Perfume has been around for centuries, and people have always been fascinated by it. Perfume is not only a way to smell good, but it can also be used to enhance or change your mood.
Making your own perfume can be a fun and creative project that can keep you entertained for weeks as long as you have a good guide, and it’s also a great way to save money.
A Brief History
Perfume has been around for centuries, with the first recorded use of it dating back to ancient Egypt. In those days, perfume was made from natural ingredients like flowers, herbs, and spices. It was used not only for its pleasant smell, but also for its therapeutic properties.
The ancient Egyptians were experts at making perfume, and they used it in many different ways. They would burn incense for weeks to mask bad smells and to create a pleasant atmosphere. They would also anoint their bodies with perfume, which served as both a form of protection from the harsh desert sun and as a way to attract the opposite sex. The art of making perfume spread to other places, and by the Middle Ages, it was an important part of life in many parts of Europe.
Perfume was used not only for personal hygiene but also as a form of communication. For example, many aristocrats would wear specific fragrance notes to let others know their status, mood or intentions. Wearing perfume also became a way to express religious beliefs. Some Christians would wear it to symbolize the sweetness of the Holy Spirit, while others would use it to ward off evil spirits.
With the development of chemistry in the 19th century, perfume making became more scientific. New synthetic ingredients started to be created that could be used to create more complex and long-lasting aromas. Today, there are thousands of different perfume formulations, each with its own unique fragrance notes. And while some people still prefer the natural scents of flowers and spices, others enjoy the more modern creations of the perfumers’ art.
Today, we continue to use perfume for many of the same reasons as our ancestors. It is still a popular way to mask bad smells, to attract the opposite sex, and to boost our confidence. And while the ingredients have changed over the centuries, the basic idea remains the same: to make ourselves smell good with irresistible fragrance notes.
How to Make Your Own Perfume
There are a few different ways to make your own perfume, and it’s not going to take you weeks to do it! Let's take a closer look in this guide and see which one might leave you feeling like this is something you want to try.
Perfume Oil
This is the most popular method to make perfume oil, and interestingly, requires no water. You will need:
- carrier oil (examples of carrier oils are jojoba oil, sweet almond oil, or grapeseed oil)
- essential oils (a wide variety of scents are available and you only need a few drops)
- glass dropper bottles – place your perfume in an amber or dark glass bottle. It's best to leave your perfume in a cool, dark place for storage purposes.
- Start by blending the carrier and other oils together in a ratio of 3:1
- Shake well before each use
Solid Perfumes
These are made with:
- beeswax
- coconut oil
- essential oils
The recipe is very simple: just mix 2 parts beeswax with 1 part coconut oil, then add the other oils until you reach the desired scent strength; be guided by your nose! Place the mixture into a mold (such as an ice cube tray), let it harden, then pop out the cubes and leave them in a jar for storage.
To use, rub a cube on your skin like lotion and enjoy!
Spray Perfumes
This is the quickest and easiest method, but the results may not be as strong as with the other methods. To make spray perfume, you will need:
- vodka or other alcohol (at least 80 proof)
- distilled water
- drops of essential oils
- glass spray bottle
- funnel
Start by simply blending together equal parts vodka and distilled water, then add 10-15 drops of the oils, depending on your preference. Shake well before each use. Ensure you do shake well, otherwise the components won’t mix together properly.
So, you've now made your own perfume; pat yourself on the back! If you've found a perfume that tickles your fancy, you've just saved yourself a lot of money (not to mention the hassle of going to the store). But even if you're not quite satisfied with your first creation, don't worry - it's very easy to experiment until you end up blending a masterpiece that's just perfect for you.
