The Art Of Applying Cologne: Maximizing The Scent

Knowing where and how to apply cologne is essential to getting the most out of your fragrance. The key to making your cologne last longer and smell more intense is to apply it to your pulse points. These are the areas where you can feel your heart palpitations most strongly, and where the blood flows closest to the surface of your skin. The warmth of these areas activates the cologne, making it more potent. The main pulse points include the neck, wrists, groins, back of the knees, and behind the ankles. However, it's important not to apply too much cologne, as this can be overwhelming to others. Other factors that affect the longevity and intensity of your cologne include skin type, diet, layering with lotion, and temperature. Applying cologne straight out of the shower, when your pores are open, can also help the skin trap more of the fragrance.

Pulse points: wrists, neck, behind ears, knees, ankles

Pulse points are areas on your body where your heart pulse can be felt. They are the best spots to apply cologne because of the warmth of your blood. The pulse points include the wrists, neck, behind the ears, behind the knees, and inside the elbows.

Wrists

Applying cologne to your wrists is a great way to make sure the scent lasts a long time, as it is a pulse point itself. Avoid rubbing your wrists together after applying cologne, as this disrupts the molecules of the fragrance. Instead, press your wrists into the pulse point so that the cologne sits below the skin.

Neck

The back of the neck is an essential target area to spray cologne, as heat is continuously produced here, keeping the fragrance alive throughout the day.

Behind the Ears

Applying cologne behind the ears is recommended for venturing out into a noisy social scene. When people lean in to speak to you, they will be able to smell your cologne.

Behind the Knees

Applying cologne behind the knees is uncommon but can be done for maximum effect.

Don't rub it in

Rubbing cologne into your skin is a common mistake when applying colognes, wasting your time and money while not getting the best out of your fragrances.

Firstly, rubbing your wrists together can dull the top notes of your cologne. Top notes are the scents you smell in the first five minutes of applying cologne. They are the lighter, more delicate notes that dissipate most quickly. By rubbing your wrists together, you spoil these light-molecule top notes.

Secondly, rubbing cologne into your skin vigorously mixes it with your natural oils, which can change the way it smells. The friction between the perfume and your skin's natural oils "rushes the fragrance", says master perfumer Harry Frémont. You're fast-forwarding your scent experience, bypassing the opening and going straight to the heart notes.

Instead of rubbing cologne into your skin, let it absorb slowly. The more time you give the alcohol base of the fragrance to absorb into your skin, the greater its longevity will be throughout the day.

If you're tempted to rub cologne on your wrists after applying, try lightly dabbing your wrists together or dabbing your wrists on to other pulse points instead.

Don't spray on clothes

While it may be tempting to spritz your cologne directly onto your clothes, this isn't always the best idea. Here's why:

Skin Chemistry

Applying cologne to your skin allows it to interact with your body chemistry. Each person's skin is unique, and this can affect how a fragrance smells on the skin. This creates a personalised scent that suits your body chemistry. The warmth of your skin helps to activate and release the fragrance, which can create a more complex and layered scent throughout the day.

Longevity

Perfumes applied directly to the skin tend to last longer. The heat and moisture on the skin help to slow down the evaporation process, extending the fragrance's longevity. On the other hand, fragrances applied to clothes tend to fade faster as they don't have the benefit of the skin's warmth to help release the scent slowly over time.

Staining and Discolouration

Spraying cologne on delicate fabrics can cause staining or discolouration, especially if the fragrance has a high alcohol content or contains dark-coloured oils. Always test on a small, hidden area of the fabric first if you do decide to spray on your clothes.

Skin Sensitivity

If you have sensitive skin, spraying cologne on your clothes may be a better option to avoid potential skin irritation. However, keep in mind that the fragrance may still come into contact with your skin throughout the day, and you may still experience a reaction.

Overpowering Scent

Applying cologne to your clothes can sometimes result in an overpowering scent, especially if you apply too much. The fabric may hold onto the fragrance longer than your skin, and you may end up with a strong concentration of perfume soaked into the fabric.

While spraying cologne on your clothes may be convenient, especially if you're in a rush, it's generally recommended to apply it directly to the skin to achieve the maximum effect and longevity of the fragrance. However, personal preference plays a big part in this decision, and some people may prefer to spray their clothes to avoid skin irritation or staining. Ultimately, the choice is yours!

Skin type matters

It's also worth noting that your innate body scent will influence how a cologne smells on you. Each person has their own unique body 'fumes', which can be affected by hormones or certain illnesses brought on by medication. As such, a cologne that smells great on one person may not smell the same on another.

Additionally, your diet can also affect the way a fragrance smells on you. Spicy and fatty foods can change the intensity of your fragrances, so it's best to skip the scent if you plan on eating Indian or Thai food.

Store in a cool, dark place

Storing cologne in a cool, dark place is essential to maintaining its quality and longevity.

Perfumes are delicate and their fragrance oils, essential oils, and alcohols can easily break down when exposed to excess heat, light, or humidity, causing the scent to change or disappear. Direct sunlight can quickly degrade a fragrance, and heat can warp or melt plastic bottles. Therefore, it is crucial to keep cologne away from direct light and heat sources, such as windowsills, heaters, or radiators.

The ideal storage location for cologne is a cool, dark, and dry place, such as a closet or cabinet, to protect the fragrance from its main aggressors: heat, light, and humidity. Keeping cologne in a bedroom cabinet or linen closet is preferable to the bathroom, as the latter typically has higher humidity levels due to hot water usage.

While some people opt to store their cologne in the refrigerator to prolong its lifespan, this is not necessary unless the perfume is made from rare and expensive ingredients. Extreme temperature fluctuations can be detrimental, and it is more important to maintain a consistent temperature.

Additionally, it is recommended to keep the cologne in its original box when not in use, as this helps to block out light and minimise oxygen exposure, slowing down the degradation process.

Frequently asked questions