Colognes And Perfumes: Summer Or Winter Wear?

The choice of perfume or cologne is a highly personal one, and while there are no hard and fast rules, seasonal changes do influence our fragrance choices. Summer is typically associated with light, fruity, and floral scents, while winter is linked to deeper, spicier, and woodier fragrances. Summer heat can cause fragrances to evaporate more quickly, so lighter, fresher scents with citrus or aquatic notes are often preferred during this season. In contrast, the cooler temperatures of winter allow for richer and more complex scents that complement the season and blend well with layered clothing. Ultimately, the decision comes down to individual preference, but understanding how fragrances interact with the body and the environment can help enhance one's perfume or cologne experience.

Summer perfumes: lighter, citrusy, and aquatic scents

The choice of fragrance is a personal one, but the season can play a big part in deciding which scent to wear. Summer perfumes tend to be lighter, with citrusy and aquatic notes being popular choices for the warmer months. The heat can make a fragrance evaporate quickly, so a fresh scent is the best choice for summer. Citrus and aquatic perfumes are known for being bright and zesty, and they can transport you to orange groves or a beach getaway with just one spritz.

Citrus perfumes include a wide variety of fruits such as lemon, orange, bergamot, grapefruit, mandarin, and yuzu lemon. These scents can be paired with fruity or woody notes for a richer, warmer fragrance, or with florals for a softer, more feminine scent.

Aquatic perfumes can smell like the sea itself or capture the essence of a full beach day with notes of suntan lotion, coconut, and salty skin. They can also have floral or fruity notes, like the popular Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue Eau de Toilette Spray, which has citrus and bamboo notes.

Some popular choices for summer perfumes include:

• Chanel Coco Mademoiselle Eau de Parfum (citrus and floral notes)
• Clinique Happy Eau de Parfum Spray (fruity and floral)
• Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue Eau de Toilette Spray (citrus and bamboo)
• Ellis Brooklyn Salt Eau de Parfum (salty skin and sunscreen)
• Jo Malone Wood Sage & Sea Salt Cologne (sea salt, musky ambrette seeds, and earthy sage)

Winter perfumes: deeper, spicier, and woody fragrances

Winter perfumes are typically deeper, spicier, and woodier than their summer counterparts. These heavier notes complement the colder season, offering the olfactory equivalent of a warm, weighted blanket. They are at their best when the sun is sparse, and many of them work well as nighttime scents, too.

Spicy

• Tom Ford Black Orchid combines black truffle, black orchid, and patchouli.
• Dossier Spicy Orchid is a budget-friendly alternative with notes of cinnamon, pink pepper, and mandarin.
• Frederic Malle Musc Ravageur features notes of lavender, mandarin, bergamot, amber, vanilla, sandalwood, and musk.

Woody

• Maison Margiela Replica By the Fireplace evokes a cozy evening by the fire with notes of burning wood and chestnut.
• Celine Eau de Californie is a woody tribute to sunny California with notes of tree moss, patchouli, white orris butter, palo santo, and bergamot.
• Aesop Hwyl has a subtle warmth with cypress notes sprouting from oakmoss, frankincense, vetiver, and thyme.
• Zegna Indonesian Oud features notes of bergamot, amber, patchouli, and rose, but the oud note takes centre stage.

Warm

• Yves Saint Laurent Libre Le Parfum blends lavender, orange blossom, and vanilla.
• Acqua Di Parma Vaniglia Eau de Parfum combines cedarwood, musk, and a hint of bergamot.
• Le Labo Thé Noir 29 Eau de Parfum.
• Tom Ford Ombré Leather Eau de Parfum mixes cardamom, leather, and patchouli.

Vanilla

• Lavanila Laboratories Pure Vanilla offers a pure and comforting vanilla experience.
• Maison Francis Kurkdjian Paris Baccarat Rouge 540 Eau de Parfum has a woody base balanced by floral notes like jasmine and saffron.
• Byredo Night Veil Vanille Antique Extrait de Parfum includes notes of musk and cashmere.
• The 7 Virtues Vanilla Woods Eau de Parfum features notes of vanilla, caramel, and amber.

Musky

• Narciso Rodriguez Musc Noir Rose For Her combines the warmth of musk with the delicate essence of roses.
• Margiela By the Fireplace gives the impression of roasting chestnuts and drinking spiked eggnog by the fireplace with notes of clove, chestnut, and vanilla.

Floral

• Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb Orchid includes orchid, peach, and vanilla bean.
• Prada Paradoxe combines the softness of iris with the richness of saffron.

Fruity

• Jo Malone Pomegranate Noir is a blend of pomegranate, raspberry, plum, frankincense, and patchouli.
• 19-69 Capri Eau de Parfum captures the aromas of blossoming orange trees with light citrus notes.

How to apply cologne: pulse points, heat areas, and sparingly

Applying cologne is an art form. Done properly, it can make you feel more attractive and confident. However, if not done right, it can lead to over-application or a scent that fades too quickly. Here is a guide on how to apply cologne correctly and sparingly:

Pulse Points

Pulse points are areas on your body where your heart pulse can be felt, and they are the best spots to apply cologne. This is because the warmth from your blood helps to diffuse the fragrance, making it more effective and long-lasting. There are nine pulse points on the body, including the inner wrist, the temples of your head, the neck, behind the ear, the foot, and the inside of the elbow.

When applying cologne, choose two to four pulse points. For everyday use, the neck area and inner wrists are recommended. If you're going out or on a date, you can also apply some cologne behind your ear so that people get a pleasant whiff when they get close to your face.

Heat Areas

In addition to pulse points, you should also apply cologne to heated areas of your body. The heat helps diffuse the scent throughout the day and allows it to meld with your body chemistry to create your signature scent. These areas include the neck, chest, forearms, and inner elbows.

Sparingly

It is important to apply cologne sparingly to avoid over-application. Start with a light application by choosing one area, like the neck or forearms, and applying one spray. If you notice that the scent fades quickly, choose another area and spray there the next time. You can always add more, but it's harder to fix over-application. Ask a trusted friend for feedback on the intensity of your cologne, as you can become nose-blind to scents you wear often.

Remember, less is more when it comes to cologne. You want your cologne to be a subtle enhancement to your image, not an overpowering presence that chokes those around you.

Choosing a cologne: designer vs niche, and testing fragrances

When choosing a cologne, you may be faced with the decision of whether to opt for a designer or a niche fragrance. There are several factors to consider when making this choice.

Designer fragrances are typically more affordable, ranging from USD 50 to USD 100 for a 100ml bottle. They are also more widely available, as they are produced on a larger scale and can be found in most major boutiques and stores. Some popular designer brands include Dior, Chanel, and Guerlain. Designer fragrances are a good choice for beginners, as they are easily recognisable and provide an entry point into the world of perfumes and colognes.

On the other hand, niche fragrances are unique, in-house perfumes produced on a smaller scale and typically sold through the company's store or a few luxury regional outlets. Niche fragrances are often more expensive, with prices ranging from USD 150 to USD 2000 or more. They are made in smaller batches, using more natural ingredients, and offer a wider variety of notes and scents. Niche fragrances are a good choice for those who want something different and exclusive.

When testing fragrances, it is important to follow a few steps to ensure you find the right scent for you. Here are some tips:

• Start with paper blotters: Spray the fragrance onto the blotter and wave it under your nose to inhale the scent. This method allows you to test a wide range of fragrances without getting them on your skin.
• Try it on your skin: Once you've narrowed down your options, choose a fragrance to test on your skin. Spray it on your wrist or the back of your hand and wait for it to settle before inhaling. This will allow you to experience how the fragrance reacts with your body's natural chemistry.
• Take your time: Don't rush the decision. Allow the fragrance to develop on your skin over time and sniff your wrist or hand after 15-30 minutes to see how the scent has evolved.
• Mind your senses: Avoid wearing other fragrances when testing new ones, as they may hinder your ability to experience the new scent. Also, try not to test more than 3 fragrances in a day, as your sense of smell can become overwhelmed.
• Use olfactory palate cleansers: Coffee beans are commonly used to neutralise odours between fragrance tests. Alternatively, you can try smelling your own clean skin or a woollen scarf.
• Test fragrances in the morning: Your sense of smell is usually sharper in the morning, so you'll have a better perception of the fragrances.

Remember, choosing a cologne is a personal decision, and you should trust your nose and go with what you enjoy the most.

Fragrance notes: top, medium, and base notes

Fragrances are made up of three types of notes: top, middle, and base. These notes work together to create an attractive scent that evolves over time.

Top notes, also known as headnotes, are the first impression of a perfume. They are usually fresh and sharp, with lighter molecules that don't linger for long. Citrus scents like lemon, orange, and bergamot, as well as light florals like lavender and rose, are commonly used as top notes. They last for around 5 to 15 minutes before transitioning to the next part of the fragrance.

Middle notes, or heart notes, form the heart of the fragrance. They make up around 50-70% of the blend and last for 3-5 hours. These notes are well-rounded and pleasant, with a fuller body. They include herbal aromas and floral notes like jasmine, rose, ylang-ylang, cinnamon, and cardamom.

Base notes are the boldest scents in the equation. They have heavy molecules and are not as volatile as other essential oils. These notes can last for 5-10 hours or even days on clothing. Base notes include deep and rich scents like musk, vanilla, and woody notes such as sandalwood and cedarwood.

When creating a balanced perfume, middle notes typically make up 50-75% of the blend, top notes make up 20-40%, and base notes make up about 5-10%.

The different notes in a fragrance work together to create a unique and appealing scent. They also interact with your skin's natural oils and pH level, which is why the same perfume can smell different on different people.

Frequently asked questions