Before I found the wonderful benefits and many uses of essential oils, one of my favorite perfumes that I couldn’t be without was Chanel. It was costly though at $105 a bottle. So, my curiosity got the best of me once I started using essential oils and through research I found that one of the main notes in Chanel No.5 is Ylang Ylang.
Ylang Ylang is an essential oil that has a beautiful sweet floral scent. I was immediately intrigued and tried some different combinations with the essential oil fragrances. What better way to save money and make your own homemade perfume recipes using essential oils.
Ylang Ylang Is a Powerful Aphrodisiac
Yes, not only does Ylang Ylang essential oil smell beautiful, it is a powerful aphrodisiac by improving your sex drive and reducing anxiety. Okay, I can just say that’s a win-win in my book. Ylang Ylang is used in cosmetics, fragrances, soaps, hair products and household cleaners. With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, I didn’t want to fail to mention that Ylang Ylang is known to encourage a more sensual and erotic experience during lovemaking. Research suggests that applied to the skin, Ylang Ylang can also help you relax.
Here is a romantic rollerball perfume:
“In the Mood”
10 drops of Ylang Ylang
10 drops of Clary Sage
5 drops of Cypress
Carrier oil
5 or 10 ml Rollerball bottle
Add essential oils to rollerball bottle and fill with a carrier oil of your choice. (I use Jojoba or Sweet Almond Oil)
*I let it sit for 2 weeks in a cool, dark place like your medicine cabinet then use. Doing this allows the oils to synergize and it smells just fabulous. I place it on my wrists and behind my ears or any pressure points. You might just want to wear this behind closed doors, if you know what I mean.
*Just a note that it is recommended to use dark glass and not plastic rollerball bottles which helps to keep out sunlight that can accelerate the expiration of your oils.
The Powers of Scent
Scent can evoke strong feelings and emotions. Our sense of smell can be very powerful. The hardest part of creating your own fragrance is deciding which scents you like best. Making perfume with essential oils is actually quite easy, especially if you’re new to making homemade perfume. If you’re not sure where to start with choosing some scents, I recommend these oils by corked.com. They are 100% natural essential oils and affordably priced. This way you can experiment with different scents and find out what you like.
Creating Your Own Scents with the Notes
A good perfume is normally compiled of a top, middle and base note. (A guideline for blending)
Oils that evaporate the quickest, usually within 1-2 hours are called top notes. The lighter citrus scents fall in this category.
Oils that evaporate within 2-4 hours are considered middle notes (also called heart notes)
Oils that take the longest time to evaporate are referred to as base notes. (bottom notes) These are the stronger scents like the earthy and woodsy scents.
As a general rule:
Florals blend well with spicy, citrusy and woodsy oils.
Woodsy oils generally blend well with all categories.
Spicy and oriental oils blend well with florals, oriental and citrus oils.
Minty oils blend well with citrus, woodsy, herbaceous and earthy oils.
*Remember, this is just a guideline for blending oils together but the end result should be to your liking. Most of my recipes that I make are in a rollerball bottle because I feel it will last longer and you can also travel with it. Just make sure you keep the bottle in a cool, dark place if possible to keep the effectiveness of the oils at their highest potency.
My Favorite Perfume Recipes
“Angelic”
2 tsp of Jojoba oil (carrier oil)
20 drops of Neroli essential oil (fresh sweet aroma mixed with citrus and flowers)
5 or 10 ml rollerball bottle
Add the jojoba oil to rollerball bottle then the Neroli essential oil. Shake gently and allow to sit in a cool, dark space for two weeks. Then use on your wrists, behind ears, etc. This is a heavenly scent.
“Reborn” (R)
10 drops of Lavender
5 drops of Ylang Ylang
5 drops of Bergamot
5 drops of Clary Sage
5 or 10 ml rollerball bottle
Add all essential oils into the bottle, then fill with a carrier oil. (I use sweet almond oil but jojoba oil or fractionated coconut oil would work well too) This is an enticing fragrance. Smells wonderful.
“Flirtatious”
2 drops Sweet Orange
3 drops Mandarin
3 drops Neroli
2 drops Cedarwood Atlas
Carrier oil
5 or 10 ml rollerball bottle
Drop essential oils into bottle. Add carrier oil (I like jojoba or sweet almond oil) Gently mix and leave to sit for two weeks in a cool, dark space for best fragrance. Roll on any pressure points. This has a fresh fruity fragrance and is great to wear on a hot summer night.
“My Valentine” (A Perfume Spray)
5 drops Palmarosa
3 drops Rose
1 drop Geranium
1 drop Ylang Ylang
1 Tbsp Jojoba oil
1 Tbsp Vodka
Perfume spray bottle
Use a funnel to pour the Jojoba oil and alcohol in to bottle (dark glass recommended) Drop in essential oils. Cap the bottle and shake gently. Keep in a cool, dark place for two weeks to let it cure. Always shake before using. This is a beautiful, romantic fragrance.
Conclusion
Its fun to experiment with different scents but the benefit is you’re making something with no chemicals and that’s good for your skin. It’s important to be aware of how long you keep the perfume on hand. All essential oils have a shelf life and a good rule of thumb is to use the product within six months.
These are also great to give as gifts to friends and family. In the end, smelling delicious doesn’t have to be toxic. Do something good for yourself, your skin and your wallet. Not only will you smell fabulous, but you’ll get the mood boost and calming benefits of using essential oils too.
Since every person is different, if you’re new to using essential oils, it is always a good idea to consult with your doctor or healthcare professional to avoid any allergic reactions or any negative interactions with medications.
Do you have any homemade perfume recipes? We would love to hear from you. Please share with us in the comment section below.
