Making Scents

[naomi_jay]

I'm really obsessed with perfume. It seems logical to me I should make my own. Reading Jessica Verday's The Hollow has sealed this decision for me. Rummaging around online, it seems like it's not actually that expensive to do. I just to find the initial equipment to get started, and most of the websites I've found so far are either defunct or based in the US. I'm convinced there must be somewhere local I can get what I need - Boots should stock essential oils, I know a couple of shops that do/did stock fragrance oils. Then it's just getting the odds and ends for mixing, storing, etc. There must be a UK website somewhere, right?

I have this crazy dream of making enough money from my writing that I can quit, move to the sea, and spent my weeks writing and my weekends making perfume, and I have an open fireplace and a cat. Maybe a donkey too. I think the closest I'll get is probably just ... well, what I'm doing now, which is not living by the sea, writing in the evenings, and owning various snakes. But if I add perfume-making into the mix, I'm one step closer to my dream.

Comments

[h-a-holmes.livejournal.com]

My mum's a beauty therapist and has a ton of essential oils and stuff I couldn't even name to blend into lotions and gels. I'll ask her when I see her where she gets them from and if you have to be "in the trade" to buy from there.

Also, I love making my own lotions and potions. I think it has something to do with my innate love of witchcraft, lol ^_^

[naomi-jay.livejournal.com]

Oh cool, thanks! I have a friend who makes scented candles, so I might email her too. All the kits I've seen online are beautiful, but very expensive. I think I'll be better off cobbling something together!

[h-a-holmes.livejournal.com]

I've always wanted to make scented soaps, but apparently it's very dangerous! lol

[muninnhuginn]

Dangerously addictive ;-)

[h-a-holmes.livejournal.com]

lol ^__^

Couple of recommendations

[muninnhuginn]

I've used http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Aromatherapy-products-Katseye?_rdc=1 for bottles, unscented lotions to add perfumes to, and it's all been good.

I've bought fragrences and supplies for soap and candles from here: http://www.thesoapkitchen.co.uk/ Also good and prompt delivery.

(I now can't make homemade popcorn 'cos the spare saucepan's got a slightly strange smell about it. Looby Loo did soaps a couple of Xmases back--using my BPAL for the scents. I did candles.)

I'd recommend wearing latex/rubber gloves whilst handling essnetial oils: when they're neat, they stick around on the skin for ages and can cause unexpected reactions.

Re: Couple of recommendations

[naomi-jay.livejournal.com]

Oh cool, will check these out later! Lol, LJ is so much more helpful than Facebook. All I got there was jokes about whale vomit.

[mermaiden.livejournal.com]

One of my best friends owns The Misery/Love Co., and I--myself--am madly obsessed with perfume oils. XDDDDD THIS IS SO MADE OF WIN AND JOY! You'd be kick ass at it, surely~ <3

Have you heard of this site? I don't know if they ship to the UK, but they have EVERY BASE SCENT YOU COULD IMAGINE AND SEVERAL BAJILLION NO ONE COULD. XD

(I just checked on their site--they ship internationally!) <3

[naomi-jay.livejournal.com]

Yay for international shipping! I know what my birthday money is going on this year ^_^ Thanks for the links!

[mermaiden.livejournal.com]

Sure thing~! If you decide to really get into this (like in an addictive fashion! XDDD), I have links for shiiiiiiiiny bottles and decanting supplies, too. :D <3

[dwg.livejournal.com]

I love this idea! And making scented candles - there was something on Better Homes & Gardens (of all things) that showed how to make your own in second-hand glasses and teacups that wound up looking amazing.

Also, it should be so much fun getting to name things. You could have a Midnight Scream in honour of Afterlife. :D

[naomi-jay.livejournal.com]

I would totally make scents for all my characters. I'm getting myself all excited now and I won't even be able to buy anything to get started until the end of April, lol.

[craving-vintage.livejournal.com]

I love perfume! I never thought about making any though. Sounds like it would be something fun to do and have a signature scent. :)