http://www.care2.com/greenliving/natural-scents-for-your-type.html
Natural Scents for Your Type
by Cait Johnson, author of Earth, Water, Fire, and Air (SkyLight Paths, 2003).
My friend Mag always smells so lusciously sweet and spicy, but when I asked her what perfume she uses, she laughed and said, “Oh, I make it myself. Artificial scents make me feel sick, so I don’t go near them. Instead I use natural ingredients–and it’s really cheap and easy.” This all sounded pretty fabulous to me. We came up with these terrific all-natural cologne recipes for every type, whether you are a flowery romantic, a crisp sporty, or a spicy earthy-exotic–and they make great gifts, too.
Many people are sensitive to artificial fragrances, which contain suspected neurotoxicants that can give them headaches and difficulty concentrating. It is healthier and more thoughtful to avoid them!
If you were wondering about the difference between a cologne and a perfume, here’s the skinny: perfumes are generally stronger and heavier than colognes, and contain oils and fixatives that make them longer-lasting, while colognes contain botanical essences in an alcohol base, which keep them on the lighter side.
These all-natural formulas are colognes, with botanical materials and alcohol in the form of vodka or rum. They are lighter than their artificial relatives, and they can be used lavishly by most of us with no ill-effects.
The Basic Method
Place dry ingredients in a pint jar with a tight lid. Fill jar with vodka. Cover jar and shake daily for 1 to 6 weeks. Strain out dry ingredients and use the liquid as a cologne on your pulse points.
Romantic
You prefer classically sweet flower and herbal scents. Try any of these ingredients, or a combination:
1 cup fresh or dried lavender blossoms
1 cup fresh or dried chamomile blossoms
1 cup fresh or dried basil
1 cup fresh or dried rose petals
Sporty
You prefer refreshing, crisp scents that don’t cloy. Try any of these ingredients, or a combination:
Lemon peel from an organic lemon
Lime peel from an organic lime
1 cup fresh or dried peppermint leaves
1 cup fresh or dried rosemary leaves
Earthy/Exotic
You like warm and spicy scents that exude grounded sensuality. Try any of these ingredients, or a combination (Mag uses a blend of vanilla, clove, cinnamon, and orange peel):
1 whole vanilla bean, broken in pieces
2 teaspoons whole cloves
1 three-inch piece cinnamon stick
Orange peel from an organic orange
1 cup sandalwood chips
1 cup bay leaves (this traditional formula calls for rum instead of vodka to make Bay Rum)
Go to the Source
related stories
-
cait
(3 comments)
-
(44 comments)
-
(6 comments)
Robyn
Melissa
Deepak
Eric
Dave
Dr. Brent
Isha
Susan
Delia
Michelle
Wendy
Megan
Hilary
Ann
Judi
Ronnie
Kelly
Lily
Terri
Betsy
Cait
Andrew
Jana
Annie B.
Veronica
22 comments
add your comment »This is wonderful and I'll have to try it out!
send green star
why is this inappropriate?
SEND US MORE ITEMS LIKE THIS....THIS IS EXCELLENT
WHAT DO I USE TO MIX? IS A NATURAL NON-SCENTED CREME OK? OR WHAT ABOUT AN ORGANIC OLIVE OIL?
THANK YOU.
DIANA
djmacias2002@yahoo.com
send green star
why is this inappropriate?
Is there something other than alcohol that can be used as base? If my understanding is correct, you are applying alcohol to your skin that will seep into your bloodstream. I understand that it's only in small amounts, but I'm not certain I would feel comfortable using that on myself (with a tolerance problem) or my 12 year-old daughter.
send green star
why is this inappropriate?
Natural scents! I've bought them before, but never thought to make them at home. Thank you so much. I've gone for years w/out perfume - can't afford luxuries like perfume. Can we use these as air fresheners, too? I still use lysol for germ killing, but am trying to get away from it. I'm going to look on this site for a natural alternative air freshener. Thank you. My pets thank you, too. :)
send green star
why is this inappropriate?
Can you use vodka that's already infused with vanilla?
send green star
why is this inappropriate?
Basil+lime would make a great "green" type of scent, as would juniper+grapefruit (think of grassy herbs with a touch of citrus--much like the taste of clovers or grass, or a touch of earthy floral, like lavender+rosemary). Just make sure that the combination is simple, otherwise you may end up smelling like roasted vegetables or pasta sauce!
send green star
why is this inappropriate?
For the most authentic scent for me, I go to the Aveda store for their essential oil blends called Earth, Air, Water and Fire.
When you decide on one of these scents, they mix it up just for you, and you might find it may be the only scent you'll ever want to wear!
I get so many compliments when I wear it. Love it!
send green star
why is this inappropriate?
Michelle C
I love green tea and make various bath products with it. Recently I made a lovely smelling bath/perfume oil. I made it with Hemp seed oil and added dried green tea, let it "soak for 2 weeks and the scent is ilght but very appealing, you could add a bit of lemon oil for a zing to it.
send green star
why is this inappropriate?
Does anyone have a suggestion to add a "green" scent? I'd like something grean and earthy.
send green star
why is this inappropriate?
Just wondering if anyone has a suggestion for fixatives. I love natural perfumes but the ones I've made with alcohol don't last long on my skin. Someone once recommended castor oil?
send green star
why is this inappropriate?
Facebook account: