Creating Cologne: A Beginner's Guide To Making Scents

Creating your own cologne is a fun and rewarding project that allows you to express your creativity and develop a unique signature scent. While it may not be easy to replicate commercial fragrances, making your own cologne can be an enjoyable and satisfying process. In this guide, we will explore the steps and ingredients needed to craft a bespoke fragrance that reflects your personal aesthetic. So, get ready to dive into the world of perfumery and discover how to make cologne!

Choosing your essential oils

The essential oils you choose will make or break your cologne. There are countless options, so it can be challenging to pick a favourite. The final result will likely be different and more muted than the first whiff of one scent itself, so keep that in mind.

If you lean towards woody, slightly sweet scents, cedarwood is a good choice as it is very grounding. If you prefer romantic florals, jasmine, rose or ylang-ylang are good options.

For a masculine scent, you could try a blend of bay, lime, bergamot and cedarwood. Bay has a masculine, sweet but spicy odour with uplifting properties that can help you feel less stressed and more relaxed. Lime brings a sharp freshness and mixes well with the citrus notes of bergamot and the sweet and woody scents of bay and cedarwood. Bergamot is often referred to as the 'happy oil' and cedarwood is one of the oldest essential oils used in perfumery.

For a more feminine scent, you could try rose, jasmine, ylang-ylang, sandalwood, tonka bean, violet leaf, vanilla, geranium, lotus flower, lavender, neroli or magnolia.

Blending the essential oils

Firstly, you need to select the essential oils you want to use. You will need a top, middle, and base note. If you are going for a woody, slightly sweet scent, cedarwood is a good option. If you prefer romantic florals, jasmine, rose, or ylang-ylang are better choices. Remember that the final result will likely be more diluted and muted than the first whiff of the individual scent.

When you have your chosen oils, start by adding a few drops (one by one) and begin mixing. It is recommended to use no more than 30 drops in total, and if one scent is much stronger than the others, use less. Once you are happy with your formula, add two ounces of alcohol.

Base notes such as sandalwood, tonka bean, violet leaf, and vanilla blend well with middle notes like geranium, ylang-ylang, rose, and lotus flower. Top this formula off with lavender, neroli, magnolia, and mandarin, and your fragrance is ready.

Now, you need to let the fragrance sit for 48 hours. After this, it is recommended to refrigerate it for two weeks, and then give it a good shake to mix the molecules.

If you are using a clear glass bottle, it is best to store your cologne in a cool, dark place to preserve the essential oils.

Adding alcohol

Alcohol is an important ingredient in cologne as it helps to dilute the essential oils and make the fragrance more suitable for use on the skin. It also helps to disperse the oils, making the cologne more intense and longer-lasting.

When making cologne, perfumers alcohol is typically used, but you can also use pure grain alcohol or vodka. The amount of alcohol used will depend on the desired concentration of the cologne. For a stronger cologne, you can use more alcohol, while for a milder cologne, you can use less alcohol and add more distilled water.

To add alcohol to your cologne, start by pouring it into a container. The amount of alcohol you use will depend on the desired strength of your cologne. For a typical cologne, you will need around 5 ounces of alcohol. Once you have measured out the alcohol, you can start adding your essential oils. It is important to add the oils one by one and stir slowly to ensure that they are thoroughly dispersed.

After combining the alcohol and essential oils, you will need to leave the mixture to mature. This process can take around three weeks. During this time, the fragrance will develop and the ingredients will blend together. After the maturation period, you can filter the cologne through a coffee filter to remove any sediment and then pour it into your chosen glass bottle.

Refrigerating and shaking

After the refrigeration period, it's time to shake the cologne. Remove the bottle from the refrigerator and give it a good shake. This step helps to further mix the ingredients and prepare the cologne for the final stages of dilution and bottling. Shaking the cologne also helps to ensure that the fragrance oils are evenly distributed throughout the mixture, creating a consistent scent.

During the two-week refrigeration period, it is recommended to shake the cologne bottle occasionally. This can be done once or twice a day and helps to promote the integration of the fragrance oils and other ingredients. The shaking action, combined with the cool temperature of the refrigerator, creates the optimal environment for the fragrance molecules to bond and interact.

The process of refrigerating and shaking the cologne is crucial in developing its scent profile. It allows the various fragrance notes to come together and creates a more complex and balanced fragrance. The refrigeration and shaking steps are often overlooked but are key to achieving a professional-quality cologne with a long-lasting and captivating scent.

Diluting the fragrance

Choosing the Right Diluent

The primary diluent for cologne is alcohol. Alcohol helps to dilute the essential oils, making the cologne suitable for application to the skin. It also ensures that the fragrance lasts longer and has a more intense projection. There are different types of alcohol you can use:

• Perfumer's Alcohol: This is a popular choice for cologne-making as it is designed specifically for fragrance creation. It has a neutral scent and doesn't affect the final fragrance.
• Vodka: Alternatively, you can use vodka as your alcohol base. It serves the same purpose as perfumer's alcohol but may have a slightly stronger scent.
• Witch Hazel: Witch hazel is another option, though less commonly used. It has astringent properties and can be soothing to the skin.

Adding Glycerin for Longevity

Glycerin is an important ingredient to add when diluting your cologne. It helps to extend the life of your fragrance by slowing down the evaporation rate of the alcohol. This ensures that your cologne lasts longer on the skin. Additionally, glycerin helps the fragrance adhere to the skin, improving its longevity. You can use vegetable glycerin, which also acts as an emulsifier, aiding in the mixing process.

The Right Proportions

When diluting your cologne, it's important to use the correct proportions to ensure the fragrance isn't too strong or too diluted. Here are the general guidelines:

• Alcohol: This will make up the majority of your cologne, usually around 5 ounces for a standard recipe.
• Glycerin: You will only need a small amount of glycerin, typically around 1 ounce or less.
• Essential Oils: The standard ratio for essential oils is 20 drops of the top note, 15 drops of the middle note, and 10 drops of the base note.

Mixing and Storage

Once you've added all the ingredients, mix them thoroughly. Seal the bottle tightly and store it in a cool, dark place for several weeks to allow the fragrance to mature. During this time, shake the bottle once or twice a day to ensure the oils continue to combine. After the maturation period, filter the cologne through a coffee filter to remove any sediment, and then it's ready to use!

Frequently asked questions