One of the most searched posts on Natural Mommie is how to make vanilla perfume. Since it’s so popular I thought I’d pull it from The Archives and share it with you again today for any new readers who haven’t come across it yet. Enjoy!
Ever since The Body Shop reformulated their vanilla perfume from smelling like actual vanilla beans that was really lovely and caramelly in the early 90s to their current flowery vanilla that’s on their shelves now, I’ve been on the hunt for a “real” vanilla perfume oil. And I haven’t found any. Mostly because they’re mass produced and made with synthetics and don’t smell anything like vanilla perfume should.
Soooo I went on the hunt for vanilla perfume yet again. I found some “original” but no I’m not paying $40 on ebay for a 15 year old bottle of original body shop vanilla perfume….ew.
I decided I wanted to try and make my own and found and easy DIY I thought I’d share!
- - Knife
- - Vanilla beans {costco sells them in tubes – 10 beans for around $12-$15}
- - Vodka
- - Glass jar
- - Strainer {mesh, nylons or cheesecloth}
- - Jojoba oil {or any oil – grapeseed, etc.}
1. Take your knife and gently cut down the middle of the vanilla bean lengthwise. Scrape your knife along the inside edge of the bean to release the paste. Drop the paste into a glass jar. Cut the rest of the vanilla bean into small pieces and drop those in the jar as well. You can use as many vanilla beans as you wish.
2. Pour vodka directly into the glass jar, on top of the vanilla beans. Add enough alcohol to cover all the bean pieces. This allows the alcohol to soak into the beans and absorb the scent of their oils.
3. Place the container in a warm, dry place and let stand for 2 weeks to 2 months Remove the lid every few weeks to test the strength of the scent. Use when ready. Strain out the small pieces of vanilla. You’ll want the perfume to be nice and smooth without any pieces that might irritate your skin.
4. Add your strained alcohol mixture back into your glass jar and top it off with jojoba oil. You’ll want to use 2-3 times as much jojoba oil as vanilla bean oil. It distills the scent, but also makes the mixture last longer.
5. Store your mixture in a cool, dry place. This will last for several months as long as you keep it from getting too hot.
From the archives. Recipe found here. Image via.
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About Amanda
This is pretty much what I do for a DIY vanilla extract. I simply make slits down my beans and put them in the jar whole. I keep it in a cool dark place for 1-6 months to infuse and shake it every once in awhile. When I’m about 2/3 done, I’d top it up with more vodka and put it back in storage to make more. :) Every now and then, I’d throw in a new bean. :)
I buy my beans online (VanillaFoodCompany) for about the same price. :)
I love vanilla bean DIY recipes!! Thanks for sharing this perfume. I’ll have to try it when I get home!! :D
That is such a great tip! I had no idea! I always wait for a trip to Mexico then stock up on it!
I love the scent of vanilla — I’ll have to try this someday… Thanks for reposting!
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You’re welcome :)
This sounds pretty neat. I’ll have to give it a try.
Do I put this in a spray bottle or a roll on one? Will the Jojoba oil stain clothes? I use it normally as a makeup remover but I have never had it in contact with clothing or anything.
A spray works great if you’re careful to not spray on your clothes!