Did you know that many perfumes and colognes are manufactured using synthetic chemicals, even petroleum? Many of these ingredients have never been studied for cosmetic use, a scary thought. But the good news is that we can easily create our own perfumes and colognes from natural ingredients.

True, these fragrances will need to be reapplied more often than their synthetic counterparts, but we can rest easy knowing what's inside the bottle. Plus, many of the botanicals used in handcrafted aroma recipes can be beneficial for our everyday wellness, from grounding to uplifting, calming to balancing. Tuck a bottle of a relaxing blend into your purse or desk drawer for stressful situations or an energizing blend for afternoons that drag.

Below are several blends that I have experimented with, but feel free to concoct your own special recipes. The options are endless!

Orange Spice Cologne

A warming, spicy, and exotic blend that will lift spirits, invigorate senses, and alleviate tension. The aroma is delightfully reminiscent of chai.

Ingredients:

• 1 organic cinnamon stick
• 25 organic whole cardamom pods
• 15 organic cloves
• 1 organic vanilla bean, cut into small pieces
• Zest from 1 fresh organic orange
• 8 oz vodka

Directions:

1. Crush spices in a mortar and pestle.
2. Combine with vanilla bean pieces, orange zest, and vodka in a glass jar.
3. Cap tightly and shake once or more per day.
4. After 2-6 weeks, strain the spices and pour the infused liquid into a glass bottle with a mister top. Simply add more spices if you desire a stronger cologne.

Citrus Cologne

A fresh citrusy scent with herbal notes, this uplifting aroma is stimulating and revitalizing.

Ingredients:

• Zest from 1 fresh organic lemon
• Zest from 1 fresh organic grapefruit
• Organic essential oil of choice; I like basil, chamomile, lavender, or peppermint
• 8 oz vodka

Directions:

1. Combine citrus zests in a glass jar and add vodka until the liquid rises above the peel zest by at least 1”.
2. Cap tightly and shake once or more per day.
3. After 2-6 weeks, strain out the citrus peels and pour the resulting cologne into a glass bottle with a mister top.
4. Add 2 drops of essential oil for each tablespoon of finished cologne.
5. Add more essential oil if you desire a stronger cologne.

Fresh Floral Cologne

This relaxing cologne can be made with fresh blossoms straight from the garden! The flowers uplift your spirits.

Ingredients:

• Fresh or dried organic rose petals
• Fresh or dried organic chamomile flowers
• Fresh or dried organic lavender flowers
• Vodka

Directions:

1. Combine all ingredients in a glass jar and add vodka until the liquid rises above the flowers by at least 1”.
2. Cap tightly and shake once or more per day.
3. After 2-6 weeks, strain the flowers and pour the resulting cologne into a glass bottle with mister top.

Woodland Perfume

I love this blend! It truly smells like the forest. Uplifting, grounding, meditative, and comforting.

Ingredients:

• 4 drops organic spruce essential oil
• 2 drops organic fir needle essential oil
• 2 drops organic cedarwood essential oil
• 1 drop organic vetiver essential oil
• 1 drop organic bergamot essential oil
• 1 oz organic jojoba oil

Directions:

1. Drip all essential oils into a glass bottle and roll between palms to evenly mix the oils.
2. Add jojoba oil and roll again.
3. Add additional essential oils if you desire a stronger perfume, but be careful not to exceed recommended dilution ratios.

Sweet Summer Perfume

A relaxing and warming blend reminiscent of summer, with a lightly floral aroma complemented by hints of spice and cedar. A great lift-me-up during the cold and dark winter months!

Ingredients:

• 10 drops organic lavender essential oil
• 5 drops organic chamomile essential oil
• 4 drops organic cardamom essential oil
• 1 drop organic cedarwood essential oil
• 1 drop organic rose geranium essential oil
• 2 oz organic jojoba oil

Directions:

1. Drip all essential oils into a glass bottle and roll between palms to evenly mix the oils.
2. Add jojoba oil and roll again.
3. Add additional essential oils if you desire a stronger perfume, but be careful not to exceed recommended dilution ratios.

Refreshing Perfume

This blend is rejuvenating, uplifting, energizing, and stimulating.

• 13 drops organic peppermint essential oil
• 13 drops organic rosemary essential oil
• 5 drops organic lemon essential oil
• 5 drops organic sage essential oil
• 5 drops organic juniper berry essential oil
• 4 oz organic jojoba oil

1. Drip all essential oils into a glass bottle and roll between palms to evenly mix the oils.
2. Add jojoba oil and roll again.
3. Add additional essential oils if you desire a stronger perfume, but be careful not to exceed recommended dilution ratios.

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Please leave a comment to share your own perfume and cologne recipes, we'd love to hear about them!

Looking for more invigorating diy scents?

Make Your Own Natural Perfume Oils!