Cologne can be hit or miss. It is a very common gift for men, especially fathers who enjoy wearing cologne or aftershave. Due to personal preference and powerful or varying scents, picking the right cologne can be tricky. Not to mention, most commercial colognes contain synthetic fragrances, which can include carcinogens, respiratory irritants, environmental toxins, and more harmful substances.
Making your own cologne with all-natural essential oils ensures a product that you can use safely and confidently. Don’t worry, because essential oil colognes will not make you smell awful, or like you just stepped out of a wild animal’s cave. In fact, the cologne recipes in this article may help you smell like freedom, the wild, and volcanos. Well, to each their own regarding the scents!
Some Cologne Notes
It is helpful to understand a few notes before you mix up your essential oil blends. You need to understand fragrance notes, which are divided into three classes: top, middle, and base. The top note is the first scent you notice after application, but it is also the quickest to fade. That leaves you with the next lasting scent, the middle class. Finally, the bass class is the scent that lasts the longest. A general formula is 10-15% for the top note, 25-30% for the middle note, and 55-65% for the base note. You can adjust the ratios any way you please, but that is simply a suggested starting place.
Nightlife
Getting ready to have a night on the town? Apply this gentlemanly blend that has notes of citrus with a perfectly earthy smell of vetiver. Researchers state that the essential oils in this blend help to support immune function and promote positive feelings. The recipe is as follows:
- 3 drops of lemon essential oil (top note)
- 4 drops of cardamom essential oil (middle note)
- 4 drops of ylang ylang essential oil (middle note)
- 6 drops of vetiver essential oil (base note)
Earthy
Crave the smell of the woods? This simple blend is great to apply for any time of day, as it helps you smell like a flannel-wearing, ax-yielding lumberjack. Frankincense and copaiba are great for reducing stress and anxiety, making this a great workday cologne. The recipe is as follows:
- 4 drops of lemongrass essential oil (top note)
- 6 drops of copaiba essential oil (middle note)
- 8 drops of frankincense essential oil (base note)
Outdoorsy
This is the go-to blend for anyone who loves the outdoors. Because this blend contains cedarwood essential oil, you’ll smell like you lathered yourself in pine trees. Don’t worry, though, because it has a citrusy zest, giving this blend a refreshingly manly scent. This recipe is as follows:
- 3 drops of lemongrass essential oil (top note)
- 3 drops of basil essential oil (middle note)
- 4 drops of cedarwood essential oil (base note)
- 6 drops of Douglas fir essential oil (base note)
Office
Great to wear during the workday, this blend of essential oils has beautiful notes of citrus and the woods. The essential oils help to ground your emotions, balance the mood, stimulate the brain, and promote focus. The recipe is as follows:
- 4 drops of wild orange essential oil (top note)
- 6 drops of sandalwood essential oil (middle note)
- 10 drops of frankincense essential oil (base note)
How To Make DIY Cologne
This is an easy method for a homemade spray cologne using the above essential oil blends. To make the spray cologne, use a glass spray bottle, the essential oils, vegetable glycerin, and witch hazel.
Instructions:
- In a two-ounce glass spray bottle, combine the essential oils and 1/2 tsp of vegetable glycerin.
- Top off the rest of the bottle with witch hazel, screw on the top, and shake well.
- Spray on the chest, wrist, or neck when ready to use and make sure to shake before each use.
