Thread: DIY Aftershave

I've got a couple of recipes for aftershave splash. I've tried the first one, and it seems to work for me so far. The second one is still setting up. I wanted to get a few opinions and/or more recipes if anybody has either.

Recipe one:
1/8 Cup Absinthe (73% ABV)
1/3 Cup Vodka (40% ABV)
1/4 Cup Witch Hazel (Drug store 14% Alcohol variety)
1-2 Tablespoons Glycerin

Mix all ingredients thoroughly and bottle.

Recipe two:
1/2 Cup Black Rum (40% ABV)
1/4 Cup Witch Hazel (Drug store 14% Alcohol variety)
1 Tablespoon Glycerin
1 Pinch Alum
2-3 Bay Leaves
1 Tablespoon Whole Cloves
1/2 Teaspoon ground Allspice

Mix liquids and alum thoroughly, add spices, let sit for 10 days, strain with coffee filter or fine wire mesh, and bottle.

Recipe 1 looks like an expensive way to smell like a drunk

I'm interested in #2 though- let us know how it turns out!

Recipe one actually leaves what I would describe as an earthy, herbal, almost medicinal scent with anise (black licorice) undertones. I'm looking forward to trying the second recipe, but it's got another week to go leeching out the essential oils from the spices.

Recipe One is actually one I formulated myself based on Recipe Two, which I found in a google search. I used the vodka in Recipe One because it was the most neutral smelling alcohol source I had on hand to dilute the absinthe with. Absinthe requires a certain alcohol level (not sure on the exact number) to keep the essential oils in solution. You'll know if you have too little alcohol, because it will become cloudy. I was also trying to tone down the fairly strong smell of pure absinthe with the vodka. If you're worried about the smell of vodka creeping in, a 40% grain alcohol/ 60% water (or possibly witch hazel) solution would probably work in its place.

Now go out and experiment. There's nothing quite like splashing on an AS custom tailored to your tastes.

I can't afford the absinthe to try it, lol. I just make do with rubbing alcohol and some facial sunscreen now that I'm riding again.

Originally Posted by OkieEngineer

Recipe one actually leaves what I would describe as an earthy, herbal, almost medicinal scent with anise (black licorice) undertones. I'm looking forward to trying the second recipe, but it's got another week to go leeching out the essential oils from the spices.

Recipe One is actually one I formulated myself based on Recipe Two, which I found in a google search. I used the vodka in Recipe One because it was the most neutral smelling alcohol source I had on hand to dilute the absinthe with. Absinthe requires a certain alcohol level (not sure on the exact number) to keep the essential oils in solution. You'll know if you have too little alcohol, because it will become cloudy. I was also trying to tone down the fairly strong smell of pure absinthe with the vodka. If you're worried about the smell of vodka creeping in, a 40% grain alcohol/ 60% water (or possibly witch hazel) solution would probably work in its place.

Now go out and experiment. There's nothing quite like splashing on an AS custom tailored to your tastes.

Recipe One would certainly be different, with a strong anise scent (quality absinthe is by the way made with green anise). Vodka is the same thing as 40% grain alcohol/60% water, and as you noted it is as neutral smelling as you are likely to find. You could changed the scent somewhat by substituting gin for the vodka, this would increase the herbal EO content of the mix, and probably dilute the anise smell of the absinthe.

What ever you do, however, this is going to be a very expensive AS.

The issue with EOs comming out of solution as you dilute an alcohol/EO mixture is not unique to absinthe. I regularly dilute Clubman AS with Witch Hazel (which is mostly water) at a 50/50 ratio, and the mixture clouds up as the EOs in the AS come out of solution.

Granted, obtaining the absinthe is a bit expensive, but the recipe only calls for 1/8 of a cup (1 fluid ounce). At $75 for a 750 ml bottle, that's only $3 worth of absinthe. There's around $2 worth of vodka ($20 for a 750 ml), $1.50 in witch hazel, and $1 in glycerin. That comes out to $7.50 for around 6.5 fluid ounces of AS. Clubman sells for around $6.50 for a 6 fluid ounce bottle at the Walgreens down the street, so I don't really think it's as extravagant as you guys are making it out to be.

Recipe 2 turned out more pungent than I had anticipated. It smells good, but it is a pretty strong spice smell. If I did it again, I'd probably go with a lighter rum and fewer cloves.

Got a new recipe I'll be trying out later tonight:

Aftershave Balm

1.5 fl. oz Aloe gel
2/3 fl. oz Vitamin E Skin Oil (12,000 I.U.)
1/2 fl. oz glycerin
1/3 fl. oz Witch Hazel (cheap drugstore type w/ 14% alcohol)

Combine ingredients and shake vigorously until well mixed and cloudy. Should come out as a thin gel/ thick liquid.

This one has almost no scent at all. It was formulated in an attempt to combat the razor burn I get from poor technique (still learning).

Recipe #2 reminds me of a recipe posted on B&B for home made bay rum.

I gave it a try, let it age for 4 weeks or so, strained it through a coffee strainer and decanted it into a nice glass bottle. It's now one of my favorite after-shaves, and my wife likes it as well.

I admit that it seemed strong as I did test sniffs while it was aging, but it mellowed into a nice scent that rivals Ogalala's (sp?) bay rum. I just wish it had more longevity. I was told that allowing it to age longer may help with that, though I'm not sure.

http://straightrazorpalace.com/after...m-recipes.html