Monday, October 24, 2011

DIY Smell Goods

Every time I Spray on my cologne, they be like girl what you got on,!!


So I started looking into perfume (kinda guilted(sp?) into it,lol) and didn't want to use all the crazy chemical laden sprays and itchy creams that make me sneeze so I picked up my Aromatherapy book( need to buy another one, my current one is very limited).  I'm cool with smelling like lavender or some citrus-e like flavor,lol! 

So in my research I found three natural ways to make your own natural smell goods: spray (infusion & alcohol based), solid, oil.  Out of the three, I have tried perfume oil and I'm not sure I did it right because the smell does not last at all.  I also  purchased a solid perfume from LUSH, which was NOT natural, ugh random purchases always get me!  Anyhoo, I will try making my own solid perfume soon.  I will not be trying either spray because I'm not trying to worry about proper preservation of water based products, finding 100 proof pure grain alcohol AND sprays make me sneeze.  Sprays seem to permeate around you ALL day,  that's why they don't allow you to apply any perfumes before laser eye surgery for example, lol.

In this post I will explain the basics to making your own natural fragrance.  To learn about different recipes & application, visit here

  • Spray (water & alcohol based)
  • Solid Perfume
  • Perfume Oils

How to:
  • You can either use fragrance oil or essential oils. 
    •  Fragrance oils tend to be synthetic, however I have seen some sellers say they have natural fragrance oils, but I'm not sure about those. 
  • First figure out what scent your going for, citrus, sexy, floral, relaxing, woodsy, spicy or a combination. 
    • Visit your local health foods store and smell all their EO's and absolute($$) to figure out what you like ( My new found love is Neroli)
  • Choose your top note, middle note and base note. 
    • Top Note: This is the scent you notice first, but it doesn't last long because it evaporates quickest. Top notes are a small portion of the final blend and include fresh, light citrus scents using such oils as bergamot, neroli, lemon, lime, rosemary, orange or mint.
      Middle Note: This links the base and top scents and determines the fragrance family. Middle notes include flowery essential oils, such as jasmine, rose germanium and ylang-ylang.
      Base Note or Fixative: This scent lasts the longest, adds fullness and carries the other scents. Derived from balsams, roots, resins and wood, bases include such oils as sandalwood, vetiver and patchouli and tend to be dark, heavy and sweet.
      When purchasing EO's websites/aromatherapy books will tell you what note they are and recommend other EO's to blend them with.
      • Some wholesalers do the blending for you and sell EO blends pre-made (find a local aromatherapy shop near you to help)
      • To keep things simple, you can use one EO, i.e. lavender to make your fragrance
  • Create your blend taking your time to test how every drop effects the fragrance
  • Choose your desired application method
    • Carrier Oil- Almond & Jojoba Oils are highly recommended & add EO/Fragrance oil
    • Alcohol
    • Water- will need preservative and emulsifier(or just shake before each application)
    • Solid Perfume (oil & beeswax)
  • Store Oil & Essential Oils in UV safe glass jar only
  • Let sit for 1 week to allow scent to strengthen optional

Side note: I also found aromatherapy workshops/stores that make private appointment to assist you in creating your own personal fragrance blend.  They will then keep a file of your fragrance that you name and whenever you need a refill they make it for you.  Cool huh!


More Resources & Sources
DIY Natural Perfume
http://www.livestrong.com/article/188351-how-to-make-natural-body-oils/

Friday, October 21, 2011

Ayurvedic Butter- Lazy Way

Cold weather equals a need for heavier oils and/or butters, so here is the easy Ayurvedic butter I whipped up as promised!

 
FYI- I call this the "lazy way" because I didn't make any of my own oil infusions.  Instead I used purchased Ayurvedic oils.

 
I didn't really formulate/measure this, but just poured until my heart felt content so bear w/me.  Kicking myself for not taking the time to measure this recipe out, ugh!

 

 
4 tbsp    Vatika Coconut Oil  (ayurvedic coconut oil)
1/4 cup  Cocoa Butter         
1 Cup    Shea Butter            
1/4 Cup Mango Butter         
1/3 Cup Bringraj Oil            
1/3 cup  Jojoba Oil & Almond Oil Blend w/ Grapefruit & Lavender EO
1 tsp      Vitamin E Oil         
1tsp       Veggie Glycerin     

I didn't want this butter to be to oily so I tried to keep the oilier oils to minimum.

Instruction:

 
  1. Soften cocoa butter in double boiler
  2. Measure & add each ingredient and add to glass or metal mixing bowl
  3. Using hand mixer, blend ingredients until butter is soft in fluffy
  4. Place butter in clean and sterilized jar for storage.

 
Be careful not to get water in butter to avoid mold.

 
I have used this butter for twist outs, mini twist, sealing my end, as a pomade and for my skin when in a rush lol!!  And it Rocks!

 
Enjoy!

Thursday, October 20, 2011

My Hair Style Wishlist

Box Braids ( Wish I could braid..smh)  I really love that messy top bun look


Sengalese Twist (I really love that messy top bun look)




Long Hair!!!!


Yarn Braids ( still on the fence, I need to see these in person)

Full Sew-in



Updo



What's on your wishlist?