STINKY BUSINESS

Most home products and toiletries are scented. Consider how many of those you come in contact with daily: Hand soap, body wash, shampoo, conditioner, gels, sprays, makeup, body lotion, deodorant, laundry detergent, dryer sheets, dish soap, air freshener, candles, carpet cleaner, etc. Since these products are scented with synthetic fragrance, the daily dose of chemicals bombarding your system could be unhealthy. Why not replace some of these products with a scent that is kinder to your system, more appealing to your nose, and easy to create? (Remember my mantra: invest in your health, because it is priceless.)

Synthetic fragrance can be an irritant and doesn’t hold up well on skin. Most perfumes and colognes on the market are now made with synthetic fragrance, not essential oils. Essential oils are extracted from plants and flowers. They are concentrated and contain nothing but the derived oil or essence. Fragrance oils are synthetically created chemicals blended with an inexpensive carrier oil. After a few hours on the skin, the odor falls apart and doesn’t marry with your natural chemistry like essential oil based perfumes.
Why pay for a fake? That’s STINKY BUSINESS.

There are many websites for making your own perfumes, with recipes and combinations to get you started. I open several bottles of essential oils and smell them next to each other to find my special blends. Try a one note fragrance with an essential oil that can stand on its own, like lavender. Or find out what that pricey bottle of perfume claims to be made from, and create a mix from a real source.

To begin, you need a 4-6oz glass container with a spritzer top, or an old perfume bottle. Tinted glass is recommended because sunlight can affect the natural ingredients. The universal combination for perfume is always essential oil, 100-195 proof vodka, and distilled water. The ratio depends on whether you are making a perfume, cologne, or body spritz .

My favorite body spritz and home spray is:
-4oz. bottle
-20-50 drops of essential oil
-2 tsps vodka
-Distilled water to fill

The ratio for perfume:
-2 1/2oz vodka
-2 TB distilled water
-15 to 30% essential oils

You can add a few drops of liquid glycerin or jojoba oil to enhance the fragrance.

I recommend mixing the vodka with the essential oils, then wait at least 48 hours before adding the distilled water.

Always shake before using and keep away from eyes. Not all essential oils can be sprayed on the face.

I design individualized scents for my friends and family, translating personalities into fragrance.
I keep a log of recipes for happy refills. Each time you make these wonderful gifts for yourself and others, you’ll get familiar with the compatibilities of essential oils, like a bartender stirring up winning concoctions.

Also add a few drops of essential oils to your laundry washing. They have medicinal, anti- bacterial qualities, especially eucalyptus. Alan Hayes is my favorite aroma-phile, he gives great tips for practical easy home remedies. You’ll never buy febreeze again!
Check out the “archives” section of his website: itssonatural.com
If you want more information about natural perfumes check out: http://www.yehcenter.com/

Pay attention to what you smell everyday. Try mixing your own scents, it’s a creative party for your nose and brain. And when someone stops you to ask, “What are you wearing?” Won’t it be fun to say, "A signature scent I designed for myself".
Yummy.