bottle and shake well to combine. Spritz all over the body for a fresh floral scent. Shake before each use.

Lavender Hair Perfume

Lavender Hair Perfume

Our hair can pick up and hold scents from the environment as well as products we use and end up smelling not quite as fresh as we’d like. A simple hair perfume can be just the trick to combat those unwanted scents with one that is much more pleasant. The addition of Jojoba Oil can help the aroma cling to your hair while also moisturizing dry ends. Lavender, Rosemary, and Ylang Ylang essential oils create a uniquely herbaceous floral scent and can help soothe and repair your hair. 

Ingredients

Instructions

Add all the ingredients to a 4 oz spray bottle and shake well to combine. Spritz lightly over your hair. Shake before each use.

 

Grounding Lavender Cologne

Grounding Lavender Cologne

Lavender Essential Oil’s versatile aroma makes it great for fragrance blends for all genders. Try this earthy blend of Lavender, Frankincense, Cedarwood, and Patchouli essential oils for a deeper, more masculine take on Lavender perfume.

Ingredients

Instructions

Add all ingredients to the bottle and shake well to combine. Spritz all over your body for a distinctive, woodsy scent. Shake before each use.

Lavender Roll-On Perfumes

Roll-on bottles are a convenient way to enjoy the topical and aromatherapeutic benefits of Lavender on the go. The oils in the bottle are already pre-diluted and blended, making them one of the easiest ways to apply essential oils topically. The rolling ball evenly distributes oil as it rolls on your skin and only allows a very small amount of oil to come out, maximizing efficiency and reducing waste.  

Instructions

  1. Add 5-10 drops of essential oils. 
  2. Fill the rest of the bottle to the top with your favorite carrier oil, such as Fractionated Coconut oil, Sweet Almond oil, or Jojoba oil. 
  3. Replace the rollerball and cap, gently shake, and roll across your skin.

Below are some of our favorite Lavender roll-on perfume essential oil blends.

Keep Calm Roll On Perfume

Keep Calm

A calming blend that is great to keep on hand for busy and stressful days. Apply to wrists before work or school to remain calm and collected throughout the day.

Sweet Dreams Roll On Perfume

Sweet Dreams

A fresh and herbaceous blend of oil that helps you drift off into a deep and restful sleep. Apply to feet and wrists before bed and fall asleep in no time.
Stay Focused Roll On Perfume

Stay Focused

This verdant, woodsy blend is great to use when you need a little concentration boost. Apply to wrists, neck, or temples to focus and clear your mind before that important meeting or task. 
Summer Fresh Roll On Perfume

Summer Fresh

A bright, fresh blend that makes a perfect summer scent. Apply to wrists to uplift your mood and get ready for a fun summer day.

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