Eau de Cologne is a fresh water in which each olfactory note can bring back memories of youth. Its scent sometimes nostalgically evokes the perfume of a grandmother or grandfather who loves perfumery and is flirtatious, or the droplets slipped behind the ear before heading to school when we were little and This was our first perfume. These floral waters can thus offer scents for men or women. And it is up to everyone to turn instead to fruity, floral, musky, aromatic scents… The freshness of eau de Cologne and its not overpowering trail are in all cases the promise of pleasant fragrances once the sunny days return. So, find out how to make a 100% personalized cologne with some fresh recipes.
Eau de Cologne scented with rose, lavender and vanilla
We often think of cologne with citrus, vetiver or patchouli. However, you can also find mild colognes, with floral, light and round notes. There is of course rose water used alone for a subtle scent. However, it can also be combined with vanilla for more sensuality. This bouquet with its delicate scent is a joy to sniff on your wrists all day long!
The ingredients:
Vodka (we use this alcohol for its neutral odor which lends itself well to cosmetics and home care!)
A handful of fresh or dried rose petals
A handful of fresh or dried lavender
And a vanilla pod
How to proceed?
Combine the flavoring ingredients in a clean, airtight glass bottle. Then cover with the vodka, making sure to cover the petals well. They will then begin to float (they will sink when they absorb the alcohol). Look under the flowers and make sure there is at least an inch of vodka underneath. Close your container and leave to macerate for minimum 2 weeks shaking regularly. Extend the maceration up to 4 or 6 weeks for a more fragrant fragrance. Filter into a spray bottle!
If the liquid changes color, don’t panic… it’s a natural process.
Sparkling and refreshing citrus cologne
Not a fan of floral water? Prefer aromatic citrus water. Grapefruit, orange or tangerine bring the fruity side and aromatic herbs bring freshness. Perfect when you get out of the shower after hot summer days!
The ingredients:
Peels of a citrus fruit (remove the white skin inside)
A handful of fresh mint or basil
For a more fragrant scent: peppermint and sweet orange essential oil
Vodka (still for its neutral smell)
How to proceed?
For better-smelling water, crush the mint before slipping it into a clean airtight bottle with the citrus peel. Cover with vodka: there should be about 2.5 cm above your leaf-bark mixture. Close your jar and leave to macerate for minimum 2 weeks shaking regularly. Extend the maceration up to 4 or 6 weeks for a more fragrant scent. If you like fresh concentrated waters, add 5 drops of sweet orange oil and 1 of mint per 230ml of infused water. Transfer everything into your spray bottle.
The recipe for old-fashioned eau de Cologne
Do you like the scent of classic cologne? Test this little recipe with essential oils after you are sure not to have no allergy to any of the species mentioned.
The ingredients:
30 cl of vodka
8 cl of spring water
6 drops of rosemary essential oil
10 drops of lemon essential oil
10 drops of bergamot essential oil
And 10 more drops of verbena (or geranium) essential oil
6 cardamom seeds
How to proceed?
In an airtight bottle, pour the essential oils, vodka and cardamom. Close the bottle and leave to macerate 2 days. Then add your spring water, shake well and leave to macerate 1 week. All you have to do is filter and transfer your fresh perfume into a sprayer.
The authentic eau de Cologne with essential oils
Here is another recipe with essential oils with the presence of white flowers (thanks to orange blossom) and benzoin which brings a more woody side, both ingredients offering subtle notes very appreciated in fresh waters the old way. They will thus bring a little roundness to your recipe. Enough to smell good with a fresh and relaxing scent!
The ingredients:
500 ml of alcohol at 50% vol (or vodka)
6 g of benzoin
4 g of lemon essential oil
4 g of bergamot essential oil
2 g of citron essential oil
1 g of true lavender essential oil
5 drops of orange blossom essence
How to proceed?
Here, it’s very simple! Mix all the ingredients in an airtight bottle and leave to macerate. 10 days before filtering.
Do you like recipes for homemade eau de parfum or eau de toilette? So, also discover how to make a solid perfume with essential oils!