Lilacs are a low-maintenance shrub that are grown for their longevity, ease of care, privacy screening and abundance of full springtime blossoms. Though "lilac" brings to mind a light purple color, the lilac flower comes in many shades from white to dark purple and even magenta. No matter the color of the flower, the scent remains the same: soft, romantic and nostalgic. It's no wonder lilac is one of the most popular scents in perfume, candles and skin-care products. If you have access to fresh lilac flowers, you can easily capture some of their short-lived springtime fragrance for yourself.
- Fresh lilac flowers
- Heat-resistant containers
- Strainer
- Pure oil
- Funnel
- Bottle
Make a fragrant lilac water by steeping crushed lilac flowers in boiling water. Fill a heat-resistant container with lilac blossoms and pour boiling water over them, filling the container. Cover with foil or a tight-fitting lid. When the liquid has completely cooled, strain it and discard the spent flowers. Re-boil the same water and repeat the process until you are satisfied with the depth of the lilac fragrance.
Use the funnel to transfer your lilac water into a spray bottle. Store your lilac water in the refrigerator and spray it on as a light perfume.
Steep lilac flowers in a pure oil to make a moisturizing fragrance that can be added to other skin-care products. Fill a heat-resistant container with crushed lilac flowers and cover them with a quality oil (almond, jojoba or olive are good choices) that has been heated.
Let the lilac and oil mixture set for 24 hours then remove the flowers and strain the oil.
Rewarm the oil and repeat the process with fresh flowers until you are happy with the fragrance of the lilac-scented oil. Bottle the oil and use it to scent homemade or commercially made shampoos, lotions and hand creams or as a perfume oil rubbed directly onto your skin.
Things You'll Need
References
About the Author
Jo Burns has been a freelance writer since 1980. She specializes in articles relating to home and garden, alternative health care, travel, writing and crafting. In 2007, Burns received an M.F.A. in creative writing.
Photo Credits
Hemera Technologies/Photos.com/Getty Images