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{Note from Jessica: Today’s post is shared by my sweet friend Mindy. Mindy is a whole food lover with a passion for sharing natural and safe alternatives to conventional beauty products. Transitioning to a healthier lifestyle can seem overwhelming. So at her blog, Simple Pure Beauty, she likes to keep things simple by sharing safe, natural beauty product recipes and remedies using very few ingredients. Stop by Mindy’s blog to learn about natural remedies, simple whole food cooking and creating safe, healthy environments for our families.}

Have you ever walked through the perfume section of a department store and come out the other side with a headache? Perfume has always given me a headache and the funny thing is, I never really thought about why. I just didn’t wear any and tried not to breathe when visiting department stores. 🙂

Headaches are just one of the many side effects that can be caused by your perfume including:

  • Asthma
  • Allergies
  • Migraines
  • Sinus Problems

Not to mention, they may contain hormone disruptors and toxins linked to cancer and birth defects.

Want to know what ingredients in your perfume could be causing these symptoms? You can simply read the label, right?

Wrong.

According to the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics:

Fragrance is considered a trade secret, so companies don’t have to tell us what’s in it – often dozens or even hundreds of synthetic chemical compounds.

In a lab test commissioned by the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, 17 popular fragrances were tested and the results revealed:

  • 14 secret chemicals that weren’t on the labels
  • 10 sensitizing chemicals that are known to cause allergic reactions, asthma, wheezing and headaches
  • 4 hormone disrupting chemicals linked to sperm damage, thyroid problems and cancer

You can download the full report here.

 

So what are your options if you don’t want to give up smelling like a rose?

You can…

Find an Essential Oil Based Perfume

When looking to buy an essential oil based perfume, avoid options with the ingredient “Fragrance” as there is no way to know what ingredients they may contain. A good place to start is the Skin Deep Database by the Environmental Working Group. You can find safe perfume alternatives and sort them according to the safety of their ingredients.

Or you can…

Make Your Own Perfume

 

There are several ways to make your own perfume and because I like keeping things simple, I will share the 2 easiest ways.

Make Perfume Oil

Ingredients to make perfume oil:

For more information about the essential oils I use for myself and my family, click here.

This is the simplest way to make your own perfume. Simply mix your essential oil blend with your carrier oil and store in a roll-on bottle.

Make Solid Perfume

Ingredients to make solid perfume:

For more information about the essential oils I use for myself and my family, click here.

Blend your essential oils first. Melt your beeswax in a double boiler, then stir in your carrier oil. Make sure your mixture isn’t too hot and stir in your essential oil blend. Pour into a tin or storage container of your choice.

So What Essential Oils Should You Use?

Well, that’s the fun part.

Essential Oils are classified into Top Notes, Middle Notes and Base Notes. It is recommended when blending essential oils for perfume that you use a guideline of:

  • 3 drops Top Notes
  • 2 drops Middle Notes
  • 1 drop Base Note

(This is just a recommendation and your blends will ultimately depend on what appeals to you and your taste.)

For more information about the essential oils I use for myself and my family, click here.

Top Notes are usually light and fresh, but evaporate very quickly.

Some top note options are:  Bergamot, Cajuput, Cinnamon, Eucalyptus, Grapefruit, Lemon, Lemongrass, Lime, Mandarin, Neroli , Orange, Peppermint and Tangerine.

Middle Notes are softer and can take a few hours to appear after application.

Some middle note options are:  Chamomile, Cypress, Fennel, Geranium, Hyssop, Juniper, Lavender, Marjoram, Neroli, Nutmeg, Palma Rosa, Rosemary and Yarrow.

Base Notes are considered heavier oils and their scent can be pretty intense.

Some base note options are: Cedarwood, Cinnamon, Clove, Frankincense, Ginger, Jasmine, Myrrh, Patchouli, Rose, Rosewood, Sandalwood, Vanilla and Ylang Ylang.

Here are a few essential oil blends that you may enjoy:

EO Blend 1

  • Mandarin
  • Bergamot
  • Neroli

EO Blend 2

  • Lavender
  • Bergamot
  • Patchouli

EO Blend 3

  • Vanilla
  • Sandalwood
  • Sweet Orange

EO Blend 4

  • Grapefruit
  • Rose Geranium
  • Ylang Ylang 

Delicious Obsessions Product Recommendations

I am always asked about my favorite ingredients and what I use in my own kitchen. I have linked to the products from my affiliate partners that I personally use and recommend. And now, here are the special coupon offers that select affiliate partners are currently offering:

  • Thrive Market: If you sign up through this link, you will get 15% OFF your first order.
  • Amazon, of course, has everything you need for this recipe. Their prices are often very good, though I love to shop around and sometimes find that Thrive Market has better deals. If you like saving money, it’s good to shop around! 🙂
  • I get all of my herbs and spices from Mountain Rose Herbs. I have tried so many other brands and have never found the quality, flavor, and aroma to be as good as the herbs I get from Mountain Rose.

For more information about the essential oils I use for myself and my family, click here.

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