My Top 6 Perfume Fragrance Essential Oils

I think that when we go shopping for hair products that we all have our personal checklists when it comes to choosing the right product (where are all my product junkies can I get some raised hands and amens??)

Whether it is shampoo or leave ins, it has to have the right consistency, ingredients, packaging (for some of us) and of course the right smell. I can safely say that for most of us the fragrance of our products can be a deal maker or often a deal breaker and for me, there are certain fragrances that I absolutely love.

We don’t often think of essential oils* as being fragrant because when it comes to hair care we tend to go for the more ‘herby’ ones like rosemary* or tea tree oil*. But very often essential oils* actually form the basis of your favorite designer perfumes. Here, I have listed my top 6 favorite fragrant oils* which I know most of y’all will convert to!

Ylang Ylang

What is Ylang Ylang?

Ylang Ylang or its scientific name, Cananga odorata, is mostly grown in Bahasa Indonesia is known as the Madagascar-oil plant or perfume tree. Now, although it is grown abundantly in Indonesia it is a tropical tree that originates from the Philippines.

What does the ylang ylang* plant look like?

The flower of the Ylang Ylang* plant has yellowish green petals which are droopy and narrow. If I had to say what it would truly resemble I would have to say that it resembles a star a sea star. The leaves are evergreen leaves which are glossy and smooth in appearance.

What does ylang ylang oil smell like and where is the oil derived from?

Unlike most essential oils*, ylang ylang actually has multiple layers of fragrance instead of just one. The deep fragrance contains notes of rubber (I can picture the look that your face is making right now… it is more like the under smell not the main smell) and custard with mild hints of jasmine and neroli.

Now remember when I said that the main fragrance of the ylang ylang essential oil is not based on rubber, well it truly is not, it is actually based on the main components of its fragrance: linalool, p-cresyl methyl ether, methyl benzoate, and benzyl acetate. The essential oil of the ylang ylang is derived from the flowers of the plant.

What are the benefits of ylang ylang oil?

Ylang ylang plays a major part in aromatherapy. It is used normalize sebum problems in skin and scalp (perfect for us with oily skin), relieve high blood pressure and as a .. get this.. aphrodisiac. Yup an aphrodisiac! So ladies, keep this in mind for valentines day, anniversaries, and any time you want a little lovin’.

Where to buy ylang ylang essential oil

Vanilla

Now , I think that I can safely say that most of us go crazy for a great vanilla scent. I practically can swim in sulfur water if it is scented with vanilla oil (okay so I’m not going to go that far) but vanilla can be pretty intoxicating. While I know that most of us are familiar with vanilla, it doesn’t hurt to go over some facts right?

What is vanilla?

Vanilla , scientific name Vaniila (hahaha), comes from the Mexican-native planifolia orchid. It is grown worldwide, but comes mostly from Indonesia, Madagascar, and China.

What does vanilla look like?

The vanilla orchard has white and light green petals. The flowers actually grow as vines where it would “climb” on a pole or tree.

What does vanilla oil smell like and where is it extracted from?

Vanilla has a sweet and soft smell with smoothness to it. It is derived from the pods of the vanilla orchid.

What are the benefits of vanilla oil?

Vanilla oil is used as an antioxidant, aphrodisiac (there goes that word again), antidepressant, a relaxant, and to regularize menstruation.

Where to buy Vanilla essential oil

Sandalwood

What is sandalwood?

Sandalwood is actually a wood (go figure) that is derived from the santalum trees. It is abundantly grown in India. What is amazing about sandalwood is that it can retain its fragrance for decades, talk about long lasting!

What does the sandalwood look like?

Sandalwood* is red to yellow, heavy, and fine grained. They are also very slow growing trees so this wood is truly valued.

What does sandalwood oil smell like and where is it derived from?

Sandalwood has a very strong fragrant smell. It is mostly described as a creamy, soft and milky wood scent. It is mostly used in oriental type fragrances and as a base for citrusy and floral fragrances, kind of like the leaf to a flower. Sandalwood* is the oil that is derived from the actual wood of the tree.

What are the benefits of sandalwood oil?

It is used as an antiseptic, internally and externally. It is also used as widely as an antimicrobial on both the skin and scalp, which means that scalp problems are highly reduced when used in your hair regimen.

But caution ladies; please please please dilute sandalwood oil with carrier oils such as olive oil* or coconut oil* because it is extremely strong on its own.

Where to buy Sandalwood essential oil

Patchouli

What is patchouli?

Patchouli , pogostemon cablin, is a large perennial which is a part of the same family as the sage, mint, and lavender* plant. It is cultivated high in Indonesia and also in the Philippines, India, China, Malaysia, and some parts of South America.

What does the patchouli plant look like?

The patchouli flowers are small flowers that are pale-pink in color. The leaves are evergreen leaves and resemble herb leaves like mint and sage.

What does patchouli* oil smell like and what is it derived from?

Patchouli is another fragrant oil that is known and widely used for its strong smell. It is normally described as musky and with deep, earthy notes. Its oil is derived from the leaves of the patchouli plant.

What are the benefits of patchouli oil?

Patchouli* is used in aromatherapy as a massage oil to fight cellulite and wrinkles. It is used as a bug repellent, to soothe cuts and bruises, athlete’s foot, and most importantly to fight dandruff in hair.

Where to buy Patchouli essential oil

Cedarwood

Yes, we are talking about the same cedarwood that is used to smoke that succulent pig for that down home barbeque. This fragrant oil is actually used in many herbal based hair products and in perfume frgrances believe it or not (and no it does not leave you smelling like smoked meat lol).  Check out the scoop on cedarwood.

What is cedarwood*?

Cedarwood actually comes from various types of trees that grow pretty much everywhere especially in North America and Europe. Some of the major trees are the Lebanon cedar, atlas cedar, deodar cedar, Cyprus cedar, and the Siberian pine.

What does cedarwood look like?

While there are different cedar trees, they all pretty much have similar physical characteristics. They resemble pine trees a lot. Their leaves are very similar except for the fact that the trunk of the cedarwood is a bit thicker and the trees can grow to be really tall.

What kind of smell does cedarwood oil have and where is it derived from?

Cedarwood* has a very earthy aroma. Believe it or not, it might be one of the oldest fragrances used widely by just about everyone in the world from Egyptians to those in bliblical times. It is derived from the wood of the cedar tree of course!

What are the benefits of cedarwood oil?

Cedarwood has many benefits, probably the most out of all the oils* that we’ve listed.. It is used to reduce water retention, hair loss, relieve skin conditions and psoriasis, cellulite, tuberculosis, dandruff, anxiety, and urinary infections.

Where to buy Cedarwood essential oil

Sweet Orange

What is sweet orange ?

Sweet orange fragrant oil is an oil that comes from the mandarin orange. Mandarin oranges are mostly grown in China.

What does the mandarin orange look like?

Mandarin oranges, the source of sweet orange oil, for the most part look like your typical orange except for it is much smaller and wider than your regular orange.

What does sweet orange oil smell like and where it is derived from?

Sweet orange oil has a sweet and tangy smell, it is very citrusy. The oil is derived from the peelings of the mandarin orange.

What are the benefits of sweet orange* oil?

Sweet orange* oil has been used as an antiseptic, antimicrobial, constipation, insomnia, dry skin and scalp and to get rid of general toxins in the body.

Where to buy Sweet Orange essential oil

The most important question: How do I use these essential oils and where can I find them?

If you love making your own products then use these essential oils* to cover up or compliment the other more ‘herby’ essential oils* you use. Also add a couple of drops to your oil mixes to create a beautiful unique fragrance sealing oil.

You can also use these oils in your conditioners, spritzes, and cleansers or even change the fragrance of a product. You can usually find these oils in at health food stores such as Whole Foods or failing that then it’s Amazon to the rescue.

That about rounds this up! These are my top 6 fragrant oils*, I hope that you guys get a chance to try these in your oil blends and such.