With a serious smile and a thick Puerto Rican accent, the island doctor spoke fifteen words I’ll never forget.
I have to make sure you’re not drunk, not crazy . . . . and you don’t have syphillis.”
It was my wedding day, and I had no idea what was ahead – the laughter, the difficulty, the invasion of little people who always need to potty as soon as we hop in the car (even though they juuuuust went.)
Though I love my vanilla and sandalwood recipe, I’ve been craving something lighter lately – something that reminds me of carefree days, sun-drenched shores, salty air and live music drifting through beachside tiki huts. This blend of vanilla, citrus, and woodsy undertones does the trick. I’ve named it No. 2 to avoid confusion with the first one – I hope you love it!
Wild Vanilla Solid Perfume Recipe
Makes approximately .75 ounces. I filled three of these reusable tins with this recipe.
Ingredients
- 1/2 ounce beeswax, by weight. Should be about 4 teaspoons melted (where to buy beeswax)
- 2 tablespoons jojoba oil (were to buy jojoba oil)
- 7 drops lime essential oil* (where to buy lime essential oil)
- 45 sweet orange essential oil (where to buy sweet orange essential oil)
- 42 drops cedarwood essential oil (where to buy cedarwood essential oil)
- 50 drops vanilla absolute diluted in jojoba oil (find it here)
- 3 drop ylang ylang essential oil (where to by ylang ylang essential oil)
* Certain oils, such as lime, can cause skin to burn more easily in the sun. The amount of lime essential oil in this recipe is 0.7%, which according to Essential Oil Safety is not enough to cause photo sensitivity.
Instructions
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. Stir in essential oils and pour into a silicone mold, storage tin, locket or whatever your heart desires!
Shelf Life
Up to two years. Store in a tightly closed container in a cool place.
Safety Consideration
According to Aura Cacia, the dilution ratio of vanilla absolute in jojoba oil in their product is 3-5%. This would mean that 18 drops of vanilla oil roughly equal one drop of vanilla absolute. In calculating the overall dilution of this recipe I’ve made this adjustment and estimated that the total dilution is about 10%.
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Do you suppose homemade vanilla extract from vodka would be at all similar to the vanilla/jojoba oil? Or would they work very differently?
Unfortunately I don’t think extract will work in this recipe. However, I do have a vanilla spray recipe coming up. 🙂
Do you think it would be possible to substitute the jojoba with almond oil?
Yes, you can. It will reduced the shelf life but will definitely work. 🙂
Hi there…LOVE LOVE LOVE your blog and all of you gorgeous, lush imagery and fab posts!
Just wanted to mention that using jojoba will actually extend the shelf life, as jojoba is a wax, not an oil. Almond oil has a 1 year shelf life, whereas jojoba has a 5 year shelf life. See: http://www.gardenofwisdom.com/carrieroils.html.
oops…please disregard my comment! I misread the question…my apologies! <3
Hi
I’ve heard that there is no such things as pure vanilla oil? Is this right?
That is correct. There is vanilla absolute, which is thicker than an essential oil, and then there is absolute blended with a carrier oil.
I’m going to use vanilla oleoresin(it’s vanilla absolute with the alcohol removed) I will start with a lower amount (just to be sure) because it should be more concentrated than the one that you are using.
I would like to ask if cedarwood oil could be substituted with pinus sylvestris, would the final scent be similar? I don’t have cedarwood at home, and I would prefer not to order it , if possible. Thanks.
Hi Mrs. G, I don’t have experience with pinus sylvestris so I can’t say how it would change the scent, but I do want to mention that vanilla oleoresin does not mix with oil. It is only soluble in alcohol.
Thanks for your reply.
I have used the vanilla oleoresin in a lip balm and it worked pretty well. A bit of residue of oleoresin in the end because I used an electric heater that barely melts oils and beeswax (same issue with other essential oils), but that’s it. The website where I bought it suggests a solid perfume recipe using this oleoresin.
I find all this information so interesting. Thank you all for the fascinating questions, comments and ideas. Where may I find the blog? Thank you again.
Hi. Can I replace vanilla absolute diluted in jojoba with vanilla essential oil (not diluted). If yes, how many drops i need to use
Is it possible to make a liquid perfume out of a carrier oil and these essential oils? Or will it not keep for as long?
You should sell this! I would totally buy 🙂
I have everything but the cedarwood essential oil. Can that be left out or replaced?
It can, but it would change the overall fragrance 🙂
I’ve just made this – my first attempt at solid perfume – and I’m in love! This is so amazing – thank you for sharing.
I am looking for Wild Vanilla Fragrance Oil, could you please let me know where I can buy this, I live in Thabazimbi South Africa.
I usually feel that the scent of the beeswax itself overpowers the recipe. Do you ever have this problem? Do you have any suggestions for dealing with it?
Can I use vanille essential oil instead?
Has anybody use Vanilla Oleoresin (Vanilla Planifolia) instead for this recipe?
Hello,
I want to begin with this recipe but I have not a cook put.
What else can I use instead?
Thanks a lot
You can put the oil and the beeswax in a small measuring cup and float that on larger measuring cup of boiling water to melt them, then add the essential oils once the wax is melted. Then it’s easy to pour into your containers. Be sure not to let the water sneak into the mixture. BTW, fractionated coconut oil is best as it doesn’t ever go rancid or change scent. Jojoba and almond oils will change over time and give off an old oily scent.
Great tips, thank you! I will pick up some liquid coconut oil for this recipe and save the jojoba for something else 👍
Looking forward to making the DIY recipes ! Thanks for making it possible to have the fun and creativity in doing my own stuff instead of buying store bought stuff .
Cathy Muehl 😀