The art of the perfumer, while rooted in antiquity, is full of modern innovations. The old astrological and magickal associations of scent may still be a subtle foundation for the end products that emerge from the perfumer’s laboratory. More than likely, however, it is the marketing department of the fragrance vendor that carries on the ancient traditions of the magickal art of aromatherapy.
Perfume names may promise anything from romance to adventure to illicit love. Names evoke visions of the heights of luxury, the depth of passion, or the excitement of living on the edge. The old associations that demand the use of specific scents or combinations of scents for specific purposes may not be apparent in the modern fragrance designer’s work. The more modern criteria of olfactory gratification and salability have taken a more prominent role.
Still, the ways of the ancient scent masters are not completely gone from the products of the commercial fragrance factories. One of the things that governs whether a product has enduring salability is the instinctive response by the consumer. While the marketing pros do their best to play up each new scent and ready the buying public to receive it anxiously, it is the gut response of the purchaser that will determine how enduring a product will be.
The marketing hype may ensure the first sale—perhaps even the second. In the end, however, the instinctive response of the consumer will determine whether there will be continued use of this product or that. There may be times when the most a product has to offer is the quality of its advertisements.
So, in the end, even those who have forgotten the ancient art of scent are under its influence. The perfume scents offered here are given as popular blends. They are offered with no explanation to use or effect, for they were produced for commercial offering without regard to the ancient artistry of fragrance blending.
While many of the blends may parallel some of the magickal preparations for special purpose, their design is likely due more to the delightful effect of the blend and the pleasant instinctive response to the fragrance than because of the perfumer’s observation of the principles of the ancient art of aromatherapy. Therefore, the following formulae are offered for educational purposes, for reference examples, and simply for fun and pleasure.
A General Perfume Formula
75-100 drops essential oil or oil blend
1/4 fluid ounce of perfumer’s alcohol
Low Cost Substitute
75-100 drops essential oil or oil biend
3/4 ounce rubbing alcohol
The difference between these two formulae is in the dilution base. Perfumer’s alcohol is a mixture of unscented alcohol and glycerin. By far, this is the ideal foundation for a perfume product. However, rubbing alcohol is far less expensive and far more readily available. The major difference is that rubbing alcohol does have a scent of its own—and not a particularly pleasant one, at that! Yet, this is a substitute that can be used successfully if the proper considerations are observed.
Although there is an inherent scent to rubbing alcohol, it also evaporates fairly quickly. Once it has evaporated, this will leave the fragrance of the blend as the prominent scent noticeable. However, there is a time factor involved. Where it may be possible to dab on some perfume and run right out to an important engagement, it is wiser to allow some time for the rubbing alcohol substitute to evaporate.
Another difference is that the perfumer’s alcohol contains a fixative to bind the mixture. The rubbing alcohol blend may have a tendency to separate and so must be well shaken before use. However, if these considerations are taken into account, the poor man’s fragrance is as fine a scent as that produced by the oldest, most respected French perfumery.
Sweet Spice
gardenia (MA)
vetivert (mi)
cinnamon! (T)
pine (T)
Clove
Springtime Freshness
sandalwood (MA)
orange! (MA)
cinnamon! (mi)
rosemary! (T)
lemon verbena! (T)
Something Sensuous
ambergris (MA)
jasmine (mi)
musk (mi)
frankincense! (T)
Lemon Forest
bergamot! (MA)
carnation (mi)
sandalwood (mi)
patchouli (mi)
cedarwood (T)
Sweet Earth Scent
oakmoss! (MA)
bergamot! (mi)
amber (mi)
vetivert (mi)
pine (T)
Mushy Rose
rose (MA)
musk (mi)
sandalwood (mi)
Floral Bouquet
violet (MA)
heliotrope (mi)
vetivert (mi)
lilac (mi)
juniper (mi)
Nocturnal Mystery
jasmine (MA)
patchouli (MA)
orange! (MA)
vanilla (mi)
amber (mi)