Travel-Size Colognes: Portability And Convenience

Travelling with cologne can be a challenge, especially if you're limited to cabin baggage only. To avoid having to leave your favourite scent at home or risk it breaking in transit, many people opt to transfer their cologne into a smaller, travel-sized bottle. There are a few ways to do this: you can purchase empty travel-sized bottles and fill them with your cologne, or you can buy sample vials or small travel-sized spray bottles from companies like MicroPerfumes. If you want to make your own cologne, you can follow a simple recipe using carrier oil, fragrance oil, and empty roll-on bottles.

Buy small travel-sized bottles or atomisers

If you're looking for a quick and easy way to make your cologne travel-sized, buying small travel-sized bottles or atomisers is the way to go. These can be easily found online or in stores, and they are designed to be compact and portable, making them perfect for travel.

There are a variety of options available, from simple refillable spray bottles to more sophisticated atomisers with sleek and stylish designs. Some even come with funnels for easy refilling, so you don't have to worry about spills or messes. These travel-sized bottles typically hold around 5-10ml of liquid, which is more than enough for a few days or even a week, depending on usage.

When choosing a travel-sized bottle or atomiser, it's important to consider factors such as ease of filling, leakage, build quality, scent retention, and value for money. While some customers have praised the functionality and convenience of certain products, others have complained about issues with leakage, difficulty filling, and poor build quality.

• YEEJOK Refillable Perfume Atomizer: This product has a 4.5-star rating and is praised for its ease of filling and leak-proof design.
• Travalo Classic HD Perfume Atomizer: This atomizer is TSA-approved and features an easy-fill pump.
• Muji Pocket Atomiser: A long-lasting option that has been used by some customers for several years.
• Sephora-branded Travalo: A leak-proof option available directly from the Travalo website or from Sephora.

By purchasing one of these small travel-sized bottles or atomisers, you can easily make your cologne more portable and travel-friendly.

Use a rollerball

Using a rollerball is a great way to make your cologne travel-friendly. Rollerball perfumes are easy to use and convenient for on-the-go application. They are slim and portable, making them ideal for travel. You can either purchase empty rollerball bottles and fill them with your favourite cologne or buy rollerball perfumes that are already filled and ready to use.

If you want to make your own travel-size cologne using a rollerball, you will need a few supplies. First, get your hands on some empty 10ml rollerball containers with caps. You can find these online or at specialty stores. Next, you'll need a carrier oil or base oil, such as fractionated coconut oil, and your chosen cologne or fragrance oil. The standard ratio is usually around 10ml of carrier oil to 30 drops of fragrance oil, but you can adjust this to suit your preferences.

To make your travel-size cologne, simply combine your chosen oils in a small bowl and mix well. Let the mixture sit for a few minutes, allowing the aromas to blend. Then, carefully decant the mixture into your rollerball container using a small funnel. Screw on the rollerball and cap, and shake the bottle well before use.

When applying your rollerball cologne, target your pulse points, such as wrists, elbows, neck, and behind the knees. These areas emit extra heat, allowing the fragrance to come through stronger. You can also apply the cologne to your clothing, avoiding sensitive fabrics like silk. Rollerballs are convenient for touch-ups throughout the day, no matter where you are.

Make your own cologne

Making your own cologne can be a rewarding hobby, but it's not as easy as it sounds. The best professional perfumers are like artists who are talented, trained, and dedicated to their craft. However, with some patience and creativity, you can certainly give it a go and design a scent that's unique to you. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you get started:

Step 1: Learn the Basics

Before you begin, it's important to understand the basics of perfumery. Familiarize yourself with the different types of materials used, such as aromachemicals and natural oils. Learn about their strengths, how they interact with each other, and how their scents change over time. This knowledge will be crucial in creating your own cologne.

Step 2: Gather Your Materials

You'll need to invest in some equipment and ingredients. This includes a variety of essential oils, alcohol (such as perfumer's alcohol or witch hazel), glass mixing containers, measuring tools, and funnels. You can also add glycerin to help your cologne stick to your skin and enhance its longevity.

Step 3: Choose Your Essential Oils

Selecting the right essential oils is key to creating your desired scent profile. Consider the type of fragrance you want to achieve—woodsy, herbal, floral, or powdery. For a masculine scent, you might choose essential oils like cedarwood, bergamot, or lime. If you prefer something more romantic and floral, jasmine, rose, or ylang-ylang could be a good choice.

Step 4: Blend the Essential Oils

This is where the fun begins! Start experimenting by mixing different essential oils in small amounts. Remember, not all notes will go together, so it's important to test and adjust until you find a combination you like. As a general guideline, aim for a ratio of 20% base notes, 50% middle notes, and 30% top notes. However, feel free to adjust these ratios to create a unique fragrance.

Step 5: Add Alcohol and Other Ingredients

Once you've created your essential oil blend, it's time to add the alcohol. Pour the alcohol into a container and slowly add your essential oil blend, stirring continuously to ensure the oils are thoroughly dispersed. You can also add glycerin at this stage if you wish.

Step 6: Allow the Cologne to Mature

After mixing, let your cologne sit for at least 48 hours to a few weeks. This allows the fragrance to develop and the molecules to mix properly. You can even refrigerate it for a more intense effect.

Step 7: Dilute and Bottle Your Cologne

After the maturation period, it's time to dilute your cologne and bottle it. In a spray bottle, add distilled water and a few drops of glycerin, if desired. Carefully and slowly swirl in your cologne mixture. Your signature scent is now ready for use!

Remember, creating your own cologne takes time and experimentation. Don't be discouraged if your first attempts don't turn out as expected. With practice, you'll develop your skills and create fragrances that impress.

Decant into a solid cologne

Decanting cologne into a solid form is a great way to make it travel-friendly and long-lasting. Solid colognes are not only compact and convenient but also eliminate the risk of spills and leaks in your bag. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you decant your favourite cologne into a solid form:

What You'll Need:

• Your favourite cologne/fragrance
• A sealable container (preferably a metal tin)
• Carrier oil (such as jojoba oil, sweet almond oil, or fractionated coconut oil)
• A double boiler or a heat-safe bowl and a pot
• A spoon for stirring
• (Optional) Beeswax or other thickening agents

Instructions:

Start by preparing your work area. Set up your double boiler or create a makeshift one by placing a heat-safe bowl over a pot of simmering water. Ensure the water doesn't touch the bottom of the bowl to prevent overheating.

Next, measure out your carrier oil. A good rule of thumb is to use equal parts carrier oil and cologne, but you can adjust this ratio to your preference. If you want a thicker consistency, you can add a small amount of beeswax or other thickening agents to the carrier oil.

Place the carrier oil (and beeswax, if using) in the top of your double boiler or heat-safe bowl. Heat the oil gently, stirring occasionally, until the beeswax is fully melted and the mixture is combined.

Once your oil mixture is ready, remove it from the heat and let it cool slightly. You want it to be warm, but not hot, to avoid damaging the fragrance.

Now, carefully add your chosen cologne to the warm oil, stirring continuously as you pour. Mix thoroughly to ensure the cologne and oil are fully combined.

Finally, carefully pour your liquid cologne mixture into your chosen sealable container. Allow it to cool and solidify completely before sealing the container.

Your solid cologne is now ready for travel! To use, simply dip your finger into the solid cologne and apply it to your pulse points as you would with a regular cologne.

Tips:

• When choosing a container, look for a metal tin with a wide mouth for easy access. You can also reuse empty tins from previously purchased solid colognes or cosmetics.
• If you're concerned about the colour or consistency of your solid cologne, you can add a small amount of cosmetic-grade mica powder to enhance the appearance.
• Always label your decanted fragrances to avoid confusion.
• Store your solid cologne in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight and heat sources.

Store in a cool, dark place

When storing cologne, it is best to keep it in a cool, dark place. The ideal storage temperature for cologne is room temperature. Storing cologne in a cool, dark place will protect it from its three main aggressors: heat, light, and humidity.

Direct sunlight can quickly degrade cologne, so it is best to avoid storing it in direct sunlight or in a cabinet or shelf near a heater. While some colognes come packaged in dark or opaque bottles, which offer some protection from light, it is often not worth the risk of storing them in direct sunlight.

Heat can also break down the chemical bonds that give a cologne its scent. Direct heat can warp or melt plastic bottles, and even lower heat over time can break down the cologne. It is important to keep cologne away from any heat sources, such as radiators or vents.

In addition to keeping cologne away from direct sunlight and heat sources, it is also important to store it in a dry place. Humidity can break down cologne, and the steam from a shower or bath can cause damage. If you must store your cologne in the bathroom, keep it in a cabinet or corner safe from steam.

By storing your cologne in a cool, dark, and dry place, you can help prolong its scent and prevent degradation.

Frequently asked questions