Alright, guys, so I’ve been wanting to try making my own cologne for a while now. I saw this “Herod” fragrance that sounded interesting, so I figured, why not give it a shot? Let’s dive into this little experiment of mine.
The Initial Brainstorm
First things first, I needed to figure out what the heck was even in Herod. I did some digging, looked at some descriptions, and basically tried to get a sense of the overall vibe. Seemed like a warm, spicy, tobacco-ish kind of scent. Sounded good to me!
Gathering Supplies (and Making Do)
Next, I had to gather my materials. This is where things got a little…improvised. I didn’t want to spend a fortune on fancy perfumer’s stuff, so I went with what I could find or already had:
- Vodka: Yep, plain old vodka. This is going to be the base of the cologne. I used that as a carrier.
- Essential Oils: Okay, this is where I splurged a little. I got some essential oils: tobacco, vanilla, cinnamon, and something called “osmanthus” that sounded fancy. And some cedarwood, because why not?
- Some random spices: I grabbed some pepper from my kitchen cabinet.
Mixing It Up (and Praying for the Best)
Now for the fun part – actually mixing everything together! I didn’t really have a precise recipe, so I just kind of eyeballed it. I started with the vodka in a small, dark glass bottle (I think sunlight can mess with the oils, or something). Then, I started adding drops of the essential oils. I used pipette.
I went heavier on the tobacco and vanilla, since those seemed like the main notes. Then, I added a few drops of cinnamon and cedarwood for some warmth and woodiness. And, of course, a tiny, tiny bit of black pepper, because it might be intereting.
The Waiting Game (and a Few Sneak Sniffs)
After I mixed everything, I gave it a good shake and tucked it away in a dark, cool place. Apparently, you’re supposed to let it sit for a few weeks (or even months!) to let the scents really blend together. This is the hardest part! I couldn’t resist taking a little sniff every few days. It smelled…interesting. Definitely strong, and definitely evolving over time.
The Final Result (and My Honest Opinion)
Okay, so after a few weeks of waiting, I finally decided to give it a proper try. I dabbed a little on my wrist and…well, it’s definitely something. It’s not exactly like the real Herod, I’m sure, but it’s got that same kind of warm, spicy vibe. It’s a bit rough around the edges, and maybe a little too strong, but hey, I made it myself! I am kind of proud.
Will I wear it all the time? Probably not. But it was a fun experiment, and I learned a lot along the way. Maybe I’ll tweak the recipe next time, add some different oils, or try a different base. Who knows? The possibilities are endless!
