I've reached a point in my adventures with my Bay Rum recipe where I actually have a product that I genuinely like.
I wanted the end result to be as natural as possible (free of FOs). Here is what I determined:
- By steeping Pimenta racemosa leaves in Everclear, I get a nicely scented solution that looks like a very clear bourbon with a fine aroma, though intensely alcoholic. So I cut it 50/50 with a separate 50/50 solution of witchazel and distilled water.
- I added Allspice EO, and that helped bring it all together. The solution remained the same - like a clear bourbon.
- To round out the aroma, I decided it was missing Sandalwood. The cost of SW EO is crazy, so I added just 2 drops of Sandalwood FO to a 2oz solution. The aroma smelled perfect immediately, though the color completely changed to a murky yellowish tint.
I have some general questions though about my process:
1. Does the 50/50 solution of alcohol to witchazel/water mixture sound like a proper approach? I want a slight bracing sting, which I'm getting now. Just not sure if y'all feel like there's too much alcohol in the mix (esp as there's alcohol in the WH).
2. How long do you think I need to steep the dried bay leaves in alcohol for a complete extraction? I don't want to use the solution prematurely. But I don't want to wait weeks longer than I need to.
3. One thing I noticed after adding even just a small amount of FO to the mix is that after a few days, my Bay Rum left a smooth/slick feeling on the skin. It's not a bad thing per se, but it kind of bothers me. Is this normal with FOs?
4. With the base ingredients being alcohol, water and witchazel, and this being an aftershave, what are your opinions about other additives such as aloe and glycerine. I see the logic on the one hand, but like the simplicity of the current formula. I wonder if I added glycerine, aloe, or both without cutting back on the alcohol would reduce the sting (I like the sting and don't want to lose it).
5. Lastly, to what degree should I expect the scent to change over time. I feel like the sandalwood scent has started dominating the solution now that it's about 3 weeks old.
Cheers!
I wanted the end result to be as natural as possible (free of FOs). Here is what I determined:
- By steeping Pimenta racemosa leaves in Everclear, I get a nicely scented solution that looks like a very clear bourbon with a fine aroma, though intensely alcoholic. So I cut it 50/50 with a separate 50/50 solution of witchazel and distilled water.
- I added Allspice EO, and that helped bring it all together. The solution remained the same - like a clear bourbon.
- To round out the aroma, I decided it was missing Sandalwood. The cost of SW EO is crazy, so I added just 2 drops of Sandalwood FO to a 2oz solution. The aroma smelled perfect immediately, though the color completely changed to a murky yellowish tint.
I have some general questions though about my process:
1. Does the 50/50 solution of alcohol to witchazel/water mixture sound like a proper approach? I want a slight bracing sting, which I'm getting now. Just not sure if y'all feel like there's too much alcohol in the mix (esp as there's alcohol in the WH).
2. How long do you think I need to steep the dried bay leaves in alcohol for a complete extraction? I don't want to use the solution prematurely. But I don't want to wait weeks longer than I need to.
3. One thing I noticed after adding even just a small amount of FO to the mix is that after a few days, my Bay Rum left a smooth/slick feeling on the skin. It's not a bad thing per se, but it kind of bothers me. Is this normal with FOs?
4. With the base ingredients being alcohol, water and witchazel, and this being an aftershave, what are your opinions about other additives such as aloe and glycerine. I see the logic on the one hand, but like the simplicity of the current formula. I wonder if I added glycerine, aloe, or both without cutting back on the alcohol would reduce the sting (I like the sting and don't want to lose it).
5. Lastly, to what degree should I expect the scent to change over time. I feel like the sandalwood scent has started dominating the solution now that it's about 3 weeks old.
Cheers!