I’ll never forget the day that I’d attended an out of town training for my business. A woman sat next to me. She was my supervisor’s supervisor – a real “big-wig” in the company. Frankly, I was pretty excited that I would have the chance to get to know her better. Maybe she would remember me when there was an opportunity for a promotion.
I said, “hello” and instantly gagged. Her perfume almost knocked me over. My eyes started to water. My nose started to run. I could barely breathe. During the meeting, she kept trying to chit-chat with me. She would lean over, say something…and I would choke out a one-word response while trying to hold my breath. Needless to say, it wasn’t the first impression either of us wanted to make.
I’ve always been pretty sensitive to perfumes. I would rather walk on hot coals than walk into a perfume store. I’ve tried to wear fancy perfumes myself, but quite honestly…I can’t stand to smell myself.
My aversion to perfumes and strong scents has actually saved me quite a bit of money. I’ve been pretty creative in my quest to smell good, without making myself sick to my stomach. I’ve dabbed cooking vanilla behind my ears. I’ve dripped scented oils into unscented lotions and I often seep a yummy smelling lemon and chamomile tea-bag into my hot bath water. I love the masculine and earthy smell of hemp so I encourage my husband to use hemp lotions. The scent lasts all day.
Since it is summertime my scent of choice is actually a mandarin essential oil that I purchased at a health food store. It cost $2.95. In the evenings, I enjoy lavender oil for myself and my children. A few drops in their bathwater helps wind them down and makes them smell wonderful in the morning.
Are you ready to make a personalized scent that will cost a fraction of your favorite perfume? While I like to simply massage essential oils directly on my skin, you can make a spray-able version using vodka, essential oils and spring water.
Start by mixing 25 drops of your favorite essential oils. (Mix a few together for a fun custom scent). Then, add three ounces of the alcohol shake it and let it sit for at least forty-eight hours. Next, you simply add two tablespoons or spring water and strain it through a coffee filter. Use a funnel to place the mixture into your favorite recycled perfume bottle. (You can find some decorative vintage ones at resell shops or antique stores).
Take some time to create you very own scent and let us know how it turned out by posting in the comments section.
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