Ladies, this one is perfect for Valentine’s Day! It’s hard to feel romantic when it’s freezing outside – I can’t even think about a sexy red dress when all I want to do is layer on clothes and huddle by a cozy fire. But what I can do is take care of my skin and smell great at the same time. Combining an oil with fragrance is the perfect thing—sweet almond oil seals in moisture (no more ashy skin here!) while clove and vanilla combine to create an alluring, luscious homemade perfume. Who could resist?!
Winter is so hard on your skin and an oil-based lotion helps beat the dry heat. I’ve been slathering myself in coconut oil but this body oil spray recipe I found in Redbook smells so amazing I’m jokingly calling it a man magnet spray! :)
Vanilla Clove DIY Body Oil Spray
What is it about this body oil that makes it a man magnet? Well, the only dude in my life likes it. Oh, and the real experts say the scent of vanilla stirs up feelings of intimacy. Maybe it reminds people of homemade cookies? I don’t know. Whatever it is, this oil makes your skin feel so smooth and silky—perfect for when you’re in the mood!
Ready to make your own Man Magnet Spray? You will need:
—1/4 cup almond oil (walnut or jojoba oil would also work)
—1/2 to 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. You can also use vanilla essential oil.
—2-3 drops clove oil
Combine all of the ingredients – minus the cloves – and pour into a small spray bottle. If you’re not smelling enough vanilla, go ahead and add a 1/2 teaspoon more.
Go easy on the cloves
Clove has a signature sweet and spicy smell, creating an aroma that feels homey and exotic all at once. But the smell of cloves can easily over power everything else so I recommend adding it last – one drop at a time.
High levels of clove oils also have a numbing effect, so it’s best to avoid that by adding a little bit at a time, instead of pouring too much in at once. If you’d rather avoid clove or it irritates your skin, here are 12 more essential oil perfume blends to experiment with.
After you have added the essential oils, then shake everything together in the spray bottle and you’re done. Spray the body oil onto your skin and rub it in.
You can use it all over – legs, arms, whatever. It makes a great perfume so, again, be careful not to overdo it with the cloves. For portability, this can be used in a rollerball container as well—then it’s super easy to discreetly apply and freshen up anywhere, any time. Just roll over where you want to apply and massage it in to ‘activate’ the perfume a little more a signature scent.
Where to apply body oil spray
For a subtle but long-lasting smell, don’t forget about your pulse points. These are points on your body where your main blood flow is very close to your skin’s surface, so the skin is a little warmer there than the rest of your skin. This means gives a boost to the strength of perfumes and mists and a great way to ensure that you smell amazing, all the time—without over applying perfume.
Want more homemade fragrance ideas?
This solid vanilla essential oil perfume comes in a purse-friendly lip balm container. And how about this perfume body spray recipe that uses jasmine, another scent known for being an aphrodisiac!
Photos by Ana Stanciu
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My granddaughter loves vanilla and lime…it’s devine! She uses essential oils. A few drops in her bath water or puts it in a spray.
Vanilla extract like the one you use to cook? Thats awesome, it doesnt get sticky on your skin?
This sounds great. I also was wondering if you could infuse the cloves with whichever oil you used and if Argan oil would work. Thanks!
How many cloves would you recommend instead of the oil drops?
The main problem with doing that is the strength will increase over time.
what do you mean that the strength will increase over time?
This sounds wonderful, but I was wondering if I could use another non-hardening oil, like olive oil? (I don’t have the ones suggested.)Would the oil smell be too much? Thank you!
I used fractionated coconut oil, and it works just fine.
Ran across this while trying to figure out some scent combinations for a homemade beard oil. I have some scent aversions so most of what is on the market gives me headaches. Vanilla and clove and a few others are some scents that I can handle. So I guess I wanted to know if this could be a “Manly” scent or just a scent that men like?
Maybe try orange or sandalwood with the clove? What other scents do you know you can use? Some stores such as Sprouts out here have an essential oil section with tester bottles.
I just made this after saving it months ago. I added a bunch of vanilla, but really can’t smell it. I was wondering if I can add vanilla essential oil to ramp up the vanilla scent? I love the clove scent!
(One year later) I was wondering if you could do this with any fragrance, not just vanilla? Haha, sorry for bringing you back to this post you probably haven’t looked at lately, but I would love to know!
You can definitely combine oil with whatever fragrance you like best – you’ll still smell great :)
Will this perfume work in a roller ball container?
Sure! You can definitely apply that way if you prefer.
Can u use grapeseed oil?
Sure! I think that would work just as well.
You mix it with Vanilla extract, stupid question but we cook with that so did you mean vanilla fragrance or essential OR did you mean the vanilla you can flavour icing and cakes with? I so am going to make this please let me know about the extract please asap
Many thanks
Alix
Yes, I used the same stuff you cook with! I’m sure you could use essential oil if you have it but I just used what I had on hand. Good luck! :)
Many thanks, it sounds really exotic l can’t wait to make it
Is this a fragrance that will last the day or will it need to be re-applied every few hours?
I love this. I may have to make some, but leave out the cloves. Just make a Vanilla. I love it. Maybe put a bit of Lavender in it. My favorite scent is cucumber-Melon. I make soap with this scent, and my Son-in-law and husband both love it.
Lavender would be great! How do scent the soap with cucumber/melon? Do you just use the veggie/fruit or some kind of extract? Would love to know b/c that sounds amazing!
I use the Cucumber-Melon FO and scent the soap with it. You can “juice” a cucumber and put that in there, but I use the FO. We all love the smell.
I can’t wait to try this. It smells great….in my imagination.
Also makes a great massage oil I buy almond oil by the quart and add extracts and oils. SO good for the skin! I feel so silky and indulged after!
I love this! I read a survey somewhere that vanilla is a man’s top scent (have you ever met a man who didn’t like it?) and cucumber is a woman’s favorite (true for me!) xo
I made this and had it on when I went to the grocery store, as we were leaving man came over to me and asked if he could take my cart and keep my quarter! Does that count?
Anyway, it smells wonderful. Thanks!
Haha, that definitely counts! Glad you – and the random grocery guy – like the smell :)
I love your DIY projects. I’ve made your lip balm and those awesome earrings you just posted! My friends and I have at least one craft day a month while the kiddos are at school and your projects are perfect for the few short hours we have. Can’t wait to try this spray!
That is so great to hear Reba! And what a fun tradition you have with your friends. I love a good crafternoon with the girls :)
How versatile you are Steph, now expanding your skin care product line! :) love it, sounds like it would smell lovely!
Thanks for sharing this, I’m going to give this a try. The cold weather has finally hit NJ and really drying me out! I bet it’s great right out of the shower.
I know I should be saying, “Ooh, that would smell so good,” but all I can think of is that I bet it would taste good too. :)
wow you are amazing! I want to make this too!
I’ve never tried body sprays before but I do get terribly dry skin. I might have to get experimenting.
That does sound lovely! I will have to give it try.
Ohhh, I bet that smells amazing! I love making my own oils … So nice on your skin and also nice to know exactly what goes into them. I’ve not tried using almond oil as a base though, but it sounds great.
I made my own rose petal almond oil a while back and it felt great – def give it a try!
Haha anything dubbed “man magnet spray” I’m willing to try!
must be a magnet because it smells like baking. and what man doesn’t love the smell of baking? :)
So true! And hopefully the spray will make up for the fact that my kitchen skills are a little subpar :)
i swear by almond oil!! and vanilla :)
You know I had to check this out based on the name “Man Magnet” alone. Sounds delish!
I couldn’t resist the ‘Man Magnet’ title, haha :)