MadDoctor
03-31-2003, 02:00 PM
With a bit of encouragement from DrSmellThis a while back, I started messing around with various natural essences which contain pheromones or pheromone-like substances.
I have to admit, it\'s pretty amazing how *effective* they can be for both sexes, while smelling absolutely wonderful. I now understand why most of the world\'s greatest (and most expensive) perfumes are centered around natural rose and jasmine essences. High quality musk, sandalwood and patchouli blend in really well too. Just be careful with the top notes, it\'s easy to put in a bit too much of something penetrating like ylang ylang in and throw the balance of the whole thing way off.
Natural essences are totally different from synthetics, and should not even be compared to them unless the natural form has become unavailable by any ethical means (e.g. Tibetan musk). Synthetics also may have little or no pheromone-like activity. You should expect to be laying out some cash -- while many essences aren\'t too expensive, some ingredients have become quite rare, and the best pure, natural essences can cost $5 per millilitre or more. If they\'re cheap and not synthetic, read the fine print, they may have been watered down with something like jojoba or grapeseed oil. Most rose and jasmine oils out there are like that (85% inert), since the pure essences are so damned expensive.
Although I haven\'t sent off for any Amouage samples yet, I now understand what all the hoopla\'s about. While the guy who created it is undoubtedly a creative genius with encyclopaedic knowledge of his subject, the range of material quality out there is far greater than I\'d imagined. I\'m not sure whether I\'ll ever wear a commercial cologne again, because of the way most of them cut corners. The stuff which I can blend, even as a total novice, smells better to me and seems to work far better(in the pheromone sense). If it doesn\'t suit me perfectly, I can change it. And I\'ll never smell like anyone else.
This site is a good place to look if you want to try a few first-rate essences out, they have a nice selection and will send you 5 samples for $10 (plus $5 shipping, unless you order over $50 of stuff). I\'d recommend the rose, jasmine, at least one of the musks, and maybe the sandalwood since those are always relatively expensive. While it\'s not the place I\'d recommend shopping for everything, it will at least give you an idea of what sort of quality (and effectiveness!) I\'m talking about.
http://madini.com (\"http://madini.com\")
Oh, and do learn the basics before throwing things together randomly. While clary sage, ylang ylang, valerian and cumin all contain pheromone-like components, one part of each will make a really stinky mess.
I have to admit, it\'s pretty amazing how *effective* they can be for both sexes, while smelling absolutely wonderful. I now understand why most of the world\'s greatest (and most expensive) perfumes are centered around natural rose and jasmine essences. High quality musk, sandalwood and patchouli blend in really well too. Just be careful with the top notes, it\'s easy to put in a bit too much of something penetrating like ylang ylang in and throw the balance of the whole thing way off.
Natural essences are totally different from synthetics, and should not even be compared to them unless the natural form has become unavailable by any ethical means (e.g. Tibetan musk). Synthetics also may have little or no pheromone-like activity. You should expect to be laying out some cash -- while many essences aren\'t too expensive, some ingredients have become quite rare, and the best pure, natural essences can cost $5 per millilitre or more. If they\'re cheap and not synthetic, read the fine print, they may have been watered down with something like jojoba or grapeseed oil. Most rose and jasmine oils out there are like that (85% inert), since the pure essences are so damned expensive.
Although I haven\'t sent off for any Amouage samples yet, I now understand what all the hoopla\'s about. While the guy who created it is undoubtedly a creative genius with encyclopaedic knowledge of his subject, the range of material quality out there is far greater than I\'d imagined. I\'m not sure whether I\'ll ever wear a commercial cologne again, because of the way most of them cut corners. The stuff which I can blend, even as a total novice, smells better to me and seems to work far better(in the pheromone sense). If it doesn\'t suit me perfectly, I can change it. And I\'ll never smell like anyone else.
This site is a good place to look if you want to try a few first-rate essences out, they have a nice selection and will send you 5 samples for $10 (plus $5 shipping, unless you order over $50 of stuff). I\'d recommend the rose, jasmine, at least one of the musks, and maybe the sandalwood since those are always relatively expensive. While it\'s not the place I\'d recommend shopping for everything, it will at least give you an idea of what sort of quality (and effectiveness!) I\'m talking about.
http://madini.com (\"http://madini.com\")
Oh, and do learn the basics before throwing things together randomly. While clary sage, ylang ylang, valerian and cumin all contain pheromone-like components, one part of each will make a really stinky mess.