The Simplest Way To Create Your Own Cologne

Creating your own cologne is an easy way to develop a unique, signature scent. By making your own cologne, you can express your creativity and develop a fragrance that perfectly suits your taste. The process is simple and affordable, requiring only a few basic ingredients and materials. These include essential oils, alcohol, glycerin, and water. With these components, you can formulate a cologne that is truly yours, whether you prefer woodsy, herbal, floral, or powdery scents. So, why settle for store-bought fragrances when you can craft your own distinctive cologne?

Understand the difference between cologne and perfume

While cologne and perfume are often marketed as gendered products, with cologne aimed at men and perfume at women, the difference between the two is actually based on the concentration of fragrance oils.

Perfumes have a higher concentration of fragrance oils, typically containing 20-30% aromatic compounds in an oil or alcohol base. This makes them the strongest form of fragrance, and they can last up to 24 hours on the skin. The higher concentration of oils also makes perfume the most expensive type of fragrance.

Cologne, on the other hand, is a more diluted form of fragrance, containing only 2-8% aromatic oils in an alcohol base. This makes cologne perfect for everyday wear, as it is lighter and less likely to be overpowering. The lower concentration of oils also makes cologne less expensive than perfume.

In addition to the difference in concentration, colognes also tend to have a fresher scent profile, with citrusy or aquatic notes such as orange blossom or ocean breeze. This makes them ideal for warmer months when heavier fragrances might feel too overwhelming.

It's important to note that the distinction between cologne and perfume is not just a matter of gender, and that fragrance is for everyone. People should wear whatever makes them feel confident, regardless of marketing labels.

Learn about fragrance notes

When creating a cologne, it's important to understand fragrance notes, which are the individual components of a perfume that, when combined, create an overall scent. These notes are the building blocks of a fragrance and contribute to its scent profile. They are typically classified into three categories: top notes, middle notes (also known as heart notes), and base notes. Each note has a specific role in the fragrance's development and longevity.

Top notes are the first scents you detect after spraying a perfume. They form the initial impression of a fragrance and are usually light and volatile, lasting only 5-15 minutes. Common top notes include citrus scents like lemon, orange, and bergamot, as well as light floral scents like lavender and rose.

Middle notes form the body or heart of a perfume composition. They appear after the top notes evaporate and typically last 3-5 hours. Middle notes can include floral scents like rose, jasmine, and ylang-ylang, fruity scents like peach, apple, and pineapple, and spicy notes like cloves, nutmeg, and cinnamon.

Base notes form the foundation of a fragrance and provide it with staying power. They are rich, heavy, and long-lasting, kicking in about 30 minutes after application and lasting for 6 hours or more. Common base notes include woody notes like sandalwood and cedarwood, as well as vanilla, musk, patchouli, and amber.

When creating your own cologne, it's important to select a combination of top, middle, and base notes that work well together and create a balanced fragrance. You can experiment with different essential oils and blends to find the right combination of scents that appeal to you.

Choose your 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, but it will also be the quickest to fade. The middle note is the second aroma you'll pick up on and lasts a little longer. The base note is the last scent you'll notice, but it will be the longest-lasting. A well-structured cologne with a top, middle, and base note will be more appealing and last longer.

When creating your blend, it's a good idea to have at least one oil from each note category to ensure the fragrance is balanced and lasts longer. You can adjust the ratios to suit your preferences, but a common suggestion is 60% base notes, 30% middle notes, and 10% top notes. Another suggestion is 20% base, 50% middle, and 30% top notes.

There are many different essential oils to choose from, and you can mix and match oils from different categories to create a textured scent. Here are some popular options for each note:

Top Notes:

• Basil
• Bergamot
• Eucalyptus
• Grapefruit
• Peppermint
• Lemon
• Lime
• Mandarin
• Petitgrain
• Sweet Orange
• Tangerine

Middle Notes:

• Black Pepper
• Cypress
• Juniper Berry
• Lavender
• Pine
• Rosemary
• Geranium
• Ylang-Ylang
• Rose
• Lotus Flower

Base Notes:

• Cedarwood
• Copaiba Basalm
• Frankincense
• Myrrh
• Patchouli
• Sandalwood
• Vanilla
• Vetiver
• Tonka Bean
• Violet Leaf

You can also choose essential oils based on the type of aroma you want to create. Here are some examples of essential oils for different aromas:

Citrus:

• Bergamot
• Grapefruit
• Lemon
• Lime
• Mandarin
• Petitgrain
• Sweet Orange
• Tangerine

Herbaceous:

• Basil
• Cajeput
• Clary Sage
• Coriander
• Eucalyptus
• Lavender
• Lemongrass
• Oregano
• Peppermint
• Rosemary
• Tea Tree
• Thyme

Spice:

• Allspice
• Anise
• Black Pepper
• Cinnamon Leaf
• Clove Bud
• Ginger

Woodsy:

• Cedarwood
• Cypress
• Fir Needle
• Juniper Berry
• Pine

You can also explore other aroma categories such as floral, exotic, and resin when choosing your essential oils.

Blend the oils

Now comes the fun part: blending your chosen oils together. 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.

Start by adding a few drops of each oil one by one, mixing as you go. It's important not to use too much of any one scent, as this may overpower the others. Once you're happy with your blend, add two ounces of alcohol.

• Middle notes: geranium, ylang-ylang, rose, and lotus flower.
• Base notes: sandalwood, tonka bean, violet leaf, and vanilla.
• Top notes: lavender, neroli, magnolia, and mandarin.

Once you've created your unique fragrance, it's time to let it sit and develop. Leave the mixture for at least 48 hours, or even refrigerate it for two weeks, to allow the fragrance to mature and the molecules to mix.

After this ageing process, your cologne will be almost ready. All that's left to do is dilute the fragrance by adding two tablespoons of distilled water and five drops of glycerin. Swirl your cologne mixture in slowly and carefully, and voilà! You've created your very own signature scent.

Dilute the fragrance

Diluting a fragrance is a great way to tone down a scent that's too strong or overpowering. Here are some detailed steps and tips to help you successfully dilute a fragrance:

Choosing a Diluent

The choice of diluent depends on the type of fragrance you want to create. If you're making an alcohol-based perfume spray, perfumer's alcohol is a good choice as it helps to evaporate the fragrance material, giving you a fuller profile of the scent. However, if you plan to add your fragrance to bases such as candles, creams, detergents, or oils, Di Propylene Glycol (DPG) is a better option. DPG is a solvent commonly used in the fragrance industry to dilute insoluble materials. It gives you more flexibility in the types of bases you can use but is not suitable for natural perfumery as it is petrochemical-derived.

Dilution Ratios and Techniques

When diluting a fragrance, it's important to use a scale rather than drops to ensure accuracy and repeatability. For most materials, a 10% dilution ratio is recommended, but for strong materials like Ethyl Vanillin, Calone, and Violet Leaf, a 1% dilution is sufficient. To dilute, measure the desired amount of fragrance material and diluent according to your chosen ratio. If the fragrance material is thick, gently heat it in a water bath to mobilise it before mixing.

Dilution for Different Types of Fragrances

If you're creating an oil-based fragrance, you can use a carrier oil as your diluent. However, keep in mind that a carrier oil will not give you the full scent profile of the material as it doesn't aid evaporation. For alcohol-based fragrances, use perfumer's alcohol. If you're making an eau de cologne, the fragrance oil concentration should be between 2% and 5%.

Tips for Diluting Strong Perfumes

If you have a perfume that you love but find too strong, you can try diluting it to create a lighter version. One method is to fill your palm with a bit of water and spritz the perfume into it, then apply it to your skin like a splash cologne. Alternatively, you can spritz the perfume onto a cotton pad and dab it on your skin or clothing. You can also try mixing a small amount of perfume with an unscented lotion or body oil and applying it to your skin. Always remember to do a small test batch when diluting to ensure you don't waste your precious fragrance.

Frequently asked questions