Creating Cologne Lotion: A Beginner's Guide To Fragrance

Creating cologne lotion is a fun and sustainable way to make your favourite scent last longer. It's also a great way to save money and reduce plastic waste. You can make cologne lotion at home by mixing a fragrance-free lotion base with your favourite cologne. The ratio of lotion to cologne depends on how strong you want the scent to be. It's important to use a fragrance-free lotion base so that you don't end up with a scent that's different from your favourite cologne. You can also make lotion from scratch using ingredients like distilled water, jojoba oil, and emulsifying wax.

How to Make Cologne Lotion

Choose your essential oils

When making cologne lotion, choosing the right essential oils is crucial. The art of fragrance blending can be challenging, and it may take some time to create the perfect scent. However, with experimentation and creativity, you can design a unique and appealing fragrance. Here are some factors to consider when choosing your essential oils:

Notes and Layers

It is important to understand fragrance notes when blending essential oils for cologne. Notes are typically divided into three classes: top notes, middle notes, and base notes. Top notes are the first scents noticed after application but fade quickly. Middle notes blend the scents together, and base notes are the longest-lasting scents. When creating your cologne, consider using a combination of these notes to add depth and complexity to your fragrance. Play around with different percentages of each note to find the perfect balance.

Scent Profiles

When choosing essential oils, consider the scent profile you want to create. For a more masculine scent, opt for earthy, woodsy, spicy, and citrus notes. Oils such as cedarwood, sandalwood, and vetiver provide a woodsy base, while lemongrass, basil, and bergamot add a refreshing citrus twist. For a more feminine or delicate scent, explore floral and fruity notes such as peach, raspberry, or vanilla. You can also create warm and inviting fragrances with oriental or amber notes like cinnamon and vanilla.

Individual Preferences

Keep in mind that scent preferences are highly individual. What appeals to one person may not be as appealing to another. It is essential to test and adjust your fragrance blend to suit your personal taste or the taste of your target audience. Consider factors such as age, gender, and personal style when choosing essential oils. For example, some people may prefer lighter and more subtle fragrances, while others may enjoy stronger and more intense scents.

Quality and Safety

Always use high-quality essential oils and fragrances when creating your cologne lotion. Opt for pure and natural ingredients whenever possible, as they are safer for the skin and provide a more authentic scent. If you or the person you are creating the cologne for are sensitive to chemicals and fragrances, look for hypoallergenic options. Additionally, test your perfume on your skin before adding it to the lotion to ensure it is well-tolerated and appealing to you.

Storage and Preservation

When creating your cologne lotion, consider the storage and preservation of your essential oils and final product. Store your essential oils and scented lotion in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight. Use glass containers or bottles, preferably amber or dark-colored, to protect the potency of your essential oils. Follow proper storage guidelines to ensure the longevity and effectiveness of your cologne lotion.

Gather your ingredients

To make cologne lotion, you will need a fragrance-free lotion base and your favourite fragrance. If you want to make the lotion base from scratch, you will need distilled water, oil, an emulsifier, a preservative, and a container.

For the oil, you can use jojoba oil, almond oil, sunflower seed oil, grapeseed oil, or rosehip oil. Jojoba oil is a good option as it is rich in vitamin E, vitamin B complex, copper, and zinc, and is the least allergenic of the oils.

For the emulsifier, you can use stearic acid or emulsifying wax. Emulsifying wax is easier to work with and less likely to irritate the skin.

For the preservative, use a broad-spectrum cosmetic preservative such as Germall Plus.

For the container, use a glass bottle or jar, preferably dark-coloured to limit UV exposure.

If you want to add a scent to your lotion, use essential oils. Nature's Shield, Thieves Oil, OnGuard, and more are all names for an essential oil blend that is perfect for a lotion scent. The standard combination is cinnamon, clove, eucalyptus, lemon, and rosemary.

Blend the essential oils

Now comes the fun part: blending the essential oils. Remember, not all notes will go well together, so this is where some trial and error will come into play. Start by dropping a few oils (one by one) and begin mixing. It is recommended that you use no more than 30 drops in total, and if one scent is much stronger than the others, use less.

According to Matthew Milèo, a chemist and former in-house nose for Chanel, base notes like 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 will be worthy of signature scent status.

Once you have your desired formula, add two ounces of alcohol. Now, let the cologne sit for 48 hours. For best results, refrigerate for two weeks, then shake it up so that the molecules can mix.

Dilute the fragrance

Diluting the fragrance is a crucial step in creating your own cologne lotion. Here's a detailed guide to help you through the process:

Prepare the Fragrance

Before you begin, it's important to have the right ingredients and tools. You'll need a fragrance-free lotion base and your chosen cologne or perfume. Set up your work area by covering it with paper to prevent any spills. Take a small mixing bowl and pour about 1/3 cup of the unscented lotion into it.

Add the Fragrance

Now it's time to add your favourite cologne or perfume to the lotion base. Start by adding five to eight sprays of the fragrance. If you prefer a stronger scent, you can always add more. Use a whisk to thoroughly mix the fragrance and the lotion base until they are well combined.

Test the Fragrance Strength

Before bottling your creation, it's important to test the fragrance strength. Apply the scented lotion to your pulse points, such as your wrist or neck. This will give you an idea of the intensity of the fragrance. If you feel it needs more, add a few more sprays and mix again. Remember, you can always add more fragrance but it's difficult to reduce the intensity once it's too strong.

Adjust and Finalise

Once you're happy with the fragrance strength, it's time to bottle your cologne lotion. Using a funnel, carefully pour the scented lotion into small lotion bottles. This helps keep the lotion fresh for longer. Label your bottle with the name of the fragrance and the date of creation.

Storage and Care

Proper storage is essential to maintain the quality of your cologne lotion. Keep the bottled lotion in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight. Fragrances can break down when exposed to heat and light, so a dark, cool location is ideal. Additionally, try to use small bottles to minimise air exposure each time you open the bottle.

Store in a cool, dry place

Storing your cologne lotion correctly is essential to maintaining its quality and prolonging its shelf life. Here are some detailed tips for storing your cologne lotion in a cool, dry place:

Choose the Right Storage Space: Select an area that is dark, dry, and consistently cool. Avoid direct sunlight and extreme temperatures. The ideal storage spots are usually away from windows and direct light sources. Keep the lotion away from heat sources and appliances that generate heat, such as ovens, radiators, or fireplaces.

Avoid Humid Areas: Humidity can negatively impact your cologne lotion, just like it does with perfumes. Steer clear of humid environments and places with frequent temperature fluctuations. If possible, opt for a room with a dehumidifier, as this will help maintain a dry environment.

Store in Original Packaging: Whenever possible, store your cologne lotion in its original packaging. This packaging is designed to protect the product from light, air, and temperature fluctuations. If you must transfer the lotion to another container, choose an opaque, airtight container that blocks out light.

Use Smaller Containers: To maintain freshness, it's advisable to divide your cologne lotion into smaller containers. This way, you only open a small portion at a time, reducing exposure to oxygen and potential contamination.

Keep it Sealed: Always ensure that your cologne lotion's cap or seal is securely fastened when not in use. Minimizing exposure to air helps preserve the quality and fragrance of the lotion.

Store in a Safe Location: Choose a storage area that is not prone to shaking, vibrations, or potential spills. Keep the lotion away from the reach of children and pets. Additionally, avoid placing it on high shelves, where it could accidentally fall and break.

By following these guidelines for storing your cologne lotion in a cool, dry place, you can extend its longevity and enjoy its fragrance for a more extended period.

Frequently asked questions