Thread: Modified Aqua Velva "Musk" cologne/aftershave

I bought a small bottle of the Aqua Velva "Musk", advertised as a cologne/aftershave. I found it's scent to be so strong that I regard it as a cologne first, only qualifying as an aftershave because it has glycerin, which counterbalances the drying effect of its alcohol content.

So I mixed it with some 28 proof witch hazel extract, one tablespoon of the musk with one and a third tablespoon (measured with a measuring teaspoon) of witch hazel. Eyeballed some menthol crystals in an 1/8th teaspoon, ground the crystals in a clean mortar and pestle, which turned out to be very close to an 1/8th but obviously slightly bulkier after powdering. Mixed them up in a small bowl and then poured them into a small container with a small opening for easy use. Tried it just minutes later. First mixing was a success!

It is diluted to a comfortable strength, scent-wise. The menthol level is not eye-watering but strong and very cooling, desirable sensation. It's kind of a home-made Aqua Velva "Ice Blue". I think using this recipe the 3.5 ounce bottle of musk cologne/aftershave can make 1/2 ounce x 7 = 14-17 ounces of finished, mentholated "Poor Man's" Ice Blue. The only reason I did this is because I find the scent of the straight "Musk" too powerful, and I like the menthol aftershave's cooling effect. I also like having the astringent skin-tonic effect of witch hazel in my aftershaves. The best of both worlds.

Thoughts? Feelings? Ideas?

I'm normally a bit leery of altering products, chances are it goes wrong. Adjusting the strength is another matter entirely, that is fine. You did not introduce any new scents and only altered the proportions of what was already in the mix, so it seems like a fine way to go about it. And you sound happy about it yourself and that's the main point, isn't it? Good job

Personally I'd have gone with adding alcohol, but that's just me - I enjoy a little firewater

Ehh. It's hot enough as it is. I'm not suffering from a lack of alcohol. Actually, just a few minutes ago, a few hours after my shave, I re-applied the product and it has plenty of burn to it, at least for my skin. I'm glad to see you understand that menthol isn't a scent but a sensation. Kudos to you.

I've got two little table bottles of hot sauce with the small openings cleaned and de-labeled. I've got a little plastic syringe-type gadget (for spraying medication into cat's mouths) to inject home-made concoctions into small apertures. I like to make a Proraso-cream/soap-inspired eucalyptus oil and menthol in a witch-hazel base after shave. I purchased a "sandal", not sandalwood, aromatic food additive as well as a "lemon" food-grade extract from an Indian grocery store. They're cheap and worth what I paid for them. The "lemon" thoroughly deserved its quotations as it is the most primitive, narrow-ranged caustic interpretation of a citrus fruit. But I can use the sandal for a little flavor, only as a background supportive function, and the lemon for some brightening and enhancement with some sharpness and higher floral notes. The best scents I have are a very old, vintage Caswell-Massey sandalwood extract I took about 20 drops from (diluted in the 28 proof witch-hazel) and a third of an ounce of pine (pinus sylvestris) oil extract.

BTW, Straight Razor Design's Sandalwood soap is a beautifully authentic, strongly scented shaving soap. Mmmmmmm... so good. A truly masculine, wonderfully scented shaving soap. Straight up sandalwood. I love it. A+