Homemade Perfume Recipes

Homemade perfume recipes are getting popular day by day among women from all walks of life. Now this doesn't mean that the top perfumes which are sold in the market are inferior. However, homemade perfumes have a personal touch within them which makes it more special. Now we all know that perfumes buying is expensive and due to the recent economic downturn people obviously don't want to spend their money on something which is not going to last long. Using homemade perfume recipes is not a bad idea after all, you get to choose your own ingredients and you can use it for your own self.

How to Make Homemade Perfume

When you talk about homemade perfume recipes, you talk about making scented water which can be termed as a perfume, cologne or toilet water. Making perfumes yourself gives you an opportunity to expand your creativity and also experiment with different kinds of fragrances. Once you've made an excellent homemade perfume by yourself, I guarantee that you won't feel the need to purchase any of the best perfumes you see or read about. There are no special skills which are required to make homemade perfumes, you just have to follow the procedure of making various types of perfumes and you will have the best product on your hand. It's very difficult to find perfumer's alcohol in the market, so vodka can be a good alternative. Make sure the perfume you're making is for personal use and not for sale. The main ingredient should be 100 proof alcohol and make sure to test a single drop on your skin so that you don't suffer from an allergic reaction. Scented oils and distilled water are also important in making perfumes.

Homemade Perfume Oil

Due to the rising popularity of homemade stuff, women and men are gaining interest in homemade perfumes oil rather than buying branded ones. There are many advantages in buying homemade perfume oil, it's more cost effective than other other brands and you also know the ingredients which you are using. If you are looking for some tips in making perfume oil, then I advise you to add a suitable carrier oil in your recipe. Carrier oils are extracted from plants, seeds, nuts and kernels. They are used to prevent skin irritation which is very common when you apply scented oils. The second ingredient which you can use are the essential oils. They are highly concentrated and extremely potent which means that they can't be used directly. It's always recommended to mix 2 drops of essential oil in a tablespoon of carrier oil for a long lasting and amazing perfume oil. The last and the most important ingredient is the fragrance oil. They are made from artificial perfumes and mixed with carrier oils for dilution. Aromatherapy oils are added to make the perfumes last longer and give a great fragrance.

Homemade Perfume Recipes

There are many adults for whom making perfumes is an art as well as hobby. However, for kids it is altogether a different matter. That's why kids perfume should always be subtle and ingredients in homemade perfume recipes for kids should be diluted. Applying perfumes is the best feeling for a kid as he/she feels that they have grown up. Make sure you use liquid perfume as it's safe in terms of strength and safety.

Strawberry Perfume
Ingredients

    * Vodka, ½ cup
    * Strawberry Scented Oil, 5 drops
    * Lemon Scented Oil, 3 drops
    * Bubblegum Scented Oil, 2 drops
    * Distilled Water, ½ cup

Preparation
Take a plastic bottle and add 2 tbsp vodka, strawberry scented oil, bubblegum scented oil and 2 drops lemon scented oil. Close the plastic bottle with a lid and mix well. Now open the lid and ½ cup of distilled water and keep this plastic bottle in a cool place for 2 weeks before applying it.

Homemade Perfume from Flowers
Ingredients

    * Fresh Chopped Flower Blossoms, 1 cup
    * Water, 2 cups

Preparation
Take a bowl and place a cheese cloth over it, make sure the edges of the cloth are hanging over the bowl. Now pour flower blossoms and pour water over the flowers until they are fully covered. Cover the cloth and let it sit overnight. By using the edges of the cloth pull the cloth out of the bowl and now squeeze the scented water in a small plastic bottle.

Hope, this article on homemade perfume recipes was a good read. Don't forget to test every perfume ingredient you use once on your skin to prevent any unwanted incidents of allergic reaction. To make your very own perfume, it's very important to realize which fragrances suit you and your mood. These natural perfumes can enhance good mood and make you feel confident and exotic.

Top Perfumes for Women 2011

Every year the market gets flooded with new perfumes and fragrances. A good woman's perfume is her signature and a true reflection of her personality. A good perfume is also the perfect accessory to a great party attire. Not only perfumes are great gifts, they are also good mood setters. If you really want to impress your woman and make her fall in love with you, here are some of the top perfumes for women 2011 which will help you out.

Best Perfumes for Women 2011

2011 comes with a lot of promise and variety for woman's perfumes. However, this also creates a lot of hassle when it comes to choosing for them. There are various types of perfumes available in the market but you have to choose the best for your woman. Let me make your job easy by listing out the top perfumes for women 2011.

Burberry Brit
Burberry Brit debuted on the market in 2003 but still is one of the most popular perfumes for women 2011. Specially designed for women who want to be independent. The brand has received excellent reviews due to it's long lasting nature and the amazing effect it has on your surroundings. The Burberry Brit is the perfect combination of vanilla scents, light florals, pears, almonds and lime.

Carolina Herrera 212 VIP
Carolina Herrera 212 VIP features on the list of best perfumes for women. It's for women who have an exotic and a confident personality. It's also called a timeless collection because it suits every occasion. It's made from the fresh aromas of seductive rum and citrus fruits from the start. At the end you will feel a soft vanilla base and tonk which covers your entire skin like a silken veil. Carolina Herrera 212 VIP makes you the center of attraction wherever you go.

Lovely by Sarah Jessica Parker
Women and men have fallen in love with Sarah Jessica Parker and this fashion icon brings a perfume which is a refection of her personality. Lovely gives you a sense of freedom and makes you a woman of substance. It's made with a hint of musk, combined with apple martini and lavender. Lovely is one of the few designer perfumes which is light and much more long lasting. If you want a perfume which will leave a sweet hint wherever you go, Lovely is the perfect choice.

Intimately Yours by David & Victoria Beckham
People call Victoria & David Beckham the perfect married couple. Their name itself is a big brand and if it's attached to a perfume, it's obviously going to be one of the top perfumes for women 2011. Intimately Yours is filled with exotic natural flavors. It's initial notes are bergamot, freesia and pear, while the middle notes contain, African orange, frangipani and lily. The base notes contain vetyver, iris and sandalwood. Intimately Yours is one of the few perfumes that drive men crazy.

Love, Chloé by Chloé
If you want to have perfumes men love, then Love, Chloé by Chloé should be #1 on your list. It's one of the latest perfumes for women 2011 and portrays the woman of 21st century in a classy style. The evergreen scent is made of orange blossom, pink pepper, iris absolute, lilac, heliotropine, powdery musks, talc, hyacinth, wisteria blossom and rice powder. Not just the scent, but the bottle is also classic with pink and golden shades with exquisite chain that ties the cap to the top.

So these were the top perfumes for women 2011. While selecting anyone of them, I recommend to just think about your woman and her personality and then make your choice.

Best Perfumes 2011

Ancient civilizations have used scents and perfumed oils for various reasons. Be it for their ability to soothe senses, emotionally uplift your mood or arouse senses. It is the power of perfumes that makes them so expensive and a coveted fashion accessory. The range of best perfumes 2011, are the ones that grant the wearer a feeling of elation with just a spray. Each one of us shares an intimate relationship with certain fragrances, because every extract of the perfume comes with a distinct characteristic that compliment our metaphysical structure. This is why we keep going back to certain fragrances, irrespective of discovering new ones. Top perfumes 2011 are a range of classics that you'd always want to own and a few new that bring the much needed refreshment.

Top Perfumes 2011

Chanel No. 5
Although classic Channel No. 5 was launched in 1922, it still tops the chart of top perfumes for women 2011! Known as the world's most legendary fragrance, Parfums Chanel records a sale of one bottle of Chanel No. 5 every 55 seconds. Characterized by aldehydic floral fragrance, this perfume was created by Ernest Beaux. The top notes of this timeless fragrance are ylang-ylang, neroli and aldehydes. The middle notes contain jasmine and myrose. The base notes are sandalwood and vetvier.

Burberry Summer
This winning frangrance that blends with the summer moods is a perfect wear for a breezy night by the beach. The top notes include, yuzu and mandarin, while the middle notes incorporate, juniper berries, mint, thyme, driftwood and dyer's greenweed. The base notes add a hin of cedar, sandalwood, amber and musk making it one of the best perfumes 2011 you'd want to wear on a pleasant summer day!

Delicious Night
On those balmy yet sultry nights, a delicious fragrance as such is more than just one of the perfumes that drive men crazy. Delcious Night by DKNY, which comes from her range of Be Delcious perfumes is exactly the frangrance I am talking about. The fusion of pomelo and ginger, which romances purple freesia and adds energy to the romantic mood, is the right feminine fragrance to compliment your enigma and reveal your sensuous side! The top notes are pomelo, ginger, blackberry martini. The middle notes exude purple freesia, orchids, and jasmine, while the base notes are amber, myrrh and patchouli.

Very Irresistible
It truly is! Very Irresistible by Givenchy is a fragrance that you definitely want to own. This rosy affair has been made with five roses. The floral scent is perfect for an office meeting or while you splurge at a brunch with friends. The top notes of this scent of a woman are star anise and verbena leaf, while the middle notes move to centifolia rose and peony rose. The base notes for this pink bottled perfume are passion rose, fantasia rose and emotion rose. Reach to a whole new level of elegance, sensuality and spontaneity with the Very Irresistible, indeed!

Nina
Give way to temptation and let the fairytale romance come alive, is the theme of this perfume. For the young hearts searching for true love, this fragrance comes with a sweet smell relating to the innocence of sweet nothings. Best known to enhance feminine sensuality, the top notes of this Nina, by Nina Ricci are lemon and lime, while the middle notes are red toffee apple, praline and vanilla. The base notes consist of wood accord, white cedar and cotton musk. This is one counted in the league of best perfumes for young women.

Best perfumes for women 2011 are perfumes that not only drive men crazy, but make you connect with your joie de vivre. The best way to wear a perfume is to buy the matching body lotion and shower gel with it. Apply the perfume at the pulse points and do not rub it. Rubbing wrists (as people usually do) crushes the smell. The point is to let the fragrance diffuse, which is why spraying a little in the air and walking through it will do the magic for you! So these were some of the best perfumes 2011 that also have the power to make you go weak in the knees!

How to Make Sampaguita Perfume

The association of humans with perfumes is very long. In fact, it is one of the innate tendencies of humans to enhance their body odor with fragrances. It is said that they started by using natural materials, like flowers, leaves and roots. You might have heard about the Bible story that depicts the three wise men who visited baby Jesus with offerings like myrrh and frankincense. These materials are nothing but fragrant resins obtained from two different trees. These resins are used as incenses.

The origin of perfumes has been traced back to the incenses prepared by the ancient Egyptians. The term perfume is derived from the Latin word, per fumus, which means through smoke (referring to the incense smoke). Today, we have thousands of perfume varieties that are used by people across the globe. Did you know that perfumes can be made at home? Apart from being less expensive, homemade perfumes do not expose you to chemicals that are found in most of the store bought types. How about making a perfume from flowers? This article will provide you with some information on how to make sampaguita perfume.

What is Sampaguita?
Most of us are familiar with jasmine plants that are found in many different varieties. There are around 200 species of jasmine and Jasminum sambac is one among them. Otherwise known as Arabian jasmine, this plant is native to certain parts of Asia, like India, Philippines, Thailand, etc. In fact, jasmine is the national flower of Philippines, where it is called sampaguita. It is also one of the three national flowers of Indonesia.

Jasminum sambac or sampaguita is a plant that produces highly fragrant flowers that are used for making garlands and crowns. They are also used as religious offerings and for preparing certain folk medicines. The regular sampaguita plant produces strongly scented flowers with white petals that are around 5 to 9 in numbers. There are 3 to 4 popular varieties that vary in the shape of the petals and the number of layers in which the petals are arranged. With their strong scent, sampaguita flowers are widely used for making perfumes. Let us take a look at how to make sampaguita perfume at home.

Making Sampaguita Perfume
In order to make perfume from sampaguita flowers, the most important ingredient is the flower itself. If you have a flowering sampaguita plant in your home, then well and good. Otherwise, contact a florist who sells this flower. Once you get the flowers, you can start with the procedure of making sampaguita perfume. You may use other flowers along with sampaguita for making this perfume. As per the following recipe, you need a combination of sampaguita and ylang-ylang flowers. The method of preparation is as follows -

Procedure #1: Start with boiling the flowers in distilled water. If you have a cup of flowers, use two cups of distilled water. As the water boils thoroughly, lower the heat and let it reduce to half. Strain the water and keep it aside. Now, take a sterilized bottle, into which you have to add unscented vodka and the scented water. For every three tablespoons of scented water, you have to add five tablespoons of vodka. If you find the perfume to be too mild, you may add two to three drops of essential oils (preferably floral ones) too. You may start using this perfume within two to three days.

The above said is a simple method of preparing sampaguita perfume with fresh flowers. Some people opt for another easy method, which is as follows -

Procedure #2: Take a sterilized bottle and place a cheesecloth over its rim. Place the sampaguita flowers on the cheesecloth and pour distilled water over it, till the flowers are immersed in water (in the jar). The edges of the cheesecloth must be hanging outside, over the edges of the bottle. Now, cover the bottle tightly with the lid and leave it aside. After a few days, remove the cheesecloth with flowers (make sure to squeeze the cheesecloth and flowers to extract the scented water in them). Strain and filter the scented water, before filling it in a sterilized bottle. Your sampaguita perfume is ready.

So, as you have seen above, making sampaguita perfume at home is not at all difficult. And, it's a good idea to try out the above explained methods for a change because homemade perfumes have that personal touch, which makes it all the more special. Smell good, feel good!

Top Perfumes for Summer

Summer is here and in this sticky heat and humidity, you want a perfume that is light with clean crisp fragrance notes. So, leave your rich and oriental fragrances that you wore last Christmas in your wardrobe and get ready to splurge on some fresh new summer fragrance. During summers, the heat and the humidity intensifies any fragrance, so you need to choose a fragrance carefully. Fragrances that have too much vanilla, begamot or musk tend to become overpowering and cloying. Since light fragrances tend to wear off soon, you need to find a summer fragrance that is fresh and crisp and which will last for a few hours. Summer is the perfect season to wear single note floral fragrances or zesty citrusy fragrances. Perfumes that have predominant aquatic notes and green notes are ideal for men. Women can opt for fragrances that have light floral or zesty citrus notes. Here we will discuss the top perfumes for summer for both men and women.

Top Perfumes for Summer for Women

Burberry Summer for Women
One of the best summer scents, the new edition of Burberry Summer for Women, does not disappoint. It is a limited edition summer perfumes and its clean and crisp notes is just right for day wear. It contains top notes of pomegranate, green leaf and orange followed by middle notes of lily of the valley, rose and freesia. The base notes of this beautiful perfume are that of white musk, cedarwood and sandalwood that give the perfume depth and linger on for a long time.

Jo Malone Assam & Grapefruit
This is another great perfume for summer which is minimalistic with a hint of spice and citrus notes. It has a very refreshing tea fragrance that you would definitely love wearing in the summer. It contains top notes of grapefruit and rhubarb which gives the fragrance just the right amount of zestiness. The middle notes comprises of black tea, cardamom, rose and almonds followed by the base notes of patchouli and musk. There is just a hint of patchouli in the perfume, which gives it a crisp sheer quality and does not overpower it.

Benefit Garden of Good & Eva
If you are bored to death in the office and want a perfume that transports you to a Mediterranean beach, then try Benefit Garden of Good & Eva. It is a citrusy floral perfume, that can instantly make you feel energized. It contains top notes of watermelon, jasmine, pear and violet leaves followed by middle notes of ozone accord, rose and freesia. Sandalwood, musk and cedar completes the base notes of this lovely summer perfume.

Hermes Un Jardin Sur Le Nil
Hermes Un Jardin Sur Le Nil is a must have perfume for the summer. It is floral but not overly so, with strong citrus notes that are fresh and not overpowering. It is one of the best summer perfumes for women. It contains top notes of green mango and grapefruit middle notes of lotus blossom and calamus and base notes of aromatic rushes, incense and sycamore wood. The woodsy base notes give the perfume depth and it lasts the whole day long.

Top Perfumes for Summer for Men

Givenchy Pi Néo Tropical Paradise
This new launch from the house of Givency Pi Néo Tropical Paradise might sound like a woman's perfume, but it is a totally masculine fragrance. It is an aquatic fragrance that has a hint of spice to give the perfume more depth and staying power. It contains top notes of bergamot, grapefruit and grape leaves, followed by middle notes of palm leaves and saltwater accord. To finish it off the base notes are of sage and cedar. It is not a very intense perfume but is light and fresh.

CK One Summer
One of the top perfumes for men this summer is CK One Summer. It is a limited addition fragrance that has top notes of blue mint, cucumber and bergamot followed by middle notes of limette, water accord, lotus blossom, green apple and rosemary. Its base notes are sandalwood, sea moss, rum cocktail and driftwood. With its citrus notes of limette and blue mint, this fragrance is sharp and crisp.

Kenzo Pour Homme
This aquatic fragrance for men is ideal for summer and it evokes the freshness of the sea. It has top notes of bergamot, fennel, lemon and green foliage, middle notes of sage, nutmeg, clove and geranium and base notes of cedar, sandalwood, musk, patchouli, iris, oakmoss, vetiver and rosewood.

Giorgio Armani Acqua Di Gio Pour Homme
This perfume for men is a citrus cum aquatic fragrance and is one of the most popular summer fragrance for men. It has top notes of mandarin, bitter citrus, bergamot, persimmon with middle notes of neroli, jasmine and nasturtium. Base notes of this perfume are patchouli and rosemary. The sharp notes of bergamot and neroli is nicely balanced by the citrus notes of mandarin and persimmon to give the perfume harmony.

These were some of the best perfumes this summer. Summer fragrances should not be too rich or too cloyingly sweet. Heavy oriental perfumes are best reserved for fall and winter. Crisp and fresh perfumes are ideal for the summer months that are not too heady and smell wonderful too.

How to Wear Perfume Properly

Perfumes have a lot to say about your persona, style and taste. And if you are a perfume lover, you sure must be owning a lot of fragrances. Did you know, on an average every women has at least three fragrances, one she uses for daily wear, another one for special occasions and the third one is her absolute favorite, she wears on rare occasions that reflects her style. On the other hand, men tend to patronize one particular brand and stick to it through all occasions. You can own the best of the perfume brands and the exotic fragrances, but if you fail to wear it properly, you are probably not extracting its real worth.

Wearing a perfume is an art and not many are well-acquainted with it. Wearing it correctly can allow the fragrance to stay longer and you do not have to keep spraying it time and again. As we all know good perfumes do not come dirt cheap you have to shell hundreds of dollars for a small 1.6oz bottle. Therefore, it is only fair that you extract the maximum potential of the fragrance. Here are a few tips to wear perfume properly and let it last long as well.

Tips To Wear Perfume Properly
#     The fundamental rule to wearing perfume correctly is minimize the use. Yes, keep it nice and subtle, do not over spray the perfume. A lingering aroma would attract the senses of people, while more of perfume can give you headache and repel people from you. Another thing you have to bear in mind is the weather, hot summer seasons will retain the fragrance for a long time, whereas cold climates require you to apply it at least twice during the day.
#     The best time to wear perfume is, right after walking out of the shower. This is because your body's capacity to soak the fragrance is maximum right after a warm bath. As soon as you dry your body, spray the perfume on the pulse areas, where the blood flow in more, like wrists, neck, chest, lats, inner thighs and knees. The rule is to apply from the bottom to the top, so that you smell good all over rather than just at the top.
#     Once your done with this, make sure you do not dress up right away, let the perfume seep in or else it will rub on to your clothes and fade away. In the mean while use your body lotion and other products you usually use. The best way to keep the perfume last longer is to use other cosmetics products of the same fragrances. In this way you will not mix up fragrances and stand out with your signature scent.
#     You have to understand that every body soaks up fragrances differently. That is, oily skin can retain fragrances for a longer time as compared to dry skin. Oily skin has the ability to blend the perfume and body's oil, resulting in slow evaporation of the perfume. People with dry skin can treat their skin with a good moisturizer before wearing the perfume.
#     Once your are dressed spray a spout of perfume right in front of you and just walk through it. This will ensure that your clothes and entire body absorbs the fragrance properly. Now, make sure you do not use two different fragrances at the same time, as they can reduce the intensity and longevity of the perfume.
To enhance the aroma further, men can spray a little on the handkerchief and women can dab a little perfume on a cotton ball and put it in their bra. This will keep the fragrance lingering throughout the day! Smell good, it not just attracts people's attention but also makes you feel happier and fresh from within! (winks)