Creating Long-Lasting Scents: Crafting Oil-Based Colognes

Creating an oil-based cologne is a fun way to make a customised scent. The process is fairly simple, but it requires patience and experimentation. First, you'll need to gather your materials, including essential oils, a carrier oil, and glassware for mixing and storing. When selecting essential oils, opt for scents that blend well together and appeal to your preferences. Once you've chosen your oils, it's time to start mixing, adding the oils in layers, from base notes to middle and top notes, swirling as you go. After blending, your cologne will need time to mature, so find a dark place to store it for a few weeks. During this time, the oils will mesh together, creating a unique fragrance. Finally, dilute your cologne with a carrier oil, such as jojoba or sweet almond oil, and it's ready to use!

Understand fragrance notes and ratios

Understanding fragrance notes and ratios is crucial when creating your own cologne. The typical cologne consists of three layers of scents, known as fragrance notes: top notes, middle notes, and base notes. These notes work together to create a well-rounded and captivating fragrance.

Top notes, also known as head notes, are the first scents you perceive when applying a cologne. They are usually sharp and intense but tend to evaporate quickly. Examples of common top notes include citrusy scents like bergamot and lime, as well as aromatic herbs such as rosemary. When creating your cologne, you can expect these notes to be the most volatile, so they should be used sparingly. A good rule of thumb is to use about 20-30% top notes in your blend.

Middle notes, also called heart notes, emerge once the top notes start to fade. These scents are more mellow and rounded, providing depth to the fragrance. Common middle notes include floral scents like rose, jasmine, and ylang-ylang, as well as spices such as cinnamon. Middle notes typically make up the bulk of your fragrance, with a recommended ratio of around 50%.

Base notes are the foundation of your cologne. They are deep, rich scents that linger on the skin long after the top and middle notes have faded. Examples of base notes include sandalwood, vanilla, and musk. These notes help fix the fragrance and enhance its longevity. It is recommended to use base notes sparingly, with a ratio of about 20-30%.

When creating your cologne, it's important to remember that these ratios are not set in stone. You may need to experiment with different combinations to find the perfect balance for your desired fragrance. Additionally, the ratios may vary depending on the type of cologne you are creating. For example, a fresh cologne may require a higher proportion of volatile top notes, while a woody or oriental fragrance might favour more base notes.

Once you've chosen your essential oils and determined your ratios, it's time to blend them together. Start by adding your essential oils to a carrier, such as perfumer's alcohol, and stir slowly until they are fully incorporated. Allow this mixture to mature for several weeks, and then filter it to remove any sediment. Finally, pour your cologne into a glass bottle, and you've created your signature scent!

Choose essential oils

When choosing essential oils for your cologne, it's important to understand fragrance notes. Notes are divided into three classes: top, middle, and base. The top note is the first scent you'll notice after application, but it will also be the quickest to fade. The middle note is the next most powerful scent, and the base note will be the scent that lasts the longest.

A good cologne will be well-structured with a balance of top, middle, and base notes. A basic pyramid accord consists of 60% base notes, 30% middle notes, and 10% top notes. However, you can experiment with different ratios to find the formula that works best for the type of profile you're trying to create.

Top Notes

• Wild Orange
• Lemongrass
• Lemon
• Bergamot
• Lime
• Basil
• Juniper
• Spearmint
• Peppermint
• Wintergreen
• Fennel
• Camphor
• Clary Sage
• Neroli
• Roman Chamomile
• Lemon Verbena
• Valerian

Middle Notes

• Sandalwood
• Cardamom
• Ylang-Ylang
• Geranium
• Rose
• Lotus Flower
• Vetiver
• Cedarwood
• Bergamot
• Fennel
• Bergamot
• Blue Spruce
• Orange
• Cypress
• Pine
• Chamomile
• Rosemary
• Clove
• Juniper
• Black Pepper
• Myrrh
• Frankincense
• Balsam Fir Needle
• Copaiba

Base Notes

• Frankincense
• Sandalwood
• Tonka Bean
• Violet Leaf
• Vanilla
• Cedarwood
• Douglas Fir
• White Fir
• Siberian Fir
• Black Pepper
• Myrrh
• Copaiba
• Clove
• White Fir
• Wild Orange
• Sandalwood
• Frankincense

When blending essential oils, it's important to remember that not all notes will blend well together. Compare your essential oil choices with aroma categories to create a harmonious blend. Here are some examples of essential oil 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

Blend the oils

The fun part of the process is blending the oils. This is where you can get creative and experiment with different combinations of oils to find your perfect scent. Remember, not all notes will go well together, so be prepared for some trial and error. It is recommended to use no more than 30 drops in total, and if one scent is much stronger than the others, use less of it.

When blending your oils, it is important to understand the fragrance scale and the different notes that make up a chord. A chord is composed of a base note, a heart note, and a head note. The base note is the one that lasts the longest and is usually something woody or musky, like sandalwood or vanilla. The heart note is the middle note, which is generally floral, like jasmine or rose. The head note is a strong, explosive scent that evaporates quickly, like citrus or bergamot.

When blending your oils, add the base notes first, followed by the heart notes, and finally, the head notes. This ensures that the different notes have time to mix and mesh together properly.

For a 5ml bottle of cologne, you will need a total of 100 drops of liquid. The ratios of the notes are typically 2 parts base, 1 part heart, and 1 part head. The remaining amount will be your carrier oil, such as jojoba or sweet almond oil. So, for a 5ml bottle, you would use 10 drops of base note, 5 drops of heart note, and 5 drops of head note, and then fill the rest of the bottle with your carrier oil.

Of course, these ratios can be adjusted to your preference and the strength of your oils. You may want to use more base and heart notes than head notes, as these tend to be more subtle and lasting. It's all about finding the right balance through experimentation.

Once you have added all your oils, gently swirl the mixture to combine them, smelling as you go. Record your formula so that you can recreate it, and always date and label your creations.

After blending, it is important to let the mixture sit for a while so that the oils can fully combine and develop their scent. This can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks, so be patient!

Add alcohol

Alcohol is a key ingredient in cologne, and the type and amount of alcohol you use will depend on the desired strength and longevity of your fragrance.

The Role of Alcohol in Cologne

Perfumers use alcohol to make cologne suitable for application to the skin by diluting the essential oils. Alcohol helps to disperse the oils and can also enhance the intensity and longevity of the fragrance.

Types of Alcohol for Cologne

There are different types of alcohol that can be used in cologne-making:

• Perfumer's alcohol: This is a popular choice for cologne as it effectively showcases the fragrance and is relatively easy to work with. However, due to its flammable nature and licensing requirements, it may be difficult to obtain.
• Vodka: While some sources suggest using vodka, it is not considered a suitable professional medium for creating cologne.
• Rubbing alcohol: This type of alcohol can be used, but it may dry out the skin with frequent use.

Amount of Alcohol to Use

The amount of alcohol used will depend on the desired concentration of your cologne. A higher concentration of alcohol will result in a stronger fragrance. For a 2-ounce spray bottle of cologne, you will need approximately 1/2 teaspoon of alcohol. If you are making a rollerball cologne, you may need slightly less alcohol, depending on the size of the bottle.

Adding Alcohol to Your Cologne

When adding alcohol to your cologne, it is important to follow the proper steps:

• Combine your essential oils: Before adding alcohol, blend your chosen essential oils in the desired ratios. Typically, you will use a combination of top, middle, and base notes.
• Add alcohol: Once your essential oils are combined, add the appropriate amount of alcohol and shake well.
• Let it sit: Allow the mixture to sit for at least 48 hours to a few weeks. This gives the fragrance time to mature and the notes to blend harmoniously.
• Dilute: After the maturation period, dilute the cologne by adding distilled water or another liquid, such as witch hazel.
• Final adjustments: At this point, you can make any final adjustments to your cologne, such as adding glycerin to enhance the longevity and adhesion of the fragrance to the skin.
• Bottle and store: Pour or roll your cologne into a glass bottle and store it in a cool, dark place to preserve the fragrance.

Dilute and store

Diluting and storing your cologne is the final step in creating your own signature scent. This is a crucial step, as it will ensure your cologne is safe to use and will last for a long time. Here is a detailed guide on how to dilute and store your oil-based cologne:

Diluting Your Cologne

When diluting your cologne, it is important to use the correct ratio of essential oils to carrier oil or alcohol. For a 10% fragrance strength cologne, add 20 drops of essential oils to 10ml of carrier oil or perfumer's alcohol. If you prefer a stronger scent, you can create a 15% fragrance by adding 30 drops of essential oils to 10ml of carrier. It is important to add your essential oils in the correct order, starting with the base notes, then middle notes, and finally the top notes. This will ensure the scents blend well and create a harmonious fragrance.

Storing Your Cologne

Once you have diluted your cologne, it is important to store it properly to ensure its longevity. Always use a clean glass bottle, preferably amber or dark-coloured, to protect the potency of the essential oils. Store your cologne in a cool, dark place, away from direct sunlight or heat sources. Proper storage will ensure your cologne lasts for up to six months for spray colognes and up to a year for roll-on colognes.

Additional Tips

When creating your cologne, it is important to take your time and experiment with different scents. Fragrance blending is an art form, and it can take time to perfect your signature scent. Be patient and keep detailed records of your formulas, including the dates and ratios of essential oils used. This will allow you to recreate your favourite scents and make adjustments as needed. Always perform a patch test before using any new cologne to ensure it is safe for your skin.

Frequently asked questions