You know that moment when you reach for the same scent every morning, and it hangs around quietly all day? It’s lovely. But it gets even better when that scent shows up in the small, ordinary corners of your day, and not just in one bottle on your dresser.
In my last blog, I told you why I stopped missing conventional perfume. I found ways to enjoy gorgeous scents without worrying about what synthetic fragrance might be doing to my family’s wellbeing. This is the next step: letting your own blends travel with you through your day and your home.
I’ll be honest, I put off trying this for a long time. I assumed it would be fussy and complicated. Then I discovered pure plant oils 15 years ago, and I was amazed at how easy it was to weave them into our daily habits. Isn’t it always better to reach for a plant? Once you know one simple trick, you can scent a lot of your routine without any extra effort.
The trick: top, middle and base
Perfumers build scents in layers, and you can too.
- Top notes are the bright first impression that fades quickly: think citrus, peppermint, eucalyptus.
- Middle notes are the heart of the blend: like lavender, geranium, rosemary, chamomile.
- Base notes are the deeper, longer-lasting ones: including cedarwood, frankincense, vetiver, sandalwood.
A good starting ratio is one drop of top, two of middle and one of base. Make more by multiplying it up. Then pick one blend you love and reuse it everywhere, so it all feels connected instead of scattered. Make sure you use pure essential oils as they make such a massive difference. If in doubt, contact me because I have used many and can help you.
Here’s how we use ours at home.
1. Roll-on deodorant
Underarms are a key zone of the body and skin is sensitive, so keep this one simple. Fill a 10 ml glass roller bottle with a carrier oil, such as fractionated coconut oil or jojoba, and add just two or three drops of essential oil in total. Lavender, geranium and cedarwood are gentle choices.
My own tried-and-tested favourite is 1-2 drops of patchouli and 1-2 drops of ylang ylang, topped up with V-6 pure carrier oil. Skip the citrus oils here, because many of them make skin more sensitive to sunlight. Do a patch test on your inner arm first, and stop if you notice any irritation.
2. Seasonal hand soap
If you only try one thing, make it this. It’s such an easy swap, and everyone in the house gets a little moment of joy every time they wash their hands.
Put 3 tablespoons of fragrance-free liquid castile soap into a 250 ml foaming soap bottle, add 15-20 drops of essential oil, then top up with water. To keep hands soft, I sometimes add a teaspoon of carrier oil. I like V-6 Enhanced, but fractionated coconut or jojoba work well too.
Then change it with the seasons:
- Autumn: sweet orange, cedarwood and a touch of frankincense
- Winter: fir needle or spruce, a little peppermint and orange or vetiver
- Spring: geranium, lavender and a hint of lemon
- Summer: lime, peppermint and rosemary
Before long, it becomes a small seasonal ritual you look forward to.
3. Room spray
There’s nothing quite like a fresh spritz to lift the feel of a room. I like to do this just before guests arrive or just before we are about to spend time in a room other than the kitchen (where I seem to spend too much of my time!). In a 100 ml glass spray bottle, mix two tablespoons of witch hazel (or high-proof alcohol) to help the oils disperse. Add 15-20 drops of essential oils. Then fill the rest with water. Shake well before each use.
Spritz the air rather than your furniture or fabrics, as oils can stain. And don't forget how lovely it can be in a guest room, in the car or at your desk.
A few more easy ideas
Use the same room spray recipe as a linen spray and mist your pillow from a little distance. Add two or three drops to wool dryer balls before they go in the tumble dryer. Or run a diffuser blend that matches the scent you wear on your skin. None of this takes extra thought, but the scent follows you around all day.
A few safety notes
Essential oils are potent, so a little goes a long way. Always dilute for skin use, and patch test any new blend. Citrus oils like lemon, lime and bergamot can increase sun sensitivity, so avoid them on skin that will be in direct sunlight. Take extra care if you’re pregnant, have a health condition, or are using oils around babies. If you have pets, make sure rooms have ventilation and let animals leave the space if they want to.
Where perfume fits in
Some days you just want the finishing touch of a ready-to-wear fine fragrance. That’s why I love Wyld Notes. It’s botanical and complete. I use my own blends through the day, then reach for a Wyld Notes scent when I want to feel a bit more put together. Oils and Wyld Notes layer beautifully, and you end up with something that’s uniquely yours.
You can explore Wyld Notes and use code WithJennifer10 for 10% off.
Start with one
You don’t have to change everything at once. Pick one thing, like the hand soap, and one blend you enjoy. Live with it for a few weeks and notice how it makes you feel. Trust me, it really is that simple, and it’s too good not to share.
If you’d like help choosing scents and simple swaps that fit your life, book a consultation with me.
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