This blend of musky sandalwood, silky smooth vanilla, spicy bergamot and sweet grapefruit is a wonderful alternative to chemical-laden commercial fragrances, which according to the Environmental Working Group often contain secret ingredients that have not been assessed for safety.
Sensual, Earthy & Uplifting
Whip up a batch of solid perfume for yourself or to give away as gifts to friends and family for birthdays and holidays. I’ve included some ideas for beautiful and functional storage containers below.
Quick note: Because homemade solid perfumes blend with your unique body chemistry results can vary a lot from person to person. Feel free to experiment with your own fragrance combinations using the ratios below as a guideline. Enjoy!
Container Ideas
This slide tin with a paper/inscribable lid is a lovely idea for holiday gifts and/or wedding favors. Comes in a package of 27.
These little jars are simple and affordable, and these with a snap lid closure look fun, too. Of course there are lockets, lip balm tubes and old Altoid containers also!
How To Make Sandalwood & Vanilla Solid Perfume
Ingredients
Makes about 1/3 cup
- 4 tablespoons grated, packed beeswax
- 4 tablespoons jojoba, almond or a very mildly scented olive oil
- 27-32 drops sandalwood essential oil
- 27-32 drops vanilla oil (often sold diluted in jojoba or another base oil)
- 25-30 drops grapefruit essential oil
- 20-25 drops bergamot essential oil
To Make
Melt beeswax in a double boiler over low heat. Once it is fully melted stir in jojoba – remove from the stove top as soon as the wax and oil are thoroughly blended. The mixture should be just warm at this point, which is important before moving on to the next step because essential oils can be damaged by excessive heat. If the mixture is too hot wait until it cools to below 120F. Stir in essential oils and pour into a silicone mold, storage tin, locket or whatever your heart desires!
Shelf Life
Up to 24 months if using jojoba oil. Up to 12 months if using olive oil 9 months if using almond oil. Store in a tightly closed container in a cool place.
Notes
Sandalwood, bergamot and grapefruit essential oils are generally considered safe for use during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. Vanilla oil is discussed less often among experts, but according to this source it is safe. Citrus oils can increase photosensitivity, so be aware of that when you apply this perfume. Also, this recipe calls for a higher concentration of essential oils than the 2% dilution that is considered standard for adults. If you would like to stick with a 2% dilution use 1/2 teaspoon of essential oils rather than the number of drops called for. Personally, I am not all that concerned with using a higher dilution every once in awhile – perfume is not an everyday thing for me!
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I can’t wait to try this!! Thank you! 🙂
This sounds so lovely!!! So is it okay to use the vanilla in the jojoba oil? Would the amount be the same?
Yes, that is what I used! If using vanilla absolute I would definitely reduce the amount in the recipe as it is muuuuuch stronger!
Thank you so much!! I can’t wait to try this!!
This is quite similar to a blend I used to put on using body shop perfume oil, back when they made them. I have real vanilla essential oil – just 1/8 of an ounce. Would you change the number of drops for vanilla in the case where it isn’t diluted?
Yes, I definitely would reduce it, Ali. I’m not sure how much I’d recommend because I’ve only worked with the jojoba blend, but I’m sure you could find the right ratio with a little experimentation!
Would it be ok to use this while pregnant? I read so many mixed opinions about essential oils that are safe/unsafe……
Sandalwood, bergamot and grapefruit essential oils are generally considered safe for use during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. Vanilla oil is discussed less often among experts, but according to this source it is safe. Please check with your trusted healthcare provider for advice about what you should do personally, though, as I am not qualified to give medical advice 🙂
I cannot wait to try this!!!
I have been wanting to try a solid perfume for a while so thanks for this recipe! I love the idea of the four scents that you combined together. I will definitely put mine in slide tins which I bought a while ago for lip balms. Thank you for your post and many other great ones that I enjoy reading!
Hi heather, I just bought your DIY beauty ebook and can’t wait to try out the recipes. I was starting to buy all the ingredients and packaging and safety of the aluminium tins was raised. They do not recommend using with essential oils. What do you think? Is it ok because it’s a small amount? Thanks, love your work.
Hi Andrea! I would prefer to use non-reactive containers such as glass (and do when I can!), but sometimes they are in very short supply. Given the option, I prefer homemade goodies stored in plastic or tin containers over store bought concoctions that may not “react” but have questionable ingredients. (And yes, that’s partly because the amounts are very small) Hope that helps!
This looks amazing! Can’t wait to try it. Thanks!
I loved the smell while she was formulating it!
I love that package on the left. Looks so elegant. Could be a department store brand.
I will definitely be trying this! Thank you!
I can’t afford to pay for all the ingredients. Does anyone you know sell these already made?
I have such a hard time coming up with essential oil blends that I like and that work with my skin (on the rare occasion that I create something I actually like, I’ll apply it to my skin and my skin immediately changes that scent into something foul. It’s a curse.) But this may work!
ooh this sounds so delicious!!! I am so excited to try it! thank you so much for posting!!
My mother loves rose scent can you recommend other oils that would work with it to make a nice perfume for her?
This is AMAZING!! I can’t wait to make some Christmas gifts!
I was curious, what do you mean by the 2% essential oil dilution? I am pretty new to the essential oil scene and I have never really been afraid of essential oils compared to toxic chemicals in most skincare!!!! I’d love some sources to read up on this topic!
Do you have to use grapefruit? And where is a good place to find a container?
Candi DesRocher – you might like this 🙂
Vanessa Durias – No, you can use any blend of oils you like! I link to some container options in the post 🙂
Sandalwood is so expensive. Wish I could make it!
Do you know a great source to buy this premade? I just don’t have the funds to buy a bottle of sandlewood 🙁
Now Foods sells a great 14% blend of Sandalwood in a Jojoba carrier. I usually buy it on Amazon or iHerb for about $15. When you smell it from the bottle it might seem as if there isn’t any Sandalwood, BUT once you put it on your skin or in a blend you CAN smell it, and it’s wonderful. 🙂
Vanessa Durias shes got links to order everything including containers in the blog post
Bergamot and citrus oils can cause sun sensitivity where they are applied, so use care with those. 🙂
Riley Clinkenbeard
Thanks, I prefer to not have to order anything online. I know of local places that sell oils so I’ll have to check around for cute containers!
What is the difference between vanilla oil and vanilla extract? And could you use vanilla extract?
Vanessa Durias some health food stores carry containers also! 🙂
This sounds lovely, looking for to making this! Where do you buy your essential oils from, i am in search for a good reliable, pure brand. Thanks!
This sounds amazing!
I’m so making this! Thank you for giving me something to do this afternoon! <3
Just so you know, sandalwood is basically so endangered that at this point it is big black market trade. The woman from whom I purchase my essential oils will no longer sell it, and basically equated it to blood diamonds these days. Thought you might be interested in that info.
I’m making your magnesium body butter tonight. I think the perfume will be next!
Since the Sandalwood oil is sooooo expensive, do you recommend another oil combination?
There are many types of sandalwood oil, one of the more expensive is Hawiian., check for other types.
Christin Palas Kampfe
Mommypotamus, LoVE, LoVE this idea, but I will never probably make it myself…would you ever consider making and selling products? Or do you know someone who does? I would love to support other mamas!
Debbie Butler – I use either Cedarwood atlas or Amyris. balsamifera. While neither is as wonderful as the sandalwood, I have developed a love of the Amyris – which is also ecologically sound. I buy it through Mountain Rose Herbs.
Try The Sandlewood Factory, you can order online and is ethically sourced and absolutely beautiful 🙂 http://www.mtromance.com.au
Jeannie , vanilla essential oil is extremely expensive and it’s oil based. Extracts are usually alcohol based,meaning the bean is set in the alcohol to extract the flavour etc. alcohol won’t mix with the oil based recipe . You could also use a few drops of vanilla fragrance if u have a good brand.
I make my vanilla extract from vanilla beans and vodka , you can do the same with vanilla beans and a very light smelling oil like grapeseed or almond . Slice the beans down the center put them in a small jar cover them with the oil leave them sit for several months in the dark , the longer it sits the stronger it will be
Vanessa Nicole Rivers!
Genevieve Marie, and I shall now do that as well! I sent you the rock candy body butter ! Super thick and literally melts like butter 🙂
how to apply this perfume?
Hi! You have many good idea but I’m European, and I really miss some measurements we can also understand, so PLEASE write for both us and Americans.
Greetings Mette Jensen – Denmark
Why don’t you try and research the measurements? I wouldn’t accommodate yours either, because i would assume you could at least take five minutes to convert it on google. You’re from Denmark, not Mars.
LOVE RECIPE!!!! 😀 made it, love it. Do You have some ideas for more christmassy… with cinnamon for example blends? orange + vanilla + cinnamon? didn’t try it… but maybe You have some secret blend 😉 Anyways…. AMAZING! :)))
Sincerely amazed,
Anna
I don’t have a Christmas scent, but I think something with vanilla and orange would be lovely. I’d be cautious with cinnamon, though, as too much can irritate skin 🙂
This is a wonderful blend of essential oils! Made it and love it, can’t wait to give out as valentine’s day gifts to the special ladies in my life. I had a little trouble cooling the mixture to 120 degrees before adding the essential oils. It started gelling around 135 and I had to pour it right then or I would not have been able to pour it at all. Do you have any suggestions? I was stirring continuously…would whisking have been better? Also, do you think the oils are safe at 135? They still smell good 🙂
Yes, I think they will be fine. Glad you like the blend!
Can I add few drops of vitamin E oil to prolong the shelf life? Would that ruin the recipe?
Hi Olya, you can definitely do that 🙂
Wonderful! Making this tomorrow. I will be using a bottle of a premade 5ml blend I bought…it contains Lemon, Vanilla and Sandalwood. It is premixed in a base of 25% F.C.O…do you have a suggestion for me on how many drops I’d need for this one blend? 50? 100? Thanks for your help!
Hi mommypotamus!! Do you by any chance, make these scents using your recipes for individuals? I want it done right, & I would rather pay you to make it up for me!! 🙂 Vanilla, honey, ginger, sandalwood, chocolate, & myrrh, are some of the most amazing scents to me. Please send me an email, & let me know. I appreciate you!! God bless.
The 2% recommended rate for EO or fragrance oil use is not to save money, the usage rate given is for safety for use on the body for a leave on product. Check manufacturer’s recommendations for fragrance oil or a trusted source for essential oils. Not all EO can be used at the same rate, ie clove and cinnamon are irritating and are used at a lower percentage than others.
Wonderful recipe! I’m sure the perfume smells divine, will definitely be trying this soon!
This post has helped me enormously, for which my thanks. I’m about to create my own unique blend of essential oils but can’t get hold of some of them, can I use fragrant oils as a substitute? Will that do? Thank you so much and have a lovely day. X
Do you think Avocado oil will work? I already have it… I look forward to trying this out!
Hi mommypotamus, I’m going to try and make this lovely recipe at home, but I’m not sure about one thing… Do I add all the listed essential oils in the mix, or choose only the one(s) I like?
You would just pick one of the oils listed per batch.
Hi,
How to prepare in large quantities without altering the scent like when only having 1 bottle
Hi! I’m just getting started making gifts using essential oils. One thing I really want to do is duplicate my favorite scent from Crabtree and Evelyn. It’s called Nantucket Briar. When I went online to order more it looks like all the old lines are discontinued!! So here I am, mixing
has essential oils like some alchemist in my search for Nantucket Briar…you wouldn’t happen to know if anyone has done this before? Any little clue would be greatly appreciated! Thanks for the great ideas.
This looks great! Can’t wait for my oils to arrive to try it. Do you have a recipe for solid cologne for men, or can this be given to men? Thanks
I don’t have a recipe posted but you could experiment with swapping some woodsy essential oils in for a more masculine scent.