There's nothing more disappointing than a cologne that doesn't last. Luckily, there are several ways to make your fragrance linger. Firstly, it's important to prep your skin. Take a shower, as the steam helps open your pores, allowing your skin to absorb the cologne. Then, moisturise your skin, as hydrated skin is more likely to soak up the scent. You can also apply petroleum jelly to your pulse points, as this will act as a barrier between your skin and the cologne, making it last longer. When applying the cologne, spritz your pulse points, including your wrists, neck, elbows, and knees. You can also spray your hair, as this will boost the staying power. If you want your cologne to last, avoid rubbing your wrists together, as this breaks down the scent. Instead, gently dab or tap your wrists. Finally, choose a cologne with a heavy scent, such as woody or spicy notes, as these tend to be longer-wearing.
How to Make Cologne Fragrance Last
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Apply after | Shower |
Moisturise with | Body lotion, cream, Vaseline, coconut oil, heavy unscented lotion |
Layer with | Scented body wash, deodorant, body cream |
Apply to | Pulse points, hair, clothing |
Reapply | When necessary |
Select | Woody, spicy, heavy scents |
Store | Cool, dark, dry place |
What You'll Learn
Apply right after a shower
Applying cologne right after a shower is one of the best ways to make the fragrance last longer. Here are some tips to make the most of this method:
Open Pores Absorb Fragrance Better
When you step out of the shower, your pores are still open. This is the perfect time for your body to absorb the cologne and lock in that aroma. The steam from a warm shower helps open your pores, allowing your skin to absorb the fragrance more readily. As a result, the scent will linger throughout the day, and you won't have to reapply.
Hydrate Your Skin
It is recommended to apply a body lotion or cream all over your body before spraying cologne. This is because hydrated skin is more likely to soak up your cologne than dry skin. Ensure that you pay particular attention to the areas where you plan to spritz the cologne. If you don't want to alter the scent of your cologne, be sure to choose an unscented moisturiser.
Oily skin usually doesn’t need to reapply cologne as often because hydrated skin holds onto the fragrance better than dry skin.
Apply to Pulse Points
The pulse points, including behind your ears, the base of your throat, the inside of your elbows, your wrists, and behind your knees, are the warmest spots on your body. These areas will help keep the scent strong. Spraying cologne on these points will ensure that the fragrance lasts longer.
Don't Rub Your Skin
Rubbing your wrists together after applying cologne can break down the molecules of the scent, making it disappear faster. Instead, gently dab the cologne onto your skin if you can't spray it.
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Moisturise your skin
Moisturising your skin is a great way to make your cologne fragrance last longer. When you apply cologne to dry skin, it gets absorbed quickly, and the scent evaporates faster. However, when you moisturise your skin, you create a base for the cologne to cling to, making the scent last longer.
It is best to use an unscented moisturiser or lotion so as not to alter the scent of your cologne. You can also opt for a heavy, unscented lotion, body butter, or natural oils like coconut oil. These will provide a good base for your cologne.
If you want your cologne to last even longer, you can apply petroleum jelly or Vaseline to your pulse points before spraying the cologne. The petroleum jelly acts as a barrier between your skin and the cologne, preventing your body's natural oils from breaking down the fragrance. However, be sure to rub it into your skin until it is no longer greasy to the touch, as petroleum jelly can stain clothing.
For best results, moisturise your skin immediately after a shower. This is because your pores are most open after a warm shower, and your skin is better able to absorb the cologne.
Additionally, if you want to alter the scent of your cologne, you can use a fragranced moisturiser.
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Layer your fragrance
Layering cologne is a great way to make your fragrance last longer and to create a unique scent that's personal to you. Here are some tips on how to layer your fragrance effectively:
- Start with a base layer: Begin with a scented body wash or lotion to enhance the layers that follow. This can include scented lotions, body washes, or other products sold alongside your cologne.
- Moisturize your skin: Hydrated skin holds onto fragrance better than dry skin. Apply an unscented or complementary-scented moisturizer to your skin before applying cologne.
- Choose complementary or contrasting scents: Look for fragrances with common fragrance notes or families that will layer well together. You can also experiment with combining contrasting scents, such as spice and vanilla.
- Layer from heavy to light: Heavier, stronger scents should be applied first, followed by lighter scents. This will prevent the lighter fragrances from being overpowered.
- Apply to pulse points: Fragrance reacts to heat, so apply your cologne to your pulse points, including your wrists, neck, inside of your elbows, and the back of your knees.
- Avoid rubbing: Avoid rubbing your wrists together after applying cologne, as this can break down the scent and cause it to fade faster.
- Experiment: Fragrance layering is an art, so feel free to experiment with different combinations and ratios of scents to find what works best for you.
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Apply on pulse points
Applying cologne to your pulse points is one of the best ways to make your fragrance last longer. Pulse points are areas of your body where veins and arteries are closer to the surface of the skin, making them warmer than the rest of your body. This warmth helps scents to remain strong and fully develop, allowing them to linger on the rich, long-lasting middle and base notes.
The pulse points to which you should apply cologne include your wrists, the nape of your neck, the inside of your elbows, your chest, lower jaw, forearms, and the back of your knees. These areas will help keep the scent going all day long. When applying cologne, position the nozzle three to six inches away from your skin and spray each area no more than two times, especially if your cologne is of regular intensity. You don't want to be too overpowering when you enter a room.
Another tip to make your cologne last longer is to apply petroleum jelly or Vaseline to your pulse points before spraying your cologne. This creates an additional barrier between your skin and the cologne, helping to prevent complete absorption, making the fragrance last much longer. However, be sure to rub the petroleum jelly into your skin until it is no longer greasy to the touch, as it can stain your clothing.
It is also important to note that you should not rub your wrists together after applying cologne, as this can "'bruise the scent,'" causing it to break down faster. Instead, gently dab or spray the cologne onto your skin.
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Spritz on your hair
Spritzing cologne on your hair is a great way to make your fragrance last longer. Hair is more porous than skin, so it will hold onto the scent for longer. However, it's important to note that colognes contain alcohol, which can dry out your hair and cause hair loss. If you're already balding or have thin hair, it's best to stick to applying cologne to your skin.
If you're worried about the alcohol in your cologne drying out your hair, you don't have to spray it directly onto your locks. Instead, apply some cologne to your brush or comb and then run it through your hair. This will give your hair a subtle scent without risking damage.
Another option is to use a hair fragrance or mist, which is designed specifically for hair and usually contains additional oils to nourish your hair. These products are typically less concentrated than regular colognes, so they won't be too strong.
When applying cologne to your hair, remember to use it sparingly. A light misting is all you need—you don't want to completely douse your hair in fragrance as it can be too strong and potentially damaging.
So, if you're looking for a way to make your cologne last longer, spritzing it on your hair is a great option. Just be mindful of the alcohol content and apply it sparingly to avoid any potential damage to your locks.
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Frequently asked questions
Apply it right after a shower and before you put on your clothes.
Spray or dab it onto your skin, focusing on your pulse points.
Pulse points are the areas of your body that emit the most heat, such as your wrists, neck, lower jaw, inside of your elbows, and behind your knees.
Opt for a cologne with a high concentration level, such as perfume, which has a concentration level of 15 to 40 percent and can last up to eight hours.
Before applying cologne, moisturize your skin with an unscented lotion, or use petroleum jelly or coconut oil on your pulse points to help the fragrance cling to your skin.