Have you ever been to a gathering where you walk by someone and think, “Wow, they smell really good!” or possibly, “wow, they don’t smell so good”? We all hope we don’t encounter the latter too often, but it can happen. Don’t you want to be that person that everyone remembers smelling so fresh and so clean at that party or event you just went to?
Well, instead of having to shelve out upwards of $200 for a bottle of perfume or cologne, why not create your own unique scent – uniquely designed by you and for you. And no, you don’t have to be a master perfumer to do so! Essential oils can help create a unique scent that can have all the heads turning at your next party (in a good way).
To create your unique blend, you must learn the different “notes” associated with each essential oil. Every oil is considered to be either a top, middle, or base note oil. Top note oils tend to be lighter and airy, where their fragrance is more dominant but not nearly as long-lasting as a base note oil.
The base note is just that. It’s meant to be the base of your blend, creating a sustainable scent that has a longer-lasting aroma. Middle note oils hang out in the middle to create a delicate balance between the two; middle note oils are usually considered the heart of the fragrance.
Top Note Oils
- Anise
- Basil
- Bergamot
- Black Spruce
- Blue Cypress
- Cajuput
- Cinnamon
- Clary Sage
- Coriander
- Davana
- Eucalyptus
- Grapefruit
- Hyssop
- Lemon
- Lemongrass
- Lemon Myrtle
- Lime
- Mandarin
- Myrtle
- Neroli
- Naouli
- Orange
- Peppermint
- Petitgrain
- Ravensara
- Sage
- Spearmint
- Tangerine
- Tea Tree
- Thyme
- Verbena
- Wintergreen
Middle Note Oils
- Bay
- Black Pepper
- Blue Tansy
- Catnip
- Cardamon
- Chamomile
- Cilantro
- Citronella
- Cypress
- Fennel
- Geranium
- Ginger
- Ho Leaf
- Ho Wood
- Hyssop
- Jasmine
- Juniper
- Kanuka
- Kunzea
- Lavender
- Marjoram
- Melissa
- Nutmeg
- Palmarosa
- Parsley
- Pine
- Rose
- Rosemary
- Spikenard
- Yarrow
- Spikenard
- Yarrow
Base Note Oils
- Angelica Root
- Balsam Peru
- Cassia
- Cumin
- Cedarwood
- Cinnamon
- Clove
- Douglas Fir
- Fir Needle
- Frankincense
- Ginger
- Jasmine
- Myrrh
- Oakmoss
- Patchouli
- Rose
- Sandalwood
- Valerian
- Vanilla
- Vetiver
- Ylang Ylang
It’s important to remember the scent of each oil while customizing your blend. You don’t want to blend entirely off of notes alone because each oil has different scents and levels of potency. Two oils within the same note category will still vary significantly with smell and strength. You don’t want to have any oil completely overpowering your perfume/cologne. Have fun and play around with different scents to see how they interact and blend, and most importantly, how they interact with your skin and personal scent. Once you have your customized blend concocted, make sure you test your new fragrance before a big event!
Creating the Perfect Scent for Her
The Proverbial Homemaker has several perfume recipes to help create a wearable brand that might be perfect for you! Here are a few different variations of oil combinations. Just add these oils to your favorite carrier oil, and you’re good to go!
Combo 1
- 8 drop Palmarosa
- 1 drop Geranium
- 1 drop Ylang Ylang
Combo 2
- 5 drops Lavender
- 4 drops Orange
- 1 drop Ylang Ylang
Combo 3
- 6 drops Lavender
- 2 drops Vetiver
- 2 drops Lemon
Combo 4
- 5 drops Rose
- 3 drops Lime
- 2 drops Vetiver
Combo 5
- 6 drops Sandalwood
- 1 drop Patchouli
- 2 drops Orange
- 1 drop Jasmine
Combo 6
- 4 drops Lavender
- 4 drops Mandarin
- 2 drops Juniper
Combo 7
- 4 drops Bergamot
- 4 drops Geranium
- 2 drops Vetiver
Combo 8
- 4 drops Frankincense
- 4 drops Orange
- 2 drops Geranium
Combo 9
- 4 drops Sandalwood
- 5 drops Grapefruit
- 1 drop Ylang Ylang
Combo 10
- 5 drops Cedarwood
- 3 drops Lavender
- 2 drops Chamomile
Scents for Men
Don’t worry men; we didn’t forget about you! Check out The Hippy Homemaker for a fantastic list of colognes that will be sure to cover all your bases. They have colognes for any occasion you may need. Some of our favorites are:
THE DUDE
- 10 drops Bergamot
- 3 drops Cardamom
- 5 drops Patchouli
- 3 drops Cedarwood
MAN OF THE WOODS
- 5 drops Fir Needle
- 3 drops Pine
- 5 drops Juniper
- 10 drops Cedarwood
5 O’CLOCK SHADOW
- 5 drops Eucalyptus
- 8 drops Grapefruit
- 10 drops Orange
- 3 drops Lime
You’ve got the oils, you’ve got some recipes, now create your own wow factor! Turn those heads and get everyone talking about how amazing you smell. Let us know in the comments below which scents you’ve tried or share some of your current favorite DIY fragrances!
