I’ve been a natural perfumer for almost 4 years now and my favorite way to create a new perfume is through the intuitive method.
This is a more advanced method since you need to have a grounding in the scents that you will be using to form your perfume.
A perfume has 3 layers: top or high, middle, and base or low. Think of it like a musical composition. The layers create more complexity as opposed to a simple essential oil blend. Within each layer are more layers.
Here are the basic steps to making a natural perfume and I also created a video going more in depth:
1. Anchor a Muse
Determine what you intention is for the perfume. What do you want to represent through the scent?
Perfumes conjure feelings and can symbolize a person, feeling, place, experience, aspiration, etc.
2. Research and Brainstorm
If I am making a healing oil, I will do some research around which oils are good for my purposes. For example, I made a perfume oil for PTSD and did some research on which oils are good for healing the brain.
Brainstorm using your experience with the oils and how that intuitively meshes with your intention.
3. Get your oils out and organize the base, middle, and top layers. Or go pro and have them pre-organized!
Have a beaker, stir stick, and recording notebook on hand.
4. Write a rough draft in the notebook. This is where you are combining the knowledge and tapping into the intuition. Start with a 50 drop formula and divide that into the 3 layers. Then divide each layer into your individual oils.
5. Experiment with the drops that you actually use, smelling and adjusting along the way. Record everything!
6. Let it sit for 15 minutes, 30 minutes, 1 hour, 2 hours, all the way through 24 hours. Take notes along the way. Add or adjust as you go. After the 24 hours, you have your first revision.
The first revision is the basis. Do you add more of something? Since you can’t take out, always start with less and work your way up.
Watch the full video here.
Check out my Natural Perfumery here.
