Some men live to conquer Mount Everest and wrestle polar bears, and some would rather roll down hills and make balloon animals with the kids. Whatever your day job or hobbies, this DIY men’s cologne will help you find the fragrance that captures the best version of yourself, whether that be Indiana Jones or James Bond.

Making cologne from essential oils doesn’t take an ancient discovery or a complicated heist. All you need is your favorite manly oils and a few basic supplies, listed below.

 

Before you get started, let’s take a look at the notes that make up a cologne.

Top notes quickly evaporate as they make initial impressions and are usually the first things you smell.

Examples: Lime oil, Bergamot oil, Juniper oil

Middle notes follow quickly after the top notes, tend to be mellow, and create the core of the scent.

Examples: Valor essential oil blend, Pine oil, Cypress oil, Stress Away essential oil blend

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: Cedarwood oil, Sacred Sandalwood oil, Patchouli oil

 

Supplies:

Instructions:

1. Combine oils in the empty bottle until your essential oil blend is balanced. Aim for 30-45 drops of oil in total.

2. Once you like how the blend smells, fill the rest of the bottle with V-6.

3. Insert the roller fitment and put the cap on.

4. Print your custom label (click here to print)

5. Wrap the label around the bottle and secure with transparent tape.

6. Apply your DIY cologne to your neck and wrists.

7. Smell amazing.

 

Scents to Try:

Whether you want to smell like an adventurer traveling the open seas or a dapper undercover agent, we have the blend for you!

Swaggering Pirate

For a deep and spicy scent, this rich combination adds just enough mystery.

15 drops Bergamot essential oil

8 drops Patchouli essential oil

5 drops Valor essential oil

5 drops Cedarwood essential oil

 

 

International Spy

Experience a spicy kind of clean with just a hint of sweet—perfect for all undercover operations.

10 drops Sacred Sandalwood essential oil

6 drops Stress Away™ essential oil blend

6 drops Black Pepper essential oil

5 drops Vetiver essential oil

5 drops Cedarwood essential oil

 

Want more manly ideas? Check out Young Living’s Shutran™ line, which includes shaving and grooming products featuring natural ingredients and essential oils—formulated just for men. The Shutran blend adds hints of Lemon and Lavender to Idaho Blue Spruce and Northern Lights Black Spruce, then brings in Ylang Ylang and Hinoki to round out for the ideal scent appealing to both men and women. Use it in your DIY men’s cologne or check out these other products.

 

Ready to learn more essentials for him? Check out “The Essential Man: 3 Awesome Oil Life Hacks” and “Essential Oils (and More!) for Your Inner Athlete.”

What other manly essential oil blends have you tried?

Let us know in the comments below!