Natural Scents for Your Type

Many people are sensitive to artificial fragrances, which contain suspected neurotoxicants that can give them headaches and difficulty concentrating. It is healthier and more thoughtful to avoid them!

If you were wondering about the difference between a cologne and a perfume, here's the skinny: perfumes are generally stronger and heavier than colognes, and contain oils and fixatives that make them longer-lasting, while colognes contain botanical essences in an alcohol base, which keep them on the lighter side.

These all-natural formulas are colognes, with botanical materials and alcohol in the form of vodka or rum ( I use Everclear , I DO NOT drink alcohol, but I use it in recipes of this sort. Grandma Rosie). They are lighter than their artificial relatives, and they can be used lavishly by most of us with no ill-effects.

The Basic Method
Place dry ingredients in a pint jar with a tight lid. Fill jar with vodka. Cover jar and shake daily for 1 to 6 weeks. Strain out dry ingredients and use the liquid as a cologne on your pulse points.

Romantic
You prefer classically sweet flower and herbal scents. Try any of these ingredients, or a combination:

1 cup fresh or dried lavender blossoms
1 cup fresh or dried chamomile blossoms
1 cup fresh or dried basil
1 cup fresh or dried rose petals

Sporty
You prefer refreshing, crisp scents that don’t cloy. Try any of these ingredients, or a combination:

Lemon peel from an organic lemon
Lime peel from an organic lime
1 cup fresh or dried peppermint leaves
1 cup fresh or dried rosemary leaves

Earthy/Exotic
You like warm and spicy scents that exude grounded sensuality. Try any of these ingredients, or a combination (Mag uses a blend of vanilla, clove, cinnamon, and orange peel):

1 whole vanilla bean, broken in pieces
2 teaspoons whole cloves
1 three-inch piece cinnamon stick
Orange peel from an organic orange
1 cup sandalwood chips
1 cup bay leaves (this traditional formula calls for rum instead of vodka to make Bay Rum)

HELPFUL HINTS:  I found out, after placing chamomile teabags on my eyes to reduce puffiness, that I was violently allergic to chamomile--I looked like a raccoon for hours. So be sure to test your cologne on your inner arm for possible allergic reaction before liberally splashing it on.

http://www.care2.com/aboutus/