Discover the Art of Natural Perfume Making with A Toxic-Free Fragrance Recipe

I’ve always had a love affair with perfume. It’s been a part of my daily routine for as long as I can remember. However, I’ve recently discovered that, like many beauty products, conventional perfumes can be quite toxic. In fact, they often rank among the most harmful items we apply to our bodies. The culprit? Artificial fragrances, which can lead to a host of side effects, with hormone disruption being the most alarming. As someone who has recently navigated the rollercoaster of postpartum hormones, I can tell you that I don’t need any extra help with that!

After some research, I found that making your own perfume is surprisingly simple. But here’s a heads-up: patience is key, as it takes about six weeks for the fragrance to fully mature. You can technically use it after just 48 hours, but trust me, the scent won’t be as rich or well-rounded. If you choose to wait the full six weeks, resist the urge to open the bottle—this period allows the oils to blend and create something truly special.

DIY Natural Perfume Recipe

Ingredients:

• 3 tsp. Jojoba Oil (or Sweet Almond Oil)
• 2 tbsp. Vodka (the higher the quality, the less odor)
• 1 tbsp. Distilled Water
• 70 drops of Essential Oils

Preparation:

1. Start by adding the jojoba oil to your bottle.
2. Add 27 drops of your chosen base note essential oil.
3. Follow with 25 drops of a middle note.
4. Finally, add 18 drops of a top note.
5. Pour in the vodka and shake the bottle for two minutes.
6. Let it sit for 48 hours to 6 weeks—patience is a virtue!
7. Once ready, add the distilled water and give it a final shake.
8. Filter through a coffee filter and transfer to dark glass bottles.

Note: If you prefer to avoid alcohol, you can substitute vodka with witch hazel.

*Always add your base note first, then middle note, and last top note.  If you don’t, the fragrance will actually be different.  Always take notes and write down exactly what you do in case you come up with something that you love and will need to make more of!*

A little background about Essential Oils and Perfume Making:

The classification of essential oils into top, middle, and base notes dates back to the 19th century, thanks to the Frenchman Piesse, who likened scents to musical scales. Typically, top notes make up 15 – 25 percent of the blend. Middle notes make up 30 – 40 percent of the blend. Base notes make up 45 – 55 percent of the blend.

How poetic! Your perfume can be thought of as a harmonious chord, where all the oils work together to create a beautiful symphony.

Top notes

Top notes tend to evaporate very fast and normally have anti-viral properties. They tend to be light, fresh, and uplifting.  Top notes give the first impression of a perfume but usually don’t last long.

Here are a list of essential oils considered to be Top Notes:

• Basil
• Bergamot
• Cinnamon
• Clary Sage
• Coriander
• Eucalyptus
• Grapefruit
• Lemon
• Lemongrass
• Lime
• Orange
• Peppermint
• Spearmint
• Tea Tree
• Thyme

Middle notes

Middle notes typically have a balancing effect on the perfume.  They are the body of the scent. The smells of middle notes are not always immediately evident and may take a couple of minutes to come into their own right.  They are normally warm and soft fragrances.

The following essential oils are considered middle notes:

• Black Pepper
• Cardamom
• Chamomile
• Cypress
• Fennel
• Geranium
• Juniper
• Lavender
• Marjoram
• Melissa
• Myrtle
• Nutmeg
• Palma Rosa
• Pine
• Rosemary

Base notes

The base notes tend to be heavy.  They will evolve over time and will slow down the evaporation of the top notes.  They are rich and relaxing and anchor the perfume while their scent lingers.

The following essential oils are considered base notes:

• Cassia
• Cedarwood
• Cinnamon
• Clove
• Frankincense
• Ginger
• Jasmine
• Myrrh
• Patchouli
• Rose
• Rosewood
• Sandalwood
• Vanilla
• Vetiver
• Ylang Ylang

Get Creative!

The beauty of making your own perfume is the freedom to experiment with different combinations. You might have to take some risks, as the final scent will evolve over those six weeks. One of my favorite blends is a refreshing trio of lemon (top note), lavender (middle note), and sandalwood (base note)—it’s pure bliss!

If you’re ready to detox your beauty routine, starting with your perfume is a smart move. Crafting your own allows you to create a scent that truly resonates with you, free from harmful chemicals.

More DIY Perfume Recipes Below

• DIY Natural, Non-Toxic Hair Perfume [Video]
• How to Make Homemade Non-Toxic Perfume [Video]
• How to Make Homemade Non-Toxic Perfume [Video]
• How To Make All-Natural, Zero-Waste Perfume At Home
• 10 Vegan and Cruelty-Free Perfumes

As Christian Dior wisely said, “A woman’s perfume tells more about her than her handwriting.” So why not let your fragrance tell your unique story?