From Aromatherapy to DIY Beauty: 4 Scent-sational Ways to Use Fragrance Oils

There are various ways to incorporate luxury scents and aromas into our everyday lives. They can come in the form of perfumes, candles, diffusers, air fresheners, shampoos and soaps, can be used as aroma therapy, and the list goes on. And no, essential oils are not the only ways to indulge in the world of lavishly smelling aromas and activate our senses.

But these aren’t the only options when it comes to luxury scents and aromas. Another well-liked and equally effective way to enjoy similar benefits is through deliciously scented fragrance oils. Not only do they come in a wide range of scents, but they also offer unique and long-lasting aromas that can enhance any space or atmosphere.

The Difference Between Essential and Fragrance Oils

essential oils
Source: medium.com

Many people use the terms fragrance and essential oils interchangeably. Not many know that there is an actual difference between the two. Let’s break down the basics.

The first identifying difference between essential and fragrance oils is the price. The latter are a lot cheaper because they’re created in the laboratory by either isolating a compound from a natural source or entirely synthetically created. Therefore, they don’t have many health benefits, except that their strong scent is used in candle making, relaxing baths, perfumes and body soaps that can help you to relax and rewind with a pleasant smelling scent.

On the other hand, essential oils are fully natural and contain plant extracts that have health benefits. They’re well known for their therapeutic use on the skin, for relieving headaches and respiratory problems, boosting mood and keeping the flu at bay.

4 Ways to Use Fragrance Oils

fragrance oils used for candle making
Source: thelist.com

Fragrance oils are available in a variety of aromas and can mimic all sorts of scents. There are various ways to make them part of your daily life, to infuse a luxurious scent into your house and create an atmospheric ambience.

Candles

The powerful and long-lasting smell of fragrance oils makes them ideal for candle-making. There is a sheer variety of candle fragrance oils that you can use to make candles for various occasions. From sweet and fruity, to woody, musky and spicy scents, there are endless options to create your favourite aroma.

Need a relaxation before bed? Lavender-smelling candles for your bedroom will induce a sense of serenity and help you relax your nervous system. Want to spice things up and create a nice atmosphere for your romantic dinner? Prepare yourself some candles with a vanilla or cinnamon scent for some lovely and sweet aroma indulgence.

Making candles with fragrance oils is actually pretty simple and easy. All you need is an emulsifying wax, a fragrance oil of your desire, a silicone spatula, a candle wick, a wick-centering device, a candle jar and a double boiler pot.

  • Fill the lower part of the double boiler with water, and bring it to the heated stove. Pour the wax into the top part of the double boiler and let it melt on medium heat. If you want to make candles in different colours, add a pigmented powder of your preferred colour and mix it with the wax by using a silicone spatula.
  • Once the vax is melted, remove the pot from the stove and add about 15 to 25 drops of fragrance oil. You can also add a few drops of an essential oil for depth and enriching aroma.
  • Attach the candle wick to the bottom of the jar and pour the wax. Trim the wick, let the wax for a couple of hours to harden and voila, you’ve created a nice gift for yourself or someone you love.

Wax Melts

Alternatively to candles, you can use fragrance oils to make wax melts. Wax melts are pretty similar to candles, easy to make and a cheaper alternative. They provide enriching aromas and make a perfect gift for anyone who is a passionate lover of scented candles.

To make wax melts, you will need soy wax flakes, fragrance oils, silicone moulds and a heat-proof glass jug or a boiler pot. Measure about 300g to 600g of soy wax flakes and pour them into the pot. Bring it to a boiling point and then let it simmer at medium heat, or you can pour the wax flakes into the glass jug and heat it in the microwave for 30 seconds.

While simmering, you can add a wax dye in the pot, or take out the jug from the microwave, add the wax dye and let it back for another 30 seconds. Make sure the wax is completely melted before you take it out. Once fully melted, let the was cool a bit and go in with adding the fragrance oils. The total amount of the fragrance oils should be around 40 to 50 ml.

Pour the wax into the moulds while still warm and let it stay overnight at a cool temperature. Take out the wax the next morning, and you have perfectly shaped waxes that deliver enriching and captivating aromas.

Bath

For a nice and luxurious spa experience, add a few drops of fragrance oil or a mixture of several different fragrance oils for a richer scent to the tub filled with warm water. Of course, make sure to dilute the fragrance oil with a carrier oil or base before adding it to your bath water. This will prevent any skin irritation and allow for better scent distribution.

Get creative and mix different scents together to create your own unique blend. Try combining lavender and vanilla for a calming and relaxing bath or peppermint and eucalyptus for an invigorating and refreshing experience. If you prefer a more floral scent, try mixing rose and jasmine for a sensual and romantic bath, or even add a few drops of chamomile for a soothing effect.

Perfume Oils and Blends

Fragrance oils are perfect for creating your signature scent. You can use them to make perfume blends of your favourite scents, without breaking the bank. To make perfume oil, simply add a few drops of fragrance oil to a carrier oil and put it in the areas of your body like behind the ears, inside of the elbows, back of the knees and the chest area.

To make a perfume with fragrance oils, you will need a perfumer’s alcohol and a fragrance oil at an 80%-20% ratio. Pour the mixture into a glass spray bottle and shake it well before use.