It becomes more frustrating when you can’t describe what you wanted and, even if you do, the perfumers won’t give it to you exactly the way your nose wants it.

Some people begin to mix different perfumes, hoping to find something closer to what they wanted but they don’t. This will end up making you feel bad. You will feel stuck with the exotic perfume signature you have in your imagination, which you would have loved to own as well as give to the world. 

Some people have been lucky to find good noses that could figure out (so to say) the perfumes that will match or closely match their desires. For instance, Coco Chanel, the founder of the fashion house of Chanel, was able to achieve the brand’s Chanel No. 5 perfume this way.

She wanted a unique perfume that will give women a sense of cleanliness and freshness all day long and she found someone that created what she wanted. But then, it didn’t come cheap; and she had to commercialise what was created.

Because she created this perfume to sell to her customers, she wouldn’t mind spending a lot of money just to get what she wanted. But it won’t be easy for you to commission a special perfume fragrance if you are not going to sell it. It’s going to be too expensive for you. So, if you don’t own a perfumery or a perfume shop (or even a shop to sell perfumes), the only way to own that special perfume is by creating the perfume yourself.

Most times, people don’t know or believe what they are capable of achieving. When you tell some people they can make their own perfumes, they become surprised and often ask, “Is that really possible?” Well, the answer is yes, you can make your perfumes.

It doesn’t require rocket science to do that. If you make up your mind to make your perfumes right there in your home, you can do it and do it very well. Well, the reason we are here today is to let you know that you can make your DIY exotic perfume that no one will believe you created. You are going to be proud of yourself when you take this bold step.

So, in this piece, you are going to find out how to make that particular perfume you love. Specifically, this article will give you tips on how to make perfume oil. The good thing here is, first of all, you are going to make this perfume right there in your home, not in a laboratory – just a corner in your home is all you need. Another thing is, you will use only the materials in your home to make the perfume.

One thing I’m promising you here is that all the materials you will use for this project will come from your home – your kitchen and garden mostly – and they are all 100% natural. 

Here is a bonus for you: you will also find out how to extract and produce essential oils from any natural aromatic material. If you extract essential oils and have them always available in your home, you will have the basic materials for making your perfumes.

That way, it will be easier for you to create your perfumes anytime you wish to. One more thing, the method for making essential oil you will find in this article will not require you to buy any equipment you don’t have already. It’s going to be a simple but effective method anybody can do at home. 

Why You Should Make Your Perfumes

One very important question a lot of people ask concerning DIY perfume-making exercises is why they have to make their perfumes when there are a lot of good perfumes from good perfume brands out there.

Well, here’s the truth: you’re not making your perfumes to compete with the good perfume brands or to replace them (unless you want to).

You are going to find out how to make your perfumes for a lot of reasons that are too innumerable to be counted. Some of them may even be personal to you. However, here are some of the reasons people prefer making their perfumes and using them:

1. It’s fun. Some of the DIY experiments are done for the fun part of it. It always feels amazing knowing you can do some things all by yourself. That is the same thing with making the perfumes you wear, especially if their fragrances are exotic and unique. So, you can decide to go along with this experiment and have fun.

2. It’s cheaper. Perfumes don’t come cheap. The more renowned a company is the more expensive its perfumes are. But, you can recreate a fragrance that is close (or better) to what these companies are selling at a cheaper rate by using what you have in your kitchen and garden. So, why not give it a try?

3. It is convenient. Times may come when your perfume finishes but you don’t have the time (and sometimes, money) to replace it. When something like this happens, people find themselves living without perfumes. But you know you don’t have to stay without perfumes when you can create one for yourself. This is one good reason you should learn how to make perfumes with things you find in your home.

4. It’s safe. One of the things about making perfumes with natural materials is that you will avoid using perfume-making chemicals your body may react to. Apart from that, when you make your perfumes, you can avoid using the natural materials you are allergic to. But you know you can’t make such choices when you purchase perfumes. So, if your body reacts to perfumes because of some of the chemical contents they have, you should consider making yours. 

5. You can choose your scents. Sometimes, when you see the perfume you like, it may have this particular scent you would have preferred if it was removed from the blend. But because you are not in a position to do so, you will have no other choice than to use what was offered to you. However, when you make your perfumes, you can decide not to add that particular fragrance to the blend. So, you will have what you wanted and remove what you don’t like.

6. It’s your signature. Of course, the perfume you are going to make will be customised to suit your taste. For that, the perfume will be unique because it is for you alone. Remember, you will have to make it the way you want it. It is your experiment and your creation. Let your imagination play its part here.

Let’s Look at the Accords

Before we proceed, let’s look at different perfume accords and how you may achieve them. A perfume accord refers to the stories your perfume tells. For instance, you may smell some perfumes and they will tell you about fruits, flowers, dews, rain, nature, woods, and so on. You may also come across those that will tell you about freshness, cleanliness, the seaside, summer, winter, and so many other things that will remind you of your experiences.

What this means is that the fragrance of every perfume has a story or two it tells. Once you smell a good perfume, the fragrance will remind you of something. It will generate images that will send messages to your five senses (touch, smell, sight, taste, and hearing). That story or image it generates is what we refer to as the perfume’s accord.

 So, what story do you want your perfume to tell?

Some people create their perfumes by using any aromatic substance they see, just because they like the smell. It’s not bad to do it that way, but you should also consider the outcome of the experiment. This is why you should go decide what your perfume should smell like so you can decide how to arrive at the result. 

You don’t have to worry about the accord of your perfume because the smell of the aromatic material you will use can help you to make that decision. However, you can go through the list provided below to see some of the commonest perfume accords we have. This will help you to decide the story you want your perfume to tell you and the people that come in contact with you each time you wear it.

Commonest Perfume Main Accords

There are many perfume accords you can achieve by experimenting with the aromatic substances in your home. However, below are the ones many people opt for. Remember, this experiment is your creation. So, feel free to try out different blends until you arrive at what you desire.

1. Citrus Accord: This accord, as you can guess correctly, gives you the imagination of the citrus fruit that dominates the fragrance. The reason people opt for it a lot is that it keeps them fresh when it is active. It is also refreshing when smelt. To achieve this accord, you add the essential oil from one or more of the following materials to the perfume:

• Lemon zest
• Orange zest
• Lime zest
• Grapefruit zest
• Bergamot zest
• Citron zest
• Tangerine zest
• Pomelo zest
• Blood orange zest
• Mandarin Orange zest
• Bitter orange zest, 
• Lemongrass, etc.

NB: The zest of citrus fruits is the only material from which the aromatic oil or substance that gives the fragrance is obtained. The juice is not included.

2. Floral Accord: This is obtained from flowers. The smell of the perfumes with this accord reminds you of flowers. You may decide to use yellow or white flowers or just any sweet-fragranced flowers you can find around the garden to obtain this accord. So, when you spray or dab your perfume, the fragrance will remind you of the flowers you used. All the same, here are the commonest flowers (that is, the flower petals) people use to obtain this accord:

• Rose
• Honeysuckle
• Ylang-ylang
• Jasmine
• Lavender
• Freesia 
• Gardenia
• Orange blossom (etc.)

3. Woody Accord: If you like being close to the woods, this accord is for you. It smells like wood, literally. If you add any of the materials that will yield this accord to your perfume, you will always imagine the smell of logs, the forests, or sawmill each time you spray or dab the perfume. If you want this in your perfume, you should look for 

• Sandalwood
• Juniper 
• Cedarwood
• Patchouli 
• Pine
• Vetiver
• Spruce
• Cypress 
• Fir 

4. Oriental Accord: This accord is not so common but it is exotic. It gives off the illusion of being among the Orients. If you want to check it out, blend the fragrances from following materials: 

• Vanilla
• Amber
• Sandalwood
• Vetiver
• Cedarwood

5. Spicy Accord: This accord is very hot and strong. You may have to go easy on it because it can become overpowering and offensive to those around you. If possible, when you obtain this accord, blend it with another accord to tune it down a little. It’s your experiment, remember, so be as creative as possible. 

Well, in case you want to go spicy, here are some materials you should bring together for the perfume: 

• Clove (go easy on this because it can overpower and subdue the other fragrances in the blend)
• Cinnamon
• Patchouli
• Vanilla 
• Basil
• Oregano
• Ginger
• Nutmeg
• Anise
• Cardamom, etc.

6. Herbal Accord: This is another accord that is also hot and strong. It should be used subtly to avoid appearing offensive to others. Some of the materials needed for creating this accord are:

• Spearmint leaves
• Peppermint leaves
• Eucalyptus leaves and barks
• Rosemary needles
• Tea tree leaves, etc.

Making Your Essential Oil

This is a bonus section I talked about before. It’s added here because you need it before you can continue to the next section. Why you need to find out how to make essential oil is because it will be easier for you to make your perfumes after you have derived the essential oils from the plant materials.

You may decide to go straight to making your perfume without deriving the essence of the aromatic substances but the truth is, it may not yield the best result.

The reason is, you cannot blend different fragrances if you do this. Since it is not advisable to make perfumes by adding all the aromatic materials in one container (you have to derive their fragrances separately), you will have no other choice than to use essential oils or stick to just one aromatic material.

In this section, you are going to find out the different methods of obtaining the essential oils from the aromatic substances you are about to use.

The method that will be described here will not require you to set up a mini-laboratory in your home or cause you to spend money to buy many pieces of equipment you don’t already have. In other words, you don’t have to worry about facing difficulties as you obtain your essential oils because you won’t; they are very easy to secrete.

Every essential oil, as you must have known, contains the essence of a particular plant. The nutrients, pigment, and scent of the plant you used to make that oil are contained in the oil. So, when you want to choose the aromatic materials you will use to make your essential oils, go for the ones you don’t react to. 

Essential oils can be secreted from plants and plant materials using different methods. The commonest methods you will see out there are the distillation and the mechanical expression methods. However, these methods will require you to buy some pieces of equipment and/or set up a laboratory each time you want to extract your oil.

Since you are doing a DIY perfume, which will require you to use only what you have in the kitchen, we won’t be into those methods. We are going to look into a simple method that works all the time. I know it will work for you too. So, here we go.

Materials you will need

1. The plant aromatic substance from which the essential oil will be extracted. Remember, the plant material you go for depends on what you wanted. It is entirely your choice to make. So, experiment with as many substances are can lay your hands on.

2. The carrier oil. This is the oil that will be used to extract the essence of the plant material. The oil you are going to use here should not have any scent so it doesn’t interfere with that of the plant material. However, some people prefer using scented oils because they love the flavours they add to their essential oils. But if you want to go for the non-scented oils, you can use jojoba oil, almond oil, or coconut oil. If you don’t have any of these, you can use olive oil, grape seed oil, canola oil, or safflower oil.

3. A stove. Some people use ovens too. 

4. A pot or saucepan with a lid. You should go for a small pot because the quantity of the essential oil you are going to make right now will be small. If you get it right, you can increase the quantity during your next experiment.

5. Wooden spoon.

6. Strainer and cheesecloth.

7. A jug and/or a funnel.

8. A bottle with a lid. Dark bottles are mostly preferred here.

Procedure

i. Gather the materials you will use for the experiments together. This is very important because it will prevent you from running around, looking at everything is, when you are making the oil. So, get everything, including the plant materials, together before you start.

ii. Prepare your plant materials. If you have not separated your flowers’ petals from their stalks, this is the time to do that. If you are going to make the oil from any of the citrus fruits, you should scrape the zest and set them ready. Grind the materials that should be grounded and get everything ready. 

iii. Wash and dry your pot.

iv. Put the plant material into the empty pot. Remember, you should not make one type of essential oil from more than one aromatic substance. Each substance should have its own essential oil.

v. Add the carrier oil to the pot. You can decide to add the oil into the pot before putting the plant material, it’s your choice. However, just make sure all the plant materials you are using are soaked with oil.

 vi. Cover the pot with its lid.

vii. Place the pot on the stove and turn it on. Reduce the heat to the lowest temperature the stove can give.

viii. Allow it to cook for 5 to 6 hours. You don’t have to leave it to cook for 6 hours straight; you can break down the 6 hours into two or three different periods. For instance, you can allow it to cook for 3 hours and then turn off the heat. When next you are free to monitor the pot, you can turn on the heat to complete the work. Always stir the content of the pot every hour to help the plant material release its oil.

ix. When you have completed the cooking, transfer the content of the pot into the sieve and let it strain into the jug.

x. Put the funnel in the bottle and cover it with the cheesecloth. Then pour the content into the funnel so it goes directly into the bottle.

xi. Cover the bottle and keep the oil aside until you’re ready to make your perfume.

NB. Use this same process to make the essential oil for each of the aromatic materials you want to use for the perfume. When you have made enough essential oils to start experimenting with the perfume making, you can go over to the next section. Remember, you are not going to use all the essential oils you made for this perfume. As you will see later, you will only need a few drops of the oils to make your perfume.

Time to Make your Exotic Perfume

This is it. This is where you are finally going to find out the procedure for making your perfume. Trust me, the work is very simple. But before we go into that, let’s look at the essential oils you can combine to create that wonderful fragrance you love. Let’s first look at what note means and some of the best fragrances you can use for each note.

Perfume Notes

Every perfume has depth. These depths are released as notes. This means that the fragrances in every perfume are not released at the same time; they come one after the other. But it is only possible if you blend many fragrances in one perfume. 

To achieve good notes in your perfume, you have to add essential oils or whatever aromatic content you are using in stages. Specifically, there are three stages by which fragrances are released. These are called the head or top note, the heart or middle note, and the base note.

The top note is the first waft of fragrance blend you receive when you open a perfume bottle or spray it. It acts as the announcer: it tells people someone is wearing perfume at that moment. But after some minutes (say 15 minutes), the top note will dissipate and the middle note will be activated. 

This middle note is the heart of the perfume. That is why it is also known as the heart note. This is the fragrance of a blend of fragrances that follows you around for four to five hours, depending on the longevity of your perfume. When this note dies out, the base note comes alive.

The base note will stay with you (though it’s not always loud) like a faithful friend until you spray your perfume again to retouch or you change into cleaner clothes. It is the base note that keeps you and your clothes from smelling awful when the middle note has left you.

Bringing these three notes into consideration will make you choose the essential oils for your perfume wisely. Remember, the top note will determine whether you will be happy when you spray your perfume. So you have to go for the scent/s you love.

The middle note is what makes the people around you smile at you because you smell good. So, go for the middle note that won’t be offensive. And then, the base note will stay with your clothes until you wash them. You will need to use something beautiful and good too. 

However, let’s look at what people love using for their different notes:

Top Notes: For your top notes, you can choose any or more of the following essential oils:

• Tea tree
• Spearmint
• Lemon
• Orange
• Lime
• Cinnamon
• Bergamot
• Grapefruit 
• Eucalyptus
• Peppermint
• Mandarin orange
• Lemongrass
• Tangerine

Middle Notes: Try any of the following or a blend of some of them for this note:

• Cypress
• Cardamom
• Lavender
• Nutmeg
• Juniper 
• Rosemary
• Pine
• Spruce

Base Note: The following work best here:

• Clove
• Cedarwood
• Ylang-ylang
• Vanilla
• Vetiver
• Rose
• Sandalwood
• Jasmine
• Patchouli
• Ginger
• Cinnamon 

NB: Remember, this is your choice. You have to decide what suits you best.

Materials Needed for Making the Perfume Oil

1. Your essential oils. Remember, it is your experiment and your choice. So, choose what suits you here.

2. The carrier oil. Remember we are making perfume oil, so you need a carrier oil. We will still maintain the use of jojoba oil, almond seed oil, coconut oil, grape seed oil, and other unscented light oils.

3. A bowl, jug, or any container you want to use to mix the perfume.

4. A funnel.

5. A bottle with a lid. Dark bottles are preferred here because they help to keep the sun away.

6. A dropper. You don’t pour essential oils, you drop them. You actually count the number of drops of each essential you add to the blend.

7. A stirrer. You can use your lobster pick for this. But if you have another object, preferably a plastic material, that is straight and thin, use it. The most important thing here is that you have something that can help you stir the perfume perfectly as you make it. 

Procedure

1. Gather the materials together. 

2. Group the essential oils you will use as the base note, middle note, and top note separately. That way, you won’t use one for the other. It will also make your work easier and faster.

3. Pour about 30ml of the carrier oil into the bowl. You can measure out the oil with a tablespoon or the cap of the bottle. A tablespoon is approximately 15ml; so three tablespoons of the carrier oil may give you something close to 30ml. But if you have another accurate measuring container, do use it.

4. Drop the essential oil for the base note into the carrier oil. For the 30ml carrier oil, it will be, usually, 12 drops of the essential oils you are going to use. If you want to use three essential oils for the base note, you should decide how to share out the 12 drops to them.

5. Drop the middle notes into the blend. For the 30 ml carrier oil, it should be 24 drops of essential oils, shared out among the chosen ones.

6. Add drops of the top note. For the 30ml carrier oil, it should be 36 drops of the essential oils. Remember to share it out amongst the essential oils you will use.

7. Stir the blend very well.

8. Transfer the mixture into the bottle and cover tightly.

9. Shake the bottle very well so the oils can blend very well.

10. Keep the bottle in a dark, cool, and dry place for, at least, two days. This will allow the oils to infuse.

11. You can go ahead and use your perfume. Remember to dab them on your pulse points (wrist, elbow, collarbone, behind the ear, and knees).

NB. Determining how many drops of essential oils to add is where the arithmetic in perfume making becomes tricky. If you add a lot of essential oils, the outcome will become too overpowering. My suggestion for this:

a. Increase the quantity of the essential oil you love and reduce that of those you don’t.

b. Go low on spicy and hot essential oils.

c. Increase the quantity of the subtle oils so they are not subdued.

d. Have fun with the experiment by blending different accords to see the one that will give you the desired result. Remember to record your experiments so that when you create what you love, you will know the formula that yielded that result.

ALSO READ: How To Make Perfume At Home: An Easy Step By Step Guide

Conclusion

As you can see, it is quite easy to create your perfume oil right there in your kitchen, balcony, pantry, or any part of your home you want to. And you don’t have to break the bank to do that. 

All you need here is to make your essential oils and you’re good to go. The marvellous thing here is that you can experiment with many aromatic substances as you can. So, feel free to be exotic and creative; that’s why you’re making your perfume.

The post How to Make Your Perfume Oil Perfect: A Detailed Guide 2024 appeared first on Best Perfumes Reviews.

The truth is, perfumes attract reactions to the persons wearing them. If you wear perfumes with fragrances that people love, you will receive tons of compliments, irrespective of the clothes you wear. This is why investing in perfumes is a good business strategy. If you smell good, you will be at a better advantage to impress your clients, business associates, colleagues, prospects, and superiors. At home, your partner, children, friends, neighbours, and so on, will also love your perfume.

Apart from impressing others, wearing a good perfume will make you happy. The sweet smell coming from your perfume is therapeutic, which means it will influence you to be in a good mood all the time. Wearing good perfumes can also boost your self-confidence and add a spring to your steps. So, no matter what you do, you should endeavour to get yourself a good perfume.

But then, good perfumes don’t come cheap. I know how a lot of people complain about the prices of perfumes and how uneasy it is to buy one.

Fortunately, you don’t have to break the bank to own a good perfume. You may not have noticed it by now but some of the things in your home can be used for making perfumes. This is why we are here to let you know that you have a perfume hidden on your shelf. In this article, you will find out how to make a DIY perfume with your essential oils.

What are essential oils?

Essential oils are highly concentrated oils that contain the essence and scents of plants they are made from. They are not made in laboratories with synthetic substances but processed in such a way that they can absorb the scents and essence of the plant part in it. So, every essential oil you see smells like the plant or the part of the plant it originated from. If it is made from the roots, it will smell like the roots. If it came from the flowers, it will also smell like the flowers. This can help you to detect the pure essential oils from the adulterated ones.

What do you do with your essential oils?

You would have guessed by now that essential oils are used for perfume making. But that is not all the oils are used for. Essential oils are also used for aromatherapy. This is because the scent of the oil can reduce stress and anxiety as well as improve people’s physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing.

Some people inhale essential oils to cure their sleeping disorders and insomnia. You can also use sweet-smelling oil to handle migraines and headaches. Essential oils equally have anti-inflammatory effects. Now you can imagine having these oils as the chief ingredients in your perfumes. This means you will not only smell good but also feel good.

Finding the right essential oil

Some people prepare their essential oils by themselves. If you know how to make yours, that will be great. But if you don’t, you can buy them from a good shop. The thing you should worry about when buying essential oil is how to get the good one. You need to be careful out there so you don’t buy oil made from synthetic materials and bottled as an essential oil. You have to be careful to avoid buying fake ones.

To make sure what you want to pick up from that shelf is genuine, here are a few tips you should bear in mind.

• Go for a reputable brand. If the essential oil you want to buy is from a reputable company, be sure you are about to buy a good one. You can search the internet for reviews on the brand from other users of the oil before going for it. If the positive reviews outweigh the negative ones, you should go for the oil.
• Pure essential oils don’t come cheap. A little ounce of this oil is made from a lot of plant materials. As a result, if you come across a cheap essential oil, query it immediately. Or, better, you should stay away from it. However, if the users’ reviews are good, you may give it a trial.
• The scent will tell you the truth. Natural scents can always be distinguished from synthetic ones. If the oil does not smell like the original plant or part of the plant it was made from, it is not a pure essential oil. If the scent feels too powerful to be true, it may not be the real thing. If it has a smell that you don’t recognise from the original plant material, it could be that it is adulterated, the carrier oil was not well processed, or the producer went for the carrier oil that is perfumed already. However, it is better to go for an essential oil that smells exactly like the plant it is made from, unless you wanted otherwise.
• Look for the botanical name. Usually, the bottle’s label contains the botanical or scientific name (that is the Latin name) of the extracted plant. If the bottle displays the English name of the plant, be at alert because you may be buying a fake ones.

Most Popular Essential Oils for Perfumes

 You know there are many essential oils in the market but it is not all of them that can give you what you need in a perfume. The reason for this is simple: not all essential oils have noticeable and catchy scents. So, whatever essential oil you are going for, make sure its scent is strong enough to be noticed in a perfume. Apart from that, you should go for essential oils with appealing scents. Remember, it is not every scent that is found pleasant. So, don’t buy every essential oil that has a strong smell.

Nevertheless, here are some of the most popular essential oils people use to make DIY perfumes. These oils listed below are found pleasant by many people, so you can begin with one or more of them. Note that the botanical name mentioned against each essential oil is what you may find on the bottle of the original essential oil.

1. Peppermint Essential Oil: This is made from the leaves of the peppermint plant, which is botanically known as Mentha x Piperita. The essential oil has a sharp but cool and refreshing scent.

2. Sandalwood Essential Oil: This comes from the stem of the sandalwood plant, botanically known as Santalum Album. The essential oil has a pleasant woody scent.

3. Lavender Essential Oil: This comes from the buds or flowers of the lavender plant, scientifically known as Lavandula. The scent of the essential oil is sweet and soothing.

4. Rose Essential Oil: It is made from the flowers of the rose plant, botanically called Rosa. The oil possesses the sweet floral smell of the rose flower.

5. Bergamot Essential Oil: This comes from the rinds of bergamot. A bergamot plant is scientifically called Citrus Aurantium. The oil has fruity, spicy, citrusy, and floral scents.

6. Ylang-Ylang Essential Oil: The ylang-ylang plant is scientifically known as Cananga Odorata. Like the flower, its original source, this essential oil has spicy, heady, fruity, floral, and sweet scents.

7. Chamomile Essential Oil: The source of this essential oil is the flowers of the chamomile plant (Chamaemelum Nobile). The scent you will receive from the oil is animalic, herbaceous, warm, apple-like, and sweet.

8. Jasmine Essential Oil: The oil is made from the flowers of jasmine plant. The plant is scientifically known as Jasminum. The oil smells floral, sweet, and animalic.

9. Tea Tree Essential Oil: The tea tree, from where this oil is derived, is scientifically called Melaleuca Alternifolia. The oil lends a camphor-like earthy scent to your perfume.

10. Lemon Essential Oil: This is made from lemon peels. In case you want to use this, the scientific name of the lemon plant is Citrus Limon. This essential oil will add a sharp citrus scent to your perfume.

11. Blood Orange Essential Oil: The blood orange plant is scientifically known as Citrus x Sinensis. The essential oil is made from the fruit’s peel and it adds a warm tang citrusy scent to the perfume.

12. Gardenia Essential Oil: This is made from the gardenia flower. The gardenia plant is scientifically called Gardenia Jasminoides. This essential oil adds a spicy green scent to your perfumes.

13. Honeysuckle Essential Oil: This is made from the flowers of honeysuckle plants, scientifically called Lonicera. The honeysuckle essential oil has fruity, citrusy, warm, and honey scents.

14. Cedarwood Essential Oil: This oil is made from the chips and dust of the cedar tree, scientifically referred to as Cedrus. The scent is balsamic and woody. You may also get a waft of pine-like scent from it.

15. Peony Essential Oil: The peony essential oil is made from the flowers of the peony plant. Its botanical name is Paeonia. Like the flower, the essential oil has a citrusy, sweet, and spicy scent.

16. Rosemary Essential Oil: This is made from the flowers and leaves of the rosemary plant. The botanical name you will see on the bottle of this oil is Salvia Rosmarinus. The scent is both unique and exotic, unlike no other. It is spicy, warm, woody, and minty.

17. Orange Blossom Essential Oil: This comes from the blossoms of the bitter orange tree, scientifically called Citrus x Aurantium. The scent of this essential oil gives a heady, baby-like, floral, fresh, and soapy fragrance. Sometimes, this oil is referred to as Neroli Essential oil.

18. Vetiver Essential Oil: This oil is derived from the roots of the vetiver plant, which is scientifically known as Chrysopogon Zizanioides. The scent here is heady, earthy, smoky, woody, dry, and leathery.

19. Grapefruit Essential Oil: This is made from the rind of grapefruits. The plant here is scientifically identified as Citrus x Paradis. The scent of the oil is woody, bitter, and herbaceous.

20. Arborvitae Essential Oil: This comes from arborvitae plants, known as Thuja. The scent is woody.

21. Helichrysum Essential Oil: Helichrysum Italicum is the scientific name for Curry Plant. The essential oil made from its flower has a buttery and honey scent.

23. Cassia Essential Oil: The botanical name for this plant is also Cassia. The essential oil is made from its flowers and it smells spicy and sweet.

24. Wintergreen Essential Oil: This oil is made from the leaves of the wintergreen plant (Gaultheria Procumbens). The scent of the oil is minty.

25. Orange Essential Oil: This is made from the peel of the orange fruit. The botanical name for orange, which you will see on the bottle of the essential oil, is Citrus x Sinensis. This oil will add a warm, calming, joyful, and sweet citrus scent to your perfume.

26. Spearmint Essential Oil: This essential oil, made from the leaves of the spearmint plant (Mentha Spicata), has the same cool, hot, spicy, and refreshing scent as the peppermint essential oil.

27. Lemongrass Essential Oil: Lemongrass essential oil is made from the stalks of lemongrass plants, which are scientifically called Cymbopogon. This essential oil has a sweet, earthy, citrusy (lemon), grassy, and fresh scent.

28. Cinnamon Essential Oil: This essential oil is made from the sticks of a cinnamon tree (Cinnamomum). The scent has a unique spicy and sweet flavour.

29. Eucalyptus Essential Oil: This camphor and minty scented essential oil is made from the leaves of the eucalyptus plant (Eucalyptus Cinerea).

30. Patchouli Essential Oil: The patchouli essential oil is made from its leaves. The botanical name of the plant, as you may find on the bottle label, is Pogostemon Cablinor its family name, Lamiaceae. The scent of the oil is musky, earthy, woody, and sweet.

31. Juniper Essential Oil: The juniper plant has about 70 species but they are all aromatic. The family name for this plant is Cupressaceae. The essential oil is made from the fruits, woods, and needles of the plant. Their scents are spicy, clean, bitter, and woody.

32. Pine Essential Oil: The family name of the different species of pine trees is Pinaceae. The oil is made from the needles and/or woods of the trees. Some pine essential oils have citrusy and woody fragrances. You should go for the one you love the most.

33. Vanilla Essential Oil: The vanilla essential oil comes from the vanilla orchids plants, commonly referred to as Orchidaceae. The oil is extracted from the bean pods of the climbing plants. Adding this essential oil to your perfume will introduce its unique creamy and sugary scent.

Kindly note there are many other essential oils not captured here. If you find them, don’t hesitate to use them.

The Art and Science of Perfumery

Perfume-making requires the acquisition and mastery of both art and science skills. It requires art skills because you have to combine different scents to arrive at an exotic result. The more creative you are with making your perfume, the better the outcome of the job.

But then, you don’t just add all the desired aromatic substances together at the same time. You have to consider the timing as well as the quantity of each fragrance that will go into the mix. You will not obtain a good result if you just pour everything into the container without considering the suitable quantity that will give you what you wanted and the time to add them. Perfumes aren’t made that way.

Usually, every perfume has a story to tell. To get that story, you must blend the fragrances in such a way that the theme of the perfume will be revealed. First of all, you have to consider the quantity of each aromatic substance that will project the main theme of the perfume.

For instance, if you desire to create an invigorating sunny perfume, you may consider increasing the quantity of citrusy aromatic substance and reducing that of musk.

 Another reason you have to consider the quantity of the aromatic substance to add to your perfume is that some scents are stronger than others. If you pour in the aromatic substances, say the essential oils, without bringing this into consideration, the subtle notes will be swallowed up by the strong sharp ones. So, you have to give the subtle ones a chance to surface too.

Remember to take notes of the number of substances you add to your perfume so you can detect the experiment that yielded a good result. One more thing, if you are making perfumes with essential oils, you have to count the number of drops of the oil you add to the mix. So, get a dropper before you conduct the experiment.

Now we move over to the time for adding each aromatic substance. The time you add an aromatic substance to the perfume mix will determine the time it will be activated.

If you pour everything in at once, even if the quantities were right, the result will not be good. You will understand this very in the section that discusses the three notes of perfumes.

The science of perfume making made it so that if you want to smell a particular scent when you open your perfume bottle or spray it, you have to add the scent into the mix last. If you want the scent to come shortly after you sprayed the perfume, you have to add it before adding the last set of scents.

But, if you want the scent to stay on your clothes for days or even weeks, you must add it first, before adding any other one. What I just described above tells you how top notes, middle notes, and base notes are added to a perfume mix. You will understand this more as you continue.

ALSO READ: How to Make Perfumes Last Longer – An In-depth Guide

Understanding the Perfume Notes

Before going into the notes, let’s first look into the main accords, that is, the theme of the perfume. As stated earlier, every perfume has stories to tell.

The story of a perfume is its theme (central idea) and that is known as the main accord. When you smell a perfume, the imagination the fragrance creates in your senses is the perfume’s main accord. If you think of orange, guava, rose, the beach, winter, nature, or even a storm when you smell a perfume, it is so because the main accords made it that way.

Many good fragrances have as many main accords as possible. The perfumers achieve this by blending different scents that have the capability of creating such imaginations. When you want to make your perfume, you have to decide the theme you want for the perfume. I am not talking about the unique smell of the perfume but what want you to imagine as you smell your fragrance.

When you decide on this, you can then consider the aromatic substance you will add to achieve that. For instance, if I want to remember the bakery or candies, I will go high on vanilla and honeysuckle.

Well, here are the commonest main accords you can easily create in your DIY perfumes and some of the aromatic substances you can use to achieve them. Remember, the essential oils are the aromatic substances in this case.

1. Floral Accord: As you can guess, this accord gives the imagination of flowers. You have to use aromatic substances that represent natural flowers to achieve this. For instance, you can use the following essential oils to give the floral accord to your perfume:

• Honeysuckle
• Rose
• Jasmine
• Ylang-ylang
• Lavender
• Gardenia
• Orange blossom

2. Citrus Accord: This reminds you of the citrus fruits as well as keeps you refreshed. You can achieve this accord by adding the following essential oils:

• Orange
• Grapefruit
• Bergamot
• Lime
• Lemon

3. Woody Accord: As the name suggests, the fragrance tells you about woods. You can use your woody essentials oils to achieve this accord. You can go for:

• Sandalwood
• Cedarwood
• Juniper
• Pine
• Patchouli
• Vetiver

4. Oriental Accord: Yes, it will remind you of the sweet exotic lives the orients are known for. For this accord, try the following essential oils:

• Vanilla
• Sandalwood
• Cedarwood
• Vetiver
• Amber

5. Spicy Accord: Well, you can as well want people to think of warmth and spices each time they come in contact with you. To achieve this, try using the following essential oils:

• Clove (go easy on this one if you find it. If you add too much of it, it will overpower the perfume)
• Patchouli
• Cinnamon
• Vanilla

6. Herbal Accord: This makes you feel fresh and invigorated each time you smell the perfume. The following essential oils can help you to achieve it:

• Peppermint
• Spearmint
• Rosemary
• Eucalyptus
• Tea tree

NB: These are not all the main accords you can find out there. But, since you are only starting to experiment with perfume-making, you can start with them. Many writers have published articles on exotic perfume accords and how to achieve them. But look for those articles after you must have mastered the arts and science of perfume making.

How about the perfume notes?

Like I tried to explain earlier, good perfumes have layers or depths of scents known as notes. The smells of each perfume are not released at once. They come in three stages. Each of these stages is known as notes – top notes, middle notes, and base notes.

1. The top notes are the blend of fragrances that are released each time you open a perfume bottle or spray it. This set of scents are usually appealing and enticing. Their duty is the same as that of a forerunner, who goes out to announce the coming of someone very important and, then, pave way for him. In this case, the top notes, also known as the headnotes, make perfume users and/or buyers believe the perfume is good. Its major function is to make people love the perfume. But then, it doesn’t last long. Some last for only fifteen minutes before it disappears.

While making your perfume, you have to add the top notes last. Remember, what you choose as your top notes depends on your taste. However, essential oils that belong to the citrus and herbal accord groups can give you a sweet sensation.

2. The middle notes also called the heart notes, are the set of fragrances that are activated after the top notes have dissipated. This set can last longer on you than the top notes so you may have to use the scents you love here. The middle notes are, actually, the fragrance people will smell when they come close to you, so don’t use anything offensively for them. Remember to add the chosen essential oils for this note before adding the top notes. What you choose for this note should be as you love it.

3. The base notes are like the residual fragrance from your perfume. They are the scents that stay on your clothes after the middle notes have gone. If the perfume is made very well, the base notes can last as long as days or even weeks. So, don’t go for fragrances you wouldn’t want to smell in your closet before you visit the laundry. However, in most cases, people use vanilla, rose, cedarwood, jasmine, cinnamon, and clove for their perfume’s base notes.

Making Your Perfume

Now that you have found out all you need to know about perfumes, let us look at how you can turn your essential oils into that sweet, exotic, and appealing fragrance that everybody loves. We will look at this process according to different methods. The recipe you choose will be up to you.

But, I want you to understand one thing: making a perfume with essential oil is very easy and fast. In fact, it’s the simplest form of DIY perfume-making. All if you have to do here is gather the materials you need together and off you go. One more thing, you may choose to add a fixative to the perfume or not; not everyone does that, anyway.

But, if you want the shelf-life of the perfume to last, you can consider opting for a good and skin-friendly fixative. Some DIY perfumers recommend Vitamin-E capsules for this because it keeps the perfume fresh for a long time. And it’s good on the skin too. Maybe you can try it as well.

Method 1: Making an Oil-Base Perfume with Essential Oil

Equipment and Materials

1. The desired essential oils
2. A dropper (an eyedropper can do the job here)
3. A dark-coloured bottle with a lid (this will help to keep out the light)
4. The carrier oil (usually, coconut oil, jojoba oil, grape seed oil, or olive oil can do the job)

Procedure

• Wash the bottle and leave it to dry.
• Add the carrier oil into the bottle (since you are experimenting for the first time, use a little amount of oil. Apart from that, if the quantity of the carrier oil is much, the quantity of the aromatic oil/s will equally be much).
• Add the base notes (remember to use the dropper to do this. Add about ten to fifteen drops of each oil and check the result later. The math you will do here is determining the ratio of the aromatic and carrier oils so you will know how to increase their quantities if you want to increase the quantity of the perfume).
• Add the middle notes (this should come shortly after adding the base notes. Remember to use droppers for this job).
• Add the top notes (also follow the instructions for adding the middle and base notes. Remember to wait a while after adding the middle notes before adding the top notes).
• Add the fixative, if you desire.
• Cover and shake the bottle vigorously to mix.
• Your perfume is ready for use.

NB: You can keep this perfume in a cool dry place for two weeks before using the perfume. That will allow the oils to blend very well. If you do this, the longevity of the perfume will be stronger.

Method 2: Making a Water and Alcohol Based Perfume with Essential Oil

Equipment and Materials

• Water (distilled preferably).
• Alcohol (Everclear is the best here. But if you don’t have it, you can use vodka).
• The desired essential oils.
• A dropper.
• Jug or bowl
• Funnel
• A wooden spoon
• A dark bottle with a lid

Procedure

• Wash the bottle and keep it dry.
• Add the quantity of water you desire into the jug or bowl (I will recommend 100ml since this is your first trial).
• Add 1 tablespoon of alcohol (this will help the essential oils to blend very well with the water).
• Add your base notes (remember to use the dropper for this).
• Add the middle notes.
• Add the top notes.
• Add fixatives, if you desire
• Stir the mixture continuously for a minute. Use the wooden spoon.
• With the funnel, transfer the blend to the bottle and cover tightly.
• Your perfume is ready for use.

Method 3: Making an Alcohol-Based Perfume with Essential Oils

Materials and Equipment

1. Everclear alcohol (or vodka, if you don’t have Everclear).
2. The essential oils
3. A dark bottle with a top.
4. A dropper.

Procedure

1. Add the alcohol to the bottle (remember this is your first experiment, so start small).
2. Add the base notes.
3. Add the middle notes.
4. Add the top notes.
5. Cover the bottle tightly and shake vigorously to mix well.
6. The perfume is ready to be used.

Method 4: Making a Solid Perfume with Essential Oils

Equipment and Materials

1. Beeswax (1 tablespoon will be ok for now) or petroleum jelly.
2. Jojoba oil (you can try this with any other oil if jojoba oil is unavailable).
3. Small container with a lid.
4. The desired essential oils.
5. A stove or a microwave.
6. A double boiler or microwave plate (if you are using a stove, use the double boiler. You can also improvise in this case by adding water into a saucepan and placing your plastic plate on it. All you need here is to let the steam melt the wax)
7. A wooden spoon.

Procedure

1. Add the beeswax or petroleum jerry to the microwave or double-boiler container.
2. Add the jojoba oil to the wax.
3. Heat the mixture until it’s liquefied.
4. Remove it from the heat.
5. Drop in the essential oils. Stir the mixture with the wooden spoon while you are doing this.
6. Pour the liquid into the container with a lid but, to avoid condensation, don’t cover it yet. You can place the lid on it and leave it slightly open so the steam inside the bottle can escape freely while the content is secured from the intrusion of flies and microbes.
7. Cover the container when the content has cooled down and re-solidified.
8. Your perfume is ready for use.

ALSO READ: How to Make Perfume from Flowers – A Step By Step Guide

Conclusion

Like I promised you earlier, you don’t have to break the bank to have a good perfume. Some of the essential oils in your home can help you make different kinds of perfumes with different kinds of fragrances. All you need to do is research more on different notes and essential oils, and you’re good to go.

The post How to Make Perfume with Essential Oils: A Complete Step By Step Guide [2024] appeared first on Best Perfumes Reviews.

Well, today, you are going to find out how to make perfumes with the things you have in your house and what grows in your environment. Specifically, you are going to find out how to use those beautiful flowers in your garden to make a beautiful perfume that will keep you happy all day long.

Making perfumes from flowers has been in practice for a very long time now. It is a practice that is traced to Ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia, in the 4th century BC, where perfumers used flowers, oils, and calamus (a type of flowering plant) to make perfumes.

Today, many people make their perfumes by themselves, using flowers and other materials they can get from their homes. This tradition will not end because more people are learning the art and science of homemade perfumery and I know you will join the long list too. This tradition must be kept alive and passed on to the next generation.

 There are a lot of people that don’t use perfumes because the materials used in making them are synthetic. It’s not everyone that can use things prepared in a laboratory on his skin. People like these usually opt for homemade natural perfumes, especially the ones made with flowers and natural oils. But in this guide, you will discover how to turn your garden into the producer of the raw materials you will be using for your home perfumery.

This guide is going to be easy for everyone that wants to learn natural perfume making. It will first list the most preferred flowers for homemade natural perfumes. After that, it will reveal different methods of making those perfumes. Note that all the things that will be suggested here for perfume making are natural and can be obtained from the kitchen and the garden. You don’t have to spend money to make this perfume.

How are Flowers Created?

Let us deviate a little bit and look at how flowers come into existence, their duties to nature, and why some of them smell so great. You need to know this part so you can bear it in mind when you pick the flowers you will use for the perfume-making project from your garden.

Flowers are not just there to beautify the world or to make the atmosphere smell good. Flowers house the reproductive systems of plants. If you look into a flower, you will find these tiny rounded ‘grains’ shooting out of a thin ‘stem’ that is attached to a ‘bud’.  Now, those tiny grains are the pollen grains, which bear the male reproductive cells of the plant (amazing, isn’t it?). Inside that part of the flower that looks like a bud is what is known as the ovule (the ‘bud’ is known as the ovary).

If a pollen grain finds its way into a stigma (the funnel-like tip of the style) of any flower of its kind, it will pass through the style (the ‘stem’ inside the flower) and fertilise the ovule (just the way a spermatozoon fertilises an ovum). When this happens successfully, the fruit will be formed. And when fruits are formed, we don’t only have foods to eat, but also have seeds that will bring forth more plants. So, be mindful of how you take those flowers. Ensure that you pick only what you need.

How flowers are formed and why they have formed remain mysteries we don’t want to unravel for now. Even though we know some of the functions of flowers, we don’t know what happens that makes plants start forming them. All we know is that trees get this signal to stop making their usual leaves so they can make flowers.

Once this signal comes, all the trees of that kind (at least the ones in an area) will stop making new leaves and start producing flower buds. Another amazing thing here is that new leaves will never be produced until those flowers are done giving the world its freshness, sweet scents, beautiful sights, and fruits that will keep the world evergreen and nourished.

Now, over to why flowers smell good. Well, that’s another mystery we don’t need to break here. But, have you noticed it’s not all flowers that smell? Among those that have scents, some do smell awful. Who told the flowers to smell in a particular way is left for the scientists to unravel because our concern here isn’t that. Nevertheless, if you closely observe those scented flowers (even the ones with unpleasant scents), you will notice they have sticky pollen grains and broad brightly coloured leaves. Their nectars are tasty too.

All these features are ways the flowers attract their pollinators, such as butterflies, bees, flies, and humans (including you). So, don’t feel guilty when you see such flowers and feel the urge to pick them. It’s your natural response to nature. However, be careful so don’t destroy a lot of them as you prepare your homemade perfume. A little at a time is ok.

The Most Preferred Flowers for Perfumes

Of course, you have to use what is in your garden to make your natural homemade perfumes. But if you want to try other flowers or make use of different flowers, you can look for them in other places, so long as you are not trespassing. You can use that opportunity to obtain your signature perfume. Feel free to experiment with different flowers until you find what you want.

In case you want to know the flowers other adventurers prefer using for their homemade natural perfumes, here is the list:

1. Rose: This is the queen of flowers. Its scent is always refreshing, thereby giving it a note many people value. If you are going to use roses for your perfume, pick the flowers late in the evening so you can capture their sweet fragrance at its peak. After making the perfume, you will enjoy a perfume that has a sweet, minty, citrusy, and fruity scent with a touch of cloves.

2. Jasmine: This is also known as the king of flowers. It’s one of the most favourite flowers for making perfumes because it gives a sweet, animalic, and floral fragrance. Whether this is the flower you are opting for or one of the flowers you will use for the perfume, remember to pick them just before dawn and start processing them immediately. They can lose their fragrance quite easily.

3. Violet: This is a difficult one to use because its fragrance is elusive. The flower gives off a light powdery note that you may not pick. It shows and disappears almost immediately, but it is there all the same. So, you can get it if you want a sweet subtle scent. Remember to pick the flowers in the morning, because the sun affects the scent.

4. Plumeria: This is also known as Frangipani. They grow on trees. They smell their best in the night but can last long when harvested, so long as they were kept fresh with water. If used for making perfumes, the perfume will have a strong, sweet, tropical, exotic, sun-kissed, and heady scent.

5. Lavender: Lavender is one of the flowers loved by many people. When used in perfumes, lavender ensures that the perfumes have a sweet fragrance that will keep their users smiling all through the day.

6. Tuberose: This is another flower that will give your perfume a strong scent. Its fragrance will be metallic, earthy, and buttery. They are also most fragrant at night.

7.  Ylang-Ylang: This yellowish flower grows on trees. Its perfume gives a blend of spicy, fruity, sweet, and heady scents.

8. Narcissus: Narcissus is a wildflower but its fragrance is unique. The perfumes made from them have a blend of spicy, green, heady, and animalic scents.

9. Gardenia: This beautiful white flower can give your perfume different notes, depending on when you harvested it. However, you should expect your perfume to have fruity, coconut, spicy, green, zesty, and fuzzy fragrances, if you use gardenia. The flower will make your perfume smell romantic all through the day.

10. Peony: If you opt for this, you will get a blend of citrus, sweet, and spicy fragrances. Some species of peony smell strong while others produce very subtle fragrances.

11. Lily: Not all lilies smell nice. At the same time, some smell so light while others have overwhelming scents. Most lilies have a blend of waxy, citrusy, spicy, and floral fragrances.

12. Freesia: The perfume you make from this flower will give you a sweet, green, citrusy, and tea fragrance.

13. Hyacinth: The fragrance from hyacinth will remind you of spring. Its perfume has green, floral, spicy, sweet, and aquatic main accords.

14. Lilac: The fragrance of this flower will give your perfume green, fresh, powdery, floral, and honey notes. It will also remind you of spring.

15. Lily of the Valley: If your perfume is made from this flower, you will receive light, floral, fresh, and sweet fragrance.

16. Heliotrope: If you use heliotrope to make your homemade perfume, it will have a powdery, vanilla, and almond smell.

17. Carnation: The perfume made from carnation juice will give you a sweet clove-like spicy floral scent.

18. Orange Blossom: This flower is obtained from orange trees. Their perfumes give an elegant fragrance that has fresh, smooth, clean, and sour-sweet scents.

19. Mimosa: Its fragrance gives off powdery, honey, warm, fruity, and floral notes.

20. Linden: This gives off a sweet, sunny, bright, and sharp fragrance, with a touch of grass, honeysuckle, and honey notes.

21. Lotus: This comes in different species that possess different fragrances. Generally, perfumes made from lotus have sweet, airy, fruity, aquatic, floral, and subtle scents.

22. Magnolia: The perfume from this flower has a fresh sweet floral scent that is almost like the one made from jasmine. But, unlike that of jasmine, the perfume from magnolia is light and also fruity.

23. Tiare Flower: This is also known as Tahitian Gardenia because it belongs to the family of gardenia. The perfume you make from this flower will give you a fragrance with floral, fresh, and green main accords.

24. Iris: If you use this beautiful flower for your homemade natural perfume, you will be rewarded with a subtle, powdery, floral, and buttery scent.

25. Honeysuckle: The perfume you make from honeysuckle has a warm, citrusy, honey, vanilla, and fruity scent.

26. Orchids: There are different species of orchids and the perfumes made from each of them have different scents. Some smell like a blend of cinnamon and vanilla, while others smell spicy, fruity, citrusy, and exotic. You will also find those that smell like honey, chocolate, and roses. The fragrance given by the flowers can tell you the scent the perfume will have. Remember to harvest them early in the morning or late in the evening to get the best of them.

ALSO READ: How To Make Perfume At Home: An Easy Step By Step Guide

Tips for Harvesting Flowers for Perfumes

Here are some things you have to bear in mind as you harvest your flowers.

a. Flowers give their best fragrance when they are harvested before dawn or at night. Even if you can’t pick them within these periods, you should try and harvest them before the sun comes up.

b. The best time to start processing your perfume is immediately or shortly after you pick the flowers. Don’t keep them for a long time because they will shrivel or lose their scents. And, storing them in the refrigerator will not give you a good result. In fact, make your perfumes from freshly picked flowers.

c. Remember to pick only the amount you need at the moment. Remember, the reason for making the perfume is not to kill the flowers but to collect their essence. Even if you don’t want to propagate the plants, remember that other animals, especially insects, need to feed on the flowers. You will also come back to get more flowers because the shelf life of your perfume may not be as long as you thought.

d. If this is your first attempt at making homemade natural perfume, you should start with a little number of flowers. Don’t collect too much until you have learned how to make perfumes properly.

e. Use a container with a lid to hold the flowers as you harvest them. That will help to keep them safe from the weather and also keep their fragrance within.

f. Be mindful of thorns and spikes while picking flowers. You should also be on the lookout for poisonous insects and reptiles.

g. Be careful while plucking the flowers to avoid ripping off growing buds. Those buds are very important because you will need the flowers they will give.

Steps to Making Perfumes from Flowers

We are finally here. In this section, you are going to find out the different methods of transferring the scents of flowers to the bottles. You will find out how to use water, alcohol, and oil to extract fragrances from flowers to make perfumes. Remember, everything you are going to use will be obtained from your garden and kitchen. So, here we go.

Method 1: Use of Water Base (I)

This method is quite easy and less complex.

Materials

i. Your freshly picked flowers. One and a half cups will be enough for now.

ii. Two cups of water.

iii. A clean cheesecloth

iv. A dark glass jar or bottle with a lid

v. A small saucepan

vi. A bowl with a fitting lid

vii. A stove

Procedure

1. Make sure all the equipment to be used for making the perfume are ready and in place before picking the flowers.

2. Pick your flowers. Remember to handle them gently so you don’t crush them beforehand. It is assumed that you picked this flower in the evening when its fragrance is at its peak.

3. In the kitchen, or wherever you chose as your ‘laboratory’, gently remove the flower petals from their stems. Put them into the bowl as you remove them.

4. After disengaging the petals from their stems, pour water over them and gently wash them. This will remove dirt and dust from the petals. Remember not to squeeze the flowers as you do this. When you are done, throw the dirty water away and rinse the bowl.

5. Place the cheesecloth inside the bowl. Do this in such a way that the cloth lines the inside of the bowl while its edges drape outside the bowl.

6. Place the washed petals on the cheesecloth.

7. Pour water into the bowl until the petals are covered. Ensure the edges of the cheesecloth are still hanging outside the bowl.

8. Cover the bowl with its lead and keep it in a cool place. Then leave there so the flower can soak overnight. Note that the edges of the cheesecloth must continue to drape outside the bowl until the next step.

9. In the morning, remove the lid of the bowl gently to avoid the edges of the cheesecloth sliding into the bowl.

10. Bring the saucepan closer to the bowl.

11. Gather the edges of the cheesecloth so that you form a pouch with the petals and water in it. Gently lift the pouch and its content and move them over the saucepan.

12. Squeeze the cheesecloth over the saucepan until you have extracted all the fragranced water. Then discard the shrivelled petals.

13. Place the saucepan on a stove and simmer until the liquid has dried down to one tablespoon.

14. Turn off the heat and allow the saucepan and its content to cool down.

15. Pour the liquid (about 5ml of it) into the glass jar or bottle and cover tightly with its top. Your perfume is ready to be used.

NB.

a. The shelf life of this perfume is about one month. Don’t make more than you can use within a month so it doesn’t go bad.

b. You should store the content in a cool place, preferably a refrigerator. If you don’t store in a refrigerator, you may have to use it within ten days.

Method 2: Use of Water Base (II)

This is another easy perfume-making method. With this method, you can complete the process of making the perfume within two hours, max.

Materials

i. Your freshly harvested flowers.

ii. 2 cups of distilled water.

iii. A strainer

iv. A mortar and a pestle. You can go for the small one.

v. A bowl.

vi. A spoon.

vii. A glass jug

viii. A small dark bottle with a lid

ix. A cheesecloth

Procedure

1. Gather all the materials you will use for the perfume making.

2. Pick your flowers.

3. Remove the flower petals from their stems and put them into the bowl. Remember not to crush or squeeze them as you do this.

4. Pour water into the bowl to wash the petals. Note that the water you will use for this is not the distilled water. Remember not to squeeze the petals.

5. Drain out the water and put the petals into the mortar.

6. Using the pestle, crush the petals until they release their juice.

7. Scoop the content into the bowl and pour the distilled water over it.

8. Stir the mashed petal and the water until you are sure the juice of the petals have blended perfectly with the water.

9. Strain out the water into the glass jar. Use the cheesecloth for this.

10. Pour the content into the small dark bottle. Your perfume is ready to use.

NB:

a. This perfume, like the one in “Method 1”, also has a low shelf life. For that, store in the refrigerator and make the quantity you can finish within a short time.

b. You can repeat steps 6 to 8 until you are satisfied all the juices in the flowers have been extracted.

Method 3: Making a Water-Base Flower Perfume (III)

This method is another simple one too. It is also a quick one.

Materials

i. Your freshly picked flowers.

ii. Water

iii. Mortar and Pestle

iv. Two bowls (one for washing the flowers and mixing the perfume, and the other one for use in the microwave)

v. Microwave oven or stove.

vi. A strainer

vii. A spoon

viii. A glass jug

ix. A small dark bottle with a cap.

x. A saucepan, if you are going to use a stove.

xi. Cheesecloth

Procedure

1. Gather all the equipment and materials you will use together. You should always have all the things you need to make the perfume close so you don’t have to stop the process to get the materials.

2. Pick your flowers. Remember, it is better to use the flowers immediately after picking them from the garden.

3. Gently remove the petals from their stems and put them into the bowl for washing.

4. Pour water into the bowl to gently rinse off dirt and dust. Remember not to squeeze or crush the petals.

5. Transfer the washed petals to the mortar and mash them with the pestle until they have softened.

6. Transfer the pounded petals to the bowl suitable for the microwave or to the saucepan, depending on the source of heat you intend to use.

7. Pour water into the bowl or saucepan until the pounded petals are completely covered with water.

8. Place the bowl into the microwave and turn it on. If you are going to use the stove, place the saucepan on the stove and turn it on.

9. Check the saucepan/bowl every 30 minutes until you noticed all the colours on the petals have been extracted by the water.

10. Bring down the saucepan/bowl and allow it to cool.

11. Strain the mixture into a glass jug. Discard the crushed petals.

12. Transfer the liquid from the jug into the small dark bottles and close tightly. Your perfume is ready to use.

NB: The perfume produced through this process can go rancid because water and flowers are organic materials. Hence, you need to store it in a cool place too.

Method 4: Making an Alcohol-Based Flower Perfume

A lot of people opt for this method because it is easy and the perfume can last longer on the shelf. However, you have to make sure you use the right kind of alcohol for it.

Materials

i. Your freshly harvested flowers.

ii. Everclear alcohol or vodka. Everclear is the best option here, that is, if you have it, because it has no smell that will disrupt the natural scents of the flowers. But if it is unavailable, vodka is a good alternative. Never use rubbing alcohol to make your perfume.

iii. A small glass bowl or jar with a lid. Get the size that will fit the number of flowers you will use. Note that the flowers are the determinant of the size of the jar and not the quantity of perfume you want to make.

iv. A strainer.

v. A bowl without a lid

vi. A small dark bottle with a lid.

vi. A glass jug

vii. Colander

Procedure

1. Gather all the equipment and materials you will use for making the perfume.
2. Pick your flowers from your garden and remove the petals from the stems.
3. Put the separated petals into the bowl without a lid and gently wash them with clean water.
4. Transfer them to a colander so the water on them will drain out completely.
5. Put the cleaned petals into the bowl with a lid or the jar.
6. Add Everclear into the bowl or jar containing the washed petals. The alcohol should cover the petals very well.
7. Cover the bowl or jar tightly and keep it in a cool place. Allow it to sit for 48 hours so the alcohol can extract the essential oils of the flowers.
8. As 48 hours elapse, you will notice that the alcohol has changed its colour to that of the flower. This is the time to open the jar.
9. Strain the contents of the jar into the jug.
10. Transfer the liquid into the small dark bottle and cover it tightly. Your perfume is ready for use.

NB: This perfume doesn’t need refrigeration. But you have to make sure the bottle is always tightly closed and kept in a cool dark place (at least away from direct sunlight) so that the quality and quantity of the perfume do not reduce.

Method 5: Making an Oil-Based Flower Perfume

This method is preferred by people that want to rub perfume directly on their skins. It is also preferred because it lasts longer than the perfumes made with water, though it should be used within months, and not years. This method is as simple as the other methods but it is not as quick. However, you will enjoy every bit of it too.

Coconut oil, avocado oil, almond oil, apricot kernel oil, and jojoba oil are the best carrier oils for homemade perfumes. You can go for the light or cold-pressed ones. Some people love the scented oils because they want the fragrance in their perfumes, but it’s all a matter of choice. So, go for the one you prefer.

Materials

i. Your freshly picked flowers.

ii. The carrier oil.

iii. A bowl

iv. Water

v. Two oven pans

vi. Plastic food wrapper

vii. A colander

viii. A small dark bottle with a lid

ix. A strainer

x. A glass jug

Procedure

1. Gather the materials you need before you kick off the process
2. Pick the flowers from the garden. Remember it is always better to use them immediately after they were picked from the garden.
3. Remove the petals of the flowers from their stems.
4. Put the flowers into the bowl and pour water over it.
5. Gently rinse out dirt and dust from the flowers.
6. Transfer the flowers to the colander and allow the water on them to drain. Remember, you are doing an oil-based perfume and water isn’t one of its components. So, allow the water to drain out very well from the flowers before using them.
7. Spread oil inside one of the oven pans. Spread about two layers of the oil so that it can soak up the flowers.
8. Spread the flowers over the oil and press them in. Make sure they are soaked into the oil but not completely submerged.
9. Using your fingers, press the flowers into the oil for about 5 minutes until they are marinated.
10. Place the second oven tray on the flowers and oil such that the tray presses the flowers further down.
11. Use the plastic food wrapper to seal the joined trays together. Make sure every part of the trays is well wrapped up.
12. Keep the joined trays in a cool, dark, and dry place (away from direct sunlight) and leave for 48 hours. Within this period, the oil will extract the essential oils of the flowers, which include their scents.
13. Unwrap the trays after 48 hours and pick out the petals, one after the other, from the oil. Be mindful not to scoop out the already scented oil as you remove the flowers. As a result, don’t scoop the petals together in one swoop. You have to take your time to pick them out one after the other.
14. When you have removed all the petals, strain the oil into a glass jug.
15. Pour the scented oil into the small bottle and cover it with the bottle top. Your perfume is ready to use.

ALSO READ: How to Make Perfumes Last Longer – An In-depth Guide

More Things to Bear in Mind

• You can use different flowers to make one perfume. You mustn’t use just a type of flower per perfume. Experiment with as much as you want.
• The longevity of these perfumes is moderate. Depending on your skin type, the perfume may last up to four or five hours. As a result, you have to continue retouching every four hours to stay fresh.
• You can add the essential oils you love to give the perfume an exotic blend of fragrances.
• Some people add alcohol to their water-based perfumes, especially if they added essential oils to them. The reason for doing this is to make the oil blend very well with the water. In this case, shake the bottle very well each time you want to use the perfume.
• If you notice your skin is reacting to the perfume, you should consider spraying the perfume on your clothes. If what you made is an oil-based flower perfume, you should, first of all, test it on a portion of your skin to be sure you won’t react to it. If you do, discontinue use. But, to avoid this, go for the oil you are sure you don’t react to. If the reaction continues, you will be sure you are reacting to the flowers. In that case, you should discontinue using the perfume.
• It is preferable to use a dark bottle to store your perfume so as to prevent it from the light. But, if you don’t have one, use what you have. Nevertheless, store your perfume in a cool dry place, away from direct sunlight.
• You don’t have to buy flowers from florist shops to make your perfumes. Use what you can collect from your garden or that of your friends if they will allow that. Remember to prepare the perfume immediately after harvesting the flowers.

ALSO READ: How To Choose A Good Perfume – A Detailed Guide

Conclusion

As you can see, making your perfumes is simple. And it’s cheap too. There are so many exotic perfume-making methods out there, some of them quite complex. You can explore more and discover some of them. See this as an adventure and enjoy every bit of the fun.

The post How to Make Perfume from Flowers: A Step By Step Guide 2024 appeared first on Best Perfumes Reviews.

This becomes a serious problem as most people wear perfumes with the hope that it would keep them refreshed and last all day. And so it becomes disappointing when the said perfume brand does not live up to expectation.

Most importantly, this problem is often not solved by drowning your body in the perfume, especially in a way that it becomes overwhelming and uncomfortable to the wearer and people they come in contact with.

The question then becomes-how long is a standard perfume fragrance supposed to last? How long a fragrance lasts depends on the individual features of the notes and their intensity. For the base notes it is estimated that they last six to seven hours, while the middle notes are expected to stay active for four to five hours.

In addition, the top notes are transitory and are supposed to last 20 to 25 minutes once the perfume is applied. In total, a typical fragrance is reckoned to last 7 to 8 hours after being spritzed. When most people apply perfumes they assume it will cling to their skin and merge with the skin chemical composition, but this mostly never happens as hoped due to the fact that skin type plays a crucial role in either making a fragrance last longer or not.

For people with oil skins, fragrance tend to stay longer on their skins than people with dry and semi-moist skins. There are other factors like the strength and intensity of the fragrance, the perfume structure, atmospheric condition, and other factors that will be discussed in detail below.

There are so many reasons why perfume fragrances fade quickly, and they include:

How and where it is applied – the mode of application and the place the perfume is applied both have a role to play in how long the fragrance lasts. For example, it is an uncommon fact that perfume fragrances last longer when sprayed on clothes than on the skin.

For this, you can spray the perfume on places like the collar, inner cuff, cloth lining, scarf or cap, front pocket, and undergarments. Furthermore, natural fabrics like linen, silk, cotton, and the rest are known to absorb fragrances well and increase their longevity.

Also, the trick does not lie in how much perfume you apply but on where you apply them. Strategic pulse points like behind the earlobes, inside the wrists, the neck base close to the collarbone, inside the elbows, and behind the knees are historically known to absorb scents due to their natural temperature and the fact that they produce body heat, and these things help to ensure that your fragrance lasts long enough.

However, it is advised that you do not rub these body parts against another body part immediately after applying the perfume. This friction only succeeds in killing off the molecules contained in the fragrance notes instead of making them last longer. Just a small dab is enough.

Furthermore, spraying perfumes on the hair is a bad decision that should be avoided always as perfumes contain alcohol and other chemicals that can damage the hair or upset its chemical balance.

Perfume type – depending on perfume classification, some fragrance variants are known to last longer than others due to their level of fragrance concentration and value, especially as related to the perfume ingredients they contain such as alcohol and essential oils.

The optimum concentration (or lower concentration) of these substances either contribute or reduce the general strength and intensity of the fragrance, all of which are directly linked to the lifespan of the notes.

Therefore, perfumes are generally classified into four types and they include (in no significant order): eau de cologne, eau de parfum, eau de toilette, and parfum. On sillage and fragrance duration, parfum lasts longest, closely followed by eau de parfum, then eau de toilette, with eau de cologne occupying the bottom spot.

ALSO READ: The Ingredients For Making Perfume of High Quality

Eau de cologne – eau de cologne goes back as far back as the days of using alcohol and distilled water as main ingredients in fragrances, and is not necessarily a man’s perfume as many romance novels would let most people believe.

This fragrance composition has the lowest concentration of fragrance essence (with just 2 to 4 %) out of all the other fragrance types, while distilled water and alcohol makes up the bulk of what constitutes it.

These features makes it very affordable and less likely to stay on for long hours after being applied. EDC or eau de cologne comes in bigger bottle sizes and often need to be spritz more in order to be effective. Eau de cologne fragrances are known to last between 2 to 3 hours and often contain floral and citrus base notes.

Eau de parfum – eau de parfum comes immediately after parfum when judging based on fragrance concentration, fragrance value, and overall longevity. It sells at a slightly lower price that the parfum and is an alternative for people who would rather not settle for the intense and powerful scent of the parfum. It has a higher alcohol percentage that parfum and is known to last between 7 to 8 hours. With 15 to 20% of essential oils in its composition, it is ideal for sensitive skin and suits night time social events.

Eau de toilette – eau de toilette comes after eau de parfum, with a fragrance composition of 5 to 15% that features more alcohol than essential oils. It is a popular fragrance choice and is very affordable (at least when compared to eau de parfum and parfum).

Eau de toilette scents generally last 4 to 5 hours depending on mode of application. With more intense top notes it becomes the perfect fragrance for summer and daytime outdoor events.

To achieve all day freshness it might be required to spray multiple times in a day due to its fast fading notes. However, it serves as the ideal introductory fragrance for new perfume users to start with.

Parfum – also known as pure perfume, parfum ranks top in the classification of perfumes and often has the tag of being the most expensive. Also, it gives the best fragrant value seeing that it is the most concentrated fragrances out of all the variants.

Its depth and scent strength is attributed to the high percentage of essential or perfume oils it contains. The popularity of this fragrance class is because of its longevity (lasts 9 to 12 hours all thanks to its blend of fragrance notes) and the low alcohol percentage it contains.

In addition, parfum is especially good on sensitive and dry skins due to the reduced level of alcohol it contains. Even though expensive, the high fragrance quality and dense nature ensures that even a tiny drop stays as relevant as needed. It is the perfect fragrance for work and play scenarios.

There are other perfume variants such as aftershave, eau de fraiche, and fragrance mists, all of which have lower essential oil concentration and fragrance value than these known fragrance types.

Skin condition/type – because most people spray perfumes directly on their skin, the condition of the skin can also be a contributing factor to why fragrance notes fade out faster than expected. This is mainly because how long a fragrance lasts on your skin has a lot to do with the skin care practices you engage in. So it is advised you properly moisturize your skin first before wearing your perfume, especially if you have a sensitive or dry skin.

To be more detailed, dry skins lack oil and so makes it difficult for the skin to absorb the essential oils contained in the fragrance. And when these oils are not absorbed they readily dry off making the fragrance notes vanish.

Other solutions will be to attempt a ‘scent layering’ which entails purchasing other skin care products that belong to the same product line as your perfume, and to apply Vaseline on these strategic pulse points that you wear perfume.

On the other hand, skin condition also includes the wearer’s skin chemistry. Typically, every skin gives off a hormone-like substance known as pheromones or natural sex scent that every fragrance is supposed to compatible with. When this fragrance harmony doesn’t happen it might make a perfume’s fragrance fade sooner than expected. In addition, excess sweating can also affect a perfume’s longevity

The notes it contains – since notes are the building blocks of fragrance, it is understandable to say that some fragrance notes last longer than others and this has an overall effect on the longevity of a perfume fragrance. Every fragrance blend is made up of three notes and they include-base notes, middle or heart notes, and top notes.

Each fragrance notes contains molecules which directly influence how a note gives strength to other notes or how long it lasts. Each note is distinctive not only because of what it comprises but also because of how long the note stays alive. The top note has the shortest longevity, followed by the middle and base notes.

The middle notes work to heighten the impact of the base notes, while the base notes are what constitute the popular fragrance “trail scent”. Not only this, base notes also help to increase the longevity of a fragrance by sustaining the top and middle notes. This means that the more intense and concentrated the base notes are, the longer the fragrance lasts.

In addition, fragrances that belong to the musk or wood family usually have more depth and intensity and so are guaranteed to last longer than floral, fruity, and citrus scents.

How the perfume is stored – perfumes like most products with expiry dates need to be stored properly. They need to be stored in cool dark places, away from areas with high temperatures and direct light source. The ideal place to keep perfume is the dresser in your bedroom or any other surface in the room that is away from direct light. Also, a perfume might lose some of its properties due to expiration. When this happens, it is safe to discard the perfume right away.

Humidity – humidity affects the longevity of a fragrance the same way temperature and weather conditions do. Like perfumes are kept far away from cold and direct light rays, they should also be kept away from humid corners in the home. Furthermore, heat can change the chemical composition of perfumes by steadily breaking down the ingredients it contains. This decreases the longevity and affects the overall shelf-life.

The ingredients it contains – the nature of ingredients a perfume contains and their quality also affects the fragrance’s staying power. Fake imitations of luxury and designer perfumes often exist side by side with the original ones out there and buying such fake perfumes might mean low quality fragrance value and shorter longevity.

Also, cheap and generic perfumes that contain sub-standard, compound fixatives, and synthetic raw materials and extracts might not offer that 100% performance you expect from them. So to make sure such this do not happen it is advised you:

• Research forehand to know a thing or two about the fragrance you want as such knowledge will readily help you differentiate the fake version from the real deal
• Buy only from tested and trusted perfume shops or merchants
• If it is a known perfume brand you can check the site for identifying details either on the bottle or pack
• Check the details on the pack before buying
• Get a sample bottle before going for the main product

Weather conditions/temperature – weather condition has a huge influence on how long a perfume stays after application. It is easier to say that the higher the temperature the less likely your perfume stays. Also, seasons affect the longevity of a fragrance with summer being the worst time to wear certain fragrances from different scent families.

During hot seasons and in humid regions people tend to sweat more and it is no kept secret that perfumes do not gel well with sweat or perspiration. Therefore, it is advised that you use fragrances with notes that recognize these weather conditions and adapt well to accommodate them. The right base notes should be heavy but not too heavy that it becomes overwhelming or nauseating.

The time of application – applying perfume at the wrong time can also be the reason for the lagging performance and why your fragrance does not last long enough after being applied. Typically, most people only spritz perfume on when they want to go out or when they change clothes.

ALSO READ: How To Make Perfume At Home – An Easy Step By Step Guide

However, the best time to apply your fragrance is immediately after taking a shower. The wet state of the skin at this point ensures that your skin absorbs the fragrances, which in turn makes it last longer.

In addition, you need to make sure the other skin products you use align with your fragrance profile. For example, you can pair a citrus soap with a citrus fragrance, and a floral perfume with a floral soap, this will go a long way to accentuate the core fragrance.

The post Why Perfumes Fades So Quickly On the Body [2024] appeared first on Best Perfumes Reviews.

On a broader classification, raw materials for making perfumes fall under three categories which include: synthetic chemicals, naturally-gotten essential oils, and semi-artificial materials that are gotten when natural raw materials are processed chemically.

Based on this, it is safe to say that a specific perfume brand is synthetic, natural, or semi-synthetic due to the nature of raw materials used in its production.

 Generally, ingredients for making perfumes simply refer to the singular raw materials that a particular fragrance consists of. They are basically the building blocks of every fragrance and can come from plants and animals, or be manufactured as an entirely new product. 

Sources Of Ingredients Used In Making Perfumes

Plant Sources: Like the name, raw materials for making perfumes can be sourced from plants and are one of the oldest and largest raw materials used in the production of perfumes. Plants give out essential oils and other aromatic substances that form the bedrock of almost all fragrance.

Ironically, it is no news that some of these materials extracted from plants are natural products produced by bacteria, fungi and the likes, which are not part of their daily biological functions but are meant to protect them against diseases and herbivores.

Plant sourced ingredients are usually extracted from their sources through processes like solvent extraction (or maceration), pervaporation, expression, cold mechanical pressing, distillation, and cryoconcentration.

However, these processes of extraction often affect the scent concentration (in varying degrees) or destroy the compounds contained in the raw materials. The usual parts sourced from plants include: 

Seeds: Seeds are common features in the world of perfume making, and the most common ones include: anise, nutmeg, tonka beans, coriander, cocoa, carrot seed, cardamom, and the rest. 

Bark: Tree barks are common ingredients for making perfumes. They are either used as raw materials directly or are subjected to further processing to give off products like oils and extracts that are used to produce perfumes. The widely used ones are cascarilla, sassafras, sandalwood, juniper, agarwood, pine, and cinnamon.

Fruits: Fruits are not so commonly used in crafting perfumes because they hardly give off the extracted flavours needed, and so perfumers often depend on the synthetic flavours of such fruits. The few that do do so from their rinds and include mostly citrus fruits like oranges, limes, and lemons. However, more synthetic versions of these citrus fruits are being used within perfumery in order to eliminate some of the harsh chemicals they contain. 

Blossoms/flowers: the use of flowers and blossoms goes back to the earliest attempts to create fragrances and aromatics in the past. The most common flowers used in producing perfumes include roses, citrus tree blossoms, jasmine, mimosa, osmanthus, tuberose, plumeria, narcissus, and the rest. Some of these flowers are processed to give out sweet-smelling oils that are used to create fragrances. 

Roots/bulbs – there are few roots used in perfumery and they include: vetiver, ginger and iris rhizomes. 

Resins: Resins (either in the form of gums or the flowers these trees bear) have attained a hall of famer presence in the history of making perfumes, antiseptics, and incenses. The widely used resins include: myrrh, frankincense, benzoin, balsam of Peru, labdanum, pine, and fir resins. With the last two being natural sources of terpenes, an organic substance used to create other aromatic compounds. 

Leaves: Leaves are typically known for the “green notes” they bring to perfumes. The most commonly used leaves for making fragrances include: patchouli, citrus leaves, hay, sage, rosemary, lavender leaf, tomato leaf, violets, and others. 

Woods: Woods are popular ingredients that are liked by most perfumers due to the unique scents they bring and their base note functions. The most commonly used woods include: sandalwood, agarwood, cedarwood (all the variants), rosewood, pine, birch, juniper, and others. They are often refined to extract other properties they contain that are of benefits to the perfumer. 

Additional natural sources: Like lichen and seaweed are also used as direct materials or are further refined to produce oils and other extracts that are used to create fragrances. Examples of lichen and seaweeds used are oakmoss, bladder wreck, treemoss thalli, and others. Most importantly, seaweed oils are expensive and most perfumers rely on the synthetic variants of these oils instead of going for the real stuff.

Animal Sources

Raw materials gotten from animals exist as the ‘adjacent’ natural product standing side by side with raw materials derived from plant sources. They are often extracted through various means, both ethical and unethical.

Musk: Musk is a fragrant secretion extracted from the anal glands or genitals of the male musk deer and is up to 5cm in length. In the history of traditional medicine, it was first used as a sexual stimulant and for therapeutic purposes before being incorporated within perfume making as a perfume fixer and base note ingredient.

For the sake of its popularity and controversial means of extraction, with the most popular musk variant coming from the Indian deer, its use has been discounted or banned in most countries for perfume making due to how it is extracted. However, this has not interrupted the supply as it can still be bought at the black market at a steep price. 

In the place of secretions like musk, other synthetic alternatives have sprung up acting as perfume fixers and discouraging the use of animal-based raw materials.  Good examples of such synthetic product are ambrettolide and polycylic musk. 

Hyraceum: Hyraceum comes in a solid excrement in a rock-like form that contains both urine and faeces excreted by the African and Middle East rock badger. Before being used as an ingredient for making perfumes it has been used in as a constant component in traditional medicine practice in South Africa.

Also known as the “African stone”, it gives off a deep and animalic smell that seems like a combination of musk, tobacco, civet, agarwood, and castoreum. Hyraceum is preferred by most perfumers because this raw material is gotten without harming the animal source. It then becomes an ethical alternative for raw materials that involve hurting the animal sources such as deer musk and civet. 

Civet: Civet is a secretion from a mammal that closely resembles a fox. It exudes an animalic scent which is quite understandable as this substance is given off to attract a mate. It is popular in male perfumes and is widely used as fixative. In addition, there is a synthetic alternative of this animal raw material, and it is known as civetone.  

Castoreum: Castoreum is another animal secretion and is gotten from the anal sacs of both the North American and European beavers. This secretion comes in an oily form and is released by the beaver as a substance for body grooming, for protecting its fur, and for marking its territory. Due to its powerfully animalic smell and fixative qualities, it is a regular featured ingredient in most fragrances for men

Ambergris: Ambergris is another widely used raw material from sperm whales. It is produced by sperm whales as an organic product that protects and heals their stomach from harm induced by the sharp beaks of the cuttlefish they are known to eat. At the time it is expelled as vomit from the sperm whale it has a foul smelling odour that would make most people doubt its usefulness within perfumery.

However, after years of floating, curing, and hardening the salty water transforms it into one of the most costly animal materials used for producing perfumes. This has changed though, with the emergence of newer synthetic raw materials like ambroxan and amberlyn. When tinctured, it is popular base in floral and oriental fragrances. 

Honeycomb: Honeycomb is gotten from bees and is used to make beeswax absolute. For this process ethanol is used and when evaporated gives what is generally known as beeswax absolute. 

Synthetic Sources

Synthetic raw materials are artificially made materials that do not exist in nature and are only made due to the growing demands of some naturally existing fragrant raw materials used in most perfume brands.

They exist as the artificial alternatives and are made of scents that are not derived naturally from living sources. Also, some of these synthetic materials are produced by the companies for the sake of making commercial perfumes and are patented intellectual products.

However, artificial raw materials are not all bad as the image already painted, this is because such innovations have kept the business of crafting perfumes afloat and has also brought new scents into existence which ordinarily wouldn’t have existed, and especially those ones that cannot be sourced directly from nature (like oceanic scents and scents that smell like waterfalls). Also, synthetic materials are often gotten through crude oil isolation and natural isolation. Some of the famous artificial raw materials for making perfumes include:

Ambrettolide: Ambrettolide is naturally gotten from the ambrette seed oil and then transformed into a synthetic musk that comes into fragrances as a musk note. It becomes a good alternative to the natural musk and helps in improving and balancing out fragrances. As fixatives, they bring depth and intensity to any fragrance blend they are added to. As a base note, it belongs to the musk family and mixes well with spicy, woody, and floral scents. 

Coumarin: As a chemical compound, coumarin has a sweet green and tasty aroma that reminds one of vanilla. Though found naturally in some plants like Tonka bean, sweet clover, and lavender, coumarin is often produced artificially as a way of cutting cost and maximizing its essence value. 

Exaltolide: Exaltolide is an artificially-produced musk and often acts as an alternative to organic animal musk. It exudes an elegant and soft musk scent that closely reminds one of a soft and clean skin. It mixes well with sweet, fruity, floral, woody, earthy, and woody scents. 

White musk – white musk or musk ketone is a synthetic musk product and gives off a soft and powdery baby-like aroma. It is a perfect base note and ensures increased longevity and sillage of fragrances.

Muscone: Muscone is the molecular compound behind the characteristic original musk scent. Nowadays, it is synthetically produced and gives off an animalic aroma that is both seductive and alluring. This material mixes well with woody, citrus, spicy and floral scents. 

Linalool: Linalool exists as a clean floral and sweet citrus aroma that is similar to the natural scents given off by the French lavender, birch, mint plants, and bergamot. It can now be produced synthetically and is often used as a base note in fragrances.

Iso E Super: Iso E super is a synthetic fixative incorporated into fragrances to increase its longevity, fullness, and strength. As an aromachemical, it has large molecules that make the smell ‘anosmic’ or almost undetectable when it stands alone.

But this changes when combined with other ingredients as it gives off this subtle woody and amber note that makes it a popular choice for most perfumers. Also, it clings closely to the skin with a transparent and velvety vibe that feels comfortable. It mixes well with woody scents, floral scents, musky scents, and fruity scents.

Classification Of Ingredients Used In Making Perfumes According To Fragrance Family 

Ingredients Sourced From Woods

Amber: Amber oil (which is the form of raw material used here) is gotten from fossils of the Baltic amber tree. This oil is derived from a distillation process that involves refining the over high heat and then extracting the oil. Amber comes into fragrances as a fixative base, and helps to increase longevity and intensity. As a woody base, it exists as an essential oil that mixes well with spicy, woody, sweet, musky, and floral scents.

Agarwood: Agarwood or eaglewood is a resinous wood that forms in the core of the acquillaria tree as a result of a bacterial or fungal attack on the tree. Once attacked the tree produces an oil at the affected places and over time this oil hardens and darkens to become the popular oud oil favoured by perfumers all around the world.

Like its Asian roots, Oud oil carries a sensual, oriental and exotic scent that brings depth and longevity to any fragrance mix. This raw material remains a popular demand due to its distinctive smell and is often tagged as the most expensive wood in the wood. 

Sandalwood: Formerly existing as the Mysore sandalwood (santalum austrocaledonicum), this Indian variant is one of the oldest ingredients for making perfumes from its earliest use as an ingredient in official incenses.

However, its use has dwindled over the years as it has become an endangered species and the attention has shifted to more eco-friendly and sustainable variants like different sandalwood species and include sandalwood from Vanuatu, and sandalwood from Australia (both the organic and absolute variants).

The Indian sandalwood gives off a sweet woody scent that is both soft and consistent for a long period of time. It is a preferred base scent due to its versatility and underwhelming feel. However, the newer variants of this wood lack the original scent that Mysore Sandalwood gives. It mixes well with floral scents, woody scents, spicy scents, and musky scents. 

Vetiver or vetyver: Vetiver (vetiveria zizanioides) comes in the form of an essential oil and is gotten from the dried fribrous and heavy roots of the vetiver grass. It gives off a smoky, woody, earthy, leathery, and slightly later sweet undercurrent. It also exists as a fixative used in many perfume brands, especially male perfumes.

As a base note, it mixes well with spicy, citrus, woody, earthy, and chypre scents. There are many variants of vetiver and is differentiated based on their origin and distinct scent. However, the most commonly used variant is the Haitian vetiver, and there are others like Indonesian vetiver, Malaysian vetiver, and Sri Lanka vetiver.

Patchouli: Patchouli is a woody note commonly used as a base note in most fragrances. As a base ingredient, it brings polarity to fragrances with its signature sweet and earthy scent that reminds one of wet soil. It is also used as a fixative which increases the life of other notes within fragrances and is extracted as an oil from dried patchouli leaves through steam distillation.

It exists as an intense base that needs that needs to be diluted before use and can be used sparingly. This essential oil blends well with other oils, especially the musky and woody oils that include: bergamot, sandalwood, cedarwood, vetiver, jasmine, citrus, frankincense, and the rest.

In the 1960s, it was very popular as a fragrance type within hippie communities and has seen grown to become a universal ingredient used by perfumers all over the world. 

Guaiac wood: Guaiac wood is a hard wood that comes from the stripped heart wood of the small tree Palo Santo (Bulnesia Sarmienti) which translates as “tree of life”. This exotic brings a distinct smell to fragrances, with this smell often described as smoky, rubbery, and tar-like.

As a base ingredient in perfumes, it is a common component in tobacco and leather scents. It mixes well with other woody scents, spicy scents, and sweet scents. 

Oakmoss (evernia prunastri): Oakmoss comes from a lichen that grows on oak tree. Prominent as a woody base, it exists as a foundational ingredient in Fougere and chypre scents. As a base raw material, it brings depth in the form of powerful undertones and a long-lasting feel to fragrances.

ALSO READ: How to Make Perfumes Last Longer – An In-depth Guide

Also, it is highly favoured for the powerfully distinct forest scent it brings to fragrances. As a popular ingredient in many commercial perfumes, it mixes well with other woody scents, citrus scents, floral scents, and green notes. However, the use of this raw material has been minimized due to numerous cases of the allergenic properties it contains.

Cedar Virginia (juniperus virginiana): Cedar Virginia is not really a wood but a juniper tree. It comes into perfumes as an essential oil and has a unique smoky, green, and evocative pencil aroma. It is lightly balsamic and with a smooth feel that makes it an ideal base ingredient for most fragrances. It brings out the fullness in fragrances and mixes well with musky scents, floral scents, citrus scents, woody scents, and spicy scents. 

Cedar Atlas (cedrus atlantica): Cedar atlas is another type of the cedarwood oil and originates from the Atlas Mountains in Morocco. Out of all the cedarwood oils, it has sweetest and most mellow scent making it a great base ingredient within fragrances. In addition, it has a sweet and delicate woody feel. Furthermore, it mixes well with spicy scents, musky scents, citrus scents, and woody scents. 

There is another type of cedarwood known as Himalayan Cedarwood, which originates from the Himalayans. It resembles the Cedar atlas in scent profile but has a soapy-clean scent that reminds one of the smell of white musk. 

Forms Of Fragrant Extracts That Are Used In Making Perfumes

Within perfumery, it is important to know that refinement processes are a big deal and that the classification of a raw material often depends on the method used to extract it. 

Essential oil: Essential oils are the most notable fragrance extracts and are simply oils extracted from the base sources either through distillation or expression. Such oils contain the “essence” of their source plants, which includes (but not limited to) the qualities of these plants. They are often very concentrated and need to be diluted before being used as ingredients in fragrance compositions. 

Tincture: Tincture is gotten by soaking extracts or fragrant materials in vinegar or alcohol. The alcohol or vinegar works to pull out the needed ingredients in these extracts and concentrating them in a blend.  

Absolute: Absolutes come in oily forms and are created through soaking plant extracts or fragrant sources in alcohol (preferably ethanol). Absolutes are similar to essential oil in their form and concentration but only differ in the method of production (which is solvent extraction or enfleurage) 

Pomade: Pomade are sticky and oily solid animal fat with absorbed properties from their plant source and are gotten through the refinement process known as enfleurage. 

Concrete: Concrete within fragrance composition exist as wax or thick liquids with an oil feel and is gotten from plants through a process known as solvent extraction. 

Ingredients Sourced From Plants (Flowers, Citrus, And Resin Gums)

Neroli: Neroli within perfumery comes in the form of an oil extracted from the flower blossoms that the bitter orange tree (native to Italy) bears. This oil has a refreshingly sweet and floral fragrance that reminds one of the aroma of citrus on a spring morning, and on the other hand subtle layers of spicy and green notes.

Also, it is known to blend well with other oils and absolutes, and is a popular ingredient well-liked by perfumers around the world. When contained in a perfume, it is argued that it helps relieve stress and anxiety when applied. Within the perfume world there are variants of the neroli plant, with the best coming from France and Tunisia. This oil is extracted through steam distillation. 

Tuberose: Not minding the name tuberose is not a rose at all, but rather is a flower that comes from the agave family native to Central America. This lily-like flower when processed yields an oil that smells both sweet and seductive.

The aroma is characteristically alluring and compulsive, with that fresh citrus feel that passes it off as the quintessential femme fatale scent. These dark and desirous qualities are why it was blacklisted it as a perfume fragrance during the Victorian period. Also, it blends well with other ingredients and is commonly used as middle or heart note in most luxurious spring and summer fragrances. 

Bergamot: Bergamot is a hybrid (of bitter orange and lime) fragrant citrus that is the size of an orange but closely resembles a lime. The bergamot aroma on first application prominently resembles the earl grey tea, an understandable fact given that it is used to flavour grey teas. It has a tart, bitter, yet sweet aroma that is both refreshing and welcoming.

From Mediterranean origins, it gives off an oil that is extracted from the peel and used in making perfumes.  It is commonly used as a top note or base note in fragrances. 

Pink pepper: Looking more like a berry than pepper, pink pepper is gotten from the berry shrub, Schinus Molle or the Peruvian peppertree. The only connection it shares with pepper is their spicy and radiant feel. It has a typical feminine and exotic personality, making it a constant feature in most fragrances for women.

This ingredient comes as a top note that blends well with other notes, namely citrus scents, woody and floral scents. Pleasures, fragrance by Estee Lauder is the first fragrance to use pink pepper as a note. 

Fennel: Fennel has a spicy, a subtle sweet, and base earthy aroma that makes it a main ingredient in most fougere fragrance compositions.

Lemon: Lemon is one of the popular citrus notes used in fragrances. Prior to being used as an ingredient for making perfumes, it was extensively in Asia as an antidote for poisons, healing wounds, and for cooking. Lemon is a source of lemon oil, this oil is extracted from the lemon peel through the process of cold-pressing and has a zesty and sharp citrusy scent that improves both mood and confidence of whoever wears the fragrance that contains this note.

This cold-pressing method of extracting this oil ensures that it retains its original feel and properties. As a light and sparkling top note, it blends well with commonly featured notes in fragrance mixes. 

Black pepper: Black pepper is collectively hailed by many as the king of spices. Within perfumery, the spicy essential oil is extracted from the unripe fruit through the method of steam distillation. Black pepper as a heart note gives that olfactory kick that ushers in the top notes and also brings depth to every fragrance.

Also, it offers a balancing contrast and mixes well with floral, woody, and citrus notes. In certain cases, this ingredients requires a slight dilution before being incorporated into a fragrance. 

Cardamom: Cardamom dates back to ancient Egypt where it was used as a teeth whitener and an aromatic ingredient. This piping hot and spicy herb comes from the same family as ginger. Before being used as an ingredient within perfumery, the seed is processed to extract the essential oil it contains.

It comes into fragrance blends as an aromatic contrasting middle or heart note that mixes well with other notes. This spice is expensive and is mostly used in many luxury and designer perfumes. 

Vanilla: Vanilla belongs to the orchid family and is a popular spice due to its unique flavour. The form of vanilla used in creating fragrances is the sun-dried pods. It gives off a soothing and alluring base note and blends well with other ingredients. Both the extracts and essential oil are also used to make perfumes.

Myrrh: Myrrh dates as far back as biblical times when it was one of gifts offered to baby Jesus, and to ancient Egypt where it was used as a preservative. It has since evolved to become a natural resin used in making perfumes. It has an aromatic and woody scent and contrasts well with other notes. 

Frangipani: Frangipani is a fragrant flower that grows in the tropics of South America and the Caribbean. Also known as plumeria, it gives off an essential oil that serves as the middle note or top note in fragrances blends. It is a floral fragrance and blends well with all notes. 

Cinnamon: Cinnamon exists as a spice and is gotten from the bark of several trees belonging to the genus cinnamon. The oil it gives comes into fragrances as a heart note and gives a warmly sweet and spicy aroma. 

Patchouli: Patchouli is a minty aromatic shrub that is distilled to produce an essential oil used in creating perfumes. It plays the important role of base note in oriental chypre, floral, and woody fragrance blends. It gives off a musky and earthy aroma with an intensity and depth depending on how long the oil has stayed. 

Mandarin: Mandarin orange is a citrus tree with oriental origins. It is a source of the mandarin essential oil used in perfumery and aromatherapy. It gives off a sensual and soothing citrusy aroma that is very similar to that of neroli. It is a top note that mixes well with other variant notes. 

Osmanthus: Osmanthus is an oriental fragrant flower that exists as a heart note in fragrances. With a strong floral scent, it helps highlight other notes in a fragrance, especially the woody and musky notes.

Clove: Clove is an aromatic spice gotten from the dried flowers of the clove tree. It is closely related to eucalyptus and myrtle, and produces a spicy and sweet essential oil. It occurs in fragrance compositions as a middle note and combines well with other spicy, floral, and woody scents. 

Tangerine: Tangerine is another citrus scent that is incorporated into fragrances. It closely resemble orange (the bitter and sweet variants) both in physical appearance and in scent. But unlike the orange, it has a tart feel in addition to the usual sweet citrusy aroma. It often exists as a top note in fragrances and blends well with other fragrance families. 

Lavender: Lavender is commonly used in feminine perfumes as it offers a soothing and captivating aromatic vibe. It can function as either a middle note or top note. It comes from the mint family and has many variants with distinct features. The essential oil it contains is extracted through the process of steam distillation. 

Geranium: In the art of crating fragrances, geranium is known as pelargonium and gives off a floral and sweet scent that resembles the scent of both rose and lemon. Geranium has many variants that include: geranium rose, geranium rose, geranium absolute, and geranium absolute. It comes into fragrances as a middle note and blends well with other notes.

Eucalyptus: Eucalyptus is a favoured ingredient in fragrances due to its refreshing, alluring woody and minty aroma. The leaves of the eucalyptus plants are processed to get eucalyptus oil which is the material used in creating perfumes. Within fragrance blends, it is a top note and contrasts well with other notes. 

Peach: Peach provides a rich aromatic and sweet fruity taste that is usually introduced to fruity and floral fragrances.  

Strawberry: Strawberry has a strong and sweet flavour that is usually incorporated into many feminine and summer fragrances. It is also used in creating scents for kids. 

Galbanum: Galbanum is a part brown part yellow resin gum that has an aromatic scent. It also gives off a fresh green and faint woody feel.  

Leather: Leather exists as one of the oldest notes in perfumery. It exists as a base note and offers a grounding deep and intense scent that is both long-lasting and powerful. It is a typical ingredient in most male perfumes.  

Green mandarin: It offers a sharp and fresh edge just like the mandarin, but with a slight difference. The extract needed here is the green mandarin oil which is wholly different from the mandarin oil due to the process of its extraction and the primary source (the peel of the unripe mandarin). It is a top note that blends well with musky, floral, and sweet notes. 

Tonka bean: Tonka bean is pea that gives off a sweet, deeply musky, and spicy aroma which is due to the coumarin compound it contains. Tonka bean exists as a base note in the most intense fragrances providing the contrasting needed softness and calm, and also increases the longevity of notes.

Peppermint: Like the image it already has as an essential herb with an invigorating flavour, peppermint gives off a minty fresh and refreshing aroma. Existing in the form of essential oil, it comes into fragrance mixes as a versatile top note and blends well with other ingredients. 

Jasmine grandiflorum: Jasmine is constantly used as a main perfume ingredient by perfumers around the world. It exists as a complex heart note and brings a sweet animalic and powerfully green feel to every fragrance blend. It is a constant feature in male perfumes as it brings elegance and a unique velvety balance that boosts confidence levels.

ALSO SEE: How To Make Perfume At Home – An Easy Step By Step Guide

Rose damascena: rose is traditionally dubbed the queen of flowers and gives off a soft floral and warm powdery aroma. As a heart or middle note, it is well complimented by citrus, musky, woody, and other floral notes. 

Clary sage: clary sage comes from the Mediterranean region and exists as herb. This flowering herb gives off a green-like herbal and sweet essential oil that is often used as a middle note in perfumes. 

Ylang ylang: Ylang ylang is a tree that bears the ylang ylang fragrant flower, which has a sweet and floral citrus aroma. When refined, it produces the ylang ylang essential oil that is used in as a heart note or base note perfume compositions. 

The post The Ingredients For Making Perfume of High Quality [2024] appeared first on Best Perfumes Reviews.

However, since then the art of perfumery has undergone major innovative changes paving way for stronger and more concentrated body scents that carry designer or luxurious tags and sometimes cost a lot of money.

This is where the problem lies as the search for fragrances with longer longevity and increased sillage has paved the way for an increased use of chemicals and non-natural products in the production of perfumes.

And most times, the recipes of such synthetic fragrances and what they contain are not disclosed to the public under the guise of it being a trade secret and a copyrighted item that shouldn’t be made known to everyone.

It is a known fact that most people choose perfumes based on how the scents appeal to them, the emotional response it elicits from them, and how they feel it captures their personality or essence.

However, finding that right scent that reflects all these can sometimes be a problem especially when most perfumes brands are created with a commercial “one-fits-all” mindset modelled on developing fragrances that entice customers without taking individual preferences and attachments into consideration.

Therefore, when faced with situations like this most people often resort to creating their own individual scents instead of choosing those commercial brands that everyone uses and smells like. 

Also, the process of creating homemade perfumes is both an intimate and indulgent process that grants the creator and wearer more control over the process and the ingredients that go into the fragrance blend.

Furthermore, the process of making your perfume yourself though a sensorial stimulation is not as difficult as it is believed to be and as most people make it seem, and can be done by anyone.

Reasons To Adopt Home Made Perfumes

To cut cost – the luxury perfume brands are very expensive, and might be a discouraging factor for most people who use fragrances. Therefore, homemade perfumes become the next alternative to turn to as they are more efficient and cheaper to make.

Also, if keeping up with the cost of your favourite perfume is the problem here then there are websites that help you recreate such perfume at home by helping you identify the ingredients it contains. 

Not finding the right scent – because most people hustle through perfume brands to find that fragrance that speaks true and represents what they are and can relate to, it then becomes easier to settle for customized home-made perfumes with signature scents that is theirs alone and works well with their body chemistry.

Also, a person’s preference for a perfume might be closely tied to their lifestyle and schedule. Most people have 24/7 active schedules and sometimes finding the right fragrance that serves their various schedules can be a bit difficult. Then the next option is to settle for home-made perfumes that take their personal needs into consideration while being created. 

Health reasons – most people settle for homemade perfumes because of the effects of most synthetic and non-synthetic ingredients contained in commercial perfume brands. These ingredients can irritate the skin, increases the chances of the wearer developing skin cancer, can cause endocrine disruption, and often lead to long-term damaging health conditions.

Furthermore, most fragrances contain allergenic properties, chemicals gotten from petroleum and other natural gases, and hormone disruptors all of which have damaging effects on the wearer’s health.

The risk of these health issue are somehow lessened with the idea of DIY body fragrances. This allows the wearer select or handpick the ingredients that want themselves, while being quite assured of the quality and health consequence of every ingredient they add to the blend. 

Personal reasons-sometimes, people can choose to stop wearing commercial perfumes and adopt home-made fragrances wholeheartedly due to personal reasons. The reasons can include: bad user experiences, the hassle of shopping for perfumes, the issue of getting bored easily with commercial perfumes, and fragrance sensitivity. 

ALSO SEE: The Ingredients For Making Perfume of High Quality

Things To Do Before Attempting To Create Your Own Perfume At Home

Research and learn – before diving into producing home-made signature scents or your own formula perfumes, it is essential that you understand the science (and art) of making perfumes. This knowledge should extend beyond just knowing what and what to mix, to knowing everything about notes and fragrant families.

This is because at surface level perfume making may mostly look like the mere science of mixing substances and hoping it doesn’t permanently injure your skin, with a little creativity to the whole process of working with scents.

But in reality, it entails getting well acquainted with the ingredients that usually make up the top, heart, and base notes in other fragrances and deciding which set of notes you want for your home-made perfume, knowing the value and use of each ingredient, knowing the required measurements and ratios to make it work, brushing up your knowledge of essential oils and their uses within the concept of perfumery, and the rest.

Anyone who is interested in crafting their perfumes themselves needs to know how fragrances blend together as one, the inspiration behind the blend, and the building steps that follow this process. Part of what needs to be studied well are the notes in perfumes, their features, and what they do. 

Also, part of learning what works and what doesn’t work also includes knowing your preferences, what agrees with your body, the purpose for making the perfumes, and which fragrance you want to be more prominent.

This step is not only about studying and understanding the rudiments of perfume making, but also about understanding what your signature scent is and how to achieve it.

On notes, what are notes in perfumes? Fragrance notes are ingredients used in making perfumes and are perceivable when the fragrance is applied. They are classified into three groups depending on their smell and how long they last, and they include: top notes, middle notes, and base. In addition, every fragrance contains these three notes and in varying proportions. 

Top notes: top notes are often the first scents perceived once a perfume is applied. They are also known to contain small molecules and fade out faster giving way for other fragrances. This note often create the first impression and so are regarded as what sells the perfume.

The most commonly used top notes in perfumes include: tangerine, sweet orange, grape fruit, basil, bergamot, eucalyptus, lavender, clary sage, mint, cinnamon, and the rest.  

Middle notes: middle notes are regarded as the heart or core of the fragrance and often have the highest percentage in the whole blend. They take over from the top notes and can cover for the lapses of the top notes especially with cheap perfume brands.

Middle notes last longer than top notes and with a much gentler vibe. The most common and popular middle notes include: juniper, chamomile, cardamom, rosemary, yarrow, nutmeg, geranium, fennel, lavender, etc.

Base notes: base notes like the name indicate are the foundational fragrances of every perfume. Like the base, they highlight and deepen the middle notes. Also, they immediately come to the fore as the middle notes dissipate and are known to last longer than the other notes. This feature is due to the nature of the molecules they contain and their concentrated and intense scents. 

After learning about notes, it is also important to know what constituents a scent and the different types of scents. This knowledge is directly tied to notes as they are intricately linked as subcategories of fragrance notes.

The different scents include: citrus scents, woody scents, floral scents (single, bright, and bouquet floral), oriental or amber scents, oceanic scents, musky scents, fougere scents, chypre scents, fruity scents, gourmand, green, woody scents, and leather scents. Getting acquainted with these scents will help you create an olfactory identity and set your preference. 

Select ingredients of choice-once you have settled on the items to include in your chosen fragrance and how to achieve it, the next step is to source for materials. You need to collect flowers, herbs and other natural aromatic sources that you want to include in your fragrance, depending on the kind of fragrance you want to achieve.

Flowers petals are better options for people who are already experts at making perfumes, while essential oils are better choices for amateur perfumers to start from. So if you want a signature scent firmly rooted in essential oils, then you also need to pick out the blend of essential oils you need for the different notes in your perfume of choice.

One of the key things about home-made perfumes is that they majorly contain natural and locally sourced ingredients. When placed side by side with the commercial variant, it becomes a plus for this type of perfume. 

Get prepared-getting prepared is the second part of getting ingredients of choice as it entails getting the right equipment, the protective gear, and finding the right workplace. The right workplace should be well ventilated and be able to contain odour in order to avoid the choking effects of the aromatic oils. To help with this, you can install a cooling system (like a fan). 

Also, due to the depth and overpowering scent of most aromatic oils and substances, it is advised that you get a new set of equipment solely for the purpose of perfume making and not for anything else, especially as related to the kitchen and the food you eat.

When choosing equipment for this process always go for the glass variant as they are much resistant to the damaging effects of essential oils than plastic or metal.

The needed equipment include: fragrance tester strips, a rod for stirring, a weighing scale, amber glass bottles, containers, liquid measuring tools, small glass beakers and funnels, bottle labels, droppers or pipettes, vials, base (in the form of alcohol or jojoba oil), a scarf or mask to cover your nose with or a full protective body gear, curettes, mini fridge (to store the oils if necessary), hot plate, disposable latex gloves, a working table that is made of a spill-proof material (like glass, stainless, or Formica), a record notebook (for recording new discoveries and measurements), casseroles, and items to clean up with afterwards.

However, it is not necessary to get all these equipment listed here. You can just get the basic ones you need to get started. 

Get recipes – recipes are simply guides to creating something, and they often come with the list of needed ingredients, their required measurements, and the needed equipment. In general, getting recipes is the easy but not so easy stage before diving fully into formulating your own fragrance. Getting recipes from the right source is a crucial step and demands extra knowledge of what should be contained in it.

This is because there are thousands of sites that offer free DIY perfume recipes without taking body type, sensitivity, and dermatological concerns into note. For this, you can consult a dermatologist to offer some DIY perfume recipes.

Also, you can look up some credible and reliable sites offering tips and bits about perfume making, as long as you know your skin type and the ingredients that you are not allergic to. Making your perfume yourself is safe as long as abide by the measurements and ratios specified in the recipe.

In conclusion, creating your fragrance yourself is a good way to save money, create a friendly scent that is both health and environmental friendly without the addition of harmful chemicals and hormones, and to develop a signature scent that is uniquely yours.

Some Types Of Perfumes You Can Make At Home

Perfume Oils – perfume oils are gotten from plants and come with highly concentrated fragrances. They are very comfortable when spritzed on the wearer’s skin, do not cause sensitive reactions, and last all through the day.

Due to their lack of alcohol they are easily absorbed by the skin clinging to it like a tattoo and take longer time to wear off. Also, they are formulated instead with essential oils and without the addition of artificial preservatives, and have longer shelf-life. Perfume oils can also be called fragrance oils or aromatic oils. 

Body spray/splash – body spray or splash often have lighter scents and intoxicating fragrances that leave the wearer feeling fresh all day. They also moisturize the skin and help regulate sweating especially during outdoor events.

Body sprays or splash are also known for their great sillage (trail), and is ideal for outdoor occasions when you want to smell wonderful and leave behind a stunning first impression. They are also generally liked because of the intensity of the notes.  

Cologne – named after a large city in Germany, cologne is mostly scented water with a small concentration of oils. And in the production of cologne, vodka (alcohol) is an essential product as it is used to dilute the essential oils before they are incorporated into the general perfume blend.

Cologne have refreshing effects, are easy to wear, and are perfect for all occasions. However, they might not last as long as needed due to their low concentration of essential oils. 

Roll-on perfumes – there is really not much difference with roll-on perfumes and other types described here, only that the fragrance comes in a roll-on bottle instead of a spray bottle. Roll-on perfumes are easy to apply and help with sweating problems especially in the armpit region. Even though such perfumes are characteristically know to be less concentrated, they provide all day freshness and comfort when applied. 

Commonly-Used Bases In Homemade Perfumes

Alcohol or ethanol- alcohol or ethanol is a common base for most perfumes. With the easiest option being the food-grade type, especially the clear ones without the characteristic ‘choking’ alcohol smell. A perfect example of such grade of alcohol is vodka. Most importantly, alcohol types like isopropyl alcohol and methanol should never be used as they are toxic to the skin. 

Jojoba oil/carrier oils- Jojoba oil is an unscented carrier oil and is a commonly used base oil in perfumes. Jojoba oil is skin friendly with moisturizing effects and is easily absorbed by the skin without leaving a residual greasy patch.

Also, it is colourless and does not emit any foul smell and as so makes blending into a fragrance mix very easy. It is extracted from jojoba wax after the glycerine has been removed. Jojoba oil can be mixed with essential oils during the production of perfume. 

In the absence of jojoba oil, other carrier oils like almond oil, apricot kernel oil, avocado oil, coconut oil, and the likes have proven to be useful in the manufacture of homemade perfumes and aromatherapy fragrance.

While choosing a carrier oil though, it is essential to remember that some oils have shorter durability and are likely to spoil when unused for a period of time. This poor shelf-life is bound to affect the general quality of the perfume when such carrier oil is used.

Another problem with carrier oils is that they either maintain a solid or liquid form based on varying room temperature and this can affect the quality of the perfume. In addition, some essential oils can have toxic effects on the human skin depending on their concentration and so should be handled with extra care. 

Essential oils-essential oils are the perfect option for amateur perfumers to begin with. They exist as the non-harmful option in contrast with the synthetic scents contained in most commercial perfume brands. Synthetic scents are known to contain skin sensitive properties and can inspire allergenic reactions.

Due to the rich and powerful nature of essential oils they often need to be diluted before being used as ingredients in perfume making. However, some essential oils are still harmful even when diluted or come in small quantities and so should be completely avoided. On the other side of essential oils are fragrance oils, which are just like essential oils only that they are synthetic and more affordable than essential oils. 

Animal oils-animals oils like the name indicates is gotten from animals and often come in the form of secretions, musk, and by-products. Animal products like ambergris and civet have been used in the production of commercial perfumes historically. These items though expensive remain controversial items in the making of perfumes due to the nature of how they are extracted from animals.

Some Recipe For Making Perfumes At Home

• Making perfumes with essential oils recipe (a good place for amateurs to start from)

Things you need to make this perfume:

• 2 teaspoons of carrier oil of choice (remember that you can either use jojoba, sweet almond oil, avocado oil, etc)
• 6 teaspoons of 100% proof alcohol (most preferably vodka)
• 2.5 teaspoons of bottled water 
• 30 drops of essential oils (the notes concentration here are largely dependent on the type of perfume you want. For the sake of this recipe, it is advised you use 9 drops for the top notes, 15 drops for the heart or middle notes, and 6 drops for the base notes)
• A funnel (small-sized)
• Coffee filter
• And two dark bottles with airtight covers to store the perfume after production. Using a dark bottle is essential as the dark shade works to keep the light out and so allows your fragrance stay preserved for a longer time. 

Instructions

1. Pour your chosen carrier oil into one of the dark bottles, then add the required drop of base notes first. This step is followed by applying the required drops of the middle and base notes.
2. Once this is done, you need to add the alcohol which comes into the mix as a preservative (most preferably vodka because of its colourless, flavourless and odourless form). It is important to make sure that the added percentage of alcohol balances with the percentage of other ingredients in the fragrant mix. 
3. After this step, you need to close the bottle with the cover and leave it for 48 hours. How strong the scent of the fragrance turns out to be is largely dependent on how long it is allowed to stay. 
4. Once you have gotten the desired fragrance strength, you can now add the bottled water and shake very well for one to two minutes. 
5. Then use the coffee filter and small funnel to transfer your perfume contents to the second bottle. And your new fragrance is then ready to be used.

NB: when choosing the bottle for your essential oil perfume, it is advised that you settle for roller bottles instead of spray bottles. This is because essential oil perfumes are more concentrated than most perfumes and might be a bit difficult to spritz when in a spray bottle.

• Making perfumes with flower petals recipe

Things you need for this perfume:

• ½ cup of chopped flowers (it could be one type of flower or a mixture of flower petals)
• Small and medium- sized bowls with a cover
• 2 cups of distilled water
• Cheesecloth 
• Either a small or medium-sized saucepan. 
• A glass bottle with an airtight lid (well washed and sterilized)

Instructions

1. Before you start, it is advised that you wash the flower petals thoroughly in order to get rid of residual dirt. The washing should be gentle and with water only.
2. The next step after washing is to soak the flower petals in the bowl lined with the cheesecloth and allow to stay overnight. This soaking process makes it easy to extract the moisture it contains. 
3. To extract the flower-scented moisture, you need to squeeze over a saucepan. Then allow the squeezed-out water boil gently over low heat for a while until all that’s left is a tiny pool of water. 
4. Pour a little amount of the distilled water into the remaining moisture and pour it in a bottle with an airtight lid.
5. To get the best fragrance scent, it is advised that you leave it overnight. 

• Roll-on perfumes (using eucalyptus and bergamot) recipe

Thing You Need To Make This Perfume

• Essential oils-3 drops of eucalyptus oil, 2 drops of bergamot oil, 1 drop of rosemary oil, 1 drop of pine essential oil, and 1 drop mandarin orange oil.
• As base oil-2 teaspoons of jojoba oil
• Roll-on bottle 

Instructions

1. Add all the essential oils to your roll-on bottle
2. Using the eyedropper add some drops of jojoba oil to the roll-on bottle
3. Then shake the blend until they are all mixed and balanced. 

• Making perfumes for summer recipe

Things You Need To Make This Perfume

• The majority of ingredients required for this type of fragrance are essential oils, and include: peppermint oil (13 drops), lemon oil (5 drops), rosemary oil (13 drops), sage oil (5 drops), 
• A base (3 tablespoons of vodka)
• 2 cups of distilled water
• One spray bottle
• One small glass bottle

Instructions

1. Pour all the essential oils in a glass bottle and add the base alcohol. 
2. Gradually shake the contents of bottle until they are mixed and then allow to stay for two days.
3. After two days, add the distilled water and mix until it dilutes evenly. 
4. Allow the fragrance mix stay for 3 weeks in a cool place that is without direct light. 
5. Finally, you can sieve out the residual particles with a cheesecloth and pour in a spray bottle. 

• Citrus perfume recipe 

Things you need to make this perfume:

• One tablespoon of any carrier oil you like (the option here is jojoba oil though)
• 30 drops of essential oils (depending on the notes and including the citrus based ones such as sweet orange, grapefruit, then peppermint, and a blend of lavender and chamomile)
• 2 tablespoons of vodka or any other 100% alcohol choice
• 1 tablespoon of distilled water
• One dark glass container and another small glass container
• One glass perfume bottle (either spray bottle or roll-on bottle)

Instructions

1. Add your base oil to the small glass container (it could be jojoba oil, sweet almond oil, or any other oil you prefer)
2. The next step is to add the vodka that comes in as the preservative holding the mix
3. Then add the essential oils in the required order and amount, with the base notes first, and the middle and top notes in this order. For this fragrance, the base fragrance is the grapefruit and only 10 drops of it is required. The middle notes here are the sweet orange (10 drops) and peppermint (5 drops), while the top note is the lavender and chamomile blend (of which 10 drops is needed). 
4. The next step is to add a drop of the distilled water. 
5. Be sure to mix these ingredients well enough before transferring it to the dark glass container. After the transferring allow it perfuse for 48 hours or more depending on how intense and powerful you want the fragrance scent to be. 
6. You can then pour the end result in a glass perfume bottle and it’s ready to use.

• Spring perfume recipe (lavender and vanilla)

Things you need to make this perfume:

• One cup of dried lavender flowers
• ½ cup of vodka or 100% proof alcohol
• 2 vanilla beans
• 2 tablespoon of vegetable glycerin 
• 15 drops of lavender oil
• 10 drops of vanilla extract
• One glass jar

ALSO SEE: How to Make Perfumes Last Longer – An In-depth Guide

Instructions

1. The first thing to do is to slice open the vanilla beans
2. Then place the dried lavender flowers and vanilla beans in the glass jar
3. Pour the vodka in the jar containing the lavender flowers and vanilla beans and cover. Then allow the blend permeate for a week or more.
4. Strain with the cheesecloth to get rid of the flower particles and beans
5. Add the remaining ingredients namely lavender oil, vanilla extract, and glycerin and stir gently. 
6. The final thing here is to allow the fragrance infuse properly for five to six weeks.
7. You can sieve one more time before pouring it in a perfume bottle. 

• Making perfume with jasmine recipe

Things you need to make this perfume:

• A base (best to use vodka in this case) 
• Essential oils (30 drops of jasmine oil since it is the main oil, along with 5 drops of vanilla and 5 drops of lavender)
• One tablespoon of distilled water (you can substitute this with orange blossom water)
• One glass bottle to store the perfume
• Cheesecloth

Instructions

1. Pour the essential oil in a bottle and mix in the vodka
2. The next step is to allow this blend stay for 48 hours or more
3. Then add the orange blossom water and shake thoroughly and long enough till all the ingredients are mixed properly
4. Allow to stay for in a cool place without direct light
5. You can further sieve the mixture to get rid of particles using the cheesecloth before pouring it inside a bottle.  

The post How To Make Perfume At Home: An Easy Step By Step Guide [2024] appeared first on Best Perfumes Reviews.

But sometimes, no matter how much you spend to smell like luxury, it tends to fade into thin air and makes the quotes on vanity, a painfully relived experience

Like, where did all my money go to?

Never the less, if you are one who goes big on them bottles,dousing yourself in perfume does not offer the consolation that you will get a better result. It will instead make you that guy who introduces himself from a.distance away with his obscenely heavy perfume and makes everyone around him uncomfortable, nauseous and laden with headache.

And because we all know that guy and the stigma that comes with being him, it is quite unlikely you want to be in those shoes.

Except of course you enjoy junking on different products, there is no need to purchase a new bottle of perfume just yet till, you have gone through these tips which might just be what you need to switch up and get the best out of all those bottles on your dresser table.

If you are in a hurry, here are some quick tips.

Important Notes on Perfume

No two people can smell the same way even if they both use the same perfume combination. This is because of reasons which include your:

Body chemistry which like every other individiual traits like our thumb prints, isnunique So, to get the perfect solution from your purchase you can do the following:

Train your olfactory to know what smell absorbs better and lasts longer.

Don’t use a perfume solely because your best bud does same and expect to get the same scent-result.

Using too much fragrance at once really doesn’t cut it.and doesn’t also guarantee longevity, so please stop it with the dousing.

Did you know?

Gendered perfume scents, it was only during the beginning of the 50’s in Europe where marketing strategy picked on the idea of a few buyer’s choice and pushed the advertising into the market to segment different fragrances between both sexes. But modern times has seen a drastic change in perfume consumer behaviour and a new understanding of the fragrances.

Colognes are not made to last on men or specially made to suit their body chemistry. Floral scents connote notes of playfulness and when worn by men brings out the feminine in them which can improve the secretion of pheromones and create a romantic attraction. While women can wear woody scents to show a kind of mute, less loud fragrance mixed other lighter fragrance for balance.

These tips should guide you to a longer fragrance life

1.Have a clean shower before wearing perfumes

Every day, your body accumulates different smells and products that build-up and produce dirty which cannot be penetrated by the smell of perfumes. Which is mostly why it is advisable to wear one immediately you walk out of the bathtub, after your body must have soaked in the moisture. Dab perfume on the most place where you feel your body warms up easily while using a moisture-retention lotion to keep your body properly hydrated so that the perfume can be easily absorbed in with your body oil and diffuse properly.

2. Use Petroleum jelly or Body oil

Petroleum jelly has unique benefits for your perfume’s long lasting fragrance as it contains just the right amount of oil to keep the fragrance on you for a long time.

You can also try using baby oil which is totally unscented and friendly to all skin types, or body oils including coconut oil, almond or virtually any oil that does not make you itch or sweat unnecessarily. And remember, just a dab of it does the trick.

Feed your hair scents that doesn’t dry it

While perfumes last long on the hair, it is on replace that is famous for trapping dirt and from its secretion of oil and sweats from braids and weaves all of which contribute to the build-up ofndirts, it is not advised that you wear perfumes there. Especially when left unwashed, dirty hair secrets little sebum a.the follicles are clogged and only work to accentuate their dirty smell.

So use Perfumes around the edges of the hair, clse to the top of the earlobe where you would like to be kissed and sniffed in a doting way.

Use shampoos that hold fine scents and retain mositure in hair longer and wash from time to time.

Set your hair free once in a while and dab a few Perfumes on the end of your tresses to keep the fragrances popping as frequently as the wind gets in your hair.

3. Times and seasons determine the intensity of a fragrance

Scents and fragrance rely heavily on weather conditions which is why your nose could feel like it has been dulled to a few smells during the cold weather, with a heightened sharpness in detecting fragrance during the hot weather as it tends to bring out the sharpness in different fragrance.

And this has a lot to do with the ingredient used in your perfumes.

The cold seasons is relatively heavy with temperature that masks the fragrance scents, muting them to the background which is selecting fragrance for include ingredients with heavier scenes such as tobacco, cedarwoodhot and mostly ingredient that embody a comfortable warm feeling with a rich and spicy combo.

Warm and hot seasons on the other hand are great at unveiling fragrance from every corner so you would need to wear something with a more floral-oriental note to keep you from becoming an object for the bees and butterfly to chase after for nectar (if you get what I mean) Consider notes like lavender, citrus, patchouli which is also a great base, green apples too make a great fragrant accord and provide a fresh scent that blends well with your body’s chemistry to last for a really long time, to be retouched occasionally.

A few tips for wearing perfumes during spring/summer

• Freshness is key to this season and to attune yourself with more suave to the sweet fragrance of everything around you, wearing a frag with more zest like citrus or floral like Lavender would go a long way in keeping up with the self-expressiveness of the season.

• Less is more makes more sense as everything and everyone is on a heightened sense of smell. So you want to rein in on the calming smell of sweet breeze, silky sand dust, blooming flowers under the warmth of the sun, not stand out as an obstacle to the olfactory mindfulness of other people.
• Try out fragrances with top notes like Bergamot, tangerine, and pine fruit to get the best out of your morning routine. Caffeine also works best to keep the summer juices running on speed dial too. While base notes like Blond wood and amber from the Byredo collection works great too.

Other seasons like Spring and Autumn also make a great weather for balancing different notes that transition appropriately throughout the rest of the day. Scents vary from lighter notes like lemon and Citrus to more intense ones like Amber but not too much to avoid clouding the air with your scent which might still smell good to, but with a more pungent odour to the next person.

4. Nose blindness could lead you to believing that your scent is less pronounced on your body. To help with this, you can check out and master the different levels of notes and perhaps with a few practices, get acquainted to the one your body feels most comfortable with. Here a few notes that are popularised and commercialised in the perfume world:

• Citrus mostly used as a top note comes accompanied with a zesty fragrance that is both crisp and clean and includes variants like lemon, grapefruit, orange, and bergamot.

• Floral scent also a brilliant and heart notes that gives off the wonderful nasal ardour of a lily garden in full bloom. It holds an unapologetic playfulness and femininity on its wearer in accordance with a flirty and hopelessly romantic feeling when blended with base notes like the wood fragrance and musk.

• Fruity smells represent the warm season with the bursting fragrance of ripe fruits scents made from notes including watermelon, pear, cherry, Green apples and when combined perfectly with a comfortable floral fragrance, settles into something sweet but without the saccharine edge. Perfect for the carefree glee of Summer.

• Spicy scents make the best fragrance for individuals who enjoy mystery and adventure that is there but with a layered sophistication. It includes fragrances like peppercorn, Orientals, Cinnamon, Incense, Tobacco and Cardamom which form the heart notes; in transient of temperature or the time of the day. Perfect for a modernist and minimalist scent to keep the mystery on a seductive tone.
• Woody scents including popular scents such as Sandalwood, cedar wood, redwood leaves merged with a few floral scents are reminiscent of camp outs and adventures.
• Aquatic scents hold the breezy freshness of ocean breeze, the salty coolness of sea

waves. It holds the image of a cool, leisurely day at the beach, the soothing relaxation of the waves, a drink and a book in hand to booth. It is the perfect composition for a calming effect.

• Gourmand scents feels more like a gourmet but with Perfumes. It comprises of a blend of notes that can differ according to your sense of smell and level of preference. It entails a sophistication that comprises of hearty notes including burnt dark chocolate, caramel, perfume sugar and vanilla.

5. Try out perfume oils

While they are usually regarded as something of a lower standard to perfume spray, the perfume oil is a really great option to go for if you want to get a lasting result from the money you have spent. They are perhaps the best option in my opinion mostly because they contain less alcohol which dries out the skin and oil which can be applied at the nape of your neck, and on your earlobes, at the tip of your hair and around your collars for a long staying experience.

You can also apply at pulse points in the nook of your elbow and your knees as they are regions with more warmth and the tendency to make the fragrance circulate for a longer period of times. They are also great points because of the un-proximity of them to touch and other perfume-ruining substances like water.

N.B: If your preferred brand doesn’t come in a perfume oil, and you’re unsure about choosing the right kind I’d say trust your guts and try out a few fragrant notes to decide which one would work best for you.

Fun fact: Ancient Egyptians were big on perfumery and used perfumes at every ceremonial function. Perfume oil was one of their biggest experiments used to embalm and preserve the bodies of Pharaohs to keep them fresh and away from decay. This custom was adopted across the Mediterranean culture and led through for a long time.

6. Building layers of fragrance could do the trick

You can build your own fragrance through layering, using products on a step by step basis to give your perfume something to absorb into and diffuse throughout the rest of the day.

To get the best out of your perfumes especially during the cold season, layering fragrance works to give the perfect outcome. All you need do is purchase products along the line of your perfume scent; from bath wash to a moisturiser that works along familiar scent-lines with notes that can be easily detected, work well in providing the ardour you are seeking from your perfume.

You can also make use of the different vials of perfume on your dresser table, from the lightest to the heaviest to give you that colourful combo of popping fragrances.

But muted scents does not always mean that the next person to you cannot perceive your scent,so try not to go overboard with it.

There are also the different fragrances that your perfume brand may come with, that are helpful in providing a nice laying build on each one for a long lasting effect.

7. A little touch won’t hurt your fabric

Depending on the colour and texture of your fabric, it is usually advised that you leave off applying perfumes on your fabric to avoid staining it. But that doesn’t also leave out the option that you can still touch a little perfume there once in a while. In fact, it has been found out that fabric tends to absorb perfume scent long after it might have been applied.

But to do this, consider dabbing a little on darker clothes and other clothing materials like undergarments too can help keep your perfume lasting for much longer.

Also, most alcohol based products are the ones that stain clothes more. So you could dab a little perfume oil to your chest after which you wear your clothes, so that it would keep you reminded of its fine smell all through the day.

If you use clothing accessories like a tie, touch the perfume at the back of the tie or turn it inside out and dab a drop or two of the perfume oil to keep the stain at bay.

They can also be tested on scarves especially with natural fabrics like silk, linen and wool for longevity.

Handbags are also a great place to apply a few drops of oil. Check out the alcohol content of your perfume

Alcohol is mainly used in perfumes to dilute the soluble ingredients and as an easy-dry solution. Depending on what kind of perfume you use, the content of alcohol can be responsible for the quick disappearance of the fragrance on your skin. Which means that the more the alcohol content, the quicker the fading out.

So if you’re asking about the kind of perfume that lasts longer, experts say it’s the Parfum concentration becasue it contains more oil and less alcohol. Colognes are the least lasting with more alcohol and high volume concentration.

Fun facts: Marketing strategies during the 1800s in Europe popularised colognes as the male scent because of their intensity and just like it has been with advertising, a lot of people held the preconceived notion that it was a gendered fragrance.

Parfums contain the lowest amount of alcohol with up to 20-30% of perfume oil as a part of its ingredients putting it perhaps as the best perfume with a longer stay. They are usually very concentrated in their solution which is why they are usually kept in small bottles and need to be applied in little quantities.

Quizzer: Guess which ancient royalty had a signature scent that make a memorable intro appearance before their real self on an official visit?

Eau de Parfum: A lightly diluted mix from the enveloping concentration of Parfum, the Eau de Parfum contains about 15-20% perfume oil and a little more alcohol than the Parfum. It has its high shine moment within 6 hours after first spray and then mutes to a subtle tone towards the end of the day. A great work wear and mostly present in expensive and popular-branded products.

Eau de toilette: Coined from the French ‘Faire se toilette’ translated as getting ready. Lighter in concentration with the alcohol content in higher quantity to dilute the molecular contents of the perfume. It contains about 5-15% percent perfume oil and a larger alcohol content to keep it dry and lasts for about 3-5 hours to know how well

Eau de Cologne: More diluted in alcohol and less concentrated, the Eau de Cologne dissipates faster with only a 2-4% longevity on your skin after first spray. It works early on as a great stimulant for morning events but dissipates quickly as the sun gets hotter and has its top and heart notes fading within 2-4 hours after first spray.

Eau Fraiche: Think deodorants, think this eau fragrance which makes a momentary presence on your sinuses while settling after an hour or so, to keep you smelling not like pungent sweat. It is made to rest in moist, with muted yet active ingredient component that would help your perfume take centre stage.

8. Make a nice perfume abode in your clothe shelf/wardrobe

All you have to do is take a few pieces of tissue papers and spray on them. After which, you fold them into equal square pieces and line each one o them along the corners of your wardrobe or kept in pocket spaces to extract the perfume into your clothes.

Use perfume applicators for better results

• No, they don’t have to exist outside the perfume bottle itself they could come in it. A rollerball fragrance perfume oil is usually a really great idea to try out.

• Atomisers also exist to help you spritz your perfume the right way.

• And if you were probably wondering about retouching your perfume but have considered the annoyance of carrying a large bottle of your favourite scent across town, get a travel-sized operfume container or on a low-budget plan, a little spritz container from the second-hand store. Either ways, both of them are equally good and stress-free optims for when you want a touch-up.

9. Spritz from a distance

• There should be at least a 5-7 metre space between your hands and your skin, to help the molecules settle faster on your skin.

• Get to know the notes and fragrance composition

• Just so you know, perfumes are hardly made with natural fragrance and most of what you perceive to be lavendar,floral, sandalwood or Oriental fragrances are really just synthetic compositions made with fragrance resembling those scents.

With that said, perfumes are made of molecules which make up the scent and their ability to stay or disappear quickly. According to scentbound.co, the size of a molecule and its smell are correlated.

Scents that dissipate faster including the Citrus, lemon and most floral fragrances that are popular as top notes for their lightness are made of smaller molecules are oxidize easily and not to get too deep into the Chemistry terms, but this provides a more explanatory understanding of what happens mostly to our perfumes.

While base notes including Sandalwood, tobbaco and Musk scents contain larger notes and last for much longer.

10. Friction is great but not with the perfumes

• Rubbing your wrists together after dabbing perfumes on them don’t do well to keep the fragrance intact as you are crushing the notes scent in intensity leaving you with fading scents that don’t even live up to their daily life expectancy anymore.

11. Deodorant and perfume combination

Using perfumes on under arm areas to ward off the smell of sweat only makes the smell invisible and does nothing to mask the smell. As bad odour can very easily override the smell of your perfume, using the deo first before dabbing perfume is very important.

Leave masking body odour to deodorants preferably an unscented one to get the best result from your perfume.

12. Keep away from steaming bathrooms or humid areas

You shildn’t go close to saunas and hot ovens if you do not have a refresher bottle for your perfume or with your clothes on as they are very likely to evaporate the fragrance with their heat.

Answer: Cleopatra, the queen of Egypt. She left Rome to meet with Mark the…and it is reported that her entrance was initiated first with the smell of her perfume which she loved so much and even used as an Aphrodisiac.

Storage Techniques for a longer lasting perfume life Don’t leave perfume bottles open

Since they are made with alcohol as a major ingredient component, leaving your perfume bottle without being properly covered runs the risk of leaving the contents to evaporate into thin air.

Store in a cool, dry and dark place

Away from Air conditioning vents or heating units. This applies especially for the perfumes stored in bathrooms sinks and close to hot places.

Keeping perfumes in the bathroom brings it in contact with humidity which reduces the life expectancy of your perfume in bottle. Which is why it is best to store it in a wardrobe or on your dresser table in an airy location or on a heightened position like a cake stand to keep it lasting for as long as you would need it.

Utilize final drops

Like a finishing touch, add little drops of what is left in your perfume bottle into a can of lotion or oil of your choice. Use afterwards on skin to get the perfect fragrance from your perfume.

Don’t shake your bottle of perfume

They are not like soluble solutions and need to be kept still to prevent vaporisation of molecules. So to prevent your perfume from wasting away without being used, take care not to shake it at all.

Keep fragrance away from Jewellry

Most perfumes contain alcohol and other synthetic materials as its fragrant scent, not ideal for the metal composition of your jewelry collection. So if you spritz around your collar bones or along your throat line, give it time to dry after which you can go on to wear your jewellery

• Wearing perfumes with your jewellry on, puts it at the mercies of or fade and/or a discoloration and the skin around your neck at the risk of a reaction from the jewellry.

Keep perfumes bottles away from light

These bottles don’t fare well when light passes through their content have a higher chance of deterioration particularly when kept in front of the dresser in their naked form across a window with streaming sunlight, or a mirror reflection.

Perfume Jackets should be kept on after every use.

To reduce the risk of light and to get a lasting fragrance from your Perfumes, keep them stored in their original jacket form after every use.

Check the expiry date

The reason behind your perfume’s refusal to bloom at the right time might boil down to the expiry date labelled on their body. This means that the molecular content of the perfume has reached their active life period and would be much lre slower in action anymore.

ALSO READ: How To Choose A Good Perfume – A Detailed Guide

Aside: If you have OD’d on fragrance and feel uncomfortable about the permutation of perfume on your skin, use a baby wipe or dab a drop or two of Purrel on your skin to clear out the scent. This procedure can also be used in a case where you might not be chanced to have a bath and would need to wear fresh perfume on your skin. Wiping around all the areas where body moisture is prone to result in an odour with alcohol can also do the trick of keeping you well-scented.

Conclusion

Finally, while taking all of these steps are poised to help, do understand that your perception matters to how much these perfumes can serve you and most of all, acceptance and introspection takes a while but will go a long way to serving you in the long term.

The post How to Make Perfumes Last Longer: An In-depth Guide 2024] appeared first on Best Perfumes Reviews.

It may surprise you to know that many are yet to understand that wearing perfume is art, and a lot has to be put into consideration before making a choice.

Wearing perfume is totally a personal thing. Why picking a good perfume is a huge task is because there are so many out there in the market. However, if you do not know about your body type, you may end up picking a perfume that wouldn’t smell well on you.

What smells nice on your friend, colleague, or spouse may in turn not smell good on you, not because the perfume is bad, but because of the differences in skin type or body chemistry. Hence, the reason you ought to consider certain factors before making that purchase.

Still don’t get it?

In a nutshell, it means that for a perfume to go well on you, you need to know the type of skin you have, whether dry or oily. For the latter, you wouldn’t need much perfume for positive impact, and the scent will last for long on your skin.

Here comes the big question. How do I get to choose the right perfume?

Well, it is unlike picking the right perfume from the store that could be challenging. In this case, it is very simple and requires little patience. Firstly, knowing your skin type or body chemistry goes a long way.

The role of your body chemistry, as well as heat, the oils used for making the perfumes, and even the bacteria resident on your skin, cannot be over-emphasized. They all affect how the perfume diffuses on you.

During the heat periods, scents tend to project well, and our olfactory sense performs better too. Hence, the reason we have perfumes for the summer, and winter seasons. The duration of the perfume on you is also determined by these factors. However, these vary from persons involved, and also the time of the year.

1. The Skin Type

Previously stated, there are two types of skin – the oily, and the dry skin.

a. The Oily Skin

If your skin does not yearn for moisturizer all the time, then, you know you have oily skin.

What makes up the skin are sebaceous glands, microscopic in nature. They are the gland responsible for the excreting of sebum. This excreted sebum finds its way onto the skin’s surface through the hair follicles.

Our skin is either oily or not oily, is because of the sebum. Then, the type of foods we eat, lifestyle, stress levels, and overall health inclusive, affects how this oily substance, sebum smells. The smell of this oil is individually distinct. So, you can imagine the end result when it mixes with your sweat and perfume. That being said, if your skin is on the oily side of the spectrum, then, the perfume is very much likely to linger for long on you, and smell more intense when it mixes with your body aroma because the oil in your skin ignites a very strong reaction between the contents of the perfume, and your skin’s composition. It is very much recommended to go for light floral or citrus scents if you have oily skin because you wouldn’t smell too overpowering after application. However, if you prefer darker, or musk-based fragrances, then, a small amount is enough for you. 

b. The Dry Skin

Having dry skin is not that bad either. One of the basic ingredients in perfumes is essential oils, and they are responsible for the perfume’s longevity. However, if your skin is dry, then, chances are perfumes wouldn’t last long on your skin. Reason being, due to your dry skin, the perfume will be quickly soaked up and vaporized, thereby leaving less fragrance and longevity on you. Hence, the reasons why stronger scents are recommended for people with dry skin.

2. Potential Hydrogen Level

The popular name known by many is pH Level. This is another very important factor you have to consider whenever you want to choose a perfume. For a fact, we all have a natural skin pH level. The question is, how balanced is it? If it is better balanced, the better the skin will absorb and maintain the scent.

You may want to know more about pH, and how to figure out that of your skin, right?

Well, as earlier stated, pH stands for “Potential Hydrogen.” It helps to define the acid-to-alkaline ratio of something – this case, your skin. On a scale of 1-14, if the pH of your skin is 1, then, it is considered most acidic. If it is 14, then, your skin is most alkaline.

According to experts, the ideal pH level for skin is 7. Anything above this, is considered alkaline, meaning that your skin is very dry, and sensitive. Research has it that, persons with higher pH level tend to suffer from eczema. Their skin is also prone to wrinkles, and sagging. Then, if your skin pH level is below the normal balance, you are likely to have an acidic skin. This can cause you to suffer from acne, breakouts, and inflammations.  Summarily, it is unlikely to find skins that are too acidic.

If you want to know the pH level of your skin, the feel you get after using the shower should aid you. When you are done with the showers, and your skin feels smooth and soft, then, it means the pH level of your skin is in good condition. If it feels tight and dry, then, your skin pH level is alkaline. However, if after you cleanse it, and it feels oily, then, your skin is slightly acidic.

You have to ensure that you moisturize every day, and use sunscreen when necessary if you have a dry skin and you want perfumes to cling on to it, and last long too. Finally, if you suffer from any skin issues, make sure you employ the services of a qualified dermatologist for solution.

3. Body Heat/Temperature

This might sound weird to some, but it probably one to the factors to pay attention to before choosing the right perfume for yourself. As the name implies, it is not the temperature you check with a clinical thermometer but the basal body temperature, also known as body heat. That is, your skin, does it normally feel warm to touch or cold to touch? If the former is the case, then perfumes will sit long enough on you, but otherwise for people with colder skin.

4. Choice of Preference

We can’t help but admit that personal preference also plays a positive role in choosing the right perfume.

One of the best ways to find out if a perfume suits your taste is to have a little spritz on your body. When you do so, try to walk about for few minutes in order to allow the scent mix with your body chemistry. After that, if you find the smell pleasant, then, it is probably a good option for you.

Lastly, you have to find time to read through the contents of the perfume to enable you learn about the chemical compositions if present as well as its notes before making your final decision.

Understanding The Fragrance Notes

Focusing on the type of notes, and fragrances that smell great on your skin will help you narrow down the type of perfumes to lean towards.

Here is what you need to know about fragrance notes. There are 3 classes of notes that sum up a perfume. The notes are: Top/Head notes, Heart/Middle/Centre notes, and Base notes.

• Top Notes

These are the scents, usually sharp and volatile you get when you first apply the perfume. After a few minutes, the notes usually evaporate.

• Heart Notes

Just before the top notes fade away, the next notes to follow suit are the heart notes. They are termed “heart” of the aroma, and are usually delicate. These notes mix together with the base notes, to release pleasant smell over time. They last longer on the skin than the top notes.

• Base Notes

You find these notes at the dry down of the perfume. The notes are heavy, and big molecules that slowly evaporate. They are partially responsible for the longevity of the perfumes based on their compositions. They can linger for over 24 hours on the skin. It is no doubt that they give the perfume the rich and deep character it possesses.

Understanding Fragrance Concentration

Fragrance is a unisex, conventional term used for perfume. It comes in numerous types, and is called various names but for the most part, falls into these classifications. There are four levels of fragrance concentrations. The higher the level of the concentration, the pricier the perfumes get as well.

• Parfum: This has the highest concentration level, say about 20-30% of perfume essence. It is slightly oilier, and of course, the most expensive of all fragrances. Also worthy of note is its longevity. The longevity is overly impressive as a single spritz of this on your wrists and pulse points can last for over 24 hours.
• Perfume (Eau de Parfum): This is the next but lower level of concentration in line after the Parfum. It is commonly used to describe both the male and female products as it is genderless. The perfume essence contained in it is about 15-20%. The longevity is for about 5 to 8 hours.
• Toilette (Eau de Toilette): The third lower level after the Eau de Parfum. It is on the affordable side, and very common to find in stores. The concentration level is about 5-15% of pure perfume essence. The longevity is for about 3 hours. Thus, requires intermittent reapplication throughout the day to get it to last long.
• Cologne (Eau de Cologne): This is the fourth in line and has the lowest fragrance concentration. It is mostly used in North America for male scents. The scents are somewhat light, fruity, and fresh, containing about 2-4% of perfume oils dissolved in alcohol and water. Ideally, fit for persons that are still very young. The longevity is for about 2 hours. Reapplication is also required where necessary.
• Eau Fraiche: The very last and most unpopular. Contains about 1-3% perfume oil, and it lasts for not more than an hour.

Understanding Fragrance Categories/Families

There are four major categories of fragrances, and this is based on their notes. Also, in-between are sub-categories. Floral, Oriental, Woody, and Fresh are the major categories. This came into light with the help of the Fragrance Wheel. In 1992, perfume expert, Michael Edwards created the modern fragrance wheel which has been in use till today. Although it has evolved, considering the introduction of new fragrances, and how we perceive smell. 

The Fragrance Wheel – Sub Groups

Below are some of the sub-groups, together with their main notes. Chances are you would be draw to certain scents instinctively, while others will make you grimace.

Floral – Fresh-cut flowers

• Soft Floral – Aldehydes and powdery notes
• Floral Oriental – Orange blossom and sweet spices

Oriental – Oriental resins

• Soft Oriental – Amber and Incense
• Woody Oriental – Sandalwood and patchouli

Woods Main – Aromatic woods and vetiver

• Mossy Woods – Oak-moss and amber
• Dry Woods – Dry woods and leather
• Aromatic – Lavender and aromatic herbs

Fresh Notes

• Citrus – Bergamot and other citrus oils
• Water – Marine and aquatic notes
• Green – Galbanum and green notes
• Fruity – Berries and non-citrus fruits

Floral Scents: If the smell of flowers are you thing, then, this fragrance family is suitable for you. They smell like bouquets of flowers on opening, and even in the heat notes. Some perfumes rich in this are Japanese Cherry Blossom, My Burberry, Anais Anais, Jo Malone Nashi Bloom, and a host of others. You might want to try any of them!

• Soft Floral: The scent is a sub-category of the floral family. They are mostly soft, powdery, sweet, creamy, and light musky. Often contained in them are vanilla, delicate flowers, musks, and aldehydes. You can find this in perfumes like Chanel No 5, White Diamonds, Safari, Chloe, etc.

• Floral Oriental: The scents are made of sweet floral notes with fine spicy, smoky, balsamic or amber notes. The base notes are heavy and long lasting too. Some of the colognes you would find this are Desire by Dunhill, Midnight Heat by Beyonce, Dark Kiss, Velvet Rose and Oud by Jo Malone.

Oriental: If you love exotic scents that are zesty, sensual, warm, and rich, then these fragrance family is for you. They mostly contain resins, amber, and notes that are heavy. Examples are Bond No 9 Fire Island, Shalimar, One Gentleman – D&G, Tobacco Vanille – Tom Ford, and Passion.

• Soft Oriental: The scent is smooth, zesty, warm, and sensual. It is a softer, spicy version of oriental. You can get this in Bvlgari Jasmin Noir, Bleu de Chanel, and Oscar de la Renta.

• Woody Oriental: They usually contain oriental notes that are rich together with sandalwood, patchouli, cedar, or vetiver. The most common notes in this fragrance family are woods, and spices. Examples are SamSara, Burberry Brit, Back to Back – kilian, Bvlgari Black, and Desire.

Woods Main: Does the smell of freshly sanded wood and sawdust entice you? If yes, then this fragrance family is your go-to scents. The fragrance is natural, and simple, having few woodsy notes of sandalwood, vetiver, and cedar accompanied with citrus notes. Dunhill Fresh, Polo Supreme Oud, Tom Ford Grey Vetiver, Tom Ford Oud Wood, and Organza are some of the perfumes that are woody.

• Mossy Woods: They are sweet, sleek, and sometimes earthy with base notes that are mossy. You can find them in colognes like Hermes Terre D’Hermes, Prada L’Homme, Polo, Chanel No 19, and Sexy Ruby by Michael Kors.
• Dry Woods: Also known as leather fragrances. They usually contain tobacco or burnt wood, cedar notes, and share like characteristics with mossy woods fragrances but with a leathery and or smoky twist. Example of perfumes of such nature are Bvlgari Man in Black, D&G Velvet Exotic Leather, Tom Ford F*cking Fabulous, Tom Ford Tuscan Leather, John Varvatos, etc.
• Aromatic: You can’t help but like this fragrance family. The scents are clean, fresh, and contain notes of lavender, herbs, sweet spices, citrus, and oriental woods. Paco Rabanne, Bora Bora, Bleu de Chanel, Dior Sauvage, Jo Malone Wood Sage & Sea Salt, Creed Aventus, Creed Silver Mountain, Ed Hardy Skulls & Roses are some of the aromas of this nature.

Fresh (Citrus): This fragrance family is the most abundant in the fragrance world. They contain citrus notes of bergamot, lemon, orange, grapefruit, and mandarin. They are sometimes spicy, tangy, crisp, and tart. For the men, their fragrances are mostly paired with aromatic, citrusy notes while the female scents are usually paired with florals. You would find this feel in perfumes like Creed Virgin Island Water, Tom Ford Neroli Portofino, Chrome, Creed Royal Service, Green Tea by Elizabeth Arden, and Burberry Weekend.

• Water: Popular called aquatic notes. Water notes were predominant in the 90s. The ideas of these scents are motivated by scents of soft sea breeze, the fresh air that follows after a thunderstorm, and the fresh feeling that comes from a waterfall. The notes are mostly of aquatic nature. Examples of perfume you would find this feel are Cool Water by Davidoff, Chrome Sport, D&G L’Imperatrice, Acqua di Gio, Curve Appeal, Issey Miyake, Burberry Sport Ice, Nautica Oceans, James Bond 007 Ocean Royale, and Versace Bright Crystal.
• Green: If you find the smell of freshly-cut green grass pleasant and inviting, this fragrance family is for you. They contain prevalent green notes of grass, mint, basil, and other fresh leaves. Tom Ford Vert d’ Encens, Hugo, Escape, Polo Sport, 212 by Carolina Herera, Lucky you, Creed Green Irish Tweed are some of the perfumes with such fragrance.
• Fruity: The name alone tells a lot. The fragrance is appetizing. It makes you feel like to eat it. Contained in them are lots of fruity notes, some of which are peaches, pears, plums, berries, apples, and a host of others. You can imagine the feel! Yummy! You would find such scents in perfumes like Be Delicious by DKNY, Curve Kicks, My Burberry, Ralph Wild, Ed Hardy, Paris Hilton, and Polo Black.

ALSO SEE: 20 Best Perfume Stores Online

Conclusion

Having gone through this article, I believe you have learnt a few helpful things about perfumes.

It is no longer new that choice of perfume(s) is personal, and they can make or break your looks.

In a nutshell, before you make a purchase, be sure to try it out first  by taking a sniff test or applying a little on your skin, and then wait few minutes to see how it goes.

If you find it comfortable and acceptable to you skin type and body chemistry, then, you should go for it. Remember, only you alone know what is right for you.

Do not go for scents because it smells good on your friend or colleague because it might end up not smelling nice on you due to the differences in the skin type and chemical buildup of the body.

Lastly, once you come to discover or know your body type, scent families, and concentration levels, you would have a whole lot of beautiful fragrances to enjoy!

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