Antonio Mcgowan
Making your own cologne at home is a fun and rewarding process that allows you to create a unique scent that expresses your personality. In this guide, we will focus on creating a homemade cologne with a refreshing and uplifting orange essential oil base.
First, let's talk about the benefits of using orange essential oil. Orange essential oil is known for its sweet aroma and its ability to promote relaxation. It has antibacterial, antiseptic, and anti-inflammatory properties, making it a great natural ingredient for your cologne.
Now, let's get into the step-by-step process of creating your orange essential oil cologne:
Step 1: Creating the Orange Essential Oil
To make the orange essential oil, you will need:
- Oranges
- A glass jar with a cover
- Vodka or any high-proof alcohol
Start by peeling the oranges, removing as much of the white coating on the skin as possible. Place the orange peels in the glass jar and cover them completely with vodka. Secure the lid on the jar and shake it vigorously for a few seconds. Store the jar in a cool, dark place for at least a week, shaking it occasionally to maximize the extraction of the orange essential oil.
After a week, strain the mixture by placing a coffee filter over a bowl and pouring the contents of the jar into it. Remove the orange peels and allow the orange-infused vodka to sit uncovered for a few days until the alcohol smell dissipates. Your orange essential oil is now ready!
Step 2: Blending the Cologne
For this step, you will need:
- Your homemade orange essential oil
- Other essential oils of your choice (optional)
- Alcohol (such as perfumer's alcohol, vodka, or witch hazel)
- Glycerin
- A glass spray bottle or roller bottle
If you want to create a unique fragrance profile for your cologne, you can experiment with blending different essential oils. Typically, colognes have a blend of top, middle, and base notes. Top notes are the first impression of the scent, middle notes blend the scents together, and base notes provide the longest-lasting impression. Play around with different essential oils to find a combination that appeals to you.
Once you have your desired blend (or if you're just using the orange essential oil), add the essential oils to your bottle. For a 2-ounce spray bottle, use a total of 20-30 drops of essential oil. If you're using a roller bottle, reduce the amount by 1-2 drops.
Next, add your alcohol. For a spray cologne, use 2 ounces of alcohol. For a roller bottle, use a small amount to fill the rest of the bottle after adding the essential oils.
Finally, add a few drops of glycerin to help the cologne stick to your skin and enhance its longevity. Shake the bottle well to combine all the ingredients.
Step 3: Application and Storage
Your homemade orange essential oil cologne is now ready to use! Apply it to your chest, wrists, and neck as desired. Store your cologne in a cool, dark place, preferably in an amber or dark-colored glass bottle, to maintain its potency and freshness.
With these simple steps, you can create a unique and personalized cologne that showcases your love for the uplifting and refreshing scent of oranges. Enjoy your homemade fragrance and feel free to experiment with different essential oil combinations to create an entire collection of signature scents!
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ingredients | Orange essential oil, perfumer's alcohol, glycerin, dried flowers, water, witch hazel, vodka, coffee filter |
| Equipment | Glass jar, glass spray bottle, glass perfume bottle, funnel, coffee filter |
| Time | 10 minutes prep, 3 weeks maturing time, 5 minutes active |
| Yield | 1 oz |
What You'll Learn
Choosing the right essential oils
The key to making a great cologne is selecting the right essential oils. This involves understanding fragrance notes and blending different oils to create a harmonious scent.
Fragrance notes
Fragrance notes are divided into three classes: top, middle, and base. Top notes are the first scent you notice after application, but they also fade the quickest. Base notes, on the other hand, are the scents that linger the longest. Middle notes fall somewhere in between. A good cologne should have a balance of all three types of notes.
Essential oils for cologne
When creating a cologne, it's best to stick to essential oils that have earthy, woody, spicy, or citrusy scents. These types of scents are typically considered more masculine. However, you can also add a romantic, floral twist with essential oils like jasmine, rose, or ylang-ylang.
- Wild orange (top note)
- Sandalwood (middle note)
- Frankincense (base note)
- Lemon (top note)
- Cardamom (middle note)
- Ylang-ylang (middle note)
- Vetiver (base note)
- Cedarwood (base note)
- Lemongrass (top note)
- Basil (middle note)
- Douglas fir (base note)
- Bergamot (top note)
- Clove (middle note)
- White fir (base note)
- Siberian fir
- Lavender
- Jasmine
- Rose
Blending essential oils
The fun part about making your own cologne is experimenting with different blends of essential oils to create a unique scent. Remember that not all notes go together, so it's important to test different combinations to see what works best. Start with a small number of oils and add more as you become more familiar with the process.
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Selecting a suitable alcohol
When making a cologne, the alcohol used as a base is important as it determines how suitable the cologne is for use on the skin and how long the fragrance will last.
Perfumers alcohol is a popular choice as it is suitable for use on the skin and helps to disperse the oils. It also makes the cologne more intense and long-lasting.
Vodka is another option, as it is a relatively flavourless alcohol. However, it can dry the skin when used often.
If you are looking for an alcohol-free alternative, you can use distilled water instead. However, this will shorten the shelf life of your cologne.
Another option is to use witch hazel, which can be used in place of alcohol in a cologne recipe.
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Blending the oils
Firstly, it's important to understand the fragrance scale. Top notes will be the first thing you smell, then the middle notes will come through once the top notes dry down, and finally, the base notes will be the scent that lasts the longest.
The best way to guarantee a scent you'll love is to follow the basic pyramid accord, which is 60% base notes, 30% middle notes, and 10% top notes. However, you can experiment with the ratios to create a recipe you adore. For example, Chaz suggests using a ratio of 20% base, 50% middle, and 30% top notes.
When it comes to choosing your essential oils, there are many options. If you lean towards woody, slightly sweet scents, you might reach for cedarwood. If you prefer romantic florals, try jasmine, rose, or ylang-ylang. Remember that the final result will likely be more muted than the first whiff of one scent.
Once you've chosen your essential oils, it's time to start blending. Add your chosen oils one by one and start mixing. It's recommended to use no more than 30 drops in total, and if one scent is much stronger than the rest, use less. Once you have your desired 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.
Now, the cologne needs time to compose. Allow the fragrance to brew and sit for 48 hours. You can then refrigerate it for two weeks and shake it up so that the molecules can mix.
Once the fragrance is ready, it needs to be diluted. In a spray bottle, add two tablespoons of distilled water and five drops of glycerin. Then, slowly and carefully swirl your bespoke fragrance mixture in.
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Diluting the fragrance
When creating a cologne, you will need to use a combination of top, middle, and base notes. Top notes are the first scents you will smell, followed by middle notes, and finally, the base notes which are the longest-lasting. The ratio of these notes is crucial to achieving the desired fragrance profile. A good starting point is to use 60% base notes, 30% middle notes, and 10% top notes. However, you may need to experiment to find the perfect ratio for your preferred scent.
Once you have selected your essential oils, it's time to blend them. This is a fun but experimental process, as not all notes go well together. Start by adding a few drops of each 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. Once you are happy with your blend, add two ounces of alcohol.
After blending, your cologne needs time to compose. Leave the fragrance to brew and sit for 48 hours, and consider refrigerating it for two weeks. Then, give it a good shake so that the molecules can mix.
The final step is to dilute the fragrance. In a spray bottle, add two tablespoons of distilled water and five drops of glycerin. Glycerin will add longevity to your formula and help the cologne stick to your skin. Slowly and carefully swirl your fragrance mixture into the water and glycerin solution. And that's it! You've created your own signature cologne.
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Storing the cologne
Storing your homemade orange essential oil cologne correctly is essential to ensure its longevity and maintain its quality. Here are some detailed instructions on how to store your cologne:
Container
It is recommended to use a glass container when storing your cologne. Glass is the best material to preserve the integrity of the essential oils. Look for a glass bottle or jar with a tight-fitting lid or spray nozzle that can be securely closed. Avoid using plastic containers as they may react with the essential oils and affect the scent over time.
Colour
To protect your cologne from light exposure, opt for an amber or dark-coloured glass bottle. This will help prevent the breakdown of the essential oils and ensure that your cologne's potency and fragrance remain intact.
Location
Store your cologne in a cool, dark place, away from direct sunlight or heat sources. A cupboard or drawer in a temperature-controlled room is ideal. Avoid storing it in areas with extreme temperature fluctuations, such as the bathroom, as this can affect the stability of the cologne. Keeping it out of direct sunlight will also prevent the growth of mould or bacteria.
Shelf Life
The shelf life of your cologne will depend on the ingredients used and the storage conditions. Typically, a well-stored cologne can last for up to six months to a year. If you notice any changes in colour, scent, or texture, or if you see any signs of mould, discard the cologne and make a fresh batch.
Labelling
It is a good idea to label your cologne bottle with the date it was made and the ingredients used. This will help you keep track of its shelf life and allow you to recreate the same scent or make adjustments for future batches.
Safety
When handling essential oils, always take the necessary precautions. Wear protective gloves and work in a well-ventilated area. Keep your cologne out of the reach of children and pets. If you have sensitive skin, perform a patch test before regular use to ensure that the cologne does not irritate your skin.
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Frequently asked questions
First, peel an orange, removing all traces of the white coating. Place the peel in a jar and cover with vodka. Seal the jar and store in a cool, dark place for at least a week, shaking the jar occasionally. After a week, strain the mixture and leave the liquid to sit uncovered for a few days, until the alcohol smell has gone.
You can use vodka, or another high-proof alcohol like rum. However, be aware that the final product will take on the flavour of the alcohol used.
A homemade cologne spray will last up to six months if stored properly. A roll-on cologne will last up to a year.
Sandalwood and frankincense are good middle and base notes to blend with wild orange as a top note.
For a 2-ounce spray bottle, use around 20 drops of essential oil in total. For a 10ml roller bottle, use 10-12 drops.
