Scents- you either love them or hate them. Whether it’s a good scent, or one that makes you recoil in disgust, scents are full of information that goes right to the olfactory centers in our brain, letting our bodies know what’s going on in our environment, or even with another person. For thousands of years, perfumes have been a popular element in human society and they have been used for everything from inspiring lust and love, to calming one’s mind, and even inspiring and aiding in meditation.
One of the oldest perfume methods is the use of essential oils and they are often used to this day for this exact purpose. While chemical perfumes are often harsh and can even cause allergies, essential oils are typically a safer and more gentle way to accomplish the same thing. While it is perfectly acceptable to use an essential oil as is, many are very strong and need to be diluted in order to be placed directly on the skin. Thus, a high quality carrier oil is needed and what better carrier is there than raw African shea butter?
Below is a simple, easy and wonderful smelling DIY solid perfume recipe, featuring raw African shea butter. It is long lasting and gives the added bonus of moisturizing whatever area you apply it to.
Recipe:
- Small container of choice (about ½ oz or so)
- 2 Tbs. shea butter
- 8-15 drops essential oil(s) of choice
Some great oils to start with are jasmine, rose, and ylang ylang for a more floral scent, while amber, frankincense and vanilla are a bit more musky.
In a double boiler, gently soften shea butter until melted. Remove from heat, and add essential oil(s) of choice. Start with eight drops and if you want a stronger scent, add more, starting with a drop at a time. Mix together and transfer perfume mixture to selected container. Allow to cool and solidify.
Feel free to play around with the essential oils in this recipe. There are endless combinations to choose from and you just might find your new signature scent! The naturally occurring antioxidants in the shea butter act as gentle natural preservatives that work perfectly alongside the essential oils, so you don’t need to worry about this formula spoiling or going rancid. Place a small amount on your wrists, neck, or temples for an instant, natural and delicious shea butter perfume pick-me up.