Creating Cologne: Melissa Peopping's Essential Oil Fragrance Guide

Creating cologne with essential oils is a fun way to make a customised fragrance. Royal Crown Diamond Melissa Poepping has written a book on how to make cologne with essential oils, with recipes and categories of scents. You can use a variety of essential oils to create your own unique blend, such as cedarwood, bergamot, lime, and clove. The process involves blending the essential oils, adding alcohol, and letting the mixture sit for several weeks. You can then dilute the cologne with distilled water and glycerin, and pour it into a spray bottle or roller.

How to blend essential oils for cologne

Creating a cologne using essential oils is a fun way to make a customised fragrance. The process is simple, but it does require some patience and experimentation. Here is a step-by-step guide to blending essential oils for cologne.

Step 1: Understand Fragrance Notes

Before blending essential oils, it is important to understand fragrance notes. Fragrance notes are divided into three classes: top, middle, and base. Top notes are the first scents that will be noticed after application, but they will also be the quickest to fade. Middle notes come through after the top notes and help to blend the scents together. Base notes are the scents that last the longest. When creating a cologne, a combination of these three types of notes is used to create a well-rounded and long-lasting fragrance.

Step 2: Choose Your Essential Oils

When selecting essential oils for cologne, it is important to consider the desired scent profile. Woody, earthy, spicy, and citrus notes are often associated with masculine fragrances. Popular essential oils in men's cologne include cedarwood, sandalwood, bergamot, lemon, vetiver, and clove. It is also important to consider the quality and purity of the essential oils to ensure a pleasant and safe fragrance.

Step 3: Understand Aroma Categories

To create a harmonious blend, it is helpful to group essential oils into aroma categories. Examples of aroma categories include citrus, herbal, resin, spice, woodland, floral, and exotic. By combining essential oils from complementary categories, you can create a well-balanced and appealing fragrance.

Step 4: Start Blending

Now it's time to experiment and create your unique blend. Start by adding a few drops of each essential oil one by one, mixing as you go. It is recommended to use no more than 30 drops total, and if one scent is particularly strong, use less. You can also refer to a blending wheel or perfume notes chart for guidance on which essential oils pair well together. Remember that not all notes will go together, so it may take some trial and error to find the perfect combination.

Step 5: Add a Carrier

Once you have created your desired blend, it's time to add a carrier. Common carriers include alcohol, witch hazel, or a lightweight oil such as fractionated coconut oil, sweet almond oil, or grapeseed oil. The carrier helps to dilute the essential oils and make them safe for skin application. It also affects the intensity and longevity of the fragrance.

Step 6: Allow it to Sit

After combining your essential oil blend with the carrier, let the fragrance sit for at least 48 hours to a few weeks. This allows the fragrance to mature and the molecules to mix. You may also want to refrigerate the mixture during this time.

Step 7: Dilute and Bottle

Finally, dilute the fragrance by adding distilled water and, optionally, glycerin. Swirl the mixture slowly and carefully. Then, pour the cologne into a glass bottle or rollerball, and it's ready to use!

The importance of perfume notes

Perfume notes are the individual scent layers of ingredients that, when combined, form a unified, pleasing perfume. They are the building blocks of a fragrance and contribute to its overall scent profile. Notes are classified in a fragrance pyramid, with top notes at the top, heart/middle notes in the middle, and base notes at the bottom. Each note plays a specific role in the fragrance's development and longevity.

Top notes, or head notes, are the initial scents you smell when you first spray or apply perfume. They 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.

Heart notes, or middle notes, are the scents that emerge as the top notes fade. They make up around 70% of the total scent and last longer than top notes. Heart notes include full-bodied floral oils like jasmine, geranium, and ylang-ylang, as well as spices like cinnamon and pepper.

Base notes are the longest-lasting notes, kicking in about 30 minutes after application and lasting for up to 24 hours. They are rich, heavy, and long-lasting, providing depth and warmth to the perfume. Popular base notes include vanilla, amber, musk, patchouli, and woody notes like sandalwood and cedarwood.

The different types of notes in a fragrance can be combined in various ways to create unique and appealing scents. For example, a perfume may have citrus top notes, floral heart notes, and woody base notes. The possibilities are endless, and it is the artful combination of these notes that creates a memorable and distinctive fragrance.

When making cologne with essential oils, as described by Melissa Peopping, it is important to select the correct oils to create the desired scent profile. This involves understanding the different fragrance notes that essential oils can provide. For example, in her recipe, the bay essential oil serves as a middle note, while lime essential oil is a top note, and cedarwood is a base note. By combining these notes in specific ratios and allowing them to mature, a well-rounded and appealing fragrance is created.

In conclusion, perfume notes are of utmost importance in the creation of fragrances, including colognes made with essential oils. They provide structure, depth, and longevity to the scent, ensuring that it not only smells pleasant but also evokes a certain experience and leaves a lasting impression.

Why you should use essential oils instead of fragrance oils

When it comes to making cologne, there are two primary options: fragrance oils and essential oils. While both can be used to create a pleasant scent, there are some key differences to consider when choosing between the two.

Firstly, fragrance oils are manufactured in a lab, while essential oils are made from natural materials. Fragrance oils are created to imitate natural scents, and while they may smell similar, they are not derived from natural sources. Fragrance oils can be further divided into two categories: synthetic and natural. Synthetic fragrance oils are created from artificial chemical components not found in nature, and often contain a high number of chemical ingredients. This makes them unsuitable for those with skin or fragrance sensitivities. On the other hand, natural fragrance oils are made by isolating naturally derived fragrance components from complex scents, such as limonene from lemons or vanillin from vanilla beans. These natural fragrance oils are a better option for those with sensitive skin or allergies.

In contrast, essential oils are extracted from aromatic plant parts, including roots, herbs, or flowers, and are 100% oil with no additives. Essential oils have been used for centuries, dating back to Ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome, and are well-known for their aromatic properties. They are commonly used in aromatherapy and meditation, as well as in diffusers, massages, and therapeutic baths. Additionally, essential oils have been found to have medicinal properties, such as providing natural assistance during pregnancy and helping with headaches.

When it comes to making cologne, essential oils offer a more natural and potentially safer option. Conventional colognes often contain synthetic fragrances and chemicals that can be harmful. Studies have shown that these ingredients can be toxic and cause adverse side effects, including sperm damage. By making your own cologne with essential oils, you can create a product free of toxins and customized to your preferred scent.

Furthermore, essential oils offer a wide range of scents, from woodsy and earthy to spicy and citrusy, allowing you to create unique and personalized blends. The process of blending essential oils is a fun and creative way to make customized colognes or perfumes. You can experiment with different combinations of top, middle, and base notes to find the perfect ratio that works for you.

In summary, while both fragrance oils and essential oils can be used to create cologne, essential oils offer a more natural, safer, and customizable option. With their long history of use and medicinal properties, essential oils are a great choice for those seeking a natural alternative to conventional colognes.

How to make cologne last longer

Making your own cologne is a fun way to create a customised fragrance. However, you'll want to ensure that your scent lasts as long as possible. Here are some tips to make your cologne last longer:

Before Application:

• Store your cologne in a cool, dark and dry place, such as your bedroom. Avoid keeping it in the bathroom as heat, humidity and light can cause your fragrance to break down faster.
• Moisturise your skin before applying cologne. Dry skin will absorb the fragrance more quickly, so use an unscented moisturiser to create a better base for your cologne.
• Know your fragrance notes. Typically, a fragrance is composed of top, middle and base notes. Top notes are the first scent you notice, but they also fade the quickest. The middle notes blend the scents together, while the base notes are the longest-lasting scents. When creating your cologne, use a higher percentage of base notes to make the fragrance last longer.
• Choose an Eau De Parfum (EDP) or Extrait De Parfum, rather than an Eau De Toilette, as these have a higher concentration and will last longer.

During Application:

• Apply cologne right after showering. Your pores are most open at this time, allowing the fragrance to seep into your skin.
• Avoid spraying cologne directly onto your clothes, especially if it is alcohol-based as this can damage the fabric and cause the scent to dissipate more quickly.
• Spray the cologne onto your wrists, as these pulse points are warmer and will help the scent develop and linger.
• Do not rub your wrists together as this can "bruise the scent", causing it to break down faster.
• Layer your fragrance with complementary products such as soaps, aftershaves and body balms to enhance the scent and remove competing aromas.

After Application:

• Avoid spraying cologne near your nose as you may become used to the scent and struggle to smell it.
• Avoid spraying on your neck and behind your ears as this can reduce the longevity of the scent.
• Spray your fragrance onto your chest, belly button or other parts of your body from the chest down.
• Apply an unscented lotion or pure shea butter before spraying your cologne to help it last longer.
• Apply cologne to your hair, as the fibres will lock onto the scent molecules and keep them longer than your skin. Be careful not to over-spray as alcohol-based products can dry out your hair.
• Carry a travel-size bottle with you for reapplication throughout the day.

By following these tips, you can make your cologne last longer and enjoy your customised fragrance for extended periods.

The best essential oils for men

Essential oils are a great natural alternative to commercial perfumes and colognes, which often contain artificial fragrances that can cause reactions. They are also a fantastic way to create a unique scent that suits your personality and preferences.

When creating a 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 that will be noticed after application, but it will also be the quickest to fade. The middle note blends the scents together and is the next most powerful lasting scent. The base note is the scent that lasts the longest.

When creating a cologne, it is recommended to use a blend of three essential oils: a top, middle, and base note. Here are some of the best essential oils for each note to create masculine, woody, spicy, or citrusy scents:

Top Notes

• Wild Orange: A citrusy scent that promotes focus and stimulates the brain.
• Lemongrass: Provides a refreshing, clean scent and boosts the immune system.
• Bergamot: A sharp, crisp, and invigorating citrus scent that also promotes better blood flow and reduces inflammation.
• Lemon: Adds a perfect twist to earthier scents and provides immune support and positive feelings.
• Basil: Has a refreshing, clean scent and promotes relaxation and immune support.
• Siberian Fir: Provides a woodsy scent and helps to ground emotions and balance moods.
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Middle Notes

• Sandalwood: A warm, woody, and slightly sweet scent that promotes relaxation and emotional balance.
• Cardamom: Blends well with earthier scents and provides immune support.
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• Copaiba: One of the best essential oils to reduce stress and anxiety.
• Cedarwood: Warm and woody with a sharper, energizing scent that's reminiscent of fresh-chopped lumber.
• Clove: A citrus spice that provides a natural boost of energy and immune support.
• Vetiver: An earthy scent that blends well with citrus notes like lemon.
• Frankincense: A grounding, woodsy, and citrusy scent that helps to balance moods and promote focus.
• Geranium: Blends well with base notes like sandalwood and violet leaf.

Base Notes

• White Fir: A citrus spice that blends well with other citrus top notes.
• Douglas Fir: Provides a refreshing, manly scent when mixed with lemongrass.
• Spruce: Offers a fresh, evergreen, woody aroma that helps men feel rejuvenated and promotes feelings of grounding and stability.
• Black Pepper: A strong, spicy aroma that stimulates energy and focus, and may help people trying to quit smoking.
• Patchouli: A dense, deep, earthy, and slightly musky aroma that promotes stress relief and mental clarity.
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• Violet Leaf: Blends well with geranium and other middle notes.
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These essential oils can be blended in different ratios to create unique colognes. It's important to experiment and find the right combination that suits your taste.

Frequently asked questions