DIY Strong Fragrance With Beeswax and Important Oils

overview

• Working time:
  
  

  5 – 7 minutes
  

• Total time:
  
  

  10-15 minutes
  

• Yield:
  
  

  2 ounces
  

• Skill level:
  
  

  Beginner
  

• Estimated costs:
  
  

  $ 25
  

DIY solid perfumes are becoming an increasingly popular alternative to the man-made brews you typically find in the fragrance aisles of a department store. Behind their decadently pretty facades are typically a number of hideous ingredients: alcohol, tar, petrochemicals, coal. Even animal secretions and feces are often used in mainstream fragrances – including designer brands. Given their gruesome composition, it’s no surprise that some studies have shown negative effects on the nervous systems of mice.

DIY solid perfume is made up of three main parts: a carrier oil, beeswax, and essential oils. All ingredients are safe and natural. Still, essential oils should never be applied to the skin in full strength (this is the role of the carrier oil). Always do a patch test on your hand or arm first to make sure it doesn’t cause irritation.

What is a carrier oil?

A carrier oil is an unscented base oil that is used to dilute strong essential oils and “wear” them safely to the skin. Common types of carrier oils are grapeseed oil, sweet almond oil, jojoba oil, and virgin coconut oil, although coconut oil is scented.

Create a custom mix

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You can keep the scent simple and base your recipe on just one essential oil, or you can play a perfumer and create your own blend. When mixing essential oils for DIY perfume, it is important to get to know your “grades” first.

The top notes set the stage with light, herbal or citrus-like scents such as bergamot, orange, peppermint or eucalyptus – nothing too strong. The heart note should make up half or more of your blend and form a solid foundation for your scent. Lavender, rose and jasmine make great heart notes. Base notes are the last notes that appear once the top notes have evaporated. They should be deep, rich, musky, or woody, and long-lasting, like patchouli, sandalwood, and vanilla.

You can choose from three to six essential oils to mix in, or you can go the easier route and go for a premixed synergy.

What you will need

ingredients

• 1 tablespoon of carrier oil of your choice

• 1 tablespoon of beeswax pellets

• 30 drops of essential oils of your choice

instructions

1. Prepare your tools and ingredients

   Partially fill your pot (if using a double boiler, use the larger pot) with water. Combine your carrier oil of choice and beeswax pellets in the smaller bowl. It is important to use a glass or metal bowl that will not melt.

   To make adding fragrances faster, measure your 30 to 40 drops of essential oil in advance and pre-mix fragrances if you want. Keep the essential oil in a small cup or casserole dish until later.

2. Melt the beeswax

   Place the small bowl of beeswax pellets in the saucepan so that the bottom of the bowl is submerged in the water. Heat over medium heat and let the hot water melt the wax. This should take five minutes or less.

3. Add fragrance

   Once the beeswax has melted, remove from heat and stir to mix the wax and carrier oil. Pour it into a can or glass and let it cool for about a minute before adding essential oil.

   Gently stir in the essential oil (s) of your choice, then immediately place a cap or lid on the jar or jar to prevent them from evaporating. Let your DIY solid perfume cool for about five minutes before using.

4. Apply to the skin

   To apply the solid perfume, simply slide your finger over the surface of the perfume and massage the scent into your skin. Limit application to your wrist first to ensure it doesn’t cause an allergic reaction. If it doesn’t, you can apply the perfume on your neck, chest, or the insides of your elbows. You can even apply something to the ends of your hair.

5. Store your solid perfume

   Store your perfume in a closed can or glass jar for six months to a year. Check the shelf life of the carrier oil used; When an oil goes bad, it can create a sour odor.

Vegan variant

Beeswax helps the perfume get into a solid form, but for a vegan variant, you can use candelilla wax instead. Candelilla wax is extracted from the leaves of the candelilla bush, which is found in the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. Like beeswax, it’s odorless, nutritious, has a high melting point, and is a great stabilizer for skin care. It’s twice as dense and stiff as beeswax, however, so you should only use half the amount you would normally use for beeswax (half a tablespoon for this recipe).