I first encountered solid perfume in a vintage Avon locket- it didn't smell very good at all, but it did seem like a great idea. Turns out, solid perfume has been around since ancient Egyptian times- so apparently people throughout history thought so too. A few years back I started making my own solid perfume lockets, as part of my jewelry line. Simple to make, using all natural ingredients, solid perfume can double as aroma-therapy, and makes a great gift- Mother's Day is coming up after all (hint hint).
To make your own solid perfume you'll need:
2 Tbsp. beeswax, grated
2 Tbsp. almond oil
40-45 drops of essential oils (starter scent recipes below)
{All the above supplies can be found at natural foods stores. For a complete selection of essential oils, Mountain Rose Herbs is a great, affordable online source}.
Containers for your solid perfume- I used a vintage stock locket like this, and these little tins, but even an empty chap stick tube or lip balm pot will work.
Start by bringing about an inch of water to boil in a small saucepan. Reduce heat to low. Measure beeswax into a heatproof glass measuring cup and place in the hot water. Wax will begin to melt. Once it is completely melted, add the almond oil and stir until combined (I like to use a wooden skewer, since some essential oils can affect plastic or metal). Remove from heat.
Let oil/wax mixture cool for about a minute, then add essential oils, stirring to incorporate.
Once oils are added, quickly pour the mixture into the containers you've chosen. If you're using a locket, pour very slowly to avoid spilling.
Once the perfume has cooled completely, it's ready to be used- just rub your finger over the solid perfume and apply to your pulse points, or anywhere you normally apply perfume.
Essential oils come in a variety of 'scents', so you can really create a perfume that is uniquely yours- just spend some time at a store that carries the oils, smelling the tester bottles to decide which you like best. To create a scent with layers, mix several oils together. Essential oils are also used for aroma therapy, so you can create a perfume that also serves a purpose- the scent I made today (recipe below) is great for headaches, which I'm sure many moms out there could use some relief from.
Though the combinations are nearly endless, here are a few recipes to get you started:
Headache Relief: 25 drops peppermint + 15 drops lavender
Smells Like Summer: 15 drops sweet orange + 15 drops lemon + 5 drops mint + 5 drops bergamont
Sweet and Spicy: 20 drops sweet orange + 10 drops ginger + 10 drops clove
Woodsy: 20 drops sweet orange + 10 drops ylang ylang + 10 drops sandalwood
If you'll be making this as a gift- try to think about the recipients favorite scents, taking hints from the perfume they wear or what candle scents they enjoy.
Do you have a great essential oil recipe? I'd love to hear about it- leave a comment below so we can all try it!