Applying Liquid Cologne: A Guide For Men

Knowing how and where to apply cologne is an art form. Applying cologne correctly can make you feel more attractive and confident, but applying too much can be off-putting and even cause coughing, trouble breathing, headaches, or nausea in others. The key is to apply sparingly and in the right places.

The best spots to apply cologne are pulse points, or heated areas of the body, including the neck, wrists, chest, forearms, and inner elbows. These areas produce a lot of body heat, which helps the fragrance to diffuse throughout the day and allows it to meld with your body chemistry to develop your signature scent.

It's also important to apply cologne to clean skin, as fragrances work best after bathing or showering, which removes foreign odours from the body and opens the skin's pores, allowing the fragrance's oils to seep in. It's best to avoid applying cologne to clothing, as the fragrance won't cycle correctly and can stain or damage certain fabrics.

When applying cologne, hold the bottle 3-6 inches from your body and apply 1-2 sprays, or a light application, to one or two pulse points. You can always add more sprays later in the day if needed.

How to Apply a Men's Liquid Cologne

Apply to pulse points

Applying cologne to your pulse points is an important step in ensuring your fragrance lasts throughout the day. Pulse points are areas of your body that emit more heat, helping to diffuse the scent. These areas include your neck, wrists, and behind your ears. Applying cologne to these areas will ensure the fragrance lingers and can be detected by those around you.

When applying cologne to your pulse points, it is important to remember that less is more. You don't want to overwhelm others with a strong scent. One or two sprays on your pulse points should be sufficient. If you are using a cologne without a spray nozzle, gently dab the fragrance onto your skin. Avoid rubbing it in, as this can change the scent and cause it to fade faster.

In addition to the wrists, neck, and behind the ears, there are other pulse points you can apply cologne to. These include the insides of your elbows, your chest, and the back of your neck. However, it is recommended to choose only a few spots to apply cologne, rather than using it on all pulse points at once. This will help create a subtle and balanced fragrance that is not overwhelming.

When deciding where to apply cologne, it is also important to consider the occasion. For example, if you are going on a date, you may want to apply cologne to the base of your neck, creating a subtle and enticing fragrance. On the other hand, if you are going to a nightclub, you may need to apply a bit more cologne to compete with the other scents and smells in the venue.

Spray from several inches away

When applying cologne, it is important to hold the bottle a few inches away from your body. If you spray too close to your skin, the liquid may drip down your shirt, and the scent will be too strong. The ideal distance is somewhere between 3 and 6 inches, or 70% of the atomiser's maximum range. This will ensure a balanced projection sphere, allowing the scent to radiate off your skin without being too overpowering.

To find the sweet spot, you can visually test your atomiser by spraying it in front of you and observing how the cloud dissipates. You can also test the strength of your cologne by spraying it on the back of your hand and smelling it at intervals over a couple of hours. This will help you understand how much cologne you need to apply and how long it lasts.

It is also important to apply cologne to the right areas of your body. The best spots are the heated areas, including the neck, chest, wrists, forearms, and inner elbows. These areas produce more body heat, which helps the fragrance to diffuse throughout the day and allows it to meld with your body chemistry.

When applying cologne, less is more. You don't want your cologne to be overwhelming for those around you. Choose one or two spots to apply it, and start with a light application. If you notice that the scent fades quickly, you can always add another spray to a different area.

Don't rub it in

Rubbing in your cologne is a big no-no. This is because it changes the way the cologne smells and makes the scent disappear faster.

Why Not to Rub It In

Rubbing cologne into your skin immediately after application can forcibly mix it with your natural oils, changing the way the top notes smell. It can also break down the molecular bond in the fragrance, causing it to fade faster.

What to Do Instead

Instead of rubbing, dab your cologne on your wrists and neck after application. If you have sprayed too much on your wrists, you can also try to pat your wrists lightly against your neck to transfer some of the cologne.

Other Application Tips

• Apply cologne to your pulse points, such as your neck, wrists, inner elbows, and behind your ears. These areas produce a lot of body heat, which will help the fragrance to continue to smell good all day long.
• Choose one or two spots to apply cologne, rather than every pulse point. This will ensure that your scent is subtle and not overwhelming for those around you.
• Take a shower before applying cologne. The hot water will open your pores, providing a good base for the cologne and helping it to last longer.
• Hold the cologne bottle 3-6 inches away from your body when spraying. Any closer and you risk over-applying, any further and you will likely under-apply.
• Don't reapply too often. You will quickly grow used to the smell of your cologne, but other people will still be able to smell it. One application per day is usually enough.

Don't mix with other smells

Don't Mix With Other Scents

When applying cologne, it's important to avoid mixing it with other fragrances or strongly-scented products. This includes deodorant, aftershave, body wash, shampoo, conditioner, lotions, or laundry detergent. The combination of multiple scents can be overwhelming and unpleasant.

Your cologne should complement your natural body odour, not compete with it. Applying cologne over other scented products can prevent your cologne from developing its intended scent throughout the day. This is because cologne is designed to interact with your body's natural oils, creating a unique fragrance.

Additionally, some colognes may react poorly with other products, causing an unappealing smell. It's best to stick to unscented versions of other products or those with the same scent as your cologne.

If you're going to be in a situation where your body odour may become more prominent, such as clubbing, it's best to avoid applying lots of cologne. In these cases, your natural body odour mixed with cologne may create an even more unpleasant smell.

Finally, be mindful of the time of year when choosing a cologne. A heavy winter cologne may feel overwhelming during summer, while a refreshing summer scent may clash with the heady aromas of winter. It's a good idea to keep at least two colognes in rotation to accommodate different seasons.

Don't reapply too often

It's important not to reapply cologne too often. You'll quickly become used to the smell of your cologne, to the point where you might think it's completely worn off, but other people will still be able to smell it. It's best not to apply cologne more than once a day, right before you go out. If you absolutely feel the need to put on some more, keep it light.

It's also worth noting that wearing the same scent every day can cause your olfactory system to become accustomed to it, and block it out. By alternating different fragrances, you can help develop your senses and heighten your overall experience.

If you're going clubbing, for example, it may not be the best idea to apply lots of cologne. Your natural body odour mixed with cologne may be even worse-smelling than just your natural body odour.

Heavily-applied colognes can lead to coughing, trouble breathing, headaches, or nausea. Often, the trouble stems from wearing too much cologne in the first place.

Frequently asked questions