Discover a Sweet-Smelling World

• Perfume is a widely used substance and deemed essential in the daily social lives of many. Instead of buying perfumes from the store and not knowing what they are made of, it's possible to make perfumes at home with varying aromas and styles, relying on any number of attainable ingredients. There is a wide world to discover when it comes to homemade aromas.
  
  

Preparation and Warnings

• The basic ingredients at the core of all perfumes are water, alcohol and fragrant oils, which cobbled together in different amounts create the desired sweet-smelling mixture. The amount of oil relative to the alcohol and water determines the power of the scent in each batch; more fragrant oils in relation to alcohol and water will lead to a more potent smell and experience. An initial tip to keep in mind is that only 100-proof alcohol should be used. Also, any bit of water won't do. Water from the faucet should be avoided, and only fully distilled water can be used in the blends. Additionally, when mixing anything in this matter, perfume or not, the resulting mixture should be tested for any harsh reactions to the skin or allergies. A test drop or two directly onto the skin in a non-noticeable place will do the trick and ensure safety.
  
  

Creating and Maturing

• With the ingredients in place, to make a simple batch of homemade perfume, take the 100-proof alcohol and stir the desired fragrance oil into in it (choose your own; sandalwood, cassis, and lavender are examples) but don't be in a rush. Take your time and add in the fragrance oil literally one drop at a time, so as to ensure a competent mixture. Stir thoroughly but not ferociously--slow rotations are the way to go. Once this blend is fully stirred, let it sit for 2 days. Then add the distilled water and follow the same course of slow, methodical stirring until the mixture becomes one coherent mix.
  Despite the fact that the homemade perfume is technically finished, it may not be suitable for immediate use. Like other substances that must age, the perfume batch must mature by being allowed to sit longer. This is a slow process that will take sheltering in a temperate, dark area for at least 2 to 3 weeks. After this point, filtering the mixture is required, and only then can it be bottled and used.
  
  

Tips

• Keep in mind that when making the mixture, watch closely the ratio between the three main ingredients of alcohol, water and oils, as the oils are strong and even a slight miscalculation will result in a completely different scent. When attempting to replicate a successfully made batch, precision is mandatory.