Finding Your Signature Scent: Cologne Edition

Finding the right cologne can be a daunting task. With so many options available, how do you know which one will smell the best on you? The answer lies in your body chemistry. Even the same scent can smell different on two different people due to factors like body temperature, humidity, and the products you use. When choosing a cologne, it's important to sample different fragrances and find one that suits your unique body chemistry and preferences. You can also seek advice from salespeople, ask friends for their opinions, and consider the occasion and season when selecting a cologne. Additionally, understanding the different fragrance families and their seasonality can help guide your choice. While it may take some time and experimentation, finding the perfect cologne that complements your body chemistry and suits your personality is definitely worth the effort.

Body chemistry

Skin Type and Condition

Skin type and condition can affect how cologne smells on a person. Dry skin, for instance, can cause perfume to evaporate more quickly, resulting in a shorter-lasting scent. Conversely, rough skin with contours can help retain the scent for longer. Skin with higher oil content tends to provide a more pleasant version of the cologne's scent. This is because oils help the fragrance absorb into the skin.

The amount and type of oil, or sebum, secreted by the skin are influenced by factors such as stress levels, lifestyle choices, and diet. Since everyone's sebum is unique, it's important to find a cologne that works in harmony with your skin's natural oils.

The pH of the skin also plays a role in how well a cologne's scent is retained. Skin with a lower, more acidic pH absorbs scents better, while skin with a higher, more alkaline pH struggles to retain them.

Body Temperature

Body temperature is another factor that influences how a cologne will smell on the skin. Higher skin temperatures cause perfume fragrance notes to become more intense. This is why cologne is often applied to hot spots on the body, such as the temples, wrists, neck, and behind the ears. These areas emit more body heat, making the scent last longer.

Other Factors

Other factors that can affect how a cologne smells include the temperature and humidity of the environment, as well as the clothing and beauty products used. Additionally, how a cologne is applied can also make a difference. For example, rubbing it into the skin can result in a different scent compared to simply spritzing or dabbing it on.

Testing a Cologne

When testing a new cologne, it's recommended to apply it to clean skin, preferably after a shower, and with a neutral or unscented lotion. Spraying the cologne lower on the body is also suggested, as scent tends to travel upward. It's also a good idea to avoid using strongly scented products, such as body wash, shampoo, or lotion, as these can clash with the cologne.

To get a true impression of the scent, apply it to your pulse points and observe how it changes throughout the day. The top and middle notes of a cologne will evaporate, leaving the base notes, so it's important to see if you still enjoy the scent after an hour or two. Testing the cologne in different environments, such as during the day and in the evening, can also provide valuable insight.

Seasonality

When choosing a cologne, it is essential to consider the weather, as it affects how the fragrance is perceived and how it performs on your skin. Hot weather intensifies the fragrance notes and makes them bloom more quickly, while cold weather slows down evaporation, making the top and heart notes last longer.

In addition to temperature, the feeling that a particular fragrance evokes can also be a factor. Just as you would avoid wearing a heavy jumper in summer, wearing a cologne that reminds you of winter during the warmer months may not feel right.

To choose the right cologne for each season, you can consider the following:

Spring

Spring symbolises the renewal of nature, flowering, softness, and freshness. Fragrances inspired by nature, such as fresh flowers, cut grass, watery fruit, citrus, and aromatic herbs, are often associated with this season. Lighter and more vibrant colognes with citrus or green notes are ideal for this time of year.

Summer

Summer is the season for more delicate and nuanced fragrances. People often opt for powdery and floral scents, such as iris, violet, mimosa, and peony, or choose cooler, cologne-style scents.

Autumn

Autumn is the season for woody, spicy, and leathery fragrances. Scents that evoke the changing colours of leaves, the smell of forests, woods, mosses, and fireplaces are popular choices.

Winter

Winter is the time for deeper, more sensual, and oriental notes. People often opt for intense woody notes, white flowers, and gourmand scents that evoke comfort and warmth.

Asking others

Ask for Honest Opinions

Don't be afraid to ask your close friends and family members for their honest opinions about the cologne you're wearing. They can provide valuable insights into how the fragrance interacts with your body chemistry and unique scent. It's essential to create a safe and non-judgmental space for this feedback, as scent preferences can be highly subjective and vary from person to person.

Seek Out Compliments

Pay attention to the compliments you receive when wearing a particular cologne. If people around you seem to react positively and compliment you on your choice of fragrance, it's a good indication that it smells pleasant to others. Take note of the colognes that consistently elicit positive feedback.

Strike Up Conversations

If you come across someone who is wearing a cologne that you find appealing, don't hesitate to strike up a conversation and inquire about the fragrance they are wearing. Most people will be flattered that you noticed and appreciated their scent. This can also be a great way to discover new colognes that you might not have otherwise considered.

Consider Online Communities

Online communities and social media platforms, such as TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube, offer a wealth of information and reviews on different colognes. Join fragrance-focused groups and engage with others who share your interest in perfumes. These communities can provide valuable insights and recommendations based on their own experiences.

Sample and Test

Whenever possible, take advantage of samples and testers to try out different colognes. You can often find these at retail stores or request samples when purchasing online. This allows you to wear the cologne for an extended period and get a sense of how it interacts with your body chemistry over time. Ask others around you for their opinions on the scent throughout the day.

Understand Fragrance Families

Educate yourself about fragrance families and the seasonality of different colognes. Certain fragrances are more suitable for specific seasons due to their notes and ingredients. For example, warming tobacco, leather, and spice notes are commonly associated with winter fragrances, while green and aquatic notes are typical of summer scents. Understanding fragrance families can help you make more informed choices when seeking the opinions of others.

Classic scents

Classic cologne scents tend towards barbershop and fougere fragrances. Notes of oakmoss, clary sage, citrus, and herbaceous undertones are common in these traditional perfumes. Here are some examples of classic colognes:

Brut and Aramis

Late 60s colognes that remained popular into the 90s.

Azzaro Pour Homme

A very masculine fougere from 1978.

Polo by Ralph Lauren (the green bottle)

A classic chypre that was huge in the 80s and is still quite popular.

Drakkar Noir

A fougere that launched in 1982 and was popular for a decade, to the point it became a cliche in the 90s.

Calvin Klein Obsession for Men ('88), Eternity for Men ('90), and CK One ('94)

Obsession and Eternity were huge in the 80s and 90s, while CK One is a unisex fragrance considered the starting point of modern fragrances.

Davidoff Cool Water ('88)

The first hugely popular aquatic scent that wasn't a barbershop scent.

Creed Green Irish Tweed

Still wildly popular, this was created by the same perfumer as Davidoff Cool Water.

Guerlain Vetiver

One of the Guerlain staples that gives a good idea of what a "classic" fragrance is like.

Terre D’Hermes Eau Intense Vetiver by Hermès

A modern classic that combines vetiver and citrus notes with great performance and value for money.

Free d’Homme by CoSTUME NATIONAL

A high-quality niche cologne that balances citrus zest with strong notes of incense and pine.

Mass appeal vs niche

When it comes to choosing a cologne, there are two main categories to consider: mass appeal and niche fragrances. While both have their own advantages, the decision ultimately comes down to personal preference and how you want to present yourself to the world.

Mass appeal fragrances are those that are widely popular and can be found in most department stores or beauty retailers. They are often created by well-known designer brands such as Chanel, Dior, or Givenchy. These fragrances tend to be more affordable and are designed to cater to a broad range of tastes. The advantage of choosing a mass appeal cologne is that you can easily find a scent that you like, and it is likely to be well-received by those around you. However, due to their widespread availability, you may find that others also wear the same cologne, making it less unique.

On the other hand, niche fragrances are those that are more exclusive and may be harder to find. They are often produced by smaller, independent perfumeries or the exclusive lines of designer brands. Niche fragrances tend to be more expensive, and the higher price tag is usually associated with higher quality ingredients or unique scent profiles. These colognes are designed to stand out and make a statement. They are perfect for those who want to express their individuality and are willing to invest in a signature scent. However, due to their unique nature, they may not be as well-liked by everyone, and it can be challenging to find a scent that suits your body chemistry without sampling it first.

When deciding between mass appeal and niche colognes, consider your budget, the level of uniqueness you desire, and whether you want a safe, widely-liked scent or something more daring and exclusive. Additionally, keep in mind that body chemistry plays a significant role in how a cologne will smell on you, so it's always a good idea to sample a perfume before investing in a larger bottle.

Ultimately, the choice between mass appeal and niche colognes depends on your personal preferences and how you want to express yourself through scent. Both options have their advantages, and you may even find that having a few different colognes for various occasions is the best approach to smelling your best.

Frequently asked questions