So, one moment you’re . . .
Covered in flour and kisses from your littles with the aroma of freshly baked cookies in the air, and the next you’re silently praying that the sitter doesn’t freak out over the chicken feet in your stock pot because you are **this** close to getting away for a date night.
This is not just me, right? RIGHT. Okay, maybe it is, but I know you know what it feels like to be so many things at once – the mama whose soft words can soothe just about anything, protector, friend, beloved, daughter.
So what exactly is the perfect scent for a woman that can simultaneously say “yes that’s a child’s half-eaten lunch in my purse” and “yes I feel beautiful today”?
For me, it’s vanilla.
Creamy and sweet, vanilla simultaneously reminds me of baking with my mom and the beauty of exotic places – warmth and familiarity and spontaneity and mystery all wrapped up in one centering aroma.
Best of all? Unlike scents that contain hormone disrupting chemicals, it can be made in a matter of minutes with a handful of natural ingredients.
This vanilla body spray recipe has three different variations – one that blends vanilla with the sweet, tropical aroma of ylang ylang, another that contains a hint of sweet orange, and one that incorporates the rich aroma of coffee. Yes, COFFEE. (And not to spoil the surprise, but I have another coffee-inspired beauty recipe coming up soon that I think you’re going to love.)
Vanilla Body Spray Recipe
Vanilla + Ylang Ylang
- 18 drops vanilla oleoresin (I use this one)
- 2 drops ylang ylang (Find it here)
- 1/4 cup rum, vodka or witch hazel (Make sure the witch hazel contains alcohol. The one that contains just water will not mix with the vanilla oleoresin.)
Vanilla + Sweet Orange Essential Oil
- 16 drops vanilla oleoresin (Find it here)
- 4 drops sweet orange essential oil (Find it here)
- 1/4 cup rum, vodka or witch hazel (Make sure the witch hazel contains alcohol. The one that contains just water will not mix with the vanilla oleoresin.)
Vanilla + Coffee Essential Oil
- 16 drops vanilla oleoresin (Find it here)
- 4 drops coffee essential oil* (Find it here)
- 1/4 cup rum, vodka or witch hazel
* Coffee essential oil should be avoided during pregnancy.
To Make
Mix all ingredients and pour into a glass spray bottle. Store in a cool, dark cabinet.
To Use
Shake before using and apply to clothing or skin.
One quick note: Scents react differently to our unique body chemistry, which can be tricky in some cases. If you don’t love the way this body spray interacts with your chemistry, try spraying it on a dark-colored portion of your clothes instead. (The mix is light tan, so just to be on the safe side I don’t spray it on whites. However, I’ve never had an issue with it discoloring anything.)
Anna
September 8, 2015 at 1:02 AMCan you please let me know where you’re purchasing vanilla oleoresin? Thanks!
Lisette
September 13, 2015 at 11:08 AMIt is in her recipe above. Click on the link and it will take you to amazon.
Anna
September 8, 2015 at 3:31 AMSounds lovely! I like the coffee and vanilla combination most.
Anna
Michele
January 18, 2019 at 5:59 PMWhat oz. bottle do I buy?
Laurie
September 8, 2015 at 11:25 AMHi Heather,
Just wondering if you can leave out the Ylang, Ylang and just use vanilla for a pure vanilla fragrance?
Tanya S
September 9, 2015 at 10:15 PMGreat! Easy! Sounds smelly! (In a good way!) Middle tones…etc etc get too complicated for me. I clicked on the vanilla link and saw what you use for vanilla…can U just use a vanilla extract I’d put in food? It has alcohol and vanilla extract from beans…
Heather
September 9, 2015 at 10:36 PMYes you can, but it’s a much more diluted extract so the fragrance is likely to fade quickly. 🙂
Alicia
March 15, 2016 at 1:29 AMJust a suggestion, when using vanilla extract as the scent, also incorporate a small amount of glycerin as it will hold the scent longer.
Stacy
September 10, 2015 at 12:13 AMAll of these sound delightful! It’s amazing how well vanilla pairs with such a variety of scents.
Did you make the label? It’s so pretty! I love it.
Heather
September 10, 2015 at 9:22 AMI did! 🙂 It’s actually easy once you have a good template that perfectly matches up with the sticky labels. A tutorial for this exact one is included (with an editable downloadable template and a link to the correct labels to buy) in my upcoming ebook, DIY Body Care Gifts Made Simple. I’m not sure when it will be available for sale, but everyone who orders the Healthy Living Bundle through my link will receive an early copy as soon as it’s finalized. It’s my way of saying thanks for helping me cover the growing costs of server bandwidth, etc. without running ads that contain dancing bananas. 🙂
Tanya S
September 10, 2015 at 7:32 AMOkay, good to know!!! Can’t wait to try this! Will have to order vanilla first. I bought a love blend and added vodka…but the smell isn’t really “me”. This sounds more me! Thank you!
Ashleigh @ Casually Unexpected
September 21, 2015 at 10:22 AMI’ve been meaning to make a natural spray and these combos sound great. I will have to try it out, thanks!
Deb
December 6, 2015 at 7:55 AMI follow and trust your insight! I’m looking for an alternative and natural shampoo for my granddaughter’s cradle cap!
Thanx!
Justina
December 8, 2015 at 8:24 AMHi, how long life 🙂 this spray has?
Gabrielle
December 20, 2015 at 10:29 PMI’m allergic to alcohol. What is its purpose here & any ideas of what I could replace it with?
Heather
December 21, 2015 at 9:34 AMJust like oil and water doesn’t mix, essential oils and water don’t mix either. The alcohol is used to disperse the essential oils throughout the liquid. It also extends the shelf life of the spray. If you need to replace it, you can use water and shake very well before use. Make sure to blend small batches as the shelf life will be reduced. Another option is to make a spray with a “dry oil” like jojoba.
Michele
January 18, 2019 at 6:04 PMHi. If making dry oil with jojoba. How much do I put in my bottle for Vanilla Ylang Ylang?
Heather
January 22, 2019 at 7:00 PMYou would use the same amount of oil as you would alcohol.
Nidia Cullen
June 28, 2016 at 7:23 AMI was wondering what the shelf life is for the spray. Thanks
Gina
September 25, 2016 at 7:02 PMWill vanilla absolute work in this? I already have some for one of your other perfume bar recipes.
Thanks!
Jerrica
February 22, 2017 at 10:07 AMHow much water is used for this recipe?
Michelle Andrews
March 13, 2017 at 12:33 AMHi Heather oh, I was wondering if you could use Everclear in place of the vodka, rum or witch hazel?
Thanks!
?
Meme Fabian
July 30, 2017 at 12:18 PMWhat Is The Life Span Of This Spray,
Claire
August 28, 2017 at 6:23 PMHi! This looks great but I’m worried the vanilla will stain my clothes. Have you had any trouble with this?
Heather
August 28, 2017 at 8:05 PMI wouldn’t spray it directly on clothes, but I haven’t had an issue with staining when I spray it on my skin 🙂
Abby
March 5, 2018 at 3:26 PMJust curious as to why you say coffee essential oil should be avoided in pregnancy. It is listed as safe on the Using Essential Oils Safely website (http://www.usingeossafely.com/using-essential-oils-safely-during-pregnancy-breastfeeding/)
Sarah
July 5, 2018 at 5:12 AMHi militants
Great recipe! Can’t wait to try. Where did you get your labels printed for the glass bottle? They’re so cute with a vintage edge.
ThaNks
Sarah
Michele
September 27, 2018 at 8:56 PMwhat are the chances this might work with vanilla extract?
I’m thinking not too high, but then if it isn’t too much vanilla, it might work out anyway? : )
Heather
September 27, 2018 at 9:26 PMIt would probably work but I’m not sure how many drops of complementary essential oils would be needed to get the blend to smell similar.