Creating Natural Fragrances: Crafting Men's Cologne From Nature

Making cologne from essential oils is a fun and rewarding process that allows you to create a personalized fragrance or gift for someone else. The process is simple and only requires a few basic supplies, such as essential oils, a glass bottle, and an alcohol base. The type of essential oils and their combinations will determine the final scent, so it's important to experiment and be creative when designing your cologne. In this guide, we will explore the steps involved in making natural men's cologne, including choosing the right ingredients, blending them effectively, and storing your final product.

Choosing a scent

When creating a cologne, it is important to consider the different notes that make it up. Top notes are the first thing you smell and quickly evaporate, middle notes follow soon after and tend to be mellow, and base notes are the lingering scents that ground and complement the other notes.

When selecting a scent, you can choose from a wide range of essential oils, each with its own unique aroma. For a masculine cologne, you might want to consider essential oils such as lime, bergamot, juniper, pine, cypress, cedarwood, sandalwood, or patchouli. These oils can be combined in various proportions to create a custom blend.

Another aspect to consider when choosing a scent is the concentration of the essential oils. Colognes typically have a lower concentration of essential oils, usually around 3-5%, which makes them lighter fragrances. This is in contrast to perfumes, which have a higher concentration of essential oils and are therefore more intense and longer-lasting.

In addition to the type and concentration of essential oils, the base liquid used to dilute the oils can also affect the scent. Commonly used bases include perfumer's alcohol, vodka, rum, or distilled water. The choice of base can impact the intensity and longevity of the scent, as well as how suitable it is for use on the skin.

When designing your cologne scent, it is important to experiment and be creative. Not every combination of scents will be perfect the first time, so don't be afraid to make adjustments until you find a blend that you like. You can also seek inspiration from existing colognes or perfumes to get an idea of which scent combinations work well together.

Blending the oils

Blending oils is an art form and it can take years to perfect a fragrance. However, that doesn't mean you can't give it a go and design your own cologne. Experimentation is key, so be creative and accept that not everything is going to be perfect the first time.

When blending your oils, you should aim for 30-45 drops of oil in total. You can use a glass mixing beaker to combine your oils. Once you are happy with the blend, fill the rest of the bottle with a carrier oil, such as V-6 Vegetable Oil Complex, or perfumer's alcohol.

When creating your cologne, it's important to consider the different notes that make up the fragrance. Top notes are initial impressions that quickly evaporate and are usually the first thing you smell. Examples include lime oil, bergamot oil, and juniper oil. Middle notes, or heart notes, follow quickly after the top notes and tend to be mellow. They create the core of the scent and can include essential oils such as pine oil, cypress oil, and stress away blends. Base notes are the lingering scents that ground and complement the other notes, and are what you smell at the end of the day. Examples include cedarwood oil, sandalwood oil, and patchouli oil.

• For a deep and spicy scent: 15 drops of bergamot essential oil, 8 drops of patchouli essential oil, 5 drops of valor essential oil, and 5 drops of cedarwood essential oil.
• For a spicy kind of clean with a hint of sweet: 10 drops of sacred sandalwood essential oil, 6 drops of stress away essential oil blend, 6 drops of black pepper essential oil, 5 drops of vetiver essential oil, and 5 drops of cedarwood essential oil.
• An outdoorsy, refreshing, and light cologne: 8 drops of basil essential oil, 8 drops of Idaho blue spruce essential oil, and 4 drops of helichrysum essential oil.
• An uplifting and sweet fragrance: 10 drops of hinoki essential oil and 10 drops of bergamot essential oil.
• A sweet, mellow, and spicy cologne: 10 drops of black pepper essential oil, 7 drops of coriander essential oil, and 3 drops of royal Hawaiian sandalwood essential oil.

Using alcohol

Making cologne with alcohol is a simple process, but it does require some patience. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to make a natural cologne for men using alcohol:

Ingredients and Supplies:

• Alcohol: You can use perfumer's alcohol, pure grain alcohol, or vodka.
• Essential oils of your choice: Popular masculine-leaning options include cedarwood, bergamot, sandalwood, lime, and bay.
• Glass mixing container and stirrer
• Glass perfume bottle with a spray nozzle or rollerball
• Coffee filter
• Funnel (optional)

Step 1: Choose Your Essential Oils

Select three essential oils with top, middle, and base notes. The top note will be the first scent you smell, the middle note blends the scents together, and the base note is the longest-lasting scent. For a more masculine scent, consider woody, earthy, spicy, or citrusy essential oils.

Step 2: Mix the Essential Oils and Alcohol

Add your chosen essential oils to the perfumer's alcohol. The number of drops of each oil will depend on the desired intensity and the ratio of notes you want to achieve. A common ratio is 60% base notes, 30% middle notes, and 10% top notes. However, you can experiment to find the blend that works best for you.

Step 3: Stir and Mature the Mixture

Slowly stir the mixture to ensure the oils are thoroughly dispersed. Then, let the perfume mature for around three weeks. This aging process allows the fragrance to develop and the ingredients to blend harmoniously.

Step 4: Filter and Bottle Your Cologne

After the maturing period, use a coffee filter to remove any sediment from the cologne. Carefully pour the filtered cologne into your chosen glass perfume bottle using a funnel, if needed.

Your natural cologne is now ready to use and can be stored in a cool, dark place to extend its shelf life.

Tips:

• Always use glass containers when working with essential oils and alcohol to avoid any adverse reactions.
• If you're using a spray bottle, you may want to add a small amount of glycerin to help the cologne stick to your skin and enhance its longevity.
• When creating your scent, remember that less is more. Start with a small number of drops of each essential oil and adjust as needed.
• Be creative and experiment with different essential oils to find your unique fragrance.

Creating your own cologne with alcohol is a fun and rewarding process that allows you to design a signature scent that suits your preferences. Enjoy the process and don't be afraid to tweak your recipe until you achieve the perfect natural cologne for yourself or a loved one.

Using a carrier oil

Fractionated coconut oil is a popular choice for a carrier oil because it has little to no scent, allowing the essential oils to shine. However, you can use any carrier oil you prefer. Other options include jojoba oil, rosehip oil, and grapeseed oil.

To make a roll-on cologne, you will need a 10ml roller bottle, essential oils, and your chosen carrier oil. Here's a simple recipe to get you started:

Recipe for a Roll-On Cologne

• Add 8 drops of your chosen essential oil or a blend of oils to the roller bottle.
• Shake the bottle well to ensure the oils are evenly distributed.
• Fill the rest of the roller bottle with your chosen carrier oil.
• Secure the lid and shake well again.
• Roll the cologne onto the chest, wrists, and sides of the neck as needed.

This DIY cologne will last up to one year if stored properly. It is recommended to use glass bottles, preferably amber or dark-coloured, to avoid the essential oils losing their potency. Store the cologne in a cool, dark place to maintain its freshness and potency.

You can adjust the amount of essential oils and carrier oil based on your preferred scent strength. It's best to start with a smaller amount and add more if needed.

Citrus Spice Blend

• 2 drops of bergamot (top note)
• 3 drops of lemon (top note)
• 6 drops of clove (middle note)
• 8 drops of white fir (base note)

Nightlife Blend

• 3 drops of lemon (top note)
• 4 drops of cardamom (middle note)
• 4 drops of ylang-ylang (middle note)
• 6 drops of vetiver (base note)

Outdoor Blend

• 3 drops of lemongrass (top note)
• 3 drops of basil (middle note)
• 4 drops of cedarwood (base note)
• 6 drops of Douglas fir (base note)

Earthy Blend

• 4 drops of wild orange (top note)
• 6 drops of sandalwood (middle note)
• 10 drops of frankincense (base note)

Storing your cologne

Location, Location, Location

Keep your cologne in a dark, dry place, away from direct sunlight. Sunlight can damage the cologne and the bottle, especially if it's plastic. A closet or drawer is ideal, but if you want to display your cologne, make sure it's not in direct sunlight. Avoid the common mistake of storing cologne in the bathroom, as the humidity from the shower or bath can cause oxidation, changing the scent and colour. The kitchen is also off-limits due to temperature fluctuations. Instead, opt for a bedroom or hallway closet, or a vanity or cabinet outside the bathroom.

Keep it Cool

Maintain a constant, cool temperature for your cologne. Aim for around 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Very high or low temperatures can affect the quality of your cologne, and you don't want it to freeze. Some people even store their cologne in the refrigerator, but this is not necessary unless you live in a very hot climate.

Box it Up

Keep your cologne in its original box when storing it. These boxes are designed to protect the bottle and the scent. You can also use decorative boxes for added protection and style. If you're travelling, purchase a small, travel-sized bottle, or transfer a small amount to an empty bottle to avoid exposing your entire supply to air.

Handle with Care

Always keep the cap on your cologne bottle when not in use. Oxygen is the enemy of your cologne, and leaving the cap off will cause the scent to diffuse and evaporate. Avoid shaking the bottle, as this introduces unwanted oxidation. Keep fragile bottles on lower shelves or in a box on the floor to avoid breakage.

Frequently asked questions