Create Signature Scents With Organic Essential Oil Blends
How to create a signature scent with organic essential oil blends, using notes, ratios and simple recipes.
In this guide
You can create your own signature scent at home with a few natural essential oil blends, a small bottle and a carrier oil. The trick is to mix a top, a middle and a base note, then let the blend rest for a day or two. Below you will find the basics, five easy recipes and a simple step-by-step method to design a scent that is truly yours.
Key takeaways
- A balanced blend uses one top note, one middle note and one base note.
- Top notes like lemon fade first, middle notes like lavender give character, and base notes like frankincense last longest.
- For skin, use a 2% dilution: about 12 drops of essential oil in 30ml of carrier oil.
- Start with small test batches of 5 to 10 drops, and smell again after 24 to 48 hours.
- Natural oils let you swap synthetic fragrance for something pure and personal.
Why create your own essential oil blends?
Blending your own oils gives you full control over the ingredients, the strength of the scent and the mood you want to set. You might want a fresh, clearing scent like our Breathe essential oil blend, an uplifting daytime scent, or something soft for the evening.
Here are the most popular reasons people make their own blends:
- Creating a calm, relaxing feel at home
- Setting an uplifting, focused mood
- Enjoying fresh, clearing scents through the day
- Making a soothing scent for winding down
- Replacing synthetic perfumes with natural alternatives
Top, middle and base notes explained
Like music, scents have "notes". Each note plays a different part, and a good blend uses all three. This is the secret behind most essential oil scent combinations.
| Note | What it does | Oils to try |
|---|---|---|
| Top | Light and uplifting. You smell it first, and it fades fastest. | Lemon, peppermint, orange, bergamot |
| Middle | The heart of the blend. It gives the scent its character. | Lavender, geranium, rosemary |
| Base | Deep and grounding. It lingers longest and anchors the scent. | Frankincense, vetiver, cedarwood, patchouli |
A well-rounded blend usually includes one of each. For geranium, we stock rose geranium, which has a soft, rosy scent.
How much essential oil to use in a blend
Always dilute essential oils before you put them on your skin. A safe starting point for personal use is a 2% dilution. That is about 12 drops of essential oil in 30ml of a carrier oil such as jojoba or sweet almond.
For a diffuser, follow your device's instructions. Most need just a few drops per fill.
Tools you will need:
- Dark glass bottles (5ml to 30ml)
- A dropper or pipette
- A small funnel (optional)
- A carrier oil or diffuser base
5 essential oil blend recipes to try
These tried-and-tested recipes are a great way to start. Use them as they are, or treat them as a base for your own ideas.
1. Breathe Easy Blend
Best for: cold or stuffy days
- 4 drops Eucalyptus oil
- 3 drops Peppermint oil
- 3 drops Tea tree oil
- 2 drops Lavender oil
A fresh, clearing scent. Use it in a diffuser, or add it to a bowl of steaming water and breathe in the aroma gently.
2. Floral Signature Scent Blend
Best for: a wearable natural perfume oil
- 5 drops Geranium oil
- 4 drops Lavender oil
- 2 drops Ylang ylang oil
- 1 drop Bergamot oil
- 30ml Jojoba oil
A light, romantic essential oil perfume blend. Mix it into 30ml of jojoba for a 2% perfume oil. Bergamot can make skin sensitive to sunlight, so avoid the sun on areas where you have applied it.
3. Positive Energy Blend
Best for: mornings, or when you want a lift
- 3 drops Orange oil
- 3 drops Lemon oil
- 2 drops Peppermint oil
- 2 drops Rosemary oil
Bright and cheerful. It is perfect in a diffuser or a room spray.
4. Frankincense Focus Blend
Best for: meditation, yoga and journaling
- 4 drops Frankincense oil
- 2 drops Cedarwood oil
- 2 drops Patchouli oil
- 2 drops Clary sage oil
Built around the ancient scent of frankincense, this blend is ideal for grounding. Add it to a diffuser while you practise.
5. Calming Evening Blend
Best for: winding down at the end of the day
- 3 drops Lavender oil
- 2 drops Peppermint oil
- 2 drops Frankincense oil
- 1 drop Basil oil
A soft, soothing scent. Mix it into 30ml of carrier oil for a calming massage blend, or add it to a diffuser before bed.
Pro tip
Write down every drop as you go. When you hit a blend you love, you will be able to make it again exactly the same way.
How to design your own signature scent
Feeling creative? Follow these five simple steps to create a fragrance with essential oils that is all your own.
- Choose your mood. Are you after energy, calm or romance?
- Pick 1 to 2 oils from each note. Try one base, one middle and one top note.
- Start small. Begin with test batches of 5 to 10 drops in total.
- Let it sit. Blends change after 24 to 48 hours, so smell again before you decide.
- Name your scent. Your signature deserves a name of its own.
For a full guide to wearable scents, read our DIY essential oil perfume guide. You can also turn your favourite blend into one of our DIY room sprays.
Why choose natural, organic essential oil blends?
Not all oils are created equal. Our organic essential oil blends are made without synthetic fillers or additives, so you get a pure, natural aroma. For personal use, that purity makes a real difference to the quality and richness of the scent.
Blending safely
Safety first
Never apply essential oils to skin undiluted. Keep skin blends at around 1 to 2%, and patch test on a small area first. Stop using a blend if your skin becomes red or itchy.
- Keep oils out of reach of children and pets.
- Avoid diffusing peppermint and eucalyptus near babies and young children.
- If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, check with your GP or midwife first. Clary sage is best avoided in pregnancy.
- Store finished blends in dark glass, away from heat and sunlight.
FAQs
How many drops of essential oil should I use in a blend?
For skin use, a 2% dilution is a good starting point, around 12 drops of essential oil per 30ml of carrier oil. For a diffuser, follow your device's instructions, usually a few drops per fill.
What are top, middle and base notes?
Top notes are light and fade quickly, middle notes form the heart of the blend, and base notes are deep and linger longest. Combining one of each gives a balanced, well-rounded scent.
How long should I let a new blend rest?
Let your blend sit for 24 to 48 hours before you judge it. The oils mingle and mature over this time, so the final scent is often a little different from the first sniff.
Which carrier oils are best for a perfume oil?
Jojoba and sweet almond oil are popular choices because they are light, mostly unscented and absorb well. Jojoba in particular has a long shelf life.
What are the best essential oil blends for perfume?
Florals such as geranium, lavender and ylang ylang make lovely perfume blends, lifted with a little bergamot. Add a base note such as frankincense or vetiver to help the scent last longer.
Are organic essential oils better for blending?
Many people prefer organic oils for their pure, natural aroma, free from synthetic fillers. Whichever you choose, always dilute before applying to skin and patch test first.
The bottom line
Creating a signature scent is simple once you know the three notes. Start with one of the recipes above, or build your own floral, herbal or resinous blend in small test batches. Find every oil you need in our essential oils collection, or start with one of our ready-made essential oil blends.
