Okay, so lemme tell you about my little adventure with “racing club cologne”. I’ve been meaning to try and recreate some of my favorite scents at home, just for kicks, and this one seemed like a fun challenge.
First things first, I did some digging online. I wanted to get a feel for the general vibe of the cologne – what notes were typically associated with it, you know? Turns out, a lot of people mention citrus, some woods, and a bit of spice. Nothing too crazy, but enough to give it some character.
Then I went shopping. This part’s always a bit of a gamble. I picked up a few essential oils that I thought would fit the bill:
- Bergamot: Gotta have that bright, citrusy opening.
- Lemon: To boost the citrus even further.
- Cedarwood: Figured this would give it a nice woody base.
- Black Pepper: For a little kick, that subtle spice element.
- Maybe some Vetiver: I was debating this. It can be earthy, but I thought it could add some depth.
I also grabbed some perfumer’s alcohol (you can’t just use regular alcohol, it won’t work right) and some distilled water. The alcohol’s the carrier, and the water helps blend everything.
Alright, mixing time! This is where it gets fun (and a little messy). I started with the base notes – the cedarwood and a tiny drop of vetiver. I didn’t want the vetiver to overpower everything. I probably did like, 10 drops of cedarwood and 1 drop of vetiver into a small glass bottle.
Next, the heart notes. This is where the black pepper came in. I was really careful with this one – black pepper oil is potent. I added maybe 2 drops. Honestly, I was scared to add more. It’s easy to overdo it!
Finally, the top notes – the bergamot and lemon. I went a little heavier on these, aiming for a bright, fresh scent. Maybe like 15 drops of bergamot and 5 drops of lemon. I figured the lemon would fade quicker, so a bit less.
I topped it off with perfumer’s alcohol, almost filling the bottle, and then added just a splash of distilled water. Gave it a good shake and… well, it smelled like something. Not exactly “racing club cologne,” but something. It was definitely citrusy and had a woody undertone, but the pepper was a little too strong at first.
Here’s the trick – you gotta let it sit. I capped the bottle and stashed it away in a dark, cool place for about two weeks. This allows the scents to meld together and mature. It’s like aging wine, but for your nose.
After two weeks, I took it out and gave it another sniff. It was way better! The pepper had mellowed out, and the citrus was more balanced with the wood. It still wasn’t a perfect dupe, but it was a decent cologne. It was a lot more like a generic spicy citrus scent. A bit harsh. Next time I would reduce the pepper even more.
So, was it a success? Sort of. I learned a lot about blending scents, and I ended up with a wearable cologne. I would make it again but cut the pepper oil, that stuff is so potent. Would definitely recommend giving it a try if you are interested in a fun DIY project.
