How to Make Dry Perfume at Home: Recipes for Lavender and Citrus

Lavender Dry Perfume

Lavender is a scent that is used in aromatherapy to help us relax and encourage calmness. It is a perfect scent to unwind after a long day, or to carry with you for those stressful days. Lavender has an appealing fragrance that is not only used in aromatherapy, but has been used throughout history as a perfume.
To make a dry perfume from lavender, you will need:

• 1 teaspoon dry orrisroot powder - This powder comes from the root of the white iris, or Iris Florentina. It is used as a stabilizer and preserving agent in many homemade cosmetics, perfumes, and powders. It has a violet scent. Many natural food stores carry this powder. It is also used in making potpourris, so it can sometimes be found in hobby and craft stores.
• 1 tablespoon dry lavender flowers
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 2 drops lavender oil

 

Citrus Dry Perfume

Citrus is known for awakening the mind and rejuvenating the spirit. It can be used as a gentle pick me up any time you need a boost to help get you through the day. As with all homemade cosmetics you can adjust the amount of orange peel in this recipe to alter it to your liking. The dried orange peel is prepared by drying it and processing it in a spice or coffee grinder. If you don't have a dehydrator, let the orange peel dry well in a sunny window before grinding.
To make a citrus dry perfume, you will need:

• 1 teaspoon orrisroot powder
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon dried orange peel
• 2 drops lemon essential oil
• 2 drops bergamot oil - Bergamot oil comes from oranges of that name.

 

Instructions for Preparing, Storing and Applying Dry Perfume

Regardless of which recipe you have chosen, these are the instructions for preparing the dry perfume.

1. Use a food processor, blender, or coffee grinder to mix all the ingredients into a smooth powder. The traditional mortar and pestle can also be used if you prefer.
2. Store the lavender dry perfume in a clean container with a tight fitting lid.
3. To use the perfume, rub a small amount of the powder on your skin where you would apply perfume or cologne. It can also be used to lightly dust the skin as with any powder. Just be sure not to overdo it.

Both recipes yield one once of powdered dry perfume. The ingredients can easily be doubled or tripled to prepare larger batches. Dry perfume has the advantage over liquid perfume of being absorbent. It comes in handy on hot, humid days to help keep you cool and comfortable.

 

Further Reading and Credits:

More Natural and Organic Beauty Recipes by this author.
Photos:

• Oranges by Mandarins1, http://openphoto.net/gallery/image.html?image_id=19762
• Lavender by Lily, http://www.flickr.com/photos/51035760661@N01/592395358
• Homemade Powder, http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Kava-powder-from-vanuatu-ready-to-mix-with-water.jpg