everclear/perfume notes

[Guest guest]

It all depends on which eo's you use.

I take it you are new to perfume making?

Certain oils last longer-- patchouli, sandalood, vetiver while

others like citrus oils disappear quickly.

The oils are categorized in base notes, middle notes, and top notes.

The top notes (citrus oils for example) are the first aromas you smell,

then

they are followed by the middle notes, then the base notes. Usually, in

my

blends the scents that last the longest are my base notes.

I hope I explained that correctly.

Everclear is my first choice for perfumes but I don't think Everclear vs.

vodka

makes a difference in its staying power. I have made roll on oil perfume

with jojoba

oil and my blends seem to last longer than my alcohol based sprays.

 

 

On Wed, 16 Feb 2005 13:23:31 -0500 " M. Gilbert "

<michelle.gilbert writes:

>

> how is your staying power, if you make fragrance? Mine fades after

> a couple

> hours. Is this normal?

[Guest guest]

Yes, I am completely new to this... just decided to try it on a whim,

really. Have made one blend and really liked it. I just did 80% vodka,

5% distilled water, 15% EO blend. It separates and I have to shake before

application, but that doesn't bother me. It would be nice to make as gifts

and find a way to stabilize it so to speak, but for my use it is immaterial.

I did not add a carrier oil as the instructions I found did not call for

one. I did not try just applying it in a carrier oil yet without the

alcohol, so maybe that is something I will try next time.

 

Definitely my base oils lasted longer than the top notes I added, which were

citrus as you say, but the whole thing did not seem to stay long at all

really. I was quite surprised. I had explained in an earlier post that I

had a book that said to add up to 30% EOs, but I was not sure that was so

good from a dermal application standpoint, depending, of course, on what

oils I chose. It seemed rather strong, although I suppose I'm applying a

rather small amount at one time.

 

Can you explain why the higher alcohol content in Everclear makes it

preferable to vodka?

 

I am wondering where might I find good references to learn more about this.

 

Thanks very much for all the input!

 

- Michelle

 

 

Laura t Sarbach [macbach]

Wednesday, February 16, 2005 2:01 PM

Cc:

Re: everclear/perfume notes

 

 

It all depends on which eo's you use.

I take it you are new to perfume making?

Certain oils last longer-- patchouli, sandalood, vetiver while

others like citrus oils disappear quickly.

The oils are categorized in base notes, middle notes, and top notes.

The top notes (citrus oils for example) are the first aromas you smell,

then

they are followed by the middle notes, then the base notes. Usually, in

my

blends the scents that last the longest are my base notes.

I hope I explained that correctly.

Everclear is my first choice for perfumes but I don't think Everclear vs.

vodka

makes a difference in its staying power. I have made roll on oil perfume

with jojoba

oil and my blends seem to last longer than my alcohol based sprays.

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

Thanks so much for all the info... guess I am not as far off as I thought.

Also thanks for the great references!!! That should keep me busy for a

while ;-)

 

I wore my blend on V-day and it was met with MUCH acclaim... tee hee hee.

It was quite an alluring scent. I do think my body chemistry is a bit,

er, harsh. I darken cheap jewelry and all that good stuff. Only quality

bling for me!!! Gee bummer.

 

To be honest, I borrowed a recipe I saw on another list, and then added a

bit of citrus and also some Patchouli to it because it just seemed to need

that. It is NOT entirely my own original blend. Can't take credit for it.

Not yet... someday I'll totally create my own, and only then will I give it

as gifts or whatever. I was hooked instantly on the personal nature of

this. I only have poor quality EOs until I can begin to acquire some

better ones, so I thought this might be good use of them in lieu of

therapeutic use.

 

Thanks again!!!

 

- Michelle

Laura t Sarbach [macbach]

Wednesday, February 16, 2005 4:50 PM

Cc:

Re: everclear/perfume notes

 

 

Michelle,

 

On Wed, 16 Feb 2005 14:10:17 -0500 " M. Gilbert "

<michelle.gilbert writes:

> It separates and I have to shake

> before

> application, but that doesn't bother me. It would be nice to make

> as gifts

> and find a way to stabilize it so to speak, but for my use it is

> immaterial.

 

If you really want to stop the separation, you need to add and

emulsifier to your product. I have tried a few that did the job, but

it left my mixes cloudy. I just didn't like the look so I just settle

with

shaking.

 

 

> I did not add a carrier oil as the instructions I found did not call

> for

> one. I did not try just applying it in a carrier oil yet without

> the

> alcohol, so maybe that is something I will try next time.

 

I just add my eo blend to jojoba and pour in a roll top bottle and

it is ready to go. Jojoba is my favorite because it is not greasy and

doesn't really affect the aroma.

 

> Definitely my base oils lasted longer than the top notes I added,

> which were

> citrus as you say, but the whole thing did not seem to stay long at

> all

> really. I was quite surprised.

 

I guess some of my blends don't last more than a few hours either. But,

I make a most of my personal perfumes with lots of patchouli and

sandalwood

and those will last all day! I can even smell it on my clothes when I do

laundry

days later!!

I have also heard that body chemistry, humidity, etc. can also effect how

long your perfume will last.

 

I had explained in an earlier post

> that I

> had a book that said to add up to 30% EOs, but I was not sure that

> was so

> good from a dermal application standpoint, depending, of course, on

> what

> oils I chose. It seemed rather strong, although I suppose I'm

> applying a

> rather small amount at one time.

 

I know a lot of recipes call for up to 30% eo, but I don't use that much

myself. I do 15 to 20.

I know what you mean about the strength. I am not too sure myself except

that the strength of you oils should be in proportion to how, where, and

who

you apply it to.

 

>

> Can you explain why the higher alcohol content in Everclear makes

> it

> preferable to vodka?

 

The higher alcohol the better the eo's are blended. Vodka has more water

in it so the eo's do not mix as well. That's why you have to shake it.

 

>

> I am wondering where might I find good references to learn more

> about this.

 

I am not at my normal computer but here are a couple:

 

http://www.parfumsraffy.com/instructions.html

 

http://thetoiletrieslibrary.info/recipefiles/perfume.htm

(this site has great info, recipes, ideas, crafts etc...)

 

I have a book called Perfumes, Splashes, and Colognes.

It had great recipes and info. It gave me enough confidence

to begin experimenting on my own and now I am hooked!

I love it when someone comes up to me and says " Your perfume is

so pretty, what is it? " Then they are surprised when I say that I made

it!

 

Laura

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

Michelle,

 

On Wed, 16 Feb 2005 14:10:17 -0500 " M. Gilbert "

<michelle.gilbert writes:

> It separates and I have to shake

> before

> application, but that doesn't bother me. It would be nice to make

> as gifts

> and find a way to stabilize it so to speak, but for my use it is

> immaterial.

 

If you really want to stop the separation, you need to add and

emulsifier to your product. I have tried a few that did the job, but

it left my mixes cloudy. I just didn't like the look so I just settle

with

shaking.

 

 

> I did not add a carrier oil as the instructions I found did not call

> for

> one. I did not try just applying it in a carrier oil yet without

> the

> alcohol, so maybe that is something I will try next time.

 

I just add my eo blend to jojoba and pour in a roll top bottle and

it is ready to go. Jojoba is my favorite because it is not greasy and

doesn't really affect the aroma.

 

> Definitely my base oils lasted longer than the top notes I added,

> which were

> citrus as you say, but the whole thing did not seem to stay long at

> all

> really. I was quite surprised.

 

I guess some of my blends don't last more than a few hours either. But,

I make a most of my personal perfumes with lots of patchouli and

sandalwood

and those will last all day! I can even smell it on my clothes when I do

laundry

days later!!

I have also heard that body chemistry, humidity, etc. can also effect how

long your perfume will last.

 

I had explained in an earlier post

> that I

> had a book that said to add up to 30% EOs, but I was not sure that

> was so

> good from a dermal application standpoint, depending, of course, on

> what

> oils I chose. It seemed rather strong, although I suppose I'm

> applying a

> rather small amount at one time.

 

I know a lot of recipes call for up to 30% eo, but I don't use that much

myself. I do 15 to 20.

I know what you mean about the strength. I am not too sure myself except

that the strength of you oils should be in proportion to how, where, and

who

you apply it to.

 

>

> Can you explain why the higher alcohol content in Everclear makes

> it

> preferable to vodka?

 

The higher alcohol the better the eo's are blended. Vodka has more water

in it so the eo's do not mix as well. That's why you have to shake it.

 

>

> I am wondering where might I find good references to learn more

> about this.

 

I am not at my normal computer but here are a couple:

 

http://www.parfumsraffy.com/instructions.html

 

http://thetoiletrieslibrary.info/recipefiles/perfume.htm

(this site has great info, recipes, ideas, crafts etc...)

 

I have a book called Perfumes, Splashes, and Colognes.

It had great recipes and info. It gave me enough confidence

to begin experimenting on my own and now I am hooked!

I love it when someone comes up to me and says " Your perfume is

so pretty, what is it? " Then they are surprised when I say that I made

it!

 

Laura

[Guest guest]

, " M. Gilbert "

<michelle.gilbert@s...> wrote:

I just did 80% vodka,

> 5% distilled water, 15% EO blend. It separates and I have to shake

before

> application, but that doesn't bother me. It would be nice to make

as gifts

> and find a way to stabilize it so to speak, but for my use it is

immaterial.

> I did not add a carrier oil as the instructions I found did not call for

> one.

 

 

Hi Michelle,

 

I find it suspicion that it has seperated. It shouldn't if they are

true EO's.

 

Sounds like they may be adulterated --or are actually FO's --or at

the least, diluted in some sort of carrier oil.

 

EO's in alcohol *dissolve* in alcohol.

 

Andrea

[Guest guest]

Hi Andrea,

EO's are soluble in alcohol but if she was using

vodka they may not completely " dissolve " because

of the amount of water in the vodka. (And I think she also

said she added distilled water to the alcohol). I have used cheep

42 proof vodka which means that since it is 21% alcohol

that would leave 70% water. Since such a large amount of

the liquid is water the eo's float on top. Everclear is 95%

alcohol so when eo's are added they disperse quickly.

I am not sure what percentage of alcohol is needed for

eo's to mix with water, that is why if everclear is unavailable,

it is suggested to use the highest proof vodka you can get.

I don't have any experience with fo's but some absolutes like

vanilla do not mix well either. When added to fixed (carrier) oils the

vanilla doesn't mix but drops to the bottom because it is heavier

than the fixed oil.

Laura

 

>

> I find it suspicion that it has seperated. It shouldn't if they

> are

> true EO's.

>

> Sounds like they may be adulterated --or are actually FO's --or at

> the least, diluted in some sort of carrier oil.

>

> EO's in alcohol *dissolve* in alcohol.

>

> Andrea

[Guest guest]

Hi Andrea... here's where I sheepisly say these are CHEEEEEEEP EOs,

purchased at places like Whole Foods or Wild Oats, from when I first started

discovering EOs last couple years and needed to also be frugal, but before I

knew better for sure. I am trying to find pleasant ways to use them up

until I get a good quality collection built up to use for more therapeutic

purposes, etc, but still also for fragrances and the like.

 

Therefore, in this blend I made, one of them is 10% rose, one 5% jasmine.

So, precisely as you say, that's gonna float.

 

I did not know good EOs incorporated into the alcohol, but that part is all

making sense now. I suppose also that may explain why the fragrance doesn't

have its staying power. Aha!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

 

 

 

Andrea [itsmedrea1]

Wednesday, February 16, 2005 8:45 PM

Re: everclear/perfume notes

 

 

 

Hi Michelle,

 

I find it suspicion that it has seperated. It shouldn't if they are

true EO's.

 

Sounds like they may be adulterated --or are actually FO's --or at

the least, diluted in some sort of carrier oil.

 

EO's in alcohol *dissolve* in alcohol.

 

Andrea

 

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

Not Andrea here but.. ;-)

 

...so why did the recipe I saw suggest to add 5% or more water then? Cost

cutting? How odd.

 

Michelle in Cleve

 

Laura t Sarbach [macbach]

Wednesday, February 16, 2005 10:31 PM

Cc:

Re: Re: everclear/perfume notes

 

 

Hi Andrea,

EO's are soluble in alcohol but if she was using

vodka they may not completely " dissolve " because

of the amount of water in the vodka. (And I think she also

said she added distilled water to the alcohol). I have used cheep

42 proof vodka which means that since it is 21% alcohol

that would leave 70% water. Since such a large amount of

the liquid is water the eo's float on top. Everclear is 95%

alcohol so when eo's are added they disperse quickly.

I am not sure what percentage of alcohol is needed for

eo's to mix with water, that is why if everclear is unavailable,

it is suggested to use the highest proof vodka you can get.

I don't have any experience with fo's but some absolutes like

vanilla do not mix well either. When added to fixed (carrier) oils the

vanilla doesn't mix but drops to the bottom because it is heavier

than the fixed oil.

Laura