With the holidays right around the corner, I figure it’s a great excuse to make a whole bunch of DIY solid perfume tins so I can keep a few for myself and give the rest away. Make a few different scents, as I did for this giftable perfume trio, and package them up in a ribbon-tied box for an easy homemade present your besties will love.
Is it just me or is solid perfume seriously one of the best beauty inventions? And making solid perfume is a game-changer, IMO.
One of the best things about essential oil perfume is that it’s not overbearing like commercial perfumes. It’s more subtle, which I love, and it has aromatherapy benefits to boot.
Because of that, this perfume trio doesn’t smell like the floral perfumes you’re used to. Instead of just smelling good, it was designed to calm frazzled nerves, banish the blues, and energize a tired mind.
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Why We Love Solid Perfume
You can keep it in your purse! Because who remembers to put on perfume in the morning? And if you do, the smell is gone in no time. Solid perfumes are super portable and you can touch up anytime.
And they're much more travel-friendly than their traditional counterparts—you don't have to worry about them breaking if they're packed in your check-in bag, nor do you have to worry about them being taken away by TSA because they're no longer considered liquid.
They're also alcohol-free, unlike regular perfumes. Alcohol can be super irritating to the skin—in comparison, the base of this solid perfume is almond oil and beeswax, two super skin-friendly ingredients!
You'll also find that solid perfumes last way longer—and I don't just mean how the scent lingers. Because solid perfumes are quite concentrated to use and you have full control over what you use, you won't go through it as quickly as regular perfume.
TBH, it's way too easy to accidentally spray perfume everywhere, wasting product and potentially annoying others with it wafting around. So if that's not enough reason to try solid perfume, I don't know what is!
How to Make Solid Perfume
Step 1 | Melt Oil + Wax
To DIY solid perfume, first, combine a neutral-smelling oil (like almond or grapeseed) with beeswax pastilles in a double boiler. Or create a makeshift double boiler using a glass or stainless steel bowl over a pot of simmering water. Gently melt over low heat.
You can also combine beeswax and almond oil in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in short bursts until melted.
Step 2 | Add Essential Oils
Add a few drops of essential oil until you have a scent you like. Keep in mind that the scent will diminish somewhat as the perfume hardens.
Step 3 | Pour into Containers
Pour the mixture into small lidded containers—work fast before it hardens. Allow the solid perfume recipe to cool and solidify completely before sealing the containers.
Essential Oils for Solid Perfume
If this is your first time making your own perfume, it helps to know a bit about layering scents before tackling your solid perfume DIY project. Essential oils are divided into three main categories:
Base, Middle, and Top Notes
Base Notes are sharp, uplifting, and slow to wear off. Think cedarwood, frankincense, ginger, vanilla and sandalwood.
Middle Notes are supportive and last for an hour or two. Bay, geranium, jasmine, lavender, rosemary, and orange are typically considered middle notes.
Top Notes are the easiest to detect in a perfume and they evaporate quickly. Grapefruit, eucalyptus, ginger, bergamot, and clary sage are some of my favorites.
Perfume Making Tips
- Consider the top, middle, and base notes in your blends for a well-rounded and long-lasting fragrance.
- Start small with essential oil drops and adjust according to your preferences.
- Keep track of the quantities you use in each batch so you can replicate your favorite blends in the future.
- Go with your gut. While learning about perfume chemistry can help, combining scents that smell good to you is easier and much more rewarding than playing by the book.
22 Solid Perfume Fragrance Blends
Calming Blend
—20 drops bergamot
—15 drops vanilla
—20 drops patchouli
Energizing Blend
—25 drops grapefruit
—10 drops ginger
—20 drops lemongrass
Joyful Blend
—15 drops bergamot
—10 drops orange
—20 drops geranium
—10 drops lemon
More essential oil combinations
Here are some popular essential oil combinations, from fresh and citrusy to floral and earthy, for making solid perfume. Don't hesitate to get creative and customize these recipes to create your own signature scents!
Citrus
- Citrus Burst: Sweet orange, lemon, and grapefruit create a refreshing and uplifting citrus scent.
- Fresh Citrus Sage: Combine the bright, zesty notes of grapefruit with the earthy and herbaceous aroma of sage.
- Citrus Mint Burst: Sweet orange and lemon pair with cooling peppermint for an energizing scent.
Vanilla
- Lavender Vanilla Bliss: Lavender and vanilla combine for a calming and sweet fragrance.
- Warm and Cozy: Vanilla, cinnamon, and a touch of clove give a warm and comforting fragrance.
- Sandalwood Vanilla Serenity: A comforting blend of creamy sandalwood and sweet vanilla create a grounding fragrance.
Herbal + Minty
- Herbal Harmony: Lavender, rosemary, and mint create a fresh and herbal aroma.
- Herb Garden Harmony: Combine the invigorating notes of rosemary, the freshness of basil, and the earthy richness of thyme for a balanced and uplifting scent.
- Minty Fresh: Peppermint, spearmint, and eucalyptus provide a cool and invigorating scent.
- Minty Eucalyptus Breeze: A brisk and revitalizing composition of cool eucalyptus and invigorating peppermint.
Floral
- Floral Bouquet: Rose, jasmine, and ylang-ylang combine for a romantic and floral perfume.
- Calming Chamomile: Chamomile, lavender, and geranium offer a soothing and gentle scent.
- Romantic Rose Garden: A bouquet of romantic rose and delicate geranium creates a timeless floral harmony.
Earthy
- Earthy Woods: Cedarwood, patchouli, and sandalwood create a grounding and earthy aroma.
- Earthy Patchouli Blend: Patchouli and cedarwood
Spicy
- Spicy Sensation: Ginger, cinnamon, and clove offer a warm and spicy scent.
- Sensual Spice: Patchouli, sandalwood, and a touch of jasmine or rose create a sensual and warm perfume.
- Spiced Citrus Delight: Zesty bergamot, warm cinnamon, and invigorating ginger make a cozy creation.
- Spicy Floral Fusion: The florals of jasmine and rose with the warmth of ginger and cardamom create a spicy floral fusion.
Using Solid Perfume + Storage
To use your homemade perfume balm, simply rub your finger on the surface to pick up a small amount and apply it to pulse points like wrists and neck.
Store your solid perfume in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight and heat. A small tin or compact container works well for storage.
Solid perfumes typically have a long shelf life, often several months to a year or more.
On a perfume-making roll? Try this sandalwood vanilla essential oil perfume in a handy lip balm tube!
FAQ
Common ingredients include beeswax, carrier oils (like jojoba or almond oil), and fragrance oils or essential oils.
Experiment with different essential oil or fragrance oil combinations to find scents that complement each other. Start with a small batch to test the fragrance before making larger quantities.
Yes, you can experiment with alternative waxes like candelilla wax or carnauba wax for a vegan option.
Calming, Energizing + Joyful Essential Oil Solid Perfume Recipes
Equipment
- Microwave safe bowl
- 3 2-ounce metal tins with lids
Materials
- 3 tablespoons beeswax
- 6 tablespoons almond oil
- 45-55 drops Essential oils see Notes for specific blends
Instructions
- Combine beeswax and almond oil in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in 30-second intervals until melted.
- Add your essential oils and stir to combine.
- Pour into a lidded tin and let cool.
