I don’t know about you, but I have a hard time spending $100 or more on perfume. Yes, they smell amazing and last forever…but it’s quite the investment! Making your own perfume is an affordable alternative. This recipe only requires two ingredients: isopropyl myristate and fragrance oil.
Isopropyl myristate is a unique ingredient, and is used in a variety of cosmetic products. In lotions, creates a nice slip and helps it absorb quickly on the skin. It can also be used at 100% as a perfume base, like in this recipe. It has a light texture, which makes it great for bottles with a spray top. It does have a slightly oily feel, but it absorbs pretty quickly. But, you may not want to spray it directly on a silk shirt for example to be on the safe side.
For this perfume, I used the Bramble Berry’s Black Opium Type Fragrance Oil which is based on the popular Yves Saint Laurent perfume. It’s a sultry combination of vanilla, cedarwood and just a hint of patchouli. If you prefer a different scent, feel free to swap it out. This product includes free downloadable labels that you can print on label paper, cut and stick on each bottle.
Make sure to use the correct usage rate for perfume for the fragrance you use. This information can be found on the fragrance oil IFRA document. If you need this information for fragrance oils purchased from Bramble Berry, you can email MSDS(at)BrambleBerry(dot)com.
What You’ll Need:
10 Glass Rectangle Perfume Bottle
8.7 oz. Isopropyl Myristate
1.3 oz. Bramble Berry’s Black Opium Type Fragrance Oil
Moonlight Essence Labels (Free PDF)
Optional: Dropper
Click here to add everything you need for this project to your Bramble Berry shopping cart!
Find the supplies you need for this project below
ONE: Measure the isopropyl myristate into a mixing container. Add the Bramble Berry’s Black Opium Type Fragrance Oil.
TWO: Thoroughly stir the fragrance oil and isopropyl myristate together until fully combined.
THREE: Carefully pour the mixture into the perfume bottles. I recommend using a small funnel for this step, or using a dropper to fill the bottles, as the opening for the bottles is quite small.
Place the spray top on each bottle, and firmly twist to secure. Place a label on each bottle, enjoy!
- 10 Glass Rectangle Perfume Bottle
- 8.7 oz. Isopropyl Myristate
- 1.3 oz. Bramble Berry’s Black Opium Type Fragrance Oil
- Optional: Dropper
- Measure the isopropyl myristate into a mixing container. Add the Bramble Berry's Black Opium Type Fragrance Oil
- Thoroughly stir the fragrance oil and isopropyl myristate together until fully combined.
- Carefully pour the mixture into the perfume bottles. I recommend using a small funnel for this step, or using a dropper to fill the bottles, as the opening for the bottles is quite small. Place the spray top on each bottle, and firmly twist to secure. Place a label on each bottle, enjoy!
Hi there, can you help me, I am looking at some of the MSDS Sheets and I can’t find usage amounts. Can you help me see so I can make choices please?
One way to find out how much fragrance to use is to select “lotion” on the Bramble Berry Fragrance Calculator: http://www.brambleberry.com/Pages/Fragrance-Calculator.aspx
You may notice that usage rate is extremely small. That’s because the fragrance calculator errs on the side of extreme caution. To find the maximum usage rate for a fragrance oil for leave-on products, consult the IFRA Certificate. That can be requested by emailing MSDS (at) brambleberry (dot) com.
Can i use essential oil for replace fragnance oil??
How many drops?
Thanksss
Yes, you can use certain essential oils in this recipe. Make sure to read the description on BrambleBerry.com, as some aren’t safe for leave-on products (like cinnamon).
Essential oils: https://www.brambleberry.com/Essential-Oils-C157.aspx
Find out how much to add with our Fragrance Calculator. Just select the lotion category: https://www.brambleberry.com/Pages/Fragrance-Calculator.aspx
Can this also be placed in a roller ball container
Yes, Isopropyl Myristate is thin enough to work in a roller ball container.
Hello!! I have made my own lotion and solid perfume recently but I have been really wanting to make some perfume but I only have emulsifying wax on hand right now. Is there any way I can take the second recipe in this video : https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ID6wC7kTgAY and replace the polysorbate 80 with emulsifying wax????!
E-wax works really well for products like lotions and masks, but not fully liquid products like perfume. The wax tends to clump up in the liquid and not mix in very well. Polysorbate 80 is the best option for that perfume: https://www.brambleberry.com/Polysorbate-80-P4438.aspx
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Haha darn! 🙂 thanks soooo much for the reply I really appreciate it! I ❤️ SoapQueen
Hello!
This is awesome! I was wondering if Isopropyl myristate can be used in hair mists/ hair perfumes and whether it can be used with other ingredients like water or oils like jojoba, for example. I am looking for a very solid base for hair perfume and wondering if this could be it. Thanks!
Isopropyl myristate does feel nice and light, so it should work on the hair just fine! You may spritz a bit on your hair to see what you think. Also, it’s oil soluble, so you can mix in oils like jojoba. If you add water, you will need to use an emulsifier like Polysorbate 80 to ensure everything stays mixed. 🙂
Polysorbate 80: https://www.brambleberry.com/Polysorbate-80-P4438.aspx
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Hello Kelsey,
Thanks so much for your response! Following up on using IPM, can I use it as the only base for hair perfume or must it be mixed with other ingredients to be usable? Also, do you know if IPM reacts to heat? I put it in PET plastic spray bottles and the bottle caps kept cracking/breaking apart like there some sort of pressure. I wasn’t sure if it was the IPM, the hot weather in my country or the type of plastic. What do you think?
Hi,
Im interested in this perfume kit. Please give it to me straight. What scent does the smell of the perfume lean towards? Also, Does it smell like older woman or younger woman scent? This is a homemade perfume but does it smell like a homemade job? Ive bought perfume kits before and they stinked, and the ones that did come out, the scent didn’t last. Just want to know because with shipping this kit is $55. I dont mind paying that but want to make sure this particular scent is good for me. 🙂 Please comment back. Thanks!!! 🙂
Hi C.R.! This scent smells really lovely. I would say it tends toward the younger crowd. It doesn’t have any rose notes you find in perfumes made for an older demographic. However, it does have sweet vanilla notes that make it universally appealing. As for this kit, I have been using it for a week or so now and find the scent really lasts. 🙂
To make sure you’re a fan, you can request a sniffy sample! That’s an absorbent cotton strip dipped in fragrance and sealed in a mini Ziploc baggie. To get a sample, send a self-addressed stamped envelope with the fragrance you’d like to smell written on a note inside. Read more about sniffy samples here: https://www.brambleberry.com/Store-Policies-and-Shipping-Info-W11.aspx
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
I guessed that to be Alien that is my daughters favorite perfume! I will definitely have to give this a try! Every Christmas my girls ask me for the expensive perfume!!!
They got Flower Bomb and Alien and Mac sells one she loves she got too! please find a flower bomb replacement lol. I am sure it would be too accelerating for a fragrance you would want to carry…but then again who knows? 😉
This is a great option that is more cost effective! Black Opium is one of my favorite perfumes, so I’m really excited for a handmade version. Also, thanks for your suggestion. We’ll definitely keep that in mind. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
I have Polysorbate 80 and 20 in stock. I know that it is a product that can be used to create a perfume as well but can you tell me what the main difference is between the Polysorbate and the Isopropyl Myristate? Also, is the Isopropyl Myristate better when making perfume or the polysorbate? I know the polysorbate helps mix a water and oil base but I just don’t know what is better when it comes to creating a perfume that is the highest of qualities. My other question is, do I need to be concerned with stabilizing the base if it contains vanillin? For example, if I use the polysorbate 80, will my perfume turn a brown color after time? Thank you!
Polysorbate 20 and 80 are emulsifiers. They are used to combine oil with water in perfume recipes. So, in a recipe, it would be used around 1-6% to emulsify the ingredients. We used it in this perfume recipe: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ID6wC7kTgAY
On the other hand, isopropyl myristate is used and 100% and doesn’t need an emulsifier. That makes it nice and easy to use. Both it and a base made with water, alcohol, Polysorbate and fragrance work well. The perfume made with water will feel lighter on the skin. It depends what your personal preference is. I would recommend making both to see which one you like best. 🙂
Also, fragrances with vanilla may turn yellowish or brown overtime. In soap, discoloration will happen each time. With other products like lotion, candles, etc., it may happen only sometimes, or it may take a few months. It’s a lot more inconsistent. If you don’t want that discoloration, it’s best to use vanilla-free fragrances to be on the safe side: https://www.brambleberry.com/Clear-Vanilla-Free-C491.aspx
Read more about discoloration here: http://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/tips-and-tricks/why-did-my-soap-turn-brown/
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Polysorbate 80: https://www.brambleberry.com/Polysorbate-80-P4438.aspx
Thank you so much for the clarification on each product. Now that I have the information, I will take your advice about making perfumes both ways and see which one I like best. As always, you guys have come through with great information and wonderful recipes! Thank you again!!
You’re welcome! 🙂
What does IPM give this recipe that fractionated coconut oil doesn’t?
Both work well! It boils down mostly to personal preference. I find the isopropyl myristate is just a tad lighter on the skin. Also, the fractionated coconut oil is a bit too heavy for these bottles and can clog them. If you want to use it, you can make the perfume in the Mini Spray Bottles. You may try both isopropyl myristate and fractionated coconut oil to see which one you prefer. 🙂
Fractionated coconut oil: https://www.brambleberry.com/CaprylicCapric-Triglycerides-Fractionated-Coconut-Oil-P4957.aspx
Mini Spray Bottle: https://www.brambleberry.com/Mini-Spray-Bottle-P4951.aspx
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
So sad I can’t get isopropyl myristate here in Spain…Any substitute I can find more easily?
If you can find cyclomethicone you can use that! It’s a liquid silicone that can be used as a base for perfumes: https://www.brambleberry.com/Cyclomethicone-P4560.aspx
If that isn’t available to you, you can use fractionated coconut oil: https://www.brambleberry.com/CaprylicCapric-Triglycerides-Fractionated-Coconut-Oil-P4957.aspx
Another option is to create a base using water, alcohol and emulsifier. We have a video showing you how. I’ll link that below. 🙂
How to Make Perfume: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ID6wC7kTgAY&t=6s
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Thank you!
How long the smell will last? Do you know? Thanksss
The scent lasts on the skin really long! I was given one of these perfumes to test and kept getting little whiffs of the scent throughout the day. I’ve actually started using it over my store bought perfumes. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Can this recipe be made in smaller batches? I would like to experiment with this, but I would rather not buy so many bottles just to see how it works.
Absolutely! You can make just one bottle at a time if you like. You can use the IFRA document to find the percentage of fragrance to add and adjust it to fit your batch. If you need the IFRA document for fragrance oils purchased from Bramble Berry, you can email MSDS(at)BrambleBerry(dot)com. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Can you use any fragrance oil? I am partial to Pikake!
You sure can! This base can be customized with any skin-safe fragrance you like. Make sure to use the correct usage rate for perfume for the fragrance you use. This information can be found on the fragrance oil IFRA document. If you need this information for fragrance oils purchased from Bramble Berry, you can email MSDS(at)BrambleBerry(dot)com. 🙂
Fragrance oils: https://www.brambleberry.com/Fragrance-Oils-C161.aspx
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Is it safe to assume that perfumes made using this recipe can be shipped via air? (I see that the flashpoint of the Isopropyl Myristate is well over 140F).
It depends on the fragrance you add! Bramble Berry’s Black Opium Type Fragrance Oil has a flashpoint of 200F, so it is able to ship via air. Just make sure to check the flashpoint of each fragrance before shipping them. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry