A Natural Dab Will Do Ya

It’s Valentine’s Day already!?! Time to get painted up, pushed up, squeezed in and perfumed in hopes of sweet nothings and hidden desires (depending on your age group). For sensible middle-aged adults, that means take-out for 2, the sofa, wine and Netflix, or if single, a night on the town with girlfriends and home by 10pm. Regardless of how you roll, may we suggest doing it naturally. We’re not talking about a 70s remix, we’re talking about hard perfume made from natural ingredients like beeswax and essential oils, poured into a locket, used lip balm container or trinket.  But before you get started, consider this:

• Synthetic fragrances contain hormone (endocrine) disruptors that can lead to a whole host of medical problems, including hormone imbalance, thyroid issues and cancer
• Synthetic fragrances kick allergic reactions into high gear for many people, leading to headaches, respiratory issues and other disorders
• Millions of people suffer from sensitivities to synthetic fragrance, so that sexy scent you think you’re blessing the world with is actually making life harder for people around you

Preparation and Recipes follow…

Ingredients required:

• Beeswax
• Carrier oil (like jojoba, sweet almond, olive, or grapeseed)
• Essential oils of your choice
• A container suitable for solid perfume like an old lip balm container, grandma’s locket or trinket

The rule of thumb is equal parts beeswax and carrier oil. A typical lip balm container uses about 2 tsp grated beeswax and 2 tsp carrier oil. When blending your scents, use about 40-45 drops of essential oil per 4 tsp solid perfume base.

How to prepare:

1. In a very small container, measure out your essential oil blend and make sure you like the way it smells while it’s concentrated (it will mellow in wax compound).
2. Melt the beeswax and oil – In a small double boiler (or makeshift double boiler), start the water heating on the bottom pot and drop your measured beeswax into the clean top pot. When your beeswax is pretty much melted, add in the carrier oil and stir until everything is warm and liquid.
3. Remove from heat and quickly stir in your essential oil(s). If, for some reason, this hardens before you’re able to get it into your container, don’t panic. Put the bowl back on top of your double boiler and let it re-melt for a brief time.
4. Carefully pour your homemade perfume mixture into your chosen container. In approximately 10 minutes, your perfume will set.
5. Apply

Suggestions for essential oil blends:

Fresh and Kicky (Vetiver, Ginger, Grapefruit)

• 17 drops grapefruit essential oil
• 14 drops ginger essential oil
• 10 drops vetiver essential oil

Romantically Wistful (Rose, Lime, Vetiver)

• 25 drops rose essential oil
• 10 drops lime essential oil
• 10 drops vetiver essential oil

Sensuously Deep (Ylang-Ylang, Sweet Orange, Cedarwood)

• 20 drops sweet orange essential oil
• 15 drops ylang-ylang essential oil
• 10 drops cedarwood (or sandalwood) essential oil

Recipe and some content take from the following sources: crunchybetty.com

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