The Art Of Applying Cologne: A Guide For Beginners

Knowing how to apply cologne is an art form. If not done properly, it can lead to over-application or a scent that fades quickly. There are several tips for applying cologne correctly and effectively. Firstly, it is recommended to apply cologne to clean, dry skin immediately after showering. This allows the scent to absorb and ensures it lasts all day. Hold the bottle 3-6 inches from your body and target pulse points, such as the neck, wrists, and chest, as these are the warmest points on the body. Start with a light application and reapply if needed. Avoid common mistakes such as spraying cologne on your clothes, which can prevent it from mixing with your natural oils and cause staining. Instead, spritz or dab it on your skin and let it dry before putting on your shirt.

How to Put on Cologne

Apply to pulse points

Applying cologne to your pulse points is one of the best ways to make your scent last throughout the day. Pulse points are areas where your veins sit closest to your skin, so you can literally feel your pulse. These areas include the insides of your wrists, inner elbows, below your belly button, behind your earlobes, the back of your knees, your neck, and your chest. The heat from these points helps to diffuse the scent, allowing it to meld with your body chemistry and develop your signature scent.

When applying cologne to your pulse points, hold the bottle 3-6 inches away from your skin and spray or dab a small amount onto the desired area. Start with a light application and reapply if needed. It is important not to rub the cologne into your skin, as this can cause the fragrance's top notes to fade and evaporate before they can settle. Instead, let the cologne dry on your skin before putting on your clothes.

If you are going out in the evening or venturing into a noisy social scene, you may want to apply cologne behind your ears. This way, when people lean in to speak to you, they will catch an attractive hint of your scent.

Spray from 3-6 inches away

When applying cologne, it is important to hold the bottle 3-6 inches away from your body. Holding the bottle any closer than 3 inches risks over-applying, and spraying any further than 6 inches away will likely result in under-application.

Holding the bottle at the correct distance will allow you to focus the scent on a specific target, in this case, the pulse points of your body. These are areas where your veins sit closest to the skin, so you can feel your pulse. Pulse points include the wrists, neck, chest, forearms, and inner elbows. Applying cologne to these areas will help the scent to diffuse throughout the day and allow it to meld with your body chemistry to develop your signature scent.

When applying cologne, it is also important to remember that less is more. Cologne should complement your natural scent, not drown it out. It should be a subtle hint of fragrance that draws people in, rather than something that is overpowering. Start with a light application and reapply if needed.

Don't rub it in

Rubbing cologne into your skin can actually make the scent fade faster. This is because it breaks the molecular bond in the fragrance. If you're not going to spray the fragrance, then simply dab it onto your skin.

How to Apply Cologne

• Apply cologne to clean, dry skin immediately after showering.
• Hold the cologne bottle at least 3 inches away from your body.
• Spray cologne on pulse points and naturally warm areas of the body, such as the neck, wrists, and inner elbows.
• Reapply to your wrists throughout the day.
• Store cologne in a cool, dark, and dry place.

Apply to clean, dry skin

Applying cologne to clean, dry skin is the best way to ensure it lasts and develops a unique scent. The shower cleanses the body of any other scents and opens the pores, helping the cologne absorb. It's important to completely dry off before applying cologne.

Apply cologne to pulse points, the warmest areas of the body, such as the neck, wrists, chest, and behind the ears. These points generate heat, helping to diffuse the scent throughout the day. The cologne will also meld with your body chemistry, creating a signature scent.

When applying cologne, hold the bottle 3-6 inches from the skin. This distance ensures the scent is focused without over or under-applying. Start with a light application—one spray to the neck or forearms. If the scent fades quickly, choose another area to spray next time. You can always add more, but it's harder to fix over-application.

It's worth noting that cologne should be applied directly to the skin rather than clothing. Fragrances are designed to interact with the body's natural oils, creating a unique scent. Applying cologne to clothing can also cause stains.

Reapply if needed

Depending on the type of cologne you use, you may need to reapply it during the day, especially if you are going out in the evening.

If you do need to reapply, simply dab a little cologne onto your pulse points. These are areas where your veins sit closest to your skin, so you can feel your pulse. Pulse points include your wrists, neck, inside of your elbows, and behind your knees. These areas of the body emit extra body heat, which helps to diffuse the scent.

When reapplying cologne, less is more. You want the cologne to complement your own scent, not drown it out. It should be a subtle hint of fragrance that draws people in, not something that hits them over the head.

If you're unsure about whether you're applying too much cologne, ask a friend or family member for their opinion.

Frequently asked questions