Buzz
Rose petal perfume or fragrance oil is the perfect way to make your body smell like a blooming summer garden. However, you don't need to spend a lot of money to make this happen! With just a few simple ingredients, you can create your own perfume or even make a thoughtful gift for someone special.
Ingredients
Alcohol-based perfume
- 180g fresh rose petals.
- 120ml vodka (40-50% alcohol content)
- 590ml distilled water
Rose-scented perfume
- 120g fresh rose petals
- 120ml distilled water
Steps
Making alcohol-based rose petal perfume
Gently wash the rose petals with cold water. If the water is too warm, it will evaporate some of the essential oils before you can collect them. Washing the petals helps remove fertilizers, dirt, insects, and any unwanted impurities from your perfume bottle. Don’t worry about thoroughly washing between each petal. Don’t dry the petals after washing them.
You may need around 1-3 roses, depending on the type of flower and the size of the petals.
Pluck about 180ml of petals from the rose. You can use any variety or color of rose. To remove the petals, hold the stem with one hand and gently pluck the petals with the other. Be cautious not to get pricked by the thorns.
- If you're concerned about thorns, consider using a thorn-removal tool on the stem.
Place the petals into a large glass jar with a lid. You can also use a bowl with a lid. Whatever container you choose, it must be able to hold at least 1,200ml of liquid and have a secure lid. A mason jar with a screw-on lid is an ideal option.
Pour 120ml of vodka into the jar with the petals and let it steep for 24 hours. Vodka with a 40-50% alcohol content works best. The jar should be stored in a cool, dark place, such as a cupboard or buffet. Avoid storing it in the refrigerator as it may be too damp.
Crush the petals for about 45 seconds using a spoon. A large wooden spoon is the best option for crushing the petals in the jar, as a mortar and pestle may cause essential oils to escape when transferring the petals, and a metal spoon can introduce unwanted metal elements into your perfume bottle.
Pour 590ml of distilled water into the jar. Distilled water can be purchased at most stores or pharmacies. The more distilled water you add, the lighter the fragrance will be.
Close the jar and store it in a cool, dark place for 4-7 days. Every day, open the jar to stir the petals and crush them again with a cooking spoon. Do not add more distilled water. Be sure to seal the jar immediately after stirring.
Strain the mixture into a clean glass container. Use a fine mesh strainer to remove the crushed petals from the liquid and transfer the liquid into a tightly sealed glass bottle. For best storage, place the perfume bottle in the refrigerator and shake before use. The perfume will last for 1 month. The fragrance will be strongest if applied to warmer areas of the body, such as the wrists or neck.
- You can also use a sieve or cheesecloth to strain.
Making rose perfume with fragrance
Gather 120ml of rose petals and place them in a medium-sized bowl. You can use any variety of roses. If you prefer, you can wash the petals with cold water to remove any dirt left on the flowers. Be careful not to prick yourself on the thorns.
Pour 120ml of warm distilled water into the bowl of petals. The warm water will help release more essential oils from the flowers. If you prefer, you can soak them for 5 minutes. The longer you soak, the stronger the fragrance will be.
Transfer the mixture into another bowl. If you don't have a kitchen strainer, you can use a piece of cloth. Don't discard the water, as you'll reuse it in the following steps.
- The rose petals will remain in the strainer, and the filtered water will be collected in the second bowl.
Crush the petals using a mortar and pestle. To remove the petals from the strainer, you can scoop them with a spoon or pick them up by hand. If you don't want to crush the petals, simply skip the filtering step. Instead, place the petal and distilled water mixture in the sun for about 5-7 hours.
- When placing the petals in the sun, the fragrance will be much weaker.
Pour the water from the second bowl into the crushed petals. Let it soak again for 5 minutes. By this stage, the crushed petals and distilled water should be in the first bowl.
Repeat the filtering and crushing process until the water turns a brownish-orange color. If you're using dark-colored rose petals like deep red, the water will turn a reddish-brown. Be careful not to crush the petals too hard, as it could cause the water to splatter and reduce the amount of fragrant liquid.
Strain the petals and squeeze out any remaining liquid. You can use a spoon to press the petals and then pour the liquid into a clean perfume bottle using a small funnel. Enjoy your creation! Keep it in the refrigerator to make it last longer.
Warning
- Avoid contact with sensitive skin, eyes, nose, and mouth.
What You'll Need
Alcohol-based perfume
- Large glass jar or bowl with a lid
- Large wooden cooking spoon
- 1-2 empty perfume bottles
- Kitchen strainer or cheesecloth
Rosewater
- 2 medium-sized bowls
- Pestle and mortar
- Kitchen strainer or cheesecloth
- 1-2 empty perfume bottles
- Small funnel with a tube about 0.3 cm wide
- Spoon (optional)
