In today’s world, people are becoming more aware of just how important it is to know where their food supply comes from. From heirloom seeds to organically grown fruits and vegetables that we can grow and preserve ourselves, it is very comforting to know that we can be self sufficient, and safe knowing exactly what we’re eating because we grew it!
So then, what about the other products that we use daily? It was a rather natural question for me to ask of myself. If I can grow and preserve my own food, why can’t I make the other products that I use? What about soap, shampoo, toothpaste, lotion, and body spray? After all, our skin is living tissue that absorbs the things it comes in contact with. Reading the ingredients list for these products is quite the task. I can’t even pronounce half of them, and even then, I don’t know what they are! This put me on a mission to find recipes to make all these products myself! Now, I am happy to report, that I do indeed make all these things myself, and more!
I want to share a very simple recipe to make your own body spray or cologne. It only takes 2 simple ingredients! That’s it! So easy to do!
Recipe:
1/3 cup 100 proof vodka
Fragrance oil
You will need a measuring cup for the vodka, an eye dropper for the fragrance oil, and a colored glass container with a lid to put your body spray into.
You can buy colored glass containers online from various places. I am a thrifter, so I got mine from local thrift stores or yard sales. I found some really cool, old Avon bottles for just a couple dollars. I brought them home and washed them up. They work beautifully!
Measure your vodka into measuring cup. Now add at least 3 droppers full of fragrance oil of your choice to vodka. You can add a bit more than this if you like, but any less than 3 is a little on the weak side for scent, in my opinion. The more you add, the stronger it will be. Use your own nose and judgment! When you’re satisfied with the scent, pour into colored glass container and put on lid. Now, give it a good shake! You will need to let this set in a dark place for 30 days, shaking it once daily. Don’t worry, if you miss a day, it won’t be ruined! After 30 days, it’s ready!
I like to put it into a small spray bottle for ease of use when it’s finished. I have a used bottle from another body spray that I had purchased. I just washed it out and re-used.
A few words about fragrance oils, they aren’t all the same. You want to make sure that your oils are safe for cosmetic and body products. I wouldn’t go to Wal-Mart and buy the cheap scented oils you would find there. They might be fine for making your home smell good, but not necessarily safe for contact with your skin. I buy all my soap making and body product supplies from this site online, Wholesale Soap Making Supplies and Candle Making Supplies – WholesaleSuppliesPlus
They have a huge selection and there prices are very good. They also have free shipping to the U.S. and Canada with a $30 minimum order.
Another great place is Mountain Rose Herbs | Bulk organic herbs, spices & essential oils
You could also use essential oils instead of fragrance oils in your body spray if you choose. Just remember, some essential oils are stronger than others, so you will need to adjust for scent accordingly. Also, some people can have slight skin irritation from certain essential oils if they are too strong. I’m sure some people may have an argument as to why essential oils are better, so if you want to, by all means use them! I do use essential oils in other applications; I just prefer fragrance oils in this instance.
Once you try this body spray, I predict you will be hooked! My first trial was with a single fragrance, and I loved how it turned out! Now, I’ve been experimenting with mixing multiple scents! Oh what fun!You can invent your own FABULOUS fragrance! When someone comments,” ooohhhh, you smell wonderful, what is that you’re wearing,” you can reply, “well, DARLING, that’s my own fragrance! I call it_________!” Fill in the blank with your own famous name!
I think this would also be a great project to do with young, teenage girls. What young girl wouldn’t love to make her own scented body spray?
I’ve also done a masculine, manly scent for my husband as cologne, and that turned out a keeper as well! Now go get that nose workin, and put together your own fabulous, fragrant body spray!
