I mixed my 2nd body spray using 7 essential oils (EOs). My first mixes were done years ago with 2 fragrance oils. I named this spray Romantic Wood Rose. I focused on romance because I’ll be sharing this recipe as a free download at my digitals shop Love Romance Marriage.
I chose to mix a classically-structured (3 acts or movements) fragrance in the floral and green families. My EOs are divided into 3 groups:
- Top (lemon/orange/rosemary),
- Middle (clary sage/geranium)
- Base notes (cedarwood/patchouli).
Ingredients/Tools
Essential Oils (7)
Vodka, witch hazel or isopropyl alcohol
Glycerin (optional)
Distilled or filtered water
2oz spray bottle (glass is best but plastic will do)
Measuring spoons
Small funnel (optional)
For my top notes (head notes), the scents that you notice first, I chose:
- lemon 11 drops
- orange 11
- rosemary 1 (I started with 3 drops but it’s very overpowering)
For my middle notes (heart notes, medium notes, body notes), the scents of the highest concentration and that appear about 10 minutes after application of the fragrance:
- clary sage 8
- geranium 25
For my base notes (lower notes, back notes), the fixative scents that appear as the middle notes begin to fade and that give a fragrance its duration by prolonging the evaporation rate on the skin:
- cedarwood 10
- patchouli 10
I added the EOs first into the 2 oz spray bottle, gently swirling without the cap, as I added each group of oils. Some people add the alcohol first and then the oils. I like being able to test the scents first as they combine.
I then added 1 tbsp of 190 proof vodka. I bought this years ago especially for body fragrance mixing. You can use witch hazel or a perfumer’s alcohol instead. Some people use Evercleer grain alcohol. I’ve seen recipes that use isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol.
The alcohols are preservatives and emulsifiers that help the oils blend with the water. If you use witch hazel, which is also an emulsifier but not a preservative, it is advised that you refrigerate your product and use it in a few days. Without a preservative, bacteria can form in the water of your mixture.
I added 1 tbsp of glycerin, which is also an emulsifier that helps the oils blend better with the water. I finished with 2 tbsp of filtered water. Distilled water is best. Add the cap, shake and allow your fragrance to sit for about 24-48 hours so that it can develop. Shake each time before use because there will be some separation of the oils and water.
I’m thrilled with my scent! The initial clean, crisp, citrusy scent gives way to the smooth, creamy geranium and clary sage middle notes. The woody, earthy back notes linger with a somewhat spicy scent. I started out hoping to imitate the long-time discontinued L’effleur fragrance by Coty. My scent is close enough in a less cloying way because I don’t care anymore for the overpowering commercial fragrances. My Romantic Wood Rose Body Spray is fabulous! I have been using it everyday.
I had great fun picking a brand name and designing my labels too! I also mixed a 2nd bottle and have it sitting for 1 month. I want to see if the fragrance is different/better after 30 days of developing, as some say it will be.
Here is a pic of my first body spray from many years ago. My fragrance (quite inferior to what I produced this month) was called Lemon Lavender. My brand name then was Aromaterapia. I love these little 0.5 oz bottles that I found in the Wmart travel bins.
Thanks for looking!
This is 14th in my 18-posts Chameleon Badge pursuit! 
I have 3 helpful books at home: