Perfume need not come with a heavy price tag. Many forms of body fragrance can be made at home without special tools. Once you have bought that gorgeous antique perfume atomizer, try one of these homemade perfume recipes to fill it!
~~Rose water~~
This simple solution not only smells wonderful but also moisturizes skin. Combine three tablespoons rose soluble, two cups distilled water and two tablespoons of glycerin. Place in a spray bottle for spritzing skin all over or use as a splash after bath.
~~Aftershave soother~~
Sooth away shaving burn with this spicy solution. Combine two cups rubbing alcohol, one teaspoon glycerin, and one tablespoon each dried lavender, dried rosemary and ground cloves in a lidded jar. Refrigerate for three days, shaking twice per day. Strain liquid into lidded bottle. Splash cool liquid on face, neck, legs or underarms. Store in refrigerator up to two months.
~~Eau de cologne~~
You can substitute any essential oil into this recipe to suit your personal tastes. Combine one cup rubbing alcohol, one-half cup dried lavender and one tablespoon olive oil in a lidded jar. Store in refrigerator for two days, shaking twice per day. Strain the liquid and stir in one cup distilled water and three drops of bergamot oil.
~~Citrus eau de toilet~~
While taking longer to cure than cologne, eau de toilet will last longer on skin. Here you have the opportunity to experiment with other similar essential oils. Mix one teaspoon each lavender and lemon oils with two teaspoons jasmine oil and three teaspoons bergamot oil. Add four drops each clove, cinnamon and neroli oils with two teaspoons tincture of musk. Mix oils with one-half cup vodka. Gradually add another two and one-quarter cups of vodka and five tablespoons rose water, stirring constantly.
Bottle tightly and let stand for one month, shaking every three days. If cloudy once mature, strain through a coffee filter until clear.
~~Perfume~~
A classic fragrance of the Victorian era has never lost its appeal. In a small jar, combine one half cup rubbing alcohol, one quarter cup whole cloves and one teaspoon orrisroot. Age two days, shaking three times per day. Strain liquid into atomizer to spritz or small bottle to dab.
Making your own fragrance can be your own little secret. After trying a few of the basics, your imagination, and your nose, can be your guide to homemade perfume recipes!