Caring For Your Cologne: Tips For Longevity And Scent Care

Knowing how to care for your cologne is an important part of personal style and self-care. The right cologne can make you feel more attractive and confident, but it's important to know how to apply it correctly and store it properly to make the most of your scent.

How to apply cologne to your skin

Applying cologne is an art form. Done right, it can make you feel more attractive and confident. Done wrong, and you risk over-application or a scent that fades too quickly. Here's how to apply cologne to your skin in a way that will make the scent last all day.

Step 1: Choose the Right Cologne

The first step in making your cologne last longer is to buy the right cologne. Cheaper colognes tend to be more diluted and don't last as long. Look for an Eau de Parfum, which has a higher concentration of perfume essence (15-20%) and will last much longer than an Eau de Toilette. You should also consider having different colognes for different seasons. Lighter, fresher fragrances are better for summer, while stronger scents with notes of wood or spice are ideal for winter.

Step 2: Prepare Your Skin

The best time to apply cologne is right after you get out of the shower, as the hot water will have cleansed your skin and opened your pores. Make sure your skin is completely dry before you apply cologne. You should also moisturize your skin before applying cologne, as this will help the fragrance absorb more efficiently.

Step 3: Apply Lightly to Pulse Points

Apply cologne to your pulse points, which are the warmest areas of your body. These include your neck, wrists, chest, inner elbows, and forearms. The heat will help diffuse the scent throughout the day and allow it to develop your signature scent. Hold the bottle 3-6 inches from your skin and apply sparingly. One spray per area is usually enough.

Step 4: Don't Rub It In

After applying cologne, don't rub it into your skin. This will change the way the cologne smells and make the scent fade faster. Simply spray or dab it on and let it dry.

Step 5: 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. When reapplying, just dab a little onto your pulse points.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Don't spray cologne on your clothes. This prevents it from mixing with your natural oils and developing your unique scent. It can also damage certain fabrics.
• Don't splash or pour cologne onto your skin. This is an easy way to over-apply.
• Don't spray a mist and walk through it. This method renders the cologne almost useless as most of it ends up on the floor.
• Don't rub the cologne into your skin. This makes the scent fade faster.
• Don't apply too much cologne. Less is more.

How to avoid common mistakes when applying cologne

Applying cologne is an art form. When done properly, it can make you feel more attractive and confident. However, when done incorrectly, it can lead to over-application or a scent that fades quickly. Here are some tips on how to avoid common mistakes when applying cologne:

• Avoid spraying cologne directly onto your clothing. This prevents it from mixing with your natural oils, giving it a unique quality. It can also damage certain fabrics and cause the scent to fall flat.
• Don't splash cologne onto your skin. This can lead to over-application. Instead, place one finger over the opening of the bottle, tip it upside down, and then dab the scent onto your body.
• Don't spray a mist cloud and walk through it. This method leads to under-application, with most of the cologne ending up on the floor.
• Don't rub the cologne into your skin. Rubbing it in can make the scent fade faster by breaking the molecular bond.
• Avoid applying too much cologne. Fragrance should be a subtle enhancement to your image. Start with a light application and reapply if needed.
• Apply cologne to the right areas. Target the pulse points or warmest areas of the body, such as the neck, wrists, chest, and inner elbows. These areas help project the scent more efficiently.
• Hold the bottle 3-6 inches from your body when spraying. Holding it any closer risks over-application, while spraying from further away can lead to under-application.
• Moisturize your skin before applying cologne. This helps the fragrance absorb better and last longer.
• Store your cologne properly. Keep it in a cool, dark, and dry place, as heat, humidity, and light can cause the scent to break down faster.
• Don't mix cologne with other smells. Avoid wearing strongly-scented deodorant or aftershave that may clash with your cologne.

How to test and choose the right cologne

Testing and choosing the right cologne is a very personal process. It can be daunting, but if done right, you can find a scent that you love and that suits you and your lifestyle. Here is a guide on how to test and choose the right cologne:

Research:

First, think about the scents you already love and are drawn to. Consider the products you use daily and the distinctive smells you enjoy, such as coconut shampoo or fresh laundry. You can use these as a starting point to find fragrances with similar notes. You can also research different cologne categories and primary notes on sites like Fragrantica or Basenotes and then explore new scents within those categories.

Test:

Once you have an idea of the type of scent you are looking for, it is time to test some colognes. Start by using cologne testers or scent blotters, which are small cardboard strips that absorb the fragrance. Spray each blotter two or three times and take note of the ones you like.

Next, test the fragrances on your skin, as colognes can smell different on everyone due to individual body chemistry. Spray one type of cologne on each wrist and, if testing more than two, also on your inner elbows. Do not test more than four at a time, as this can confuse your sense of smell.

Give the colognes time to develop by waiting about 30 minutes and doing something else. Then, smell each one again to see how it reacts with your body chemistry.

Choose:

If you find one or more fragrances that you still enjoy after the development period, you can be confident that you will enjoy owning that scent.

When choosing a cologne, consider your natural body chemistry and how long you want the scent to last. More expensive colognes tend to last longer, and some even smell different throughout the day as they go through their scent stages. You may also want to think about the place(s) you plan to wear cologne. For example, a sexy musk may be more suited to a night out, while a lighter floral or citrus scent might be more appropriate for a professional environment.

Finally, remember that you do not have to limit yourself to just one cologne. Many people like to have a few different fragrances for different occasions or seasons.

How to store cologne to make it last longer

Storing cologne correctly is essential to making it last longer. Here are some tips to ensure your cologne stays fresh and potent:

• Keep it in a cool, dark place: Heat, humidity, and light can speed up the breakdown of fragrances. Therefore, it is best to store cologne in a cool, dark, and dry place, such as a bedroom closet or a drawer. Avoid storing it in the bathroom, as the temperature and humidity fluctuations can shorten its lifespan.
• Avoid direct sunlight: Sunlight can cause the fragrance to deteriorate, so keep your cologne away from windowsills or other areas with direct sunlight.
• Original box: Keeping the cologne in its original box can help protect it from light exposure, ensuring it lasts longer.
• Consistent temperature: Fluctuations in temperature can negatively impact the lifespan of your cologne. Avoid storing it in places with rapid temperature changes, such as on top of a bedside table or in the car.
• Proper application: Applying cologne correctly is crucial for making it last longer. Spray it on your pulse points, such as the wrists, neck, and chest. These areas produce more body heat, helping the fragrance diffuse throughout the day.
• Avoid over-application: Less is more when it comes to cologne. Apply sparingly, and choose one or two areas to target. You can always add more later if needed.

How to know how much cologne to use

Knowing how much cologne to use is an art form. Too much and you risk becoming "that guy" who over-applies, too little and your scent will fade quickly. The key is to apply sparingly and strategically so that your cologne lasts all day.

The number of sprays will depend on the strength of the cologne and the occasion. As a general rule, it is best to start with one or two sprays and build up if necessary. For a lighter fragrance, such as a citrus or floral cologne, one or two sprays should be enough. For a stronger scent, such as a woody or musky fragrance, you may want to start with two or three sprays.

Where to Apply

Apply cologne to the pulse points or warmest areas of the body. These areas produce a lot of body heat, which will help the fragrance to diffuse throughout the day. The best spots include the neck, chest, wrists, forearms, and inner elbows. Choose one or two areas to focus on, rather than applying to all pulse points, to avoid an overwhelming scent.

How Far to Hold the Bottle

Hold the bottle 3-6 inches away from your body when spraying. Holding the bottle any closer than 3 inches risks over-application, while spraying from further than 6 inches away will likely result in under-application.

Other Tips

• Always apply cologne to clean, dry skin, ideally straight after a shower when your pores are open.
• Avoid rubbing the cologne into your skin after application, as this can change the scent and make it fade faster.
• Avoid spraying cologne directly onto clothing, as this can damage the fabric and cause the scent to dissipate more quickly.
• Reapply to your wrists if the fragrance wears off during the day.
• Ask a friend or family member for their opinion if you are unsure about the application, as it is easy to become nose-blind to scents you wear often.

Frequently asked questions