Most blend recipes make one of two mistakes: either they call for eight oils, six of which you do not have, or they specify quantities “to taste”. The five below give exact drop counts, and almost all of them work from the starter kit.
Every recipe is calculated for 30 ml of carrier oil or the stated amount of water. For blends that go on skin, do a patch test on the inside of your elbow before first use and wait 24 hours.
1. Settling into the evening — for the diffuser
- 3 drops lavender
- 2 drops frankincense
- 1 drop sweet orange
An hour before bed, in an ultrasonic diffuser. Frankincense gives the depth, orange a pinch of warmth. If you do not have orange, it works without it.
2. Starting the morning — for the diffuser
- 3 drops lemon
- 2 drops peppermint
- 1 drop rosemary (if you have it)
The opposite of the first: sharp, clean, waking. For a study or kitchen in the morning. In a household with cats, avoid the citrus and peppermint combination in a closed space.
3. Everyday body oil — 30 ml
- 30 ml sweet almond oil
- 8 drops lavender
- 3 drops frankincense
That is a 1.8% dilution. Best after a shower, onto slightly damp skin — it spreads better. In dark glass, kept cool, it lasts two to three months.
4. Foot refresher — 30 ml
- 30 ml fractionated coconut oil
- 5 drops peppermint
- 4 drops lavender
- 2 drops tea tree
A 1.8% dilution. After a long day on your feet or after sport. Coconut oil suits this because it is light and does not stay tacky.
5. Kitchen spray cleaner — 500 ml
- 500 ml water
- 1 teaspoon washing-up liquid (this helps the oil disperse)
- 15 drops lemon
- 10 drops tea tree
- 5 drops lavender
Into a spray bottle, shaken well before each use. For the counter, the bin, the inside of the fridge. Do not use it on natural stone (marble, limestone) — citrus oil can etch it.
How to invent your own blend
A simple rule borrowed from perfumery: think in terms of top note – heart note – base note.
| Layer | What it gives | Proportion | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| Top note | The first impression; evaporates fast | 30% | lemon, peppermint, grapefruit, eucalyptus |
| Heart note | The character of the blend | 50% | lavender, rosemary, geranium, chamomile |
| Base note | Depth, staying power | 20% | frankincense, cedarwood, patchouli, vetiver |
Broken down to six drops: 2 top, 3 heart, 1 base. That is the simplest starting point.
A practical tip: before you mix 30 ml, make a test blend. Drop the oils onto a scent strip or a cotton pad in the intended proportions, and smell it again after ten minutes. Many blends are good in the first minute and fall apart afterwards.
What not to blend
- More than four oils at the start. The more components, the less predictable the result.
- Two dominant top notes. Peppermint and eucalyptus fight each other.
- Everything at once. The “more oils, more effective” logic does not apply here.
