The Art Of Applying Rub-On Colognes: A Guide

Knowing how to apply cologne is an art form. If not done properly, it can lead to over-application or a scent that fades quickly. To avoid being that guy, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, it is important to apply cologne sparingly and strategically. Secondly, always apply cologne to clean, dry skin, as this helps the scent absorb better and last longer. Hold the bottle 3 to 6 inches away from your body and target pulse points such as the neck, wrists, and chest. These areas generate heat, helping to diffuse the scent and allowing it to meld with your body chemistry. Start with a light application and reapply if needed. Additionally, avoid rubbing the cologne into your skin, as this can cause the scent to fade faster. With these tips in mind, you'll be able to apply cologne like a pro!

How to Apply Rub-On Cologne

Apply to pulse points

Applying cologne to your pulse points is a great way to make your scent last all day. Pulse points are areas where your veins sit closest to your skin, so you can literally feel your pulse. They include the insides of your wrists, inner elbows, below your belly button, behind your earlobes, the back of your knees, and your neck. These areas emit extra body heat, which helps to diffuse your scent.

When applying cologne to your pulse points, spritz or dab it on—don't rub it in. Rubbing cologne into your skin can cause the fragrance's top notes to fade and evaporate before they can settle. This means that the notes that made you fall for the scent in the first place never truly translate onto your skin. Instead, you want your perfume to slowly mix with your skin's natural oils. This is what makes your scent last and what can make the same scent smell slightly different from person to person.

When applying cologne to your pulse points, hold the bottle about 3 to 6 inches away from your skin. This will allow you to focus the scent on a specific target without over or under-concentrating it.

If you are using a solid cologne, you can massage it into your pulse points like a skincare product. Start with a small amount of product for each wrist and the neck, then adjust as needed.

Don't rub it in

Rubbing in cologne is a common mistake. It's one of the first fragrance habits we learn (and one of the hardest to break). But it's a mistake because it causes the fragrance's top notes to fade and evaporate before they can settle. This means the notes that made you fall for the scent to begin with never truly translate onto your skin.

Rubbing cologne into your skin causes friction, which can heat it up and change the scent. It can also damage the molecules, causing them to dissipate faster. A luxurious fragrance has delightful depths, so it is best to allow them to develop naturally on your skin.

So, what should you do instead? Well, you can spritz or dab cologne onto your skin—but don't rub it in.

Spray at a distance

Spraying cologne at a distance of about 6 inches (15 cm) from the skin is recommended to avoid over or under-application. This distance allows for a focused application without losing too many fragrance particles. Spraying at a distance also helps create a mist that diffuses the scent over a good proportion of the skin area, allowing the fragrance to mingle with your natural scent.

When applying cologne, it is important to avoid rubbing it into the skin as this can cause the top notes of the fragrance to fade and evaporate before they can settle. This results in the notes that made you fall for the scent never truly translating onto your skin. Instead, the fragrance should be given time to slowly mix with the skin's natural oils, as this is what makes your scent last and allows it to develop uniquely on each person.

To apply cologne correctly, start by spraying it onto your pulse points. These are areas where your veins sit closest to the skin, so you can feel your pulse. This includes the inside of your wrists, inner elbows, below your belly button, behind your earlobes, the back of your knees, and your neck. These warm spots emit extra body heat, which helps to naturally diffuse the scent.

When applying cologne, less is more. Stick to three or four spritzes and layer the scent later in the day if needed to maintain a subtle aroma. Each spray will last the same amount of time, so using more perfume will only make the scent stronger, rather than increase its longevity.

Absorb it into the skin

To allow your cologne to absorb into the skin, it is recommended to apply it after a hot shower. The steam from the shower opens your skin's pores, allowing the scent to absorb better and last longer. Applying cologne to warm skin can also help the fragrance absorb.

Applying cologne to pulse points can also help the scent absorb into the skin. Pulse points are areas where your veins sit closest to the skin, so you can feel your pulse. These include the inside of your wrists, inner elbows, below your belly button, behind your earlobes, the back of your knees, the base of your throat, and your neck. These warm spots on your body emit extra body heat, which helps to naturally diffuse the scent.

To avoid breaking down the notes of the cologne, it is advised not to rub the fragrance into the skin. Instead, you can gently dab it onto your other wrist if you wish to transfer the scent.

Apply post-shower

Applying cologne after a shower is a great way to ensure that your skin is clean and warm, with open pores, allowing the scent to absorb better and last longer.

Firstly, ensure that your skin is dry. One source suggests that you should then apply an unscented moisturiser to your skin, as this will help the fragrance absorb more efficiently. However, another source recommends applying cologne directly to dry skin.

When you apply the cologne, hold the bottle 3-6 inches away from your body. Start with one spray on your neck or forearms. If you find that the scent fades quickly, choose another area to spray next time. You can ask a friend or family member for their opinion on whether the application is appropriate, as you can become nose-blind to scents you wear often.

Apply the 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 and allow it to develop your signature scent by melding with your body chemistry.

If you are going out in the evening, you may need to reapply. When doing so, simply dab a little cologne onto your pulse points.

Frequently asked questions