Essential Oils for Making Perfumes

Essential oils are a natural choice for making perfumes. They are easily accessible and can be combined to create one-of-a-kind fragrances. It is important to use only neat oils--which means straight, undiluted oils--in perfume preparations, as diluted oils will not mix properly. The following are common and easily obtainable essential oils for the home perfumer.

Base Note

• The base note is the stabilizing and lingering aspect of a fragrance, and may include oils such as benzoin, cedarwood, vetiver, patchouli, myrrh, bay or oakmoss.

Middle Note

• The middle note should be chosen second, and may include oils such as clary-sage, geranium, orchid, rose, thyme, mandarin, pine or lavender.

Top Note

• The top note is the final element of the trio and includes the lighter scents, such as bergamot, neroli, marigold, lemon, lime, orange and sage.

Oil to Alcohol Ratio

• To create a fine quality perfume combine 15 to 30 percent essential oils with 70 to 85 percent alcohol (at least 90 proof).

History

• The ancient Egyptians used perfume in religious ceremonies and rituals.

Fun Fact

• Synthetic fragrances were not introduced until the late 19th century, when science had progressed to the point of being able to replicate natural oils.