The Art Of Cologne: Less Is More

Wearing cologne can be a great way to boost your confidence and make you more attractive to others. However, it's important to know how to apply it correctly to avoid wearing too much. When applied too heavily, cologne can lead to coughing, trouble breathing, headaches, or nausea. To avoid this, it's recommended to apply cologne sparingly and strategically to ensure it lasts all day. Hold the bottle 3-6 inches away from your body and start with one spray on your neck or forearms. You can always add another spray if needed, but remember that less is more when it comes to cologne.

Avoid cologne if you're going to be in an enclosed space for a long time

Even a tiny amount of cologne can build up and create problems in an enclosed space, so it's best to avoid wearing cologne if you know you're going to be in a confined area for a long period. Examples include commercial flights, road trips, dentist appointments, and cramped offices.

If you're only going to be in a small space for a short amount of time, like riding in an elevator, it's fine to wear cologne.

Don't wear cologne to a wine tasting or culinary experience

Wearing cologne is a great way to boost your confidence and make yourself more attractive, but there are times when it's best to avoid it. One such occasion is when you're attending a wine tasting or culinary experience. Here's why you should avoid wearing cologne in these situations and some tips on how to ensure you're not wearing too much cologne in general.

Wine tasting and culinary experiences are all about savouring and appreciating the delicate flavours and aromas of the food and drink on offer. When you wear cologne, you introduce a strong scent that can interfere with the tasting experience for yourself and those around you. It's important to remember that even a subtle scent can be overwhelming in a small, enclosed space like a tasting room.

Wearing cologne can also be disrespectful to the winery or culinary establishment, as it may be interpreted as a sign that you don't appreciate the effort and craftsmanship that has gone into creating the experience. Additionally, many people have adverse reactions to strong scents, so it's best to avoid wearing cologne to ensure the comfort of everyone involved.

Tips for Avoiding Wearing Too Much Cologne in General:

• Less is more: Fragrance should be discovered, not announced. People who are close by should be able to smell your cologne, but not be overpowered by it.
• Stick to two sprays: According to various sources, you should never apply more than two sprays of cologne. One spray should be on your neck, and the other should be on your shirt, preferably in the centre, where you're likely to perspire.
• Apply to pulse points: Apply cologne to your wrists and rub it in, and consider applying any excess behind your ears. These areas will generate body heat, helping the scent to diffuse throughout the day.
• Test the strength: Ask a friend to stand at arm's length and spritz yourself with cologne. With each spritz, ask your friend if they can smell you. If they can smell you from that distance, you've probably applied enough.
• Avoid pulse points: If you're attending a wine tasting or culinary experience but still want to wear a scent, avoid applying fragrance to your pulse points. This will help to minimise the impact of the scent on the tasting experience.
• Choose subtle fragrances: Opt for fragrances that are not too floral, as these tend to be more powerful. Scents with notes of honeysuckle, tuberose, oud, or vanilla can be too strong for these occasions.

By following these tips, you can ensure that you're not wearing too much cologne, especially when attending a wine tasting or culinary experience where strong scents can be overwhelming and interfere with the enjoyment of others.

Don't spray cologne on your clothes

Spraying cologne on your clothes is a bad idea for several reasons. Firstly, it prevents the cologne from mixing with your natural oils, which gives cologne its unique quality. This can also cause the scent to fall flat and appear monochrome, as it is unable to go through its various scent stages.

Secondly, spraying cologne on your clothes can be harmful to certain fabrics. The oils in cologne can stain or discolour fabrics, so it is always best to test a small, inconspicuous area first if you do decide to spray it on your clothes.

A better alternative to spraying cologne on your clothes is to apply it directly to your skin. It is recommended to spray cologne on pulse points such as the wrists, neck, and chest. These areas of the body generate heat and help to diffuse the fragrance.

When applying cologne, hold the bottle 3-6 inches away from your skin. Start with a light application—one spray on the neck or forearms is usually enough. If you notice that the scent fades quickly, you can always add another spray to a different area, such as the chest or inner elbows.

Remember, less is more when it comes to cologne. You want your cologne to be discovered, not announced. A subtle enhancement to your image is all you need to boost your confidence and make a lasting impression.

Don't splash cologne on your skin

If you're using a bottle of cologne without a spray nozzle, avoid the temptation to splash it onto your skin. This is an easy way to over-apply. Instead, place one finger over the opening of the bottle and gently tip it upside down. Then, dab the scent onto your body.

If you want to minimise the scent, you can spray the cologne onto a cloth and then dab it onto your body. The cloth will absorb most of the cologne, so you'll be left with only a faint, subtle fragrance.

When applying cologne, it's important to remember that less is more. It's always better to under-apply than to over-apply. A man's fragrance should be a subtle enhancement to his image.

Don't spray a mist and walk through it

This method of applying cologne is a common misconception. While it may seem like a good way to prevent over-application, it actually renders the cologne almost useless. The majority of the cologne ends up on the floor, and the small amount that does land on your body will not be enough to last throughout the day.

Cologne is designed to be applied directly to the skin, not to clothing. The heat of your body will slowly and consistently release the fragrance throughout the day. If you spray your clothes, the scent will be muted, and it may cling when you don't want it to. Spraying cologne on your clothes also makes it difficult to control the volume.

To avoid over-application, it is best to start with a light application directly on the skin. You can always add another spritz if needed.

Frequently asked questions