How to Make Your Own Signature Scent With Just Essential Oils

Photo: Stocksy/Lumina

There's plenty of fun to be had spritzing and sniffing perfumes in a store. But creating your own fragrance can be straight-up magical—not to mention completely personalized (no fear of scent-twinning with someone else).

"When you're blending and using beautiful plant oils, you can infuse [your fragrance] with your own emotional intention," says Amy Galper, M.A., Dipl. AT, founder of the New York Institute of Aromatherapy. "Scent connects to part of the unconscious mind—making something yourself puts a little piece of you in it, too. Your vibe is in there."

"Making something yourself puts a little piece of you in it, too. Your vibe is in there."

So when you mix your fave essential oils, you create your literal signature scent. Plus, there's no chance you'll wind up wearing the same rosy fragrance your bestie loves (hey, great minds think alike).

Grab yourself a two-ounce perfume bottle, gather your girlfriends, and get to stirring up your own lovely-scented potions.

Keep reading for 3 dreamy scent recipes cooked up by Galper. 

make your own fragrance
Graphic: Abby Maker for Well+Good

For something refreshing and uplifting

Ingredients
2 oz distilled water
12 drops of fennel essential oil
12 drops of spearmint essential oil
16 drops of lemon essential oil

"This scent is actually cooling on your skin and it gets your circulation going," explains Galper. "Its notes inspire you to move ahead and let go of what's holding you back."

make your own fragrance
Graphic: Abby Maker for Well+Good

For something earthy

Ingredients
2 oz distilled water
9 drops of cardamom essential oil
15 drops of patchouli essential oil
21 drops of orange essential oil

"When you want something more grounding—like if your life is feeling chaotic—this scent helps root you," says Galper. "The notes in this allow you to get resettled and connect with the earth. And cardamom's a seed, which represents potential." Sounds like the perfect thing to help you focus after a whirlwind summer of travel and festivities.

make your own fragrance
Graphic: Abby Maker for Well+Good

For something floral

Ingredients
2 oz distilled water
15 drops of palmarosa essential oil
9 drops of rose geranium essential oil
15 drops of red mandarin essential oil

Galper says rose is all about opening up the heart. "In summer, it's hot—which means emotions are high and people are feeling passionate," she explains. "This mix of floral extracts supports your emotions and opens your heart's energy." I'll spritz to that.

If you're looking to incorporate more powerful plants into your life, here are the 10 essential oils that everyone should stock up on. And this is how to use them to help you keep calm

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