Difference between revisions of "Make Perfume"
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== Steps == | == Steps == | ||
=== Understanding the Science of Perfume === | === Understanding the Science of Perfume === | ||
| − | #Know the different notes. Perfumes are a blend of different levels of scent, also called “notes”. When you spray a fragrance on your skin, it moves through these notes in the following order:<ref>http://www.fragrancesoftheworld.com/Top100Questions.aspx</ref> | + | #Know the different notes. Perfumes are a blend of different levels of scent, also called “notes”. When you spray a fragrance on your skin, it moves through these notes in the following order:<ref name="rf14915">http://www.fragrancesoftheworld.com/Top100Questions.aspx</ref> |
| − | #*Top notes are what you smell first. They are also what disappears first, usually within 10 to 15 minutes.<ref | + | #*Top notes are what you smell first. They are also what disappears first, usually within 10 to 15 minutes.<ref name="rf14915" /> |
| − | #*Middle notes appear as the top notes die off. These are the fragrance’s core, determining which family the perfume belongs to — for example, oriental, woody, fresh, or floral.<ref>http://www.fragrancesoftheworld.com/fragrancewheel.aspx</ref> | + | #*Middle notes appear as the top notes die off. These are the fragrance’s core, determining which family the perfume belongs to — for example, oriental, woody, fresh, or floral.<ref name="rf14916">http://www.fragrancesoftheworld.com/fragrancewheel.aspx</ref> |
| − | #*Base notes accentuate and fix the fragrance’s middle notes, also known as its theme. They comprise the fragrance’s foundation, making the scent last up to 4 or 5 hours on your skin.<ref | + | #*Base notes accentuate and fix the fragrance’s middle notes, also known as its theme. They comprise the fragrance’s foundation, making the scent last up to 4 or 5 hours on your skin.<ref name="rf14915" /> |
| − | #Familiarize yourself with popular top notes. Popular top notes include basil, bergamot, grapefruit, lavender, lemon, lime, mint, neroli, rosemary, and sweet orange.<ref>http://www.aromaweb.com/essentialoils/default.asp</ref> | + | #Familiarize yourself with popular top notes. Popular top notes include basil, bergamot, grapefruit, lavender, lemon, lime, mint, neroli, rosemary, and sweet orange.<ref name="rf14917">http://www.aromaweb.com/essentialoils/default.asp</ref> |
| − | #Familiarize yourself with popular middle notes. These include black pepper, cardamom, chamomile, cinnamon, clove, fir needle, jasmine, juniper, lemongrass, neroli, nutmeg, rose, rosewood, and ylang-ylang.<ref | + | #Familiarize yourself with popular middle notes. These include black pepper, cardamom, chamomile, cinnamon, clove, fir needle, jasmine, juniper, lemongrass, neroli, nutmeg, rose, rosewood, and ylang-ylang.<ref name="rf14917" /> |
| − | #Familiarize yourself with popular base notes. These include cedarwood, cypress, ginger, patchouli, pine, sandalwood, vanilla, and vetiver.<ref | + | #Familiarize yourself with popular base notes. These include cedarwood, cypress, ginger, patchouli, pine, sandalwood, vanilla, and vetiver.<ref name="rf14917" /> |
#Know the ratios. When mixing a fragrance, first add your base notes, then your middle notes, then finally, your top notes. The ideal ratio for blending notes is 30% top notes, 50% middle notes, and 20% base notes. | #Know the ratios. When mixing a fragrance, first add your base notes, then your middle notes, then finally, your top notes. The ideal ratio for blending notes is 30% top notes, 50% middle notes, and 20% base notes. | ||
| − | #* Some perfumers recommend combining a maximum of 3 to 4 dominant notes.<ref | + | #* Some perfumers recommend combining a maximum of 3 to 4 dominant notes.<ref name="rf14915" /> |
#Know the basic recipe. To make a perfume, you need more than just the top, middle, and base notes: you also need something to add them to. | #Know the basic recipe. To make a perfume, you need more than just the top, middle, and base notes: you also need something to add them to. | ||
#*Your process begins with a carrier oil. Popular choices include jojoba, sweet almond, and grape seed oil. | #*Your process begins with a carrier oil. Popular choices include jojoba, sweet almond, and grape seed oil. | ||
#*Next, you’ll slowly add drops of your base, middle, and top notes to the carrier oil. | #*Next, you’ll slowly add drops of your base, middle, and top notes to the carrier oil. | ||
| − | #*Finally, you’ll add something to help merge the ingredients together. Alcohol is a popular choice because it evaporates quickly and helps diffuse the perfume’s notes.<ref>http://www.creatingperfume.com/faq.aspx</ref> A common choice amongst DIY perfumers is a high-quality, 80- to 100-proof (40% to 50% alc/vol) vodka. | + | #*Finally, you’ll add something to help merge the ingredients together. Alcohol is a popular choice because it evaporates quickly and helps diffuse the perfume’s notes.<ref name="rf14918">http://www.creatingperfume.com/faq.aspx</ref> A common choice amongst DIY perfumers is a high-quality, 80- to 100-proof (40% to 50% alc/vol) vodka. |
#*If you’re looking to make a solid perfume (more like a lip balm), use melted beeswax for the fixative instead of alcohol or water. | #*If you’re looking to make a solid perfume (more like a lip balm), use melted beeswax for the fixative instead of alcohol or water. | ||
#Find out what notes your favorite perfumes contain. If you’re unsure of how to structure a perfume, have a look at the ingredients of your favorite commercial scents. | #Find out what notes your favorite perfumes contain. If you’re unsure of how to structure a perfume, have a look at the ingredients of your favorite commercial scents. | ||
| − | #*If you have trouble finding the ingredients or separating them into notes, the Basenotes website is a great resource for breaking down the notes in popular perfumes.<ref>http://www.basenotes.net</ref> | + | #*If you have trouble finding the ingredients or separating them into notes, the Basenotes website is a great resource for breaking down the notes in popular perfumes.<ref name="rf14919">http://www.basenotes.net</ref> |
=== Knowing What Materials You Need === | === Knowing What Materials You Need === | ||
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#Buy a carrier oil. A carrier oil is what carries the scents in a particular fragrance on to your skin. These are generally unscented, and are used to dilute concentrated oils and aromatics that can otherwise irritate your skin. | #Buy a carrier oil. A carrier oil is what carries the scents in a particular fragrance on to your skin. These are generally unscented, and are used to dilute concentrated oils and aromatics that can otherwise irritate your skin. | ||
#*Your carrier oil can really be anything. You can even use olive oil if you don’t mind the scent. | #*Your carrier oil can really be anything. You can even use olive oil if you don’t mind the scent. | ||
| − | #*One popular perfumer simmers rose petals in virgin olive oil, then combines it all with vitamin E oil to stabilize it.<ref>http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/10/garden/10perfume.html?_r=0</ref> | + | #*One popular perfumer simmers rose petals in virgin olive oil, then combines it all with vitamin E oil to stabilize it.<ref name="rf14920">http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/10/garden/10perfume.html?_r=0</ref> |
#Buy the strongest alcohol you can find. A common choice amongst many DIY perfumers is a high-quality, 80- to 100-proof (40% to 50% alc/vol) vodka. Other DIY perfumers favour 190-proof (80% alc/vol) alcohol. | #Buy the strongest alcohol you can find. A common choice amongst many DIY perfumers is a high-quality, 80- to 100-proof (40% to 50% alc/vol) vodka. Other DIY perfumers favour 190-proof (80% alc/vol) alcohol. | ||
| − | #*Popular choices for 190-proof alcohol include organic neutral grape alcohol and the much cheaper Everclear, which is a grain spirit.<ref | + | #*Popular choices for 190-proof alcohol include organic neutral grape alcohol and the much cheaper Everclear, which is a grain spirit.<ref name="rf14920" /> |
#Select your scents. Your perfume can be made out of a wide variety of ingredients. Common aromatics for perfumes include essential oils, flower petals, leaves, and herbs. | #Select your scents. Your perfume can be made out of a wide variety of ingredients. Common aromatics for perfumes include essential oils, flower petals, leaves, and herbs. | ||
#Decide on a method. The method for making perfume will vary slightly depending on your materials. Two common aromatics used for perfume are plant materials (flowers, leaves, and herbs) and essential oils; the methods vary for each of these. | #Decide on a method. The method for making perfume will vary slightly depending on your materials. Two common aromatics used for perfume are plant materials (flowers, leaves, and herbs) and essential oils; the methods vary for each of these. | ||
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#*Avoid using jars that have previously contained food items, even if they’ve been washed out, as the glass might pass the scent on. | #*Avoid using jars that have previously contained food items, even if they’ve been washed out, as the glass might pass the scent on. | ||
#Obtain an odorless oil. Popular choices for use in perfumes include jojoba oil, almond oil, and grape seed oil. | #Obtain an odorless oil. Popular choices for use in perfumes include jojoba oil, almond oil, and grape seed oil. | ||
| − | #Collect flowers, leaves, or herbs whose scent appeals to you. Be sure to collect plant materials when the scent is strong and the leaves are dry. Letting them air out can leave them limp and with a less effective scent.<ref | + | #Collect flowers, leaves, or herbs whose scent appeals to you. Be sure to collect plant materials when the scent is strong and the leaves are dry. Letting them air out can leave them limp and with a less effective scent.<ref name="rf14920" /> |
#*You may want to collect and dry more plants than you need, just in case you want to add more to strengthen the oil’s scent later on. | #*You may want to collect and dry more plants than you need, just in case you want to add more to strengthen the oil’s scent later on. | ||
#Remove any unwanted plant materials. If you’re using flowers, use only the petals. If you’re using leaves or herbs, remove any twigs or other bits that might interfere with the scent. | #Remove any unwanted plant materials. If you’re using flowers, use only the petals. If you’re using leaves or herbs, remove any twigs or other bits that might interfere with the scent. | ||
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#*You can repeat this process for several weeks or even months until the oil has reached the desired strength. | #*You can repeat this process for several weeks or even months until the oil has reached the desired strength. | ||
#*Be sure to keep the oil! It’s the old plant materials that you want to discard. | #*Be sure to keep the oil! It’s the old plant materials that you want to discard. | ||
| − | #Preserve your scented oil. Once you’re happy with the oil, you can add 1 or 2 drops of a natural preservative such as vitamin E or grapefruit seed extract to your scented oil to help extend its life.<ref>https://www.fromnaturewithlove.com/library/preservatives.asp</ref> | + | #Preserve your scented oil. Once you’re happy with the oil, you can add 1 or 2 drops of a natural preservative such as vitamin E or grapefruit seed extract to your scented oil to help extend its life.<ref name="rf14921">https://www.fromnaturewithlove.com/library/preservatives.asp</ref> |
#* If you’d like to turn the oil into a balm, you can also add some beeswax to it: melt some beeswax in the microwave, combine it with the perfume, then dump the whole mixture into a container to cool and solidify. | #* If you’d like to turn the oil into a balm, you can also add some beeswax to it: melt some beeswax in the microwave, combine it with the perfume, then dump the whole mixture into a container to cool and solidify. | ||
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*Don’t go overboard with your scents. Smell each ingredient and really consider whether they will all go together well. Having too many notes can ruin a fragrance. | *Don’t go overboard with your scents. Smell each ingredient and really consider whether they will all go together well. Having too many notes can ruin a fragrance. | ||
*To clean a glass container, wash it with the hottest water possible, then place it in a baking pan and dry it in the oven at 110 degrees Celsius. | *To clean a glass container, wash it with the hottest water possible, then place it in a baking pan and dry it in the oven at 110 degrees Celsius. | ||
| − | *Consider modeling scents after your favorite food and drinks — for example, you could make a chai perfume using cinnamon oil, sweet orange oil, clove oil and cardamon oil.<ref>http://www.organic-beauty-recipes.com/pure-chai-organic-essential-oil-blend-natural-perfume/</ref> Another example is pumpkin pie, which might contain the following essential oils: cinnamon, clove, ginger, nutmeg, vanilla, and orange. | + | *Consider modeling scents after your favorite food and drinks — for example, you could make a chai perfume using cinnamon oil, sweet orange oil, clove oil and cardamon oil.<ref name="rf14922">http://www.organic-beauty-recipes.com/pure-chai-organic-essential-oil-blend-natural-perfume/</ref> Another example is pumpkin pie, which might contain the following essential oils: cinnamon, clove, ginger, nutmeg, vanilla, and orange. |
== Warnings == | == Warnings == | ||
