In the world of fragrance, scented oils are stable, solid heavyweights compared to their scented-spray counterparts. Because of its thickness, the fragrance from a tiny amount of oil can last for hours. Whether you use your scented oil as a perfume or as an aromatherapy pick-me-up, a balanced oil often contains three separate scents, or notes: the head note, heart note and final base note. The head note is the first oil you smell, followed by your heart-note oil; earthy base-note oils create a long-lasting finish. Experiment with various oils to find your perfect scent.
Remove the cap of your empty glass bottle and your base-note essential oil. Sandalwood, cedar, musk and patchouli are popular base notes. Put on your protective gloves.
Dip a clean pipette into your base-note oil. Squeeze the bulb of the pipette gently and release to draw a small amount of oil inside the pipette.
Add eight to 12 drops of your base-note oil to your empty bottle. Write down the number of drops you add in case you decide to replicate your scented oil later. You'll use a total of 20 drops of essential oil, including your head- and heart-note oils. Twenty drops of oil is equal to 1 mL, so your 5 mL vial will hold 20 drops of essential oil and 80 drops (4 mL) of carrier oil. Close your base-note oil when you're finished.
Open your heart-note essential oil and use a clean pipette to add four to six drops of this oil to your mixture. Floral and herbal essential oils, including rose, geranium or lavender, are popular heart notes. Write down how much heart-note oil you add. Close your heart-note oil.
Add four to six drops of your top-note oil to your mixture, using a clean pipette. The top note will fade the fastest. Citrus oils are often used for fresh-smelling top notes. Write down how much you add. Close your top-note oil.
Close the bottle of your mixture firmly and gently roll it between your palms to blend. Store your mixture in a cool, dry place for one week to allow the scents to mingle.
Open your mixture and sniff lightly -- it will be strong. If you like the scent, you can add your carrier oil. If not, consider remixing your oil using different notes or slightly different concentrations. Changing just a drop can make a world of difference to your scented oil. Use the notes you took to alter your recipe, if necessary.
Draw your jojoba or sweet-almond carrier oil into a clean pipette. Add 80 drops (4 mL) of your carrier oil to your mixture. You can add the drops in groups of 10 or by the millimeter to avoid losing count. Close your mixture firmly and gently roll it between your palms to blend.
Store your mixture for one month to allow the ingredients to blend to their full potential. Sniff or apply a small amount on your skin to smell your scented oil.
Tip
Almond oil is generally less expensive than jojoba oil, but it has its own sweet, mildly nutty fragrance that will slightly alter the overall scent of your oil mixture.
Multiply your recipe to create larger samples of your scented oil. For example, if you want 30 mL of your scented oil, you will multiply each amount you used for your 5 mL sample by six.
Warning
Essential oils are concentrated and can be irritating. Mix them in a well-ventilated area, and avoid direct contact with skin before the oils have been diluted.
References
- Essential Oils and Aromatherapy: How to Use Essential Oils for Beauty, Health, and Spirituality: Gregory Lee White (Book)
Writer Bio
Lindsey Robinson Sanchez, from Bessemer, Ala., has written for the "Troy Messenger," "The Alabama Baptist" and "The Gainesville Times," where her work was featured on the AP wire. She has a Bachelor of Science in journalism from the University of Florida. She writes style, beauty, fitness, travel and culture.