Make Your Cologne Last All Day: Tips And Tricks

Making your cologne last longer is a valuable skill, especially when you want your signature scent to last all day. Here are some tips to help you maximise the longevity of your fragrance.

Apply after a shower

Applying cologne after a shower is one of the best ways to make your cologne last longer. The remaining moisture on your skin gives the scent something to latch on to, strengthening its staying power and keeping you smelling fantastic all day.

Open Pores

When you step out of the shower, your pores are at their most open. This allows the cologne to seep into your skin, giving you a longer-lasting aroma. It is important to let the cologne dry before getting dressed to prevent any stains on your clothes or jewellery.

Moisturise

Applying an unscented moisturiser or lotion to your skin before spraying cologne is another great way to make the scent last longer. The moisturiser creates an adequate base for the cologne to adhere to, and the petroleum jelly composition will hold the fragrance for longer than if applied to dry skin.

Pulse Points

Apply the cologne to your pulse points, such as the wrists, neck, inside of elbows, calves, ankles, and behind the knees. These points react to the natural changes in your body temperature, helping to diffuse your signature scent across your body throughout the day.

Hair

If you want your hair to smell great, spray a small amount of cologne onto your brush or comb before styling. Avoid applying it directly to your hair or scalp, as the alcohol content in traditional colognes can dry out your hair.

Moisturise beforehand

Moisturising your skin before applying cologne is a great way to make your scent last longer. Dry skin soaks up perfume oils, so it doesn't matter how strong your cologne is if your skin is dry. Applying an unscented moisturiser to your skin before spraying your cologne will help to create a base for the fragrance to adhere to, and prevent it from evaporating as quickly.

It is best to moisturise immediately after stepping out of the shower, as your pores are at their most open, allowing cologne to seep into the skin and give you a longer-lasting aroma. You can also apply petroleum jelly to your pulse points, such as your wrists, neck, inside of elbows, calves, ankles, and behind the knees, before spraying your fragrance. The petroleum jelly will act as a base to keep your cologne lasting all day.

Don't spray directly onto clothes

Spraying cologne directly onto your clothes may seem like a good idea, but it's best avoided. While it can make the fragrance last longer, it can also cause unwanted stains on your favourite garments. Many colognes are alcohol-based, and these can damage certain fabrics.

If you do decide to spray your cologne directly onto your clothes, be aware that the scent will dissipate more quickly due to airflow. You should also be mindful of delicate fabrics such as silk or suede, which could be ruined by fragrance oils.

If you want to spray cologne onto your clothes, stick to sturdy fabrics like cotton, denim, or wool. These are less likely to be damaged by the cologne.

Removing Stains

If you do end up with a cologne stain on your clothing, there are a few ways to remove it. Firstly, if the stain is fresh, try rinsing it with cold water. Dab gently with a cloth, working from the centre outwards. You can also add a bit of laundry detergent or vinegar to the stain.

If this doesn't work, try mixing a solution of water, gentle detergent, and vinegar, and soak the garment for about 15 minutes before rinsing. You can also try soaking the item in water and baking soda, or applying a mixture of water, detergent, and rubbing alcohol.

After treating the stain, launder the garment as usual. Make sure the stain is completely removed before putting the item in the dryer, as heat can set the stain and make it permanent.

Preventing Stains

To avoid staining your clothes with cologne, it's best to apply the fragrance to your skin rather than your clothes. Spray the cologne onto your neck or wrists and let it dry completely before getting dressed. This will also help the scent last longer, as fragrance typically lasts longer on skin than on clothes.

If you're already dressed, hold the cologne bottle about 5 inches (12 cm) away from your body when you spray. This will ensure that the fragrance mist is more spread out and less likely to saturate your clothes in one spot.

Other Tips for Making Cologne Last Longer

• Apply cologne right after you shower, when your pores are most open and can better absorb the scent.
• Moisturize your skin before applying cologne—this provides a smoother base for the fragrance to adhere to.
• Layer your fragrance with other scented products like soap, aftershave, or body balm to create a longer-lasting aroma.
• Spritz cologne on your wrists and other pulse points, where the warmth of your body will help the scent develop and linger.
• Store your cologne in a cool, dark, dry place like your nightstand or bedroom, as heat, humidity, and light can cause fragrances to break down.

Layer your fragrance

Layering fragrance is a great way to create a bespoke scent and make your cologne last longer. The more layers you add, the more intense and long-lasting your fragrance will be.

Start with a fragranced body wash as your base layer, then prep your skin with a moisturising body lotion to keep it hydrated and to lock in your scent. If you're new to layering, a great starting point is to add a scented lotion to your routine. You can then build up the intensity by adding a spritz of cologne on top.

When layering with cologne, spray the strongest scent first and top up with lighter scents to avoid overpowering the more delicate notes. You can also spritz your hair for a longer-lasting effect.

If you want to layer multiple colognes, try combining fragrances that have a common note, like jasmine, or experiment with opposite fragrances, like spice and vanilla. There are no set rules, so have fun experimenting!

Spritz your wrists

Spritzing your wrists with cologne is a great way to make your fragrance last longer. Your wrists are pulse points, where veins and arteries are closer to the surface of the skin, making these points warmer than the rest of the body. This warmth helps scents remain strong while also fully developing them so that they're able to linger on the rich, long-lasting middle and base notes.

To get the most out of your cologne, avoid rubbing your wrists together after application. This can bruise the scent, causing it to break down faster. Instead, lightly dab the cologne onto your wrists. This gentle application method won't break down the aroma and will help it last longer.

You can further extend the longevity of your cologne by moisturising your wrists before application. The moisturiser creates an adequate base for your fragrance. Apply an unscented lotion or matching moisturiser before spritzing on your cologne. Moisturised skin retains the scent for longer.

Another way to make your cologne last longer is to apply it to your wrists after a shower. Your pores are at their most open, allowing the cologne to seep into the skin and giving you a longer-lasting aroma.

Frequently asked questions