Ingredients For A Custom Cologne: A Beginner's Guide

Creating a signature scent is an art form. Whether you're a beginner or a pro, making your own cologne is a fun and satisfying process. The key ingredients you'll need are alcohol, essential oils, water, glycerin, and a spray bottle. The type of alcohol you use is important – perfumers alcohol is a popular choice as it's suitable for use on skin and helps to disperse the oils. Essential oils are the fun part – you can experiment with different combinations of top, middle and base notes to create a unique scent. Once you've blended your oils, add alcohol, water and glycerin, and pour the mixture into your spray bottle. Voila! You've made your own cologne.

Essential oils

The type of essential oils you choose will depend on the fragrance you want to create. For example, if you prefer woody, slightly sweet scents, you might opt for cedarwood. Alternatively, if you like romantic florals, jasmine, rose, or ylang-ylang could be a good choice.

It's important to remember that the final result will likely be a diluted and blended version of the individual scents, so the fragrance will be different from the initial whiff of each scent alone.

Top, Middle, and Base Notes

When creating a cologne, you should use three essential oils: a top note, a middle note, and a base note. Top notes are the first scents you will smell in your composition, while middle notes appear once the top notes dry down, and base notes are the fragrance foundation.

The ratio of these notes is crucial to achieving the desired fragrance. A basic pyramid accord consists of 60% base notes, 30% middle notes, and 10% top notes. However, you can experiment with different ratios to create a unique scent profile.

Blending the Essential Oils

Blending the essential oils is a fun and creative process, but it requires some trial and error. Start by dropping a few oils, one by one, and mixing them together. It's recommended to use no more than 30 drops total, and if one scent is much stronger than the rest, use less.

Once you have your desired formula, add two ounces of alcohol to the mixture.

Examples of Essential Oil Combinations

• Sandalwood, tonka bean, violet leaf, and vanilla (base notes) blended with geranium, ylang-ylang, rose, and lotus flower (middle notes), and topped off with lavender, neroli, magnolia, and mandarin.
• Bay, lime, bergamot, and cedarwood.

Maturity and Filtering

After blending, the cologne needs time to mature and for the fragrance to develop. It's recommended to let the mixture sit for at least 48 hours, and some sources suggest refrigerating it for two weeks.

Once the fragrance is ready, it needs to be diluted and filtered. Add two tablespoons of distilled water and five drops of glycerin to a spray bottle, then slowly and carefully swirl in your bespoke fragrance mixture.

Your signature cologne is now ready to use and can be stored in a fancy spray bottle.

Alcohol

When applying cologne, it is recommended to hold the bottle 3-6 inches away from the skin. This distance allows for a focused application without over or under-concentrating the cologne. Applying cologne from too close a distance can cause the skin to turn red due to the high concentration of alcohol.

It is also important to note that cologne should not be sprayed onto hair, as the alcohol can dry and damage it. Additionally, cologne should not be applied to clothing as it may stain or damage the fabric. Instead, cologne should be applied to the skin, particularly the pulse points or warmest areas of the body, such as the neck, wrists, and inner elbows.

Glycerin

To make your own cologne, you will need a few basic ingredients: alcohol, essential oils, water, and glycerin. You can use either rubbing alcohol or witch hazel, and for the essential oils, you will need a blend of three: a top, middle, and base note. The type of essential oils you choose will depend on the scent profile you want to create. For woody, slightly sweet scents, you might opt for cedarwood. If you prefer romantic florals, jasmine, rose, or ylang-ylang are good choices. Remember that your final scent will be diluted and blended, so it will likely be more muted than the initial whiff of a single scent.

Once you have selected your essential oils, it's time to blend them. This is where the fun begins! You can experiment with different combinations and ratios to create a unique fragrance. Remember that not all notes go together, so be prepared for some trial and error. After you have blended your essential oils, you will add alcohol.

Now, your cologne needs time to compose. You should let it brew and sit for 48 hours, and it is recommended to refrigerate it for two weeks. After this, give it a good shake to ensure the molecules are mixed.

The final step is to dilute your fragrance. In a spray bottle, add two tablespoons of distilled water and five drops of glycerin. Then, slowly and carefully, swirl in your bespoke fragrance mixture. And that's it! You've made your own cologne.

Spray bottles

When making cologne, it is important to use a spray bottle to store and apply your fragrance. Spray bottles come in a variety of sizes, materials, and colours. You can choose from small, portable spray bottles that are perfect for travel, or larger bottles to keep at home.

When selecting a spray bottle, consider the material. Glass bottles are a popular choice as they can be more durable and aesthetically pleasing. However, plastic bottles are also a good option, especially for travel, as they are lightweight and less likely to break.

You can find spray bottles in a range of sizes, from small 5ml or 8ml bottles to larger 100ml or 30ml bottles. The size you choose will depend on your intended use. Smaller bottles are convenient for carrying in your pocket or bag, while larger bottles are suitable for home use or for storing larger amounts of cologne.

Some spray bottles come with additional features, such as a cap or a funnel. A cap can help prevent accidental spraying and protect the nozzle from damage, while a funnel can make it easier to pour your cologne into the bottle without spilling.

When purchasing a spray bottle, it is important to consider the type of sprayer. Some bottles have a standard spray nozzle, while others may have a more sophisticated spray mechanism. Additionally, pay attention to the quality of the spray bottle, as you want to ensure that it is well-made and will not leak.

You can find spray bottles for cologne at various retailers, both online and in-store. Amazon and Walmart offer a wide range of options, including refillable and travel-friendly bottles.

Overall, selecting the right spray bottle for your cologne involves considering factors such as size, material, colour, and additional features. By choosing a well-made bottle with a suitable spray mechanism, you can effectively store and apply your cologne.

Pulse points

When applying cologne, hold the bottle 3-6 inches away from your body and use 1-4 sprays, depending on the strength of the cologne. For everyday use, apply cologne to the neck and inner wrists or chest. If you're going out, you may also want to apply some behind your ears so that people can smell it when they get close to your face.

If you're going to be outdoors, you could also apply cologne to the inside of your elbows, the back of your knees, or the tops of your feet. However, it's important to remember that the more pulse points you apply cologne to, the less you need to use, and it's always better to start with a light application and build up if necessary.

Frequently asked questions