Scent-Sational

Want to stand out from the crowd? Want to be good to yourself and the planet? Why not create your own personal aromatherapy perfume using pure essential oils?

You can blend essential oils to create a signature scent that’s way better than department-store perfumes, which can contain harmful chemicals.

Instead, blend genuine and authentic essential oils with jojoba oil, which always stays fresh. Jojoba oil also has a chemical composition that is close to the skin’s own oil, making it good for all skin types.

Your own all-natural, nontoxic perfume will not only smell great but will also have wonderful therapeutic effects as well. Look for jojoba and essential oils in aromatherapy and health food stores.

Citrus Body Spray

Four out of the five guys we asked told us that they remember how a girl smells more than how she looks. Try this body spray and see who notices.

33 drops grain alcohol, such as vodka
1 drop peppermint
3 drops spearmint
1 drop blood orange
9 drops sweet orange
9 drops lemon
9 drops lime
1/4 cup (60 mL) spring water

Add grain alcohol to a 60 mL spritzer bottle so the essential-oil mixture will spray easily. Add essential oils and then add water. Shake well to ­combine.

LOL (Laugh Out Loud) Perfume Roll On

Roll a bit of this perfume on your wrist and at the nape of your neck, under your hair. Use it where the sun won’t shine because all citrus essential oils are photosensitive and can cause a blistery rash if used on exposed skin. Citrus essential oils include orange, lemon, lime, mandarin, grapefruit, and bergamot.

12 drops grapefruit
6 drops rosewood
3 drops patchouli
2 tsp (10 mL) jojoba oil

Add essential oils to jojoba oil. Pour into a roll-on bottle or squeeze bottle.

Cutting Edge Body Spritz for Guys

Keep it modest and environmentally friendly with this natural body spray. This man scent makes a great gift for someone special.

6 drops grapefruit
6 drops lime
3 drops mint
2 tsp (10 mL) jojoba oil

Add essential oils to jojoba oil. Package in a spray or roll-on bottle.

Finding Containers

Packaging your creations is half the fun. Check out the containers pages at greenvalleyaromatherapy.com or ashburys.com.

Try These Favourite Oils

Sweet orange (Citrus sinensis) is warming and comforting; its natural antiseptic properties cleanse and rejuvenate.

Peppermint (Mentha piperita) is stimulating and clears the head while soothing the emotions.

Spearmint (Mentha spicata) is uplifting and refreshing and helps to reduce stress.

Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) is relaxing and balancing for both mind and body.

Patchouli (Pogostemon cablin) is an ancient fragrance that has a rich, primal, earthy scent.

Clary sage (Salvia sclarea) has euphoric properties and can relieve tension that interferes with sexuality.