Essential Oils and Witch Hazel

[Pumpkin]

I'm planning to add some scent(s) to some generic Witch Hazel, by adding a couple of drops of EO and would like some advice/suggestions as I'm pretty new to the wonderful range of scents available...before DE I wasn't really bothered about fragrance of any variety. My current "go to" AS is Old Spice Original (P&G variety).

I'll be decanting the mixes into 25ml atomisers so will probably make up a few varieties, although I'll probably limit myself to half a dozen essential oils initially.

I'm definitely going with Sandalwood in one batch (really like my C&E Sandalwood soap but the scent is faint and doesn't last long).

I'm thinking about Lavender and/or Geranium...will either mix with Sandalwood?

Any other suggestions are welcome....treat me like a blank canvas as I don't have any preconceptions about scents!

 

[Tommy Boy]

I love cooling stuff and make my own pre-shave oils and tend skin solution - so try a bit of peppermint, eucalyptus, camphor, and menthol. It's a great combination - again, if you like the ultra cooling effect.

 

[gobeavs]

I'm definitely going to try this w/ some peppermint.

Also, have you guys ever made 'tonics' out of purified water and essential oils? I'm going to give this a shot too, probably w/ some lime.

 

[Barbash]

I use peppermint EO and it adds a great smell and cooling sensation.

Make sure to start out with only a few drops of EO because they are very strong.

 

[endcycle]

Sounds weird, but cucumber works beautifully.

 

[beardsareforcavemen]

Mix Citronella EO with with the witch hazel for an aftershave to bring with camping if mosquitos are a problem.

This is a great idea making your own AS!

 

[Pumpkin]

I love cooling stuff and make my own pre-shave oils and tend skin solution - so try a bit of peppermint, eucalyptus, camphor, and menthol. It's a great combination - again, if you like the ultra cooling effect.

Should have been a bit more specific...peppermint and menthol would be way down my wish list as I'm not a big fan of menthol in anything.

Mix Citronella EO with with the witch hazel for an aftershave to bring with camping if mosquitos are a problem

Hadn't thought of that, thanks! Planning 2 camping trips this year and Scottish midges are vicious little buggers previously I've never bothered with shaving "under canvas" but I don't think I could miss that many shaves now

 

[BCatl]

This is a handy little book. It does not cover too many things for men, but it gives you a good idea of the theory behind making some of this up yourself. I actually ran across it at the local library so I didn't have to buy it. "Perfumes, Splashes & Colognes: Discovering and Crafting Your Personal Fragrances (Paperback)" by Nancy Booth.

Not sure if it's ok to put a link, but here goes:

http://www.amazon.com/Perfumes-Spla...ring-Fragrances/dp/0882669850/ref=pd_sim_b_10

 

[mars]

So, I just got some generic WH and the smell is incredibly strong. I put in about 6 drops of peppermint EO and it does not cover the smell (even though it is pretty pepperminty). How many drops of EO does it take? Does it ever completely cover the smell of WH? I know a lot of people make their own splashes with WH... what do you guys use?

 

[orchestrion]

I ask this question in just about every Witch Hazel and Essential Oils thread, but where do you guys get your EOs? I've had suggestions about Hobby Lobby, Michael's, and GNC. Do any of you get them from any other brick and mortar stores?

 

[xillion]

The have a nice selection at Whole Foods markets.

 

[rod251]

I ask this question in just about every Witch Hazel and Essential Oils thread, but where do you guys get your EOs? I've had suggestions about Hobby Lobby, Michael's, and GNC. Do any of you get them from any other brick and mortar stores?

I don't know about brick and mortar stores, but there are a bunch of EOs on ebay, as well as online stores you can find by searching for "essential oils". Mountain Rose Herbs seems to have a good selection. I was PIFed some menthol crystals and I added them to some witch hazel, and now I'm hooked. I think I'm going to try some spearmint EO in my next batch.

 

[C.Morgan]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1Tg6ikd00A

Seems interesting.Id go easier on the vodka though and buy a bottle off 50% witchhazel 50% rose water off ebay,that might be a better idea than just plain witchhazel.Also some aloe oil and sea buckthorn might be a good idea.Not sure what the sparkling mineral water is good for,maby just to water it down and get it mixing better.

 

[beardsareforcavemen]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1Tg6ikd00A

Seems interesting.Id go easier on the vodka though and buy a bottle off 50% witchhazel 50% rose water off ebay,that might be a better idea than just plain witchhazel.Also some aloe oil and sea buckthorn might be a good idea.Not sure what the sparkling mineral water is good for,maby just to water it down and get it mixing better.

Distilled water is also good to use if your looking to add water.

Vodka? Is there any benefit over using vodka verses isopropyl? Except for that it's also consumable?
I'm sure isopropyl costs much less.

 

[C.Morgan]

Distilled water is also good to use if your looking to add water.

Vodka? Is there any benefit over using vodka verses isopropyl? Except for that it's also consumable?
I'm sure isopropyl costs much less.

I have no idea,i just saw this thread and did a search on youtube lol.Too be honest if i were to try this i wouldnt ad alcahol at all.But then again alcahol might preserve the oils.Who knows?

 

[beardsareforcavemen]

I'm new at mixing up AS, in fact I started after first reading this thread, but I do know adding alcohol to AS is good idea because it's an antiseptic and also evaporates quickly. I think most of the store bought AF main ingredient is alcohol. Unless it says "alcohol free."
Some say alcohol can dry out the skin, but then adding a little glycerine to the mix moisturises. The Witch Hazel that I have is 86% Witch Hazel, 14% alcohol and I add more isopropyl to it along with some EO and a little glycerine. I have some distilled water but haven't tried to add any to the mix since so far I like how strong it is.

I wonder if there's any benefit using vodka instead of isopropyl or vice versa.
16oz of 91% isopropyl can be found for like $1.
16oz 100 proof vodka has 50% alcohol and costs around $7.

I just always have isopropyl on hand since it has so many uses.

 

[Razdict]

I just always have isopropyl on hand since it has so many uses.

+1.

I use a 1:1 solution with distilled water to clean really dirty LCD screens. It works the same as the expensive cleaner and is dirt cheap.

 

[Razdict]

I ask this question in just about every Witch Hazel and Essential Oils thread, but where do you guys get your EOs? I've had suggestions about Hobby Lobby, Michael's, and GNC. Do any of you get them from any other brick and mortar stores?

I think Mountain Rose Herbs has been mentioned before on this board. In addition to about every EO you can think of including Oakmoss, they also have menthol crystals and glycerin. The shipping is a bit steep starting at approx. $9 so your local coop or Whole Foods might be better for just one bottle.

 

[ShaveAddict]

Today i purchased a bottle of plain witch hazel and camphor oil at my local drugstore.
I already had some menthol crystals so i mixed a couple of drop of the camphor oil and menthol crystals to the witch hazel, it smell not bad but i will look for a eucalyptus oil and peppermint fragrance oil to add to it to cover the bad scent of witch hazel.

 

[flycbyrd]

What about sandalwood as a base, Lavender as the middle tone, and Mandarin as the top tone. I think that would smell great.