How to Make Perfumed Body Mist

Co-authored by Amber Crain

Last Updated: October 9, 2022 References Approved

Commercially made perfumes, body sprays and colognes can be very expensive. Since many of them are made with harmful synthetic chemicals, known allergens, hormone disruptors, and irritants, these products can also cause a range of negative health effects. Luckily, making a customized perfume mist at home is incredibly easy to do! With so many scent options and recipes available, the combinations are seemingly endless. Making your own perfume mist at home is a fun, simple project that will save you money and keep you healthy.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Creating an Essential Oil Perfume Mist

1
Gather your ingredients. While there are many variations on the theme, most DIY perfume mists are made of the same four basic ingredients – essential oil(s), alcohol, distilled water and glycerin.^{[1]
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Research source} These botanical blends are all-natural, unlike most store-bought perfumes and colognes, which are made of synthetic ingredients. ^{[2]
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Research source} To make 8 fluid ounces (240 ml) (1 cup) of perfume mist, you will need:
- 10 tablespoons of alcohol;
- ½ tablespoon of essential oil(s);
- 4 tablespoons of distilled water;
- ½ tablespoon of vegetable glycerin.
2
Blend the alcohol and essential oil together. Using a clean container and spoon, slowly stir the alcohol and essential oil(s) of your choice together. Gently swirl the ingredients around about 20 times with your spoon until they are evenly mixed together.
- Both rubbing alcohol and vodka are acceptable choices for this recipe. However, rubbing alcohol will have a strong alcohol scent that many people dislike, whereas vodka is much more neutral.^{[3]
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- If you’d prefer not to use any form of alcohol (which some people find too harsh or drying), you can substitute with witch hazel instead.^{[4]
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- The essential oils used are a completely personal choice. You can use one that you particularly love by itself, or use several to create different scents and customized blends.
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3
Use a separate container to mix the glycerin and water. Using clean instruments, mix these two ingredients together. You don’t need to whisk them vigorously – about 15-20 swirls around with your spoon will get the job done. The vegetable glycerin can even be omitted if you wish. However, since it acts as a binding agent for the ingredients, it is recommended that you use it if at all possible. ^{[5]
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- Glycerin also moisturizes and allows the perfume mist to last much longer on your skin. If you do omit it, you will still end up with a great smelling end product, but the scent will fade fairly quickly.
- You can also substitute vegetable oil, jojoba oil or even olive oil for the glycerin. These oils act as binders and carriers, just as glycerin does.
- Distilled water is the most recommended choice, but filtered and mineral water will also work.^{[6]
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- For an even longer lasting scent, substitute rose water or orange flower water for the distilled water. ^{[7]
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  Research source} These substances will enhance the scent and nourish your skin.
4
Combine the two mixtures together. Bring the two separate mixes together by either combining them using an entirely new container, or you can pour the contents of one into the other. Stir the ingredients together slowly for about 60 seconds until they are mixed together well.
5
Pour the blend into an 8 ounce spray bottle. Use a funnel if this makes it easier for you to transmit the fluid into a glass or plastic spray bottle. The spray bottle you choose can be new or used, that’s up to you. If you are re-purposing a used bottle, sterilize it first so that you have a completely clean vessel for your blend.
- Dark containers are the best choice, since even minimal exposure to light can diminish your scent.^{[8]
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- Plastic bottles hold diluted essential oils, such as your perfume mist, very well. However, never store undiluted essential oils in plastic containers, since the potent oils can damage and deteriorate plastic.
6
Store the mist in a cool, dark place for 2 weeks. During this interval the blend’s ingredients will meld and it will allow the scent to fully develop. ^{[9]
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Research source} Take the bottle out every day and shake it a few times to encourage the recipe to blend.
- After the two weeks pass, your perfume mist is ready to use!
7
Keep your mist in a cool and dark environment. To preserve the integrity and shelf life of your perfume mist, keep it away from extreme temperatures. Don’t store it in your bathroom, since the heat and humidity will break down its molecular structure. Don’t store it near a window or expose it to sunlight, which will degrade the blend.
- Hot, humid atmospheres like bathrooms can also encourage bacteria to grow inside your bottle, which is a potential health risk.
- Make sure your bottle is airtight and keep the cap on it at all times when it’s not in use.
- The alcohol in your mist will evaporate quickly when exposed to air and your mixture will dry up more quickly.^{[10]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Creating a Perfume Mist for Hair

1
Gather your ingredients. There are many different formulas and variations you can use to make this hair perfume mist, but all of them feature three basic ingredients – pure vanilla extract, essential oil(s) and rosewater.^{[11]
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Research source} Most commercially made products are made with artificial fragrances and harmful chemicals, but this botanical recipe is all-natural, smells great and provides health benefits. To make 4 fluid ounces (120 ml) (1/2 cup) of this hair perfume mist, you will need:
- 1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract;
- 20-25 drops of essential oil(s);
- 4 ounces of rosewater;
- One 4 oz spray bottle (glass or plastic).
2
Mix the vanilla extract and essential oils together. Measure out these ingredients and put them directly into the 4 ounce spray bottle. Gently swirl the spray bottle around so that the vanilla extract and essential oils blend together. 15-20 swirls will get the job done.^{[12]
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- Use any combination of essential oils that you wish. However, if you’re stumped and unsure which ones to use, try this successful blend: 3 drops patchouli, 4 drops ylang ylang, 3 drops rosemary, 4 drops cedarwood, 5 drops lavender, 4 drops grapefruit, and 4 drops bergamot.^{[13]
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- Feel free to adjust the number of drops to your liking and omit any oils that you dislike. Make sure you end up using 20-25 drops of essential oil total.
3
Pour the rosewater directly into the spray bottle. Fill the spray bottle up almost all the way to the brim, stopping about an inch before the brim. Screw the nozzle back on tightly and recap the spray bottle. Shake the bottle for about 60 seconds until the ingredients are blended well. Your hair perfume mist is now ready to use!^{[14]
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- The spray bottle you use can be new or used, that’s up to you. If you are re-purposing a used bottle, be sure to clean and disinfect it thoroughly first.
- Dark bottles are the best choice, since even minimal exposure to light can diminish your scent.^{[15]
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4
Spray the mist on towel-dried hair. Style as usual for gorgeously scented locks. This spritz is also great for reviving hair that hasn’t been washed for 2 or 3 days. Spray a little onto your hair to freshen it up.
5
Store the hair perfume mist in the refrigerator. This will preserve the integrity and shelf life of your hair perfume mist. After using it, try to put it immediately back in the fridge. Make sure your bottle is airtight and keep the cap on it at all times when it’s not in use.

Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Choosing Essential Oils for Your Perfume

1
Select oils based on scent group. When using essential oils for perfumery, the best place to start is with scent groups.^{[16]
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Research source} The major scent groups are floral, woodsy, earthy, citrusy, oriental and spicy. Oils that are in the same scent group usually blend very well together. The most popular and easy to find essential oils for each scent group are:
- Floral scent group: lavender, rose, neroli and jasmine.
- Woodsy scent group: pine and cedarwood.
- Earthy scent group: oakmoss, vetiver and patchouli.
- Citrusy scent group: orange, lemon and grapefruit.
- Spicy scent group: clove and cinnamon.
- Oriental scent group: ginger and patchouli.
2
Mix lavender, jasmine and neroli to create a floral perfume mist. To make 8 ounces (1 cup) of perfume mist, you will need ½ tablespoon of essential oils. This is approximately 110 drops.^{[17]
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Research source} To make a floral perfume mist using the formula already presented, try this recipe:
- 40 drops lavender essential oil;
- 35 drops neroli essential oil;
- 35 drops jasmine essential oil;
- 10 tablespoons of alcohol;
- 4 tablespoons of distilled water;
- ½ tablespoon of vegetable glycerin.
3
Experiment with your own modifications. Once you get the hang of it, get creative and try your own experiments with different proportions of the essential oils. For example, you could modify the above formula to be a lavender-heavy scent that only includes 2 oils from the scent group – lavender and neroli.
- Adjust the lavender amount to be 70 drops.
- Adjust the neroli amount to be 40 drops.
- This amounts to 110 drops total, which is what the recipe calls for. Follow the rest of the formula and you’ll have an altogether new floral scent.
4
Mix oakmoss, vetiver and patchouli to create an earthy perfume mist.^{[18]
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Research source} The original formula remains the same, but this time the scent group is woodsy. Once you get the hang of it, experiment with the proportions, just like you did with the floral group. To get you started, try this recipe to create a woodsy perfume mist:
- 50 drops oakmoss essential oil;
- 40 drops patchouli essential oil;
- 20 drops vetiver essential oil;
- 10 tablespoons of alcohol;
- 4 tablespoons of distilled water;
- ½ tablespoon of vegetable glycerin.
5
Mix floral and citrusy oils together for a layered blend. Some scent groups mix well with other scent groups. Floral and citrusy oils are two scent groups that generally mix well together.^{[19]
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Research source} Using the same formula as before, create an energizing citrusy floral mist by modifying it with a lavender oil and grapefruit oil blend:^{[20]
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- 85 drops lavender essential oil;
- 25 drops grapefruit essential oil;
- 10 tablespoons of alcohol;
- 4 tablespoons of distilled water;
- ½ tablespoon of vegetable glycerin.
6
Mix more than one layered blend for a unique scent. Aside from floral and citrusy, there are many other scent groups that compliment each other and mix well together. Use the same formula as before and reference this general guideline to get you started mixing across scent groups:
- Florals blend well with oils from the spicy, citrusy and woodsy scent groups.
- Oriental oils blend well with oils from the floral and citrusy scent groups.
- Woodsy oils usually blend well with all scent groups.^{[21]
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- Experiment! By trying different the oils, mixing across scent groups and modifying proportions, the possibilities are almost limitless.

Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Practicing Aromatherapy

1
Determine your therapeutic goal(s). Essential oils smell amazing in your perfume mist, but they also provide a variety of mental, physical, and emotional health benefits.^{[22]
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Research source} Cultures all over the world have been using them for thousands of years for these purposes.^{[23]
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Research source} When choosing essential oils for your perfume mist, give therapeutic edge to the blend by addressing specific physical and mental health issues.
- The act of inhaling different essential oils offers a wide range of psychological and physical benefits known as aromatherapy.^{[24]
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- Inhalation and topical application of particular essential oils can provide medicinal benefits with additional health, hygiene and beauty advantages.
2
Select essential oils for aromatherapy. An array of mental and emotional reactions can be triggered through the act of inhaling particular essential oil scents.^{[25]
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Research source} You can choose a single oil or combine the oils to experience a combination of positive effects. Aromatherapy is a vast subject, but there are some commonly chosen oils for therapeutic uses.^{[26]
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- Roman chamomile essential oil has fragrance properties that are soothing and can reduce stress.
- Clary sage essential oil has fragrance properties that can reduce anxiety and promote relaxation.
- Neroli essential oil has a rich scent with antidepressant effects. It can also relieve stress.
- Patchouli essential oil has fragrance properties that can help ease depression.
- Lavender essential oil has fragrance properties that can promote calmness and relaxation.
- Lemon essential oil has an uplifting scent that can ease depression and boost energy.
3
Opt for essential oils with medicinal purposes. The naturally occurring chemicals in essential oils can offer medicinal and healing benefits when applied topically to the skin and when inhaled into the lungs.^{[27]
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Research source} The range of essential oils with medicinal benefits is wide, but not all of these particular oils make great ingredients for a perfume mist because some of them don’t smell especially pleasant. Luckily, there are plenty of oils that both smell great and provide medicinal value.
- Roman chamomile essential oil acts as an antispasmodic and sedative; it also provides anti-inflammatory properties and can ease insomnia/promote sleep.
- Lavender essential oil can relieve headache and migraine pain. It can be applied topically to soothe minor skin irritations and ease insomnia/promote sleep.
- Clary sage essential oil can relieve menstrual cramps and labor pain. It’s also considered to be an aphrodisiac.
- Neroli essential oil has antispasmodic properties and can be helpful during pregnancy/delivery. Neroli can also ease postpartum depression.
- Patchouli essential oil is soothing to the nervous system and has anti-inflammatory properties.
- Eucalyptus essential oil provides antibacterial benefits and can soothe muscle aches. Through inhalation, eucalyptus oil can both clear the sinuses and boost the immune system.^{[28]
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4
Exercise caution when using essential oils. Because they are so highly concentrated, essential oils can have negative side effects if used improperly. Consult a doctor before using them if you are pregnant, nursing or have immune deficiencies. If you have sensitive skin, always do a skin patch test before using essential oils topically.
- Essential oils are far too potent to be applied directly to the skin without diluting them first. Some of them can irritate the skin.^{[29]
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- Use the highest grade essential oils that you can find. Check their bottles and packaging for key phrases like “pure grade”, “aromatherapy grade”, “certified organic” and “therapeutic grade.”

Community Q&A

Question

Hi. Can I use fragrance oil instead?

Alexis Vasconcelos

Community Answer

Of course!
Question

Would peppermint extract be a good oil to put into a body mist? I want to make a mint chocolate spray.

Community Answer

Yes, peppermint extract would work well.
Question

If I have hot water in a bottle and add a perfume compound or essential oils to the bottle, will they mix properly?

Community Answer

Yes, but the water should not be hot. Room temperature or cold water is preferable.