What’s that Scent?

One random Tuesday, I was walking into the grocery store and someone asked, “What is that scent that you are wearing? It smells like a spa. I have to have it.” I remember laughing because it wasn’t a spa, I was a new mother and I might have had the same clothes on for a week! It definitely wasn’t a spa, motherhood rarely feels like a spa.

It was essential oils, which I used to cover up stinky smells and to elevate my mood while healing my past. Specifically, it was Patchouli and Inner Child, with a hint of Orange. It was a homemade perfume that I still love to this day.

If you have not meant me, I am unapologetically a Young Living brand partner that over shares about all areas of my life. This post will not be any different!

I do not wear synthetic fragrance, so commercial perfume is off the table for me! Essential oils brought so much healing for my family in many areas, when a friend suggested that I make my own perfume I was blown away by the idea. First, how fun to pretend to be mostly normal and spray on a beautiful scent. Second, I love to experiment so let’s jump right into that!

After a little research, I learned a few key things about making perfume.

• It is your life, do what you want!
• You only need some kind of low odor liquid that will suspend the essential oils. Examples would be high grade vodka like Kettle One (an American family owned company.) Or Witch Hazel. You want this liquid to dry quickly and not stain your clothes. I have also used Tito’s Vodka with success.
• Thicker oils will last longer in general, so adding them will help keep the scent on your body longer. Examples would be Patchouli or Myrrh. Testing these oils on white fabric first is smart. Both of my examples are dark in color.
• Lighter oils will be quick to leave but will be the initial notes that people will smell. Examples of these would be citrus oils.
• Adding a woodsy aroma will help be a bottom note that lasts. Idaho Blue Spruce or Blue Cypress are excellent choices, but it really depends on your taste.
• This can be different depending on your mood and that fits me so perfectly.

Finding your mix is another unique factor, but simple principles apply. The size of your bottle will dictate the ratios.

After using a few different kinds of bottles, these 30ml bottles happen to be my favorite.

They spray nicely and they hold enough for it to last awhile.

My latest mix:

25 drops YL Patchouli essential oil

15 drops YL Idaho Blue Spruce essential oil

10 drops YL Orange essential oil

Add Kettle One Vodka to the just below the top.

Shake Well before each use.

The sky is the limit with this. You can make several and just use different ones each day. finding your favorite mix will be fun, but you will learn that the scent gets better with time so it could change each time you use it. Making it exciting and new!

This last picture is of a few different mixes I used for Valentine gifts for local friends. Each one had 15 drops of Orange and 5 drops of Blue Spruce. (not pictured)

Enjoy XO,

Melissa