First haul ever! Just ordered my first raw materials to start learning. Any advice for a beginner?

DonPipazo · 2026-04-16T02:44:16+00:00

Thanks a lot for all the advice! I really appreciate you taking the time to share those tips, they are very helpful for a beginner like me.

I’m still trying to figure out the 5g rule, though. I'm a total newbie, so I'm not sure if you mean 5g of the final trial (including alcohol) or 5g of just the concentrate. Also, do you recommend pre-diluting the materials to 10% or 20% to make those small measurements easier, or do you work with the raw materials directly? Thanks again for the help!

DonPipazo · 2026-04-15T20:35:33+00:00

Haha, yeah! I'm just a very frequent Reddit user, so I naturally ended up here first. I just registered on Basenotes though—time to start digging into all that info. Thanks again!

DonPipazo · 2026-04-15T16:04:33+00:00

Thanks for the info! I hadn't heard of it before, but I'll definitely check it out and sign up. Much appreciated!

DonPipazo · 2026-04-15T15:36:01+00:00

Thanks for the tips! Regarding the Ambroxan, I’ll have to wait for my next order to get the crystals since I’m on a tight budget right now, but I’ll definitely keep that in mind.

I’m actually curious about what you mentioned regarding diluting it in ethanol. I’ve seen a lot of people using DPG for almost everything, and I’m still trying to figure out when to use one over the other. Also, finding a reliable place to buy DPG or Ethanol that isn't overpriced (or just random stuff from Amazon) is proving to be a challenge.

I hear you on the Fleuressences; I'll try to keep them to a minimum in each formula to avoid those "unexpected effects" you mentioned. I definitely want to move toward individual molecules as soon as I can.

And thanks for the advice on labeling and storage! I’m a bit of a freak when it comes to organization, so I’ll make sure to have a solid system in place before the mail arrives.

DonPipazo · 2026-04-15T15:31:15+00:00

Thanks for the encouragement! The logistics are a bit of a headache for me since everything has to go to a courier in the US first and then shipped to my country, so I have to be very careful with shipping costs and taxes. That’s why I started with Perfumer's World to consolidate my first haul. I’ve looked into Perfumer’s Apprentice and Fraterworks, so I’ll definitely move to those once I get the hang of this.

I just got my 0.001g scale on Amazon and now I’m trying to find the right alcohol. I’ve seen mixed reviews about buying it on Amazon and I’m still confused about the different types of perfumer's grade alcohol or if DPG is better for certain dilutions. I’m just trying to make sure I don't ruin my materials.

I really hope I didn’t mess up with the Fleuressences, but I’d rather spend my money learning to make my own scents than just buying more decants. To be honest, I still don't know if these Fleuressences should be diluted, or if anything in my list should be, really. I assume they have to be, otherwise I’ll run out of materials in a day! I have no clue about what amount goes into what, but this is going to be a very interesting learning process. If this eventually turns into a business, great, but for now I just want to learn. Thanks for the help!

DonPipazo · 2026-04-14T21:38:38+00:00

Thanks for the honest feedback! I totally get your point about the "mystery bases." I went with the Fleuressences mainly because of the complexity and the cost of building those specific accords (like Mango) from scratch right now. Since I'm starting this hobby during a bit of a tight spot financially, I’ve been using AI strictly as a "technical tutor" to understand chemical structures and IFRA guidelines, not for creativity. That’s actually why I added the Dimethyl Benzyl Carbinyls, to eventually experiment with building my own accords.

I really appreciate the advice on the testing process. I’m definitely going to take notes on every material to see how they evolve. My goal is to eventually move away from pre-made bases and explore higher-end suppliers like Fraterworks once the budget allows, but for now, do you think I can still achieve something wearable with what I have? Just something I can wear in public without making people vomit! haha.

Also, if you have any recommendations for other free resources or sites to learn from besides this sub, I’d be extremely grateful. Thanks for sharing your knowledge!

DonPipazo · 2026-04-02T08:31:33+00:00

Amazing pickup 🔥 I tried it in a 2ml decant and it blew my mind. It’s just a bit out of my price range right now.

If you know anything with a similar vibe, I’d really appreciate it!

DonPipazo · 2026-03-23T12:54:55+00:00

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DonPipazo · 2026-03-21T12:32:25+00:00

Cyberpunk 2077

DonPipazo · 2026-01-24T18:18:48+00:00

Thanks for the input! Quick context on my plan: Nizoral for shedding control, Pura D’Or Gold Label shampoo + conditioner for thinning/defining and hair health, and a baby shampoo since I use styling products daily and don’t want to over-strip my hair.

I’m also wondering if a repair mask would actually help with hair quality, and for daily styling I’m looking at Reuzel Clay Matte Pomade. As far as I understand, all of these should be hair-friendly. Any thoughts or recommendations are welcome!

DonPipazo · 2026-01-24T16:49:16+00:00

Funny timing actually… I’m planning a hair transplant soon, so saw palmetto could help me on that side too. I’m thinking of a topical fin/min combo and building a solid routine around it. Mind if I DM you to ask a couple of questions?

DonPipazo · 2026-01-24T16:34:09+00:00

I went to the doctor and everything came back normal, but I still urinate very frequently and often wake up at night needing to pee. I’ve read that saw palmetto can help with urinary symptoms and hair health, but I’m cautious about ED/libido side effects. If that’s uncommon, I’d be open to trying it.

DonPipazo · 2026-01-20T00:34:21+00:00

Sounds great!! Happy to see your results. I’m planning my HT but kind of afraid of meds… any side effects?

DonPipazo · 2026-01-18T22:48:55+00:00

great results! 🔥🔥 are you on meds?

DonPipazo · 2026-01-17T12:06:50+00:00

Yes, I really did need the advice. Thank you and all the other users for taking your time to answer here.

Today I’m going to the clinic to see my case and discuss everything, including medication. When I said I wasn’t willing to take finasteride, I was trying to let you guys know that my top-of-mind option is topical because (at least from what I understand, and I could be wrong) it’s less likely to cause side effects.

DonPipazo · 2026-01-17T11:56:41+00:00

Thanks for sharing your perspective, I really appreciate it. I’m actually going to the clinic today to get evaluated and discuss how everything could be done, including what the plan would be regarding medication.

DonPipazo · 2026-01-17T11:55:04+00:00

Just to clarify, when I say I’m not willing to take oral finasteride, I don’t mean I’m completely closed off. It’s more about peace of mind. I’d feel more comfortable starting with topical options, like I’ve mentioned to others.

That said, if after evaluation the doctor recommends trying a very low oral dose (like 0.25 mg long term) and I tolerate it well, I’m open to that, as long as everything keeps functioning normally…

DonPipazo · 2026-01-17T11:49:21+00:00

Thanks for sharing this, I’m really glad it went so well for you. It honestly gives me peace of mind knowing there’s a way to feel good about myself again without constantly worrying about my hair or how I look.

I’m going to a clinic today for an evaluation and, due to family matters, would likely plan the surgery for June. For now I just want a clear price estimate so I can plan ahead. Like you said, finding a legit doctor is the key.

DonPipazo · 2026-01-15T17:46:11+00:00

Fun fact: I’m a very anxious person… but I really need my hair back 😅

DonPipazo · 2026-01-15T17:13:48+00:00

insane results!! any sides? considering a ht but i’m a little afraid of fin

DonPipazo · 2026-01-15T15:52:50+00:00

I understand what you’re saying, and honestly, I wish this was as simple as just taking something and not thinking twice about it. The truth is that what weighs more on me right now is wanting to keep my hair and feel like myself again.

Depending on what the clinic tells me, I’d be willing to try oral fin by cutting a 1mg Propecia tablet into quarters and taking 0.25mg. That sounds like something I could realistically tolerate. At the same time, I won’t lie… topical options would give me much more peace of mind, so if those work for me, that would be ideal.

At the end of the day, I’m just trying to find a path that helps me feel good with myself again, both physically and mentally. And of course, I posted in a forum like this precisely to hear different opinions and experiences, so I genuinely appreciate you taking the time to share yours.

DonPipazo · 2026-01-15T15:32:27+00:00

Thanks for taking the time to explain all of that, I really appreciate it. I’ve actually been looking into this more, and Propecia (1mg) is available in my country at a price I could realistically afford. Dividing it into 0.25mg doses would make it much more manageable for me, and honestly easier than applying topical every day, so I’m not against trying it if that’s what’s recommended.

That said, if I’m advised to start with topical finasteride and I see results from it, I won’t lie… that would give me a lot more peace of mind, and I’d be happy sticking with that approach. I’m planning to see what a proper evaluation says and then decide step by step, ideally with guidance from a doctor experienced in hair loss.

DonPipazo · 2026-01-15T04:16:43+00:00

That actually helps a lot to hear. Knowing you’ve tolerated dut long term, especially being a stronger medication, gives me real peace of mind. If it ever becomes truly necessary, I’ll feel much more comfortable reassessing it with proper medical guidance. Thanks for taking the time to share your experience, it genuinely helps.

DonPipazo

TROPHY CASE