Why Do Men Wear Cologne?

There are many reasons why a man might choose to wear cologne, from wanting to appear more sophisticated and successful to fostering emotional connections and standing out from the crowd. However, wearing too much cologne can be off-putting and even overpowering, so it's important to apply it correctly. The sense of smell is the strongest of the five senses and is closely linked to memory and emotion, so a man's choice of cologne and how he applies it can have a significant impact on how others perceive him.

Choosing the right cologne

The Benefits of Wearing Cologne

Before we get into how to choose the right cologne, let's take a look at why you might want to wear cologne in the first place.

Wearing cologne has many benefits, including:

• Making you appear more successful and sophisticated
• Marking you out as someone who cares about hygiene and health
• Helping you stand out from the crowd
• Making you more attractive to women
• Boosting your confidence
• Helping you to focus
• Fostering emotional connections

How to Choose the Right Cologne

Now, let's get into the nitty-gritty of choosing the right cologne. Here are some tips to help you select a fragrance that suits you:

• Do your research: Before you head to the store, take some time to research different colognes online. Use the fragrance wheel to think about which scents might appeal to you, and make a list of fragrances to try out when you get to the store.
• Try before you buy: When you get to the store, use cologne testers or scent blotters to test out different fragrances. Spray the cologne onto the blotters and give it a sniff before testing it on your skin.
• Test the cologne on your skin: Once you've narrowed it down to a few options, it's time to test the colognes on your skin to see how they react with your body chemistry. Spray one type of cologne on each wrist, and if you're testing more than two, spray onto your inner elbows as well.
• Give the scent time to develop: After applying the cologne, walk around the store or do something else for about 30 minutes. This will give the cologne time to mix with the oils on your skin, so you can get a true idea of what each one will smell like on you.
• Ask for a second opinion: Get a close friend or family member to give you their honest opinion of each cologne. Sometimes it can be hard to judge how a scent smells on yourself, so it can be helpful to get a second nose!
• Buy a small bottle first: If you're new to fragrances, it's a good idea to buy a smaller bottle to start with. That way, you can test out the cologne without committing to a large bottle, and you can easily switch things up if your tastes change.

How to Apply Cologne

Once you've chosen the right cologne, it's important to apply it correctly. Here are some tips for applying cologne:

• Apply sparingly: It's better to apply a small amount of cologne and add more if needed, rather than applying too much and ending up overpowering those around you.
• Apply to the right areas: Apply cologne to heated areas of your body, such as your neck, chest, pulse points, forearms or inner elbows. These areas will help to diffuse the scent throughout the day.
• Hold the bottle 3-6 inches from your body: Holding the bottle too close can lead to over-application, while holding it too far away will result in under-application.
• Apply to dry skin: It's best to apply cologne to dry skin, ideally after showering. This will help the scent to absorb and last longer.
• Reapply if needed: Depending on the type of cologne you're using, you may need to reapply during the day, especially if you're going out in the evening.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

There are also some common mistakes that people make when applying cologne. Make sure to avoid the following:

• Spraying the fragrance on your clothing: This prevents the cologne from mixing with your natural oils, and can also damage certain fabrics.
• Rubbing the cologne into your skin: Rubbing the cologne into your skin can actually make the scent fade faster, so it's best to simply dab or spray it on.
• Applying too much: Remember, less is more when it comes to cologne! You want your fragrance to be a subtle enhancement to your image, not an overpowering presence.

Applying cologne after a shower

Timing

Wait until your body temperature has returned to regular before applying cologne. If you've just had a hot shower, the warmth of your skin will cause the perfume to evaporate faster, so it's best to wait a while. However, if you've had a cold shower, there's no need to wait.

Some people recommend waiting for at least 15 minutes after showering before applying cologne, while others suggest waiting for up to an hour. This gives your skin time to cool down and allows your skin's natural oils to be restored, which can help the fragrance to "stick" better.

Application

When applying cologne, hold the bottle 3 to 6 inches away from your body. Apply the cologne to your pulse points and naturally warm areas of your body, such as your neck, wrists, chest, and inner elbows. These areas generate heat, which helps to diffuse the scent throughout the day and allows it to mix with your body chemistry.

Avoid applying cologne to areas with too much friction, such as the crotch, armpits, and knees, as this can cause the scent to degrade.

It's also important not to over-apply cologne. Start with a light application and choose one area, such as the neck or forearms, to spray. If you notice that the scent fades quickly, choose another area to spray next time.

Reapplication

You can reapply cologne throughout the day, especially if you're going out in the evening. When reapplying, simply dab a small amount onto your pulse points.

Applying cologne to the right areas

The best spots to spray cologne on the body are heated areas, including the neck, chest, pulse points, forearms, and inner elbows. These areas help diffuse the scent throughout the day and allow it to meld with your body chemistry to develop your signature scent.

When applying cologne, it is recommended to spray it on pulse points such as the wrists, neck, and chest, as these areas generate heat and will help diffuse the fragrance. It is important to hold the bottle 3-6 inches from your body when spraying.

Some people also like to spray cologne on their clothes, especially on the collar or cuff. However, this can be a waste of cologne as the scent will not last as long, and it may stain or discolour the fabric. It is generally better to spray cologne directly onto the skin rather than clothing.

The key is to apply cologne sparingly and strategically so that it lasts all day. Start with a light application—choose one area, such as the neck or forearms, and start with one spray. If you notice that the scent fades quickly, choose another area and spray there the next time you apply.

You can also re-apply cologne if needed, especially if you are going out in the evening. Simply dab a little onto your pulse points.

Avoiding common mistakes

There are several common mistakes that men make when applying cologne, which can prevent them from getting the most out of their fragrance. Here are some tips to avoid these mistakes and ensure your cologne smells great and lasts longer:

• Applying too much cologne: A man's cologne should be subtle and understated. It should complement and enhance your style, not overpower it. Remember that with fragrance, less is more. It is best to start with a light application and reapply as needed.
• Rubbing cologne into the skin: Rubbing cologne into your skin can make the scent fade faster as it breaks the molecular bond in the fragrance. It can also change how the fragrance blends with your natural aroma. Instead, simply dab the cologne onto your skin and let it dry.
• Splashing cologne onto the skin: If your cologne does not have a spray nozzle, avoid splashing it onto your skin. Instead, place one finger over the opening of the bottle and gently tip it upside down, then dab the cologne onto your skin. This gives you more control over the amount of cologne you use.
• Walking through a cloud of cologne: Spraying a mist cloud and walking through it may seem like a way to prevent over-application, but it is incredibly wasteful and ineffective. To get the most out of your cologne, it must be applied directly to the skin.
• Spraying cologne on clothing: Cologne should be applied to the skin, not clothing. By spraying it onto your clothes, you prevent it from mixing with your natural oils, which gives the scent its unique quality. Spraying cologne on clothing can also stain or damage certain fabrics.
• Not applying cologne to the right areas: Focus on applying cologne to the warmest areas of your body, such as the neck, chest, wrists, forearms, inner elbows, lower jaw, shoulders, and pulse points. These areas will help diffuse the scent throughout the day and allow it to develop a signature scent unique to you.
• Not holding the bottle at the right distance: Hold the cologne bottle 3 to 6 inches away from your body when spraying. If you spray any closer, you risk over-applying, and if you spray any further away, the scent may dissipate too quickly.
• Not applying cologne after a shower: Applying cologne to clean, dry skin after a shower is ideal. Showering washes away lingering odors and opens your pores, allowing your skin to better absorb the scent.
• Not reapplying when needed: Depending on the type of cologne and how long you need it to last, you may need to reapply. When reapplying, dab a small amount onto your pulse points, such as your neck or wrists.

Making cologne last longer

While cologne is a great way to make a good first impression, boost confidence, and appear more sophisticated, it can be frustrating when the scent doesn't seem to last. Here are some tips and tricks to help your cologne's scent linger all day.

Prepping Your Skin

• Take a shower. The steam from a warm shower helps open your pores, allowing your skin to better absorb the fragrance.
• Moisturize your skin. Hydrated skin is more likely to soak up your cologne, so apply a body lotion or cream before spraying your cologne. Ensure that your moisturizer doesn't have an overpowering scent that might compete with your cologne.
• Apply petroleum jelly to pulse points. This acts as a barrier between your skin and the cologne, preventing complete absorption, and making the cologne last longer.

Applying the Cologne

• Layer your scent. Use other products with the same or complementary scents, such as body washes, deodorants, and body creams.
• Spray your pulse points. These include your neck, chest, wrists, behind your ears and knees, and the inside of your elbows. These are the warmest spots on your body, which will help keep the scent strong.
• Mist your hair. Your hair is more porous than your skin and will hold onto the scent longer. You can also apply cologne to your brush or comb and then run it through your hair.
• Spritz your clothing. The natural oils in your skin can cause the scent to wear off, but applying cologne to your clothing will make it last until you wash the item.
• Reapply when necessary. Carry a small, travel-friendly bottle with you for touch-ups throughout the day.

Choosing the Right Cologne

• Select a heavy scent. Colognes with woody fragrances, such as cedar or patchouli, or spicy notes like clove or ginger, tend to be longer-wearing.
• Check the expiration date. Colognes with a lot of natural ingredients can turn bad over time, weakening or changing the scent.
• Store properly. Extreme temperatures and direct sunlight can alter the ingredients in cologne, so store it in a cool, dark, and dry location, away from the bathroom or direct sunlight.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Avoid rubbing your wrists together after applying cologne. This can break down the fragrance, causing it to disappear faster.
• Don't overspray. Two to four sprays are usually enough, depending on the intensity of the cologne.
• Don't store cologne in the bathroom. The heat and moisture from showers can affect the chemical makeup of the fragrance.

By following these tips, you can make your cologne last longer and enjoy your favorite scent throughout the day.

Frequently asked questions