Creating Your Own Cologne: A Simple Guide

Creating your own cologne can be a fun and rewarding experience. Not only can you create a unique scent that reflects your personality, but you can also save money and reduce waste by making your own fragrance at home. The process is relatively simple and only requires a few basic ingredients and materials, such as essential oils, alcohol, glycerin, and a spray bottle. With these components, you can mix and match scents to create a cologne that is truly yours. So, if you're looking for a new hobby or want to stand out with a signature scent, making your own cologne is definitely worth considering.

Choosing your scent

Choosing a scent for your cologne is a highly personal decision. It is important to select a scent that you love and that aligns with your personality and the mood you want to evoke. Here are some tips to help you choose the right scent for your cologne:

• Understand Fragrance Notes: Fragrances are typically composed of top notes, middle notes, and base notes. Top notes are the initial scent that you smell after applying the cologne and last for 15 minutes to 2 hours. Middle notes develop after the top notes and can last for 3-5 hours. Base notes are the boldest notes that become more noticeable later in the day and can last for 5-10 hours. Familiarize yourself with different fragrance notes and experiment with combining them to create a unique scent profile.
• Sample Different Scents: Don't be afraid to try out different fragrances to find the one that suits you best. Visit department stores and sample a few colognes on your skin, rather than on paper strips, to see how they interact with your body chemistry. Spray one scent on each wrist and take notes on how the fragrance evolves over time.
• Consider the Season: Different scents may be more appealing during certain times of the year. For example, warming tobacco, leather, or spice notes are popular in winter, while green and aquatic notes are often preferred in summer. Choose a scent that aligns with the season you plan to wear the cologne the most.
• Know the Classics: Familiarize yourself with classic cologne scents to have a solid foundation for your search. This will also give you a roster of well-loved scents to choose from.
• Weigh Mass Appeal vs. Niche: Consider whether you want a mass-market fragrance that is widely appealing or a niche fragrance that is more unique and bold. Mass-market fragrances are typically safer and less expensive, while niche fragrances use higher-quality ingredients and are designed for a more selective audience.
• Understand Your Motives: Think about why you want a signature scent and how it will reflect your personality or the image you want to project. Do you want to feel confident, comfortable, or adventurous? Choose a scent that aligns with your motives and suits different aspects of your personality.
• Seek Inspiration: If you're unsure where to start, seek inspiration from others. Ask people whose scent you admire what cologne they wear, or follow fragrance enthusiasts on social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube to discover new fragrances.

Blending the oils

Firstly, it's important to understand the fragrance scale. Top notes will be the first thing you smell in your composition. The middle note will appear once the top note dries down, and the base will be the fragrance's foundation. Fragrance is all about ratios.

The basic pyramid accord is 60% base notes, 30% middle notes, and 10% top notes. However, Chaz suggests a ratio of 20% base, 50% middle, and 30% top. It's up to you to figure out the formula that works with the type of profile you're trying to create.

When blending, remember that some essential oils will not blend well with others, resulting in a cologne that won't be pleasing to anyone's nose. This is why it's important to compare your essential oil choices for a cologne with aroma categories.

• Citrus aromas: bergamot, orange, lime, and lemongrass
• Herbal aromas: fennel, spearmint, camphor, and clary sage
• Resin aromas: frankincense, balsam fir needle, and myrrh
• Spice aromas: clove, black pepper, nutmeg, ginger, and cardamom
• Woodland aromas: cedarwood, juniper, eucalyptus, cypress, and pine
• Floral aromas: Roman chamomile and neroli
• Exotic aromas: ylang-ylang, sandalwood, and vetiver

Once you have your desired formula, add two ounces of alcohol. Then, allow the fragrance to brew and sit for 48 hours. You can then refrigerate for two weeks and shake it up so that the molecules can mix.

Applying the cologne

Applying cologne is an art form. If not done properly, it can lead to over-application or a scent that fades almost immediately. Here are some tips on how to apply cologne correctly and effectively:

• Apply cologne sparingly and strategically so that it lasts all day. The key is not to over-apply. Choose one area, such as the neck or forearms, and start with one spray. If you notice that the scent fades quickly, choose another area and spray there the next time you apply.
• Ask a friend or family member for their opinion on the application, as you can become nose-blind to scents you wear often.
• Re-apply cologne if needed, especially if you are going out in the evening. When doing so, simply dab a little onto your pulse points.
• Avoid spraying the fragrance on your clothing, as this prevents it from mixing with your natural oils and can harm some fabrics.
• Avoid splashing the cologne on your skin, as this is an easy way to over-apply. Instead, place one finger over the opening of the bottle and gently tip it upside down before dabbing the scent on your body.
• Avoid spraying a mist cloud and walking through it, as this renders the cologne almost useless, with most of it ending up on the floor.
• Avoid rubbing the cologne into your skin, as this makes the scent fade faster by breaking the molecular bond in the fragrance. If you're not going to spray, then simply dab.
• Apply cologne to heated areas of your body, such as the neck, chest, pulse points, forearms, or inner elbows. The heat helps diffuse the scent throughout the day and allows it to meld with your body chemistry to develop your signature scent.
• Hold the spray bottle 3-6 inches from your body when applying cologne. Holding the bottle any closer than 3 inches risks over-application, while spraying further than 6 inches will likely result in under-application.
• Apply cologne immediately after showering, directly onto dry skin. The shower cleanses your body of any other scents and opens your pores, helping the scent absorb.

Storing the cologne

Storing your cologne correctly is essential to prolonging its shelf life and preserving its scent. Here are some detailed tips on how to store your cologne:

Choose the Right Storage Space:

• Keep your cologne in a dark, dry place away from direct sunlight. Sunlight can damage the bottle and affect the quality of the cologne. A closet or drawer is ideal for storage.
• Store your cologne in an area with a consistent temperature, avoiding extreme heat or cold. Do not store it in the kitchen or bathroom, as these areas are subject to temperature changes and humidity.
• Avoid storing your cologne in humid areas. Humidity can negatively impact the quality of the cologne. If possible, store it in a room with a dehumidifier.
• Consider storing your cologne in the refrigerator, as long as it is not too cold. A consistent temperature is crucial to preserving the cologne.
• A linen closet is an excellent option for storage, as it is typically dark, dry, and protected from temperature fluctuations.

Select the Right Storage Container:

• Keep your cologne in its original bottle if it is attractive and airtight. The original bottle is designed to protect the cologne from contamination and oxidation.
• Store your cologne in boxes before placing them in a closet or on a shelf. Boxes provide additional protection from light, heat, and humidity. Ensure that the caps are firmly sealed to prevent leaks.
• Invest in travel containers if you plan to travel with your cologne. Transferring your cologne to smaller containers can reduce the risk of spills and breakage during transportation.

Prevent Damage:

• Always keep the cap on the bottle when not in use. Exposure to air can cause the cologne to evaporate and deteriorate.
• Avoid shaking the cologne bottle, as this can introduce excess air and oxidation, altering the scent.
• Do not store fragile cologne bottles on high shelves. Keep them on lower shelves or in a safe place to prevent accidental spills and breakage.

How long it lasts

How long a bottle of cologne lasts depends on a variety of factors, including the strength of the fragrance, the type of sprayer, and how many times you spray it each day.

A 100ml bottle of cologne, used daily with two to eight sprays, could last anywhere from four months to two years. Some people estimate that a 100ml bottle would last 300 applications, or almost a year of daily use, assuming each application uses a third of a millilitre of cologne. However, this can vary depending on the strength of the fragrance and the type of sprayer, with some sprayers dispersing more cologne than others.

If you use your cologne sparingly, with only one or two sprays a day, a 100ml bottle could last for multiple years. On the other hand, if you are a heavy sprayer, using six to seven millilitres a day, a 100ml bottle might only last a couple of weeks.

Ultimately, the longevity of a bottle of cologne depends on individual usage, but with daily use, you can generally expect a 100ml bottle to last at least a year.

Frequently asked questions