Bases can consist of alcohol or oil. They can also be made into a solid using waxes and butters like a salve or balm. There are a several options to choose from and a few are listed here. You can make the choice of which one is best for you.
Vodka: High quality 100-proof vodka is virtually odorless, making it a good choice for a carrier in natural perfume. Don't substitute other types of alcohol, such as rubbing alcohol, which has a strong odor and evaporates quickly. It has to be 100-proof. Don't settle for less.
Jojoba oil: This medium weight oil is a liquid plant wax produced from jojoba seeds. It makes a perfect carrier for natural perfumes since it has a long shelf life, absorbs easily and is not greasy.
Basic Proportions
The concentration of the essential oils determines the name to use with a fragrance. If using 30-40 drops of blended essential oils, use the following proportions of base to create each type:
Perfume: 1/8 oz vodka
Eau de perfume: 1/4 oz vodka
Eau de Toilette: 1/2 oz vodka
Perfume Oil: 1/8 oz jojoba oil
Floral water: 1 oz vodka AND 3 oz distilled water
Creating a Blend
The best way to create an essential oil blend is to experiment. Sit down with your essential oils, droppers, cotton balls or blending paper, and coffee beans. Be sure to follow basic essential oil safety guidelines. Do not put essential oils directly on your skin, work in a well-ventilated area, and take breaks.
Choose a top note, a middle note, and a base note. Put one to two drops of essential oil on a cotton ball or blending paper (you can make your own by cutting a coffee filter into strips). You can start with equal parts of the top, middle, and base notes. Then add a little more of one or another. Remember to write down your proportions as you go.
You will find that some of the nicest blends have a number of different essential oils, but of typically all three notes, so don’t feel you can only have three per blend. Also, you will probably use less base and more top notes, since the base will stay anchored and the top notes will evaporate more quickly. A suggested blend is typically 50% top notes, 30% middle notes, and 20% base notes, but this is NOT a rule. Additionally, you may use absolutes in your blends, which are natural just like essential oils, if purchased from a reputable company.
You will be smelling your blends a lot, so occasionally sniff the coffee beans to clean your palate, so to speak. Once you have a combination of essential oils that you like, you can make your blend and add it to a base of either alcohol or jojoba oil. It is best to allow the alcohol and the essential oils to age for a couple weeks, to avoid any residual alcohol scent. The jojoba oil can be used right away.
Bath Alchemy by The Bonnie Bath Co.
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