WWII Perfume Recipes

I picked up this book at an antique store a couple weeks ago:

I bought it for some perfume recipes I noticed and some of the other general "how-to"'s. However after reading it more in depth I have decided it really should be called "How to poison yourself and your family". Holy cow are there a lot of toxic chemicals in these recipes! Formaldehyde should not be used in a skin cream!! Nor would I recommend mixing your own paint by combining lead and turpentine, using Hydrochloric acid to whiten your teeth, or making a hand-cleanser from ammonia and turpentine. I would also think making your own depilatory creams with Quicklime is probably not a good idea. Yikes!
(I also liked the suggestion of inhaling some Chloroform if you have a stuffy nose. Once again, not a good idea.)

I do have plans to try some of the non-toxic recipes in this book. I haven't tried any of the perfume blends yet, but here are a few that sound interesting. I am going to try them after I finish the Victorian blend I am currently using (the recipe can be found here. I quite like it but it has a very different smell). If anyone tries these out I would love to know the results!

Note: I have edited the recipes slightly. They all recommend being set in a base of alcohol, but I would recommend using an oil instead, such as grapeseed oil. The scent will have more staying power if you use an oil and it moisturises your skin at the same time! It is up to your personal preference what you use so I have only listed the essential oils required for each blend. THESE RECIPES ARE MEANT TO BE DILUTED! Do not use them full strength on your skin. The essential oils should be less than 10% of the final product.
(Also note citrus oils can make your skin more photosensitive so use caution if you are going to be out in the sun for a while)

Inexpensive Perfume
7 parts Bergamot essential oil
3 1/2 parts Lemon essential oil
3 1/2 parts Lavender essential oil

Verbena
16 parts Lemon essential oil
1/2 part Lemongrass essential oil
4 parts Orange essential oil

Simple Perfume #1
15 parts Orange essential oil
9 parts Neroli essential oil
5 parts Bergamot essential oil
3 parts Rosemary essential oil

Simple Perfume #7
3 parts Bergamot essential oil
1 part Lemon essential oil
1/4 part Lavender essential oil
1/4 part Clove essential oil
1/2 part Sandalwood

Anyone else love trying out vintage beauty recipes? I make most of my own beauty products and always find historical beauty recipes fascinating. (Not all of the recipes I come across are safe but the majority of them are). Does anyone else make their own beauty products? I would love some new recipes to try :)

That's All.

Fall Fashion (1905)

Hello everyone. I've been so swamped with work that I completely forgot to post anything last week. Actually I'm still drowning in school work so if I go MIA again that is why. I'm running on about 4 hours sleep so sorry if this is a bit incoherent. You have no idea how much I miss sleep.... Anyways...

As Autumn truly seems to be here, I thought I would post some fall fashion. These images are from 1905. I love taking detail from Victorian clothing and using it with slightly more modern clothing (for example adding a Victorian inspired collar on a blouse). Although, I would totally wear full Victorian outfits on a daily basis if I could. It has always been one of my favourite styles.

(As soon as I have access to my sewing machine I am starting on a Victorian style dress! I have a book of Victorian dress patterns that I am dying to test out. I figure I can wear it for Halloween next year if nothing else.)

That's All.