How to Make Solid Perfume with Vanilla Extract, Cranberries, Coconut Oil

The way you smell can make a larger impression upon people than your clothes or general appearance. However, commercial perfume can be expensive. Commercial perfume blends can also contain ingredients that are harsh and irritating to your skin; you also have little control over the scent.

I formulated the following vanilla and cranberry solid body perfume recipe because I wanted a scented perfume that was appropriate for winter and wouldn't empty my wallet. I also wanted a perfume that was actually good for my skin, instead of an alcohol based commercial perfume that would dry out and irritate my sensitive skin.

This solid perfume recipe is very easy to prepare and calls for inexpensive ingredients. The solid perfume recipe is also customizable allowing you to adjust the scent to your preference. The solid perfume recipe contains instructions for you to use the solid perfume as an all over skin softening body perfume or as a concentrated perfume. You can also use a small amount of this solid body perfume in your hair to scent it, add instant shine and tame frizzy hair.

You will need the following containers and utensils to prepare this solid perfume recipe: medium sized mixing bowl; wooden spoon for stirring; medium saucepan; small saucepan; measuring cup; teaspoon; strainer; funnel and a small jar with a tight fitting lid
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You will need these ingredients to make the solid perfume recipe: 1 cup of coconut oil; 3/4 to 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and 2 oz. of whole white cranberries.

Begin preparing the solid perfume recipe by placing several cups of hot water into the medium sized saucepan and putting the saucepan over low heat. Then measure one packed cup of coconut oil into the small saucepan. Coconut oil is very moisturizing and it is ideal for solid perfumes because it is solid at room temperature but not hard so you can still easily apply the solid perfume. Coconut oil is white so it will not stain your skin. Coconut oil also has very little of its own scent so it will not interfere with the scent of your solid perfume blend.

After measuring the coconut oil into the small saucepan place the small pan inside the medium pan; this will allow the coconut oil to melt while lowering the risk of scorching the oil and ruining your solid perfume blend.

While the coconut oil is melting prepare the white cranberries for use in the solid perfume recipe by crushing them either with a large fork or by pureeing them in a blender for 30 seconds to 1 minute. Make sure to use white cranberries because conventional red cranberries contain strong pigments that can stain your skin when used in a solid perfume recipe.

Once you have prepared the cranberries for use in the solid perfume recipe add them to the coconut oil in the saucepan and stir until well blended. If you plan to use the solid perfume as a concentrated perfume instead of as a solid skin softening body perfume increase the amount of cranberries used in the recipe to 3 oz.

After blending the above ingredients continue heating the blend over low heat, stirring occasionally. Make sure to use low heat as you do not want to scorch the oil or cranberries.

While the above solid perfume recipe ingredients simmer measure 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract into the solid perfume blend and stir well. If you plan to use the solid perfume as a concentrated perfume and not as a solid body perfume increase the amount of vanilla extract used to 1 1/2 teaspoons.

Once you have added the vanilla to the solid perfume recipe continue to heat the solid perfume for about 10 minutes to allow the scent of the cranberries to infuse with the coconut oil. Stir the blend every couple of minutes.

Pour the solid perfume blend into a strainer, while the strainer is over a bowl to strain out the cranberries. The perfume recipe will solidify as soon as it cools to room temperature. After straining the perfume stir it a few times and then immediately funnel it into the jar that you have chosen.

Leave the lid of the jar off until the solid perfume has completely cooled and is firm.

If you prefer very strong perfume feel free to increase the proportions of cranberries and vanilla to suit your taste. However, I recommend that you not use more than 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract in the solid perfume recipe because too much vanilla can irritate your skin.

To use the solid perfume as a skin softening body perfume, simply apply it the same way you would lotion taking care to use a little at a time and thoroughly rub the perfume in until your skin absorbs it.

To use the solid perfume as a concentrated perfume simply dab a little bit behind your ears and on your neck and wrists.

To use the solid perfume as a hair product place a small amount of the solid perfume, about the size of a dime (or a quarter if your hair is very long) on one of your palms and rub your hands together until the solid perfume is evenly distributed. Then run your hands and fingers through your hair, taking care to evenly distribute the solid perfume. Run a brush through you hair a few times and your hair should look shinier, smell lovely and be more manageable.