Solid perfume is an alternative to traditional liquid or spray fragrances. It is usually stored in small airtight metal or glass jars, making it easy to carry in your bag when you’re out and about.
Beyond its convenience, solid perfume is almost always composed of natural ingredients, making it a more sustainable product than traditional perfume, which contains alcohol and other synthetic substances.
Moreover, unlike spray perfumes, solid perfume is also a low-waste choice because only a small amount is needed; once it warms on the skin, it releases its fragrance.
DIY isn’t difficult, and making solid perfume at home with your favorite scents will make it highly personalized and suitable for any occasion.
Ingredients and tools to make solid perfume
Here’s what you need to make solid perfume at home:
- 2 g of beeswax (available online, at pharmacies, or herbal stores) – beeswax gives the mixture structure and solidity;
- 4 g of shea butter (available online, at pharmacies, or herbal stores) – shea butter makes the mixture creamier;
- 6 g of a carrier oil (available online, at pharmacies, or herbal stores) – this is the base oil for your perfume. Choose the one you prefer from jojoba oil, coconut oil, almond oil, or olive oil;
- 20–25 drops of essential oil in the fragrance you want (available online, at pharmacies, herbal stores, and beauty shops) or your favorite liquid perfume;
- 1 small pot for boiling water;
- 1 small bowl made of metal, ceramic, or Pyrex to melt the ingredients in a bain-marie;
- 1 airtight container, preferably metal (glass also works), to store the solid perfume.
The exact ratios for a solid perfume aren’t fixed and can vary based on personal preference. If you prefer a firmer texture, increase the beeswax and reduce the shea butter; for a creamier texture, do the opposite.
The number of essential-oil drops also depends on how intense you want the fragrance to be. You can use combinations of different essential oils as you like, keeping the total number of drops the same for a given batch size.
It’s important to note that you shouldn’t add too many drops of essential oil because they are highly concentrated and may irritate the skin if not properly diluted.
Step-by-step: how to make solid perfume at home
The recipe for homemade solid perfume is made up of very simple steps:
- Place the beeswax, shea butter, and carrier oil into a small bowl (metal, ceramic, or Pyrex) and set it over a pot of cold water.
- Put the pot with the bowl on the stove and turn on the heat. The ingredients in the bowl will start to melt “in a bain-marie,” i.e., using the heat from the simmering water in the pot.
- Stir occasionally until fully melted.
When the mixture is completely liquid, remove the pot from the heat and add the drops of essential oil (for example: lavender essential oil, vanilla, coconut, citrus, etc.) or a little of your usual perfume, stirring for a few seconds.
At this point, before it cools, pour the mixture into the final airtight container and let it cool uncovered for about half an hour.
Once cool, it’s advisable to do a small patch test to make sure there are no allergic reactions to the essential oils used.
Since there are no preservatives, homemade solid perfume keeps its scent for about 3 months if stored away from heat sources and direct sunlight.