Make Your Own Men's Cologne With Essential Oils

Making men's cologne from essential oils is a fun and rewarding process. Not only can you create a scent that is unique to you, but you can also avoid the synthetic fragrances and chemicals found in many commercial colognes. By blending essential oils with a carrier oil or alcohol, you can create a natural cologne that not only smells amazing but also provides health benefits.

The key to creating a great cologne is understanding fragrance notes. Top notes are the first scents you notice, middle notes create the core of the scent, and base notes are the lingering scents that ground the fragrance. For a masculine cologne, you can experiment with essential oils such as cedarwood, sandalwood, bergamot, patchouli, and vetiver.

Whether you choose an oil-based or alcohol-based cologne, the process is simple. Combine your chosen essential oils, aiming for around 30-45 drops in total, and then add your carrier oil or alcohol. With an oil-based cologne, you may need to shake the bottle before each use, while an alcohol-based cologne may be a better emulsifier. So, are you ready to create your signature scent?

Choosing the right essential oils for a masculine scent

When creating masculine fragrances, it's best to stick to woodsy or earthy essential oils for the base. These can be combined with citrusy, spicy, or minty oils for the perfect blend. Here are some essential oils to consider for a masculine scent:

Woodsy essential oils

Northern Lights Black Spruce, Cedarwood, Sandalwood, and Spruce. Cedarwood has a clean, woodsy scent and is a favourite among men. It also has antimicrobial properties and can help neutralise odour-causing bacteria.

Earthy essential oils

Patchouli, Oakmoss, and Vetiver. Patchouli has a dense, deep, earthy aroma that is slightly musky and versatile. It can be used on its own or blended with other masculine essential oils.

Citrusy essential oils

Wild Orange, Lemon, and Bergamot. Citrus oils like wild orange can be used as top notes, providing an initial burst of freshness.

Spicy essential oils

Black Pepper, Cardamom, Clove, and Coriander. Black pepper has a strong, spicy aroma and stimulates energy and focus.

Minty essential oils

Peppermint. Peppermint essential oil has a sharp, crisp, and refreshing scent. It also has natural menthol, which delivers a cooling sensation.

Other essential oils that can be used in masculine fragrances include frankincense, copaiba, basil, ylang-ylang, douglas fir, Siberian fir, and royal Hawaiian sandalwood.

Using alcohol as an emulsifier

If you decide to use alcohol as an emulsifier in your DIY cologne, it is recommended to use 100 proof alcohol, such as vodka or white rum, as it delivers the purest essential oil scents while also preserving the recipe for many months. You can also use perfumer's alcohol, pure grain alcohol, or Everclear.

Ingredients:

• 30 grams of perfumer's alcohol (or pure grain alcohol, Everclear)
• 12 drops of Bay Essential Oil
• 12 drops of Lime Essential Oil
• 12 drops of Bergamot Essential Oil
• 12 drops of Cedarwood Essential Oil
• 1 30ml (1 oz) Glass Perfume Bottle

Instructions:

• Pour the perfumer's alcohol into a container.
• Add the essential oils to the perfumer's alcohol.
• Stir the mixture slowly, making sure that the oils are thoroughly dispersed.
• Leave the mixture for around 3 weeks so that the perfume can mature.
• After 3 weeks, filter the cologne through a coffee filter to remove any sediment.
• Pour the cologne into a glass perfume bottle using a funnel.

Your cologne is now ready to use!

Blending essential oils for a unique scent

Blending essential oils is a fun and creative process, but it's also an art and a science. Here are some tips to help you create a unique scent:

• Choose your essential oils: Select oils that you love and that create a masculine scent. You can also choose oils based on their benefits, such as grounding emotions, balancing mood, promoting focus, or providing energy.
• Understand fragrance notes: Fragrance notes refer to the different stages of a scent as it evaporates. Top notes are the first impression and fade quickly, middle notes blend the scents together, and base notes are the longest-lasting scent. When blending, include oils from each category to create a well-rounded scent.
• Experiment with blending: Start with a small amount of oil and combine different oils in various ratios. Pay attention to how the oils interact and how the scent changes over time. You can use perfume blotters or cotton balls to test your blends.
• Consider the aroma strength: Some oils have a stronger aroma than others. When blending, adjust the ratios accordingly to ensure that one oil doesn't overpower the others.
• Keep a record: Write down the amounts and types of oils you use in each blend. This will help you recreate successful blends and avoid mistakes in the future.
• Be patient and persistent: Blending essential oils takes time and practice. Don't be discouraged if your first attempts don't turn out as expected. Enjoy the process of experimentation and discovery.
• Inspired: 8 drops Idaho Balsam Fir, 8 drops Orange, 4 drops Frankincense, and 1 3/4 teaspoons of 100-proof rum or vodka as a base.
• Outdoorsy: 8 drops Basil, 8 drops Idaho Blue Spruce, and 4 drops Helichrysum.
• Spiritually Aware: 10 drops Hinoki and 10 drops Bergamot.
• Sweet and Spicy: 10 drops Black Pepper, 7 drops Coriander, and 3 drops Royal Hawaiian Sandalwood.
• Take on the World: 10 drops Cypress, 9 drops Marjoram, and 1 drop Wintergreen.

The importance of using glass containers for storage

Glass containers are the most popular and widely used storage option for essential oils. They are non-reactive, meaning they do not leach harmful chemicals into the oils. They are also resistant to light and heat, which is especially important for maintaining the potency of essential oils. Dark-coloured glass bottles, such as amber or cobalt blue, are ideal as they block UV rays that can damage the oils.

Glass containers are easy to clean after use, requiring only water and soap to remove residual oils. They are also airtight, which is an important feature of essential oil storage as oxygen and moisture can cause oxidation and deterioration of the oils.

When making cologne with essential oils, it is important to use glass containers. The same principles apply to storing cologne as to storing essential oils – glass will protect the cologne from losing its potency due to light and heat exposure.

In addition to using glass containers, it is also important to store essential oils and essential oil products in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight.

How to apply DIY cologne

Applying your DIY cologne is an important step in the process. Here is a detailed guide on how to apply your DIY cologne:

• Spray or roll the cologne onto your chest, wrists, neck, and behind your ears. These pulse points help to enhance the scent and make it last longer.
• When using a spray cologne, hold the bottle 3-6 inches away from your skin and spray in a sweeping motion. For a roller cologne, gently roll the bottle on your skin in a back-and-forth motion.
• Allow the cologne to dry naturally. Do not rub or wipe the area after application, as this can alter the scent and reduce its longevity.
• Reapply throughout the day as needed. The scent of a cologne generally lasts for around two hours, so you may need to top it up.
• Store your cologne in a cool, dark place to extend its shelf life.
• Layer your cologne with other scented products such as deodorant, shampoo, or body wash to create a more intense and long-lasting fragrance.
• Apply moisturiser to your skin before applying cologne. This can help the scent last longer and prevent skin irritation.
• Avoid applying cologne to sensitive areas such as your face or private parts.
• If you are using a spray cologne, clean the nozzle regularly to prevent blockages.

Frequently asked questions