You will need:

• Two or three essential oils (preferably with dropper tops)
• Jojoba oil
• Small bottle with lid
• Paper strips for blotting
• Pad and pen (to record your secret formula)

To avoid irritating your skin, be sure to dilute your essential oil combination with a base oil, such as jojoba. Never drink essential oils. They are designed to be used externally.

Put one teaspoon of jojoba oil in a bottle. Using a dropper and your creative intuition, add your essential oil combinations. Add oils one drop at a time, because just a small amount can have a powerful effect on the new scent. Just as you would with a recipe, remember to write down the name of each oil and how much you've used. This will make it easier to make more batches later. back to top

Once you've added all the oils you're going to use, cover the bottle and give it a good shake. Take a paper strip and dip it into the perfume. Wave the strip gently in the air and smell your new creation. You may want to play around with it a bit, adding more oils, until you find a scent you really like. back to top

When you've found just the right scent, cover the bottle and store it in a cool, dry place for a couple of weeks to let the scents mix completely. After your new perfume is ready, you can dab it on your wrists, inside your elbows, behind your knees, and anywhere else that generates warmth. Using it on these warm places will help give off your scent for others to enjoy (you hope!). On the other hand, if you're aiming for a more subtle effect, you may want to use your new scent sparingly. Your perfume should keep for several months—if you don't use it all up before then!