Why Buy Synthetic Scents When You Can Make Your Own Fresh Scents?

I know you are not used to seeing a new post on the weekend, but I felt so terrible not posting for two days (mother-n-law visiting) that I thought I would do a special Saturday post just for you all!

This is going to be a great post with recipes for making your own delectable scents....so read on readers!

~Peace~

Scents In History

The fascinating art of making your own scents (Perfumery) has been done throughout history with nearly every culture using aromatic flowers, resins, woods, and herbs to scent their own bodies. It wasn't until the early 20 century that people started using pre-made synthetic sprays sold in

mags and cosmetic stores, instead of using natural ingredients to create fragrant oils, salves and powders.

Below you will recipes for solid perfumes that can be made and therefore celebrate some of our ancient roots of natural perfumery......

Solid Perfumes

Solid perfumes are oil-based, highly scented salves. They are usually packaged in small pots, tins, or even lip balm tubes, and beings that these containers don't leak, they are great for travel. Because the formulation includes beeswax and oils, the scent has great staying power, without being over-powering.

To use a solid perfume, simply dab a little on your pulse points including behind the ears, on your wrist and along the neckline. You can even use a small amount as fragrant , natural hair pomade.

Scent Recipes

Patchouli Rose Solid Perfume~Jojoba oil makes a great base for solid perfumes. It has a very long shelf life and no odor. When using other vegetable oils, you run the risk of the going rancid and therefore ruin all your hard work by spoiling your perfume.

Patchouli provides an earthy heady scent that pairs well with the unabashedly feminine and floral scent of rose. Rose wax is a natural by-product of rose absolute, and far less expensive.

• 2 oz Jojoba oil
• 0.1 oz Rose wax
• 0.5 oz Beeswax
• 20 drops Patchouli essential oil

1. i double boiler over low heat, gently melt together the jojoba oil and beeswax.

2.  Add rose wax. When that is melted, add patchouli, stir and remove from heat.

3. Pour a small amount of the perfume into a container to cool; test for scent. If you prefer a stronger patchouli scent you can add more patchouli oil; for a stronger rose scent, add more rose wax and reheat. When it's to your liking, pour the perfume into containers and let cool.

Southern Belle Solid Perfume~Mimosa wax has a deliciously sweet, almost fruity scent with candy-like tones. It is a delightfully light floral. Mimosa wax is a natural by-product of mimosa absolute. You can make this solid perfume using only the mimosa wax for a one-note floral aroma,or if you're feeling adventurous, enhance it with a few drops of petitgrain and ylnag-ylang essential oils.

• 2 oz jojoba oil
• 0.5 oz beeswax
• 0.5 oz mimosa wax
• 15 drops petitgrain
• 15 drops ylang-ylang

1. a double boiler over low heat, gently melt together jojoba and beeswax.

2. Add mimosa wax, when that is melted, add the petitgrain and ylang-ylang oils (if using)

3. Stir and remove from heat.

4. Pour a small amount of the perfume into a container to cool then test for scent; add more mimosa wax or essentail oils as desired and reheat.

5. When you are satisfied with the scent strength, pour the perfume into containers and cool.

Powder Perfumes

Powder perfumes are great for preventing chaffing of the skin, keeping your body cool and dry and making the skin feel silky when smoothed on.

Use either arrowroot powder or cornstarch as the base of your body powder. Both help absorb moisture and body odor and can even be used instead of deodorant.

Rose Garden Body Powder~For this powder you can use roses from your own garden that have been dried and ground with a coffee grinder or you can purchase ground rose petals. Deep red roses will add a light pink color to the feminine body powder.

• 1 oz finely ground rose petals (about 1/4 cup)
• 5 oz arrowroot powder or cornstarch (about 1 cup)
• 5 drops rose absolute

1. Place ground rose petals into a medium sized bowl.

2. Add the rose absolute and use a spoon to thoroughly incorporate it into the ground rose petals.

3. Slowly add arrowroot or cornstarch a few tablespoons at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition. When powder is completely mixed, put it in a plastic bag or container to let sit for 24 hours, allowing it to absorb the scent.

Amber--infused Body Powder~Amber resin is a heady, exotic resinous blend of essential oils, herbs, absolutes, resins, and waxes. It is my favorite scent of all time! It's a slightly crumbly solid material that can be used in soaps, perfumes, body oils and more.

• 5-6 oz arrowroot powder or cornstarch
• Pea sized chunk of amber resin.

In an airtight container, combine the arrowroot powder or cornstarch and the amber resin. You do not need to crush the resin; just place it with the powder. Close the container and let it sit for several days. The scent of amber resin will infuse into the powder. Simply add more powder as needed.