Although there are many uses of fragrance that do not fall under the more ancient practices of magick and healing, the use of scent in cosmetics is one of the most widely enjoyed. And while these applications are not truly a reflection of the antiquity of the art of aromatherapy, they are not without some ties to the ancient practices.
Many of the lotions, baths, and cleansers may serve to restore the skin, hair, and general condition of the body to optimum order. Thus, these fragrant applications are not too far removed from healing practices.
Many of the scents used in cosmetic applications are those that evoke pleasant feelings, increase self-appreciation, and, perhaps, elicit the admiration of others. In this respect, they are in tune with the ancient uses of scent in the magickal workings.
The formulas included here are but a sampling of the number of fragrant preparations that may be produced. They form a sound, basic repertoire of cosmetic preparations but can be augmented, adjusted, or improved with the altering of the component scents.
Baby Powder
5-10 drops lavender
2-3 tablespoons cornstarch
Note: When mixing a fine powder like cornstarch with oil, it can be a very messy proposition. The best method for accomplishing this is to mix the components in a plastic sandwich bag, work out the clumps, and you’ll end up with a smooth, scented powder.
Baby Oil
5-10 drops lavender
2-3 tablespoons olive oil (or any other carrier oil—refer to appendix for list of carrier oils)
30-40 drops essential oil
2-3 tablespoons cornstarch
Body Power—Individual Formulae
orange! (MA)
lemon! (MA)
patchouli (mi)
cornstarch
bergamot! (MA)
spikenard (mi)
sandalwood (T)
cornstarch
ylang ylang (MA)
orange! (mi)
clove! (T)
cinnamon! (T)
cornstarch
rose (MA)
orange! (mi)
cornstarch
pine (MA)
cedarwood (MA)
juniper (mi)
cornstarch
cypress (MA)
eucalyptus (MA)
sandalwood (MA)
cornstarch
Facial Treatments
Each of the following formulae should be diluted into a carrier oil.
Normal Skin
lavender (MA)
rose (mi)
jasmine (T)
Dry Skin
sandalwood (MA)
rose (mi)
Oily Skin
bergamot! (MA)
juniper (mi)
cypress (mi)
Hair Preparations
These base formulae are the pure essential ingredients. To produce a usable hair care product, a total of 24-30 drops of essential oil should be diluted into about 2 tablespoons of carrier oil. The end product can be massaged thoroughly into the hair and scalp. These preparations are similar to the hot oil treatments commercially available for hair care.
Hair Loss
juniper (MA)
lavender (mi)
rosemary! (mi)
Normal Hair
cedarwood (MA)
bay (MA)
rosemary! (MA)
rose (mi)
Dry Hair
sandalwood (MA)
rose (MA)
lavender (mi)
Oily Hair and Dandruff
ylang ylang (MA)
lime (MA)
rosemary! (mi)
Hand/Skin Care
Dry Hands
benzoin (MA)
rose (MA)
patchouli (MA)
Mouthwashes
Dilute 4-7 drops of oil into a mixture of 4 ounces of water (I prefer distilled water) and 1-1/2 teaspoons of honey, depending on the dictates of the individual sweet tooth. A caution: Be certain that the products available from your supplier are certified safe for use in mouthwashes. Not all products may be safe for this application.
Be very careful with this. Check with your supplier before use. While some oils may be safe for internal use, many are not—do not assume that a particular oil is safe without verification from your supplier.
Tart and Minty
lemon! (MA)
spearmint (MA)
Mint Fresh
Peppermint! (MA)
spearmint (MA)
A Touch of Spice
spearmint (MA)
orange! (mi)
clove! (mi)