Making you own fragrance/perfume

[MLIW]

Has anyone on here ever created there own perfume?
Its something Ive been interested in for a while... But can only find minimal information on the internet regarding the creation process...

Anyone know of some half decent kits which I could buy?

Cheers

 

[ysc]

The only kits I have heard of were aimed squarely at 12 year old girls, unless you want to smell like Barbie Candy Princess or whatever I don't think you will have much luck.
I have heard of places making bespoke scents, I imagine this would cost a fortune though.
I am sure you can buy the varios oils used by pros, but again I think it would be expensive and difficult to find in the small quantities you would want.

If I wanted to make a perfume I guess I would get some some pure grain alcohol or similar non harmful, non strong smelling solvent and whatever oils or bits and pieces I wanted to smell of. Grind them up, boil them down, concentrate then dehydrate them and dissolve the stuff in the solvent. It dosn't sound like a good idea, but based on having to do varios chemical things to plants etc. early in my bio degree this would probably work with a bit of trial and error.
I think you would smell bad though.

 

[ysc]

Google it, there is a fair bit

http://www..............com/cosmetic...ds-775401.html

http://www.essortment.com/all/perfumemakehow_rdpm.htm

 

[Thomas]

There are thousands of existing perfumes out there already covering a wide base of scents, I'd spend more time finding the ones that suit you rather than dropping $$$ on a DIY passel.

More to the point, a lot of it is trial-and-error, so you'll be throwing a lot of your creations out, and for the most part, they're a lot more complicated than they seem, so you'll be learning a lot as you go. Basenotes is probably a good starting place, if you check their DIY board.

Although...if you absolutely have to give it a shot...my recommendation is to take something you already like, preferably inexpensive, and try adding to it to create something else. Lots of people mix/blend, or layer fragrances to get something new and different. I'd try that before buying a fragrance lab.

 

[MLIW]

Thanks for the replies.

Just something I was curious about cheers

 

[ysc]

I can understand the temptation to do this, it would be pretty interesting as an experiment. I think if you did it as an experiment with the possibility of getting something worth wearing as a (distant) possible bonus.

I guess I would start with unsmoked cigar, sandalwood, brandy or whiskey, maybe some orange and lavender or something to make is sweeter for a strong manly one, and cut grass, lime, with a hint of leather or wood smoke for something a bit summery. It would be interesting to try.

But Thomas is right, if you are after a scent you want you can probably find it out there already, there must be thousands of brands, and interesting as it is I shan't be cracking my chemistry kit out any time soon.