Are You Overdoing It With Your Cologne?

Knowing how much cologne to apply can be tricky. Too much and you risk becoming that person whose overpowering scent assaults everyone within a 10-foot radius. Too little, and your fragrance might go unnoticed. The key is to find a subtle yet inviting balance. But how do you know if you've overdone it? Well, if your friends' eyes water when you walk into a room, or if people in your carpool start opening windows in the middle of winter, you've probably gone too far.

Choosing the right scent

The right cologne scent will complement your natural body chemistry and fit your lifestyle in terms of how long the scent lasts.

There are several scent families, including woody, citrus, aromatic, spicy, and leather. Woody, aromatic, and citrus colognes tend to wear well as daily "signature scents". Aromatic and citrus colognes are described as "bright, refreshing, and energizing" and are better suited to year-round wear.

When choosing a scent, it's important to understand its vibe. The same notes can manifest differently depending on how they're employed. For an everyday scent, steer clear of any vibes that immediately read as overly powerful or expressive.

You can also ask people whose fragrance you like what they're wearing. Compliments have a way of loosening people's lips!

Websites like Fragrantica can help you discover new scents or those similar to fragrances you already know.

Testing a Cologne

Testing a cologne before you buy it is important so that you can see how it will react with your particular skin chemistry.

Research colognes online. Using a scent wheel and any previous knowledge of scents you might have, think about which scents might be appealing to you.

Use cologne testers or scent blotters to initially test fragrances. A convenient option for trying colognes from home is to order fragrance testers that come in smaller bottles.

Test the fragrance on your skin. Once you have narrowed it down to between two and four fragrances, it's time to see how they react to your skin's chemistry. Spray one cologne type on each wrist. If you're testing more than two, spray onto your inner elbows as well.

Give the scent time to develop. Walk around the store or do something else for 30 minutes. Once the scent has had a chance to mix with the oils on your skin, give them each another sniff.

How to Apply Cologne

Apply cologne directly onto dry skin immediately after showering. The shower cleanses your body of any other scents and opens your pores, which helps the scent absorb.

Hold the spray bottle 3–6 inches from your body. If you're wondering where to spray cologne, holding the bottle any closer than 3 inches away risks over-applying; spraying any further than 6 inches and you will likely under-apply.

Apply cologne to heated areas of your body. The heat helps diffuse the scent throughout the day and allows it to meld with your body chemistry to develop your signature scent. The best spots to spray cologne on the body are heated areas, including your neck, chest, pulse points, forearms, or inner elbows.

Start with a light application. Choose one area, like the neck or forearms, and start with one spray. If you notice that your scent fades quickly, choose another area and spray the cologne there the next time you apply.

Re-apply cologne if needed. Depending on the type of cologne you buy, you may need to re-apply—especially if you are going out in the evening. When doing so, simply dab a little onto your pulse points.

How many sprays to use

The number of sprays of cologne to use depends on several factors, including the strength of the cologne, the occasion, and your body chemistry. The general rule of thumb is to start with a small amount and build up as needed.

Most sources recommend starting with around two sprays, one on the neck and the other on the wrist or centre of your shirt. You can slowly build up to three, four, or five sprays if you want a stronger aroma, depending on the strength of the cologne. However, it is important to remember that too much cologne can be overwhelming and unpleasant for others, so it is always better to err on the side of caution and use too little rather than too much.

When applying cologne, it is best to target pulse points like your wrists, neck, inner elbows, and chest. These areas are warmer and will help the scent project and last longer. It is also recommended to hold the cologne bottle three to six inches away from your skin when spraying and to allow the cologne to air dry rather than rubbing it into your skin, as this can change or diffuse the scent.

Additionally, the type of occasion can determine how much cologne to use. For example, if you are at the office, it is better to be conservative with your cologne use. However, if you are attending a party or dinner, you can opt for a stronger scent.

Where to spray

When applying cologne, it's important to know where to spray to get the most out of your fragrance. While some people think spraying it into the air and walking through it will distribute the scent evenly, it will likely fade quickly as much of the cologne ends up on your clothes or is lost to the air.

Instead, target pulse points like your wrists, neck, inner elbows, chest, and behind your ears. These points are warmer, so they have longer staying power and can better project the scent.

When applying, hold the bottle around 10 inches (25.4 centimetres) away from your body and don't rub the cologne into your skin after spraying, as this may risk changing or diffusing the scent. Instead, spray and allow it to dry naturally.

If you're wearing a heavier scent, try applying it just to the lower part of your body, like a quick spritz behind the knees. The scent won't rise as quickly and be as irritating to others.

How long cologne lasts

Knowing how long cologne lasts can help you avoid applying too much. Cologne typically lasts one to four hours, but this depends on the type of cologne, the number of sprays, and your skin type.

Eau de Cologne and Eau de Toilette are at the lower end of the concentration scale, lasting about one to four hours. They are light and fresh, with a lower concentration of essential oils. On the other hand, Eau de Parfum and Extrait de Parfum are more intense and highly concentrated, lasting up to 24 hours or longer. These have a higher concentration of essential oils, which makes them more expensive.

Your skin type also plays a role in how long cologne lasts. Oily skin is optimal as it works well with the essential oils in cologne, binding together and trapping the fragrance notes. If you have dry skin, you can prep it by applying a nourishing unscented moisturizer, oil, or Vaseline before spraying your cologne.

The number of sprays also affects how long cologne lasts. Typically, two sprays are enough—one on the neck and one on the centre of your shirt. These are areas where you are likely to perspire. You can also apply cologne to your wrists and rub them together, or apply any excess behind your ears or knees.

To make your cologne last longer, store it properly. Keep it away from light, heat, and humidity, and avoid decanting it into smaller bottles, as this exposes the fragrance to oxygen. Instead, store it in a cool, dark, dry place, such as a cupboard or drawer.

Correct application

Firstly, it's important to find the right scent for you. Whether you prefer citrus, spice, wood or musk, choosing the right cologne is the first step to perfecting your scent. Once you've found the right one, it's time to learn how to apply it correctly.

The correct application of cologne is a balancing act. Too much can be overwhelming, while too little may not be noticeable. The general rule is to start with one or two sprays and work your way up to four or five if you want a stronger aroma. However, it's always better to err on the side of caution and apply too little rather than too much.

When deciding how much cologne to use, consider where you're going. In an office setting, it's better to be conservative, while at a party or dinner, you can go for a stronger scent.

To ensure you're not overwhelming others with your cologne, spray it on different pulse points around your body, such as your wrists, neck, inner elbows, and chest. These points are warmer and will help the scent project better and last longer. Do not rub the cologne into your skin after applying, as this may change or diffuse the scent. Instead, spray it directly onto your skin and allow it to dry naturally.

Hold the cologne bottle three to six inches away from your skin when spraying. If you want a more subtle scent, use one spray on each pulse point. And remember, it's better to use fewer sprays and reapply more often for a subtle scent with staying power.

Finally, cologne is a lower-strength fragrance and will likely need to be reapplied every few hours.

Frequently asked questions