Aromatherapy Tips for Formulating Men's Blends and Other Masculine, Earthy Blends
This article is a part of AromaWeb's Aromatherapy Blending Guide. If you are not already familiar with blending for aromatic and therapeutic applications, be sure to use the links shown towards the bottom of this page to read the Aromatherapy Blending Guide.
- Patchouli, Sandalwood, Oakmoss, Bay, Cypress, Ginger, Black Pepper, Vanilla, Vetiver, and Citrus Essential Oils are essential oils that tend to be favored by men and those looking for a more masculine energy/dynamic. See the list of Essential Oils for Men located in the Essential Oil Profiles area for a more comprehensive list of favorite essential oils amongst men.
- To make a masculine aromatic blend, experiment by adding minute quantities of Black Pepper, Ginger, Coriander or other spice oils. Remember that the spice oils can be especially sensitizing to the skin and by their nature, their aroma is very strong, so use them sparingly.
- Vetiver Essential Oil, Patchouli Essential Oil and Spikenard Essential Oil are base notes that are rich and earthy in aroma and can serve as fixatives.
- Remember to follow all safety precautions, heed dermal maximum guidelines and learn about the contraindications for each essential oil.
- When blending essential oils for men, there is a tendency to ignore floral essential oils. However, floral essential oils can lift and balance an otherwise strong, harshly masculine or otherwise boring blend.
- Citrus essential oils can help sweeten and lift the aroma of a blend, but remember that many citrus essential oils are phototoxic.
For additional blending tips, refer to the blending guidelines offered in AromaWeb's Aromatherapy and Fragrancing Blending Guide.
Substitution Tips:
You may come upon recipes that frequently include floral oils. If you aren't partial to the aroma of floral essential oils, try substituting them with oils that you do enjoy. For instance, if a recipe calls for Rose Essential Oil, a middle note, try using a spice oil that is okay to use well diluted like Bay Essential Oil. Successful substitution is dependent on the nature of the recipe and the other oils in the blend, so keep the other oils in mind and the purpose of the blend when choosing substitute oils. However, don't be afraid to experiment in using floral oils. When successfully combined, floral essential oils can dramatically enhance blends formulated for men.
When substituting one oil for another, be sure to follow all safety guidelines and familiarize yourself with the oil(s) you wish to use and their appropriateness for the recipe that you are working with. In other words, don't substitute Lavender Essential Oil in a skin care blend with a dermal irritant like Clove Essential Oil. For more information on essential oil substitution, read AromaWeb's Substituting Oils article.
A Special Note About Masculine Essential Oils and Formulating for Men:
I hope this article serves as a helpful introductory guide. I had been continually asked by readers of AromaWeb for help in understanding what essential oils tend to be preferred by men, and I've also received questions pertaining to "masculine" aromas. However, I'd appreciate emphasizing that aromatic preferences are very personal, regardless of gender. Additionally, gender and masculinity vs/ femininity is highly fluid. We would be doing ourselves a huge disservice if we were to consider particular essential oils to be strictly "feminine" or "masculine" or consider particular essential oils to be only suitable for men or only suitable for women. Categorizing gender preferences in strictly black and white terms is not what this essential oil guide is intended to reflect.
Aromatherapy Blending Guide:
- Part 1: Introduction to Blending Essential Oils
- Part 2: Aromatic Blending of Essential Oils
- Part 3: Formulating Masculine/Earthy Aromatherapy Blends (You Are On This Page Now)
- Part 4: Therapeutic Blending of Essential Oils
- Part 5: Working With and Blending Thick Aromatic Oils
- Part 6: How to Substitute Essential Oils in Aromatherapy Recipes and Blends
- Part 7: Safely Diluted Essential Oil Blends May Seem Weak At First
- Part 8: Guide to Evaluating the Aroma of an Essential Oil
See Also:
