Is it just me or is solid perfume seriously one of the best beauty inventions? I bought a few from Pacifica years ago and I’ve carried them in my purse ever since. By now I’m down to the last little bit in the bottom of the tin but I just can’t bring myself to use it up.
With the holidays right around the corner, I figure it’s a great excuse to make a whole bunch of DIY solid perfume options so I can keep a few for myself and give the rest away. Make a few different scents, like I did for this giftable perfume trio, and package them up in a ribbon-tied box for an easy DIY present your besties will actually love.
DIY Solid Perfume Trio
One of the best things about essential oil perfume is that it’s not strong or overbearing like commercial perfumes. It’s 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. It does contain hints of geranium, but instead of just smelling good, it was designed to calm frazzled nerves, banish the blues, and energize a tired mind. It’s perfume with a purpose.
To be honest, this was my first time making solid perfume, so I had to learn the art of scent-making as I went along. But luckily scents are flexible, which means I could mix and match whatever I had lying around instead of purchasing all new essential oils.
If this is your first time making your own perfume, it helps to know a bit about layering scents.
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.
But rather than worrying over your scents and whether you’ve layered them correctly, I say just go with your gut. Most of us know instinctively what smells good and what doesn’t. And 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.
How to Make DIY Solid Perfume
To make your own solid perfume, first combine a neutral-smelling oil (like almond or grapeseed) with beeswax pastilles. Gently melt it in the microwave or on the stove, then add your essential oils. Start slowly, adding just a few drops of oil at a time until you have a scent you like. Then pour the mixture into a small container and let harden. That’s it!
Calming Blend
- 4 tablespoons beeswax
- 5 tablespoons almond oil
- 20 drops bergamot
- 15 drops vanilla
- 20 drops patchouli
- 2 ounce metal tin with lid
Combine beeswax and almond oil in a small bowl. Microwave in 30-second intervals until melted. Add your essential oils and stir to combine, then pour into a lidded tin and let cool.
Energizing Blend
- 4 tablespoons beeswax
- 5 tablespoons almond oil
- 25 drops grapefruit
- 10 drops ginger
- 20 drops lemongrass
- 2 ounce metal tin with lid
Combine beeswax and almond oil in a small bowl. Microwave in 30-second intervals until melted. Add your essential oils and stir to combine, then pour into a lidded tin and let cool.
Joyful Blend
- 4 tablespoons beeswax
- 5 tablespoons almond oil
- 18 drops bergamot
- 15 drops orange
- 20 drops geranium
- 10 drops lemon
- 2 ounce metal tin with lid
Combine beeswax and almond oil in a small bowl. Microwave in 30-second intervals until melted. Add your essential oils and stir to combine, then pour into a lidded tin and let cool.
Solid Perfume Trio
Equipment
- Microwave safe bowl
- 2-ounce metal tins with lids
Materials
- 4 tablespoons beeswax
- 5 tablespoons almond oil
- 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.
Is there an alternative to the beeswax?
It seems to me that I am interested in all of the blends to make, I am just wondering if you offer training courses in this field or not? If yes, could you please let me know? I want to make my own essential oils, Thanks
:) Great for winter. DO U think it can be used to moisturize lips? Can U recommend 1-2 best oils that are safe for skin but also smells great and are last long?
I’d be very very careful adding essential oils to the lips. In Europe we have strict legal limits on use of essential oils in skincare. Perhaps just use the carrier oil and beeswax mix and leave out the essential oils. ?