Katrina Rosales
Knowing how to apply cologne is an art form. If done improperly, it can lead to over-application or a scent that fades quickly. To avoid being that guy who wears too much cologne, it's important to apply sparingly and strategically. Here are some tips on how to spray cologne properly to smell good:
- Apply cologne directly to clean, dry skin, preferably immediately after showering.
- Hold the spray bottle 3-6 inches away from your body when spraying.
- Target the pulse points, such as the wrists, neck, and chest. These areas produce a lot of body heat, which helps the fragrance last longer and diffuse throughout the day.
- Start with a light application. Choose one area, such as the neck or wrists, and apply one spray. If the scent fades quickly, choose another area and reapply.
- Reapply cologne if needed, especially if you're going out in the evening. Dab a small amount onto your pulse points.
- Avoid spraying cologne on your clothing, as it prevents it from mixing with your natural oils and can damage certain fabrics.
- Don't rub the cologne into your skin, as it can change the scent and make it fade faster.
- Be mindful of the concentration of your cologne. Colognes with higher concentrations of perfume oils will be stronger and last longer.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| How far to hold the bottle | 3-6 inches from the body |
| Where to apply | Pulse points, wrists, neck, behind the ears, forearms, inner elbows, chest |
| How much to apply | Sparingly, one spray at a time |
| When to apply | After showering, directly onto dry skin |
| How often to reapply | Once a day, or when going out in the evening |
| How to apply without a spray nozzle | Place one finger over the opening, tip the bottle, then dab |
| Whether to rub it in | No, this changes the scent and makes it fade faster |
What You'll Learn
Apply cologne to pulse points
Pulse points are the areas on your body where you can feel your pulse, or where your heart is pumping blood through your veins. These points are located behind your ear, at the bottom of your throat, on your wrist, inside your elbow, and behind your knee. Applying cologne to these areas is ideal because they are particularly warm spots on your body, and the heat helps to diffuse the fragrance, making it more effective and long-lasting.
When applying cologne to your pulse points, it's important to hold the bottle about 3 to 6 inches away from your body. This ensures that you don't over-apply or under-apply. Start with one spritz to each pulse point and adjust as needed. You can also use your wrist to press the cologne into your skin, helping it to sit below the skin and last longer.
It's recommended to choose a few pulse points to apply cologne to, rather than applying it to every pulse point. This will help to ensure that your scent is subtle and not overwhelming for those around you.
In addition to the traditional pulse points, some people also suggest applying cologne to the chest, as it scents your shirt and provides a nice burst of scent when hugging someone.
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Spray from 3-6 inches away
To properly spray cologne, hold the bottle 3 to 6 inches away from your body. Holding the bottle any closer than 3 inches risks over-applying, while spraying any further than 6 inches away will likely result in under-application.
Spraying from 3 to 6 inches away will allow you to focus the scent on a specific target, such as a pulse point, without over or under-concentrating it. This distance strikes the perfect balance between avoiding too much alcohol concentration on the skin, which can turn it red, and losing too many particles from a poorly targeted spritz.
When applying cologne, it is important to remember that less is more. You should also be mindful of others, as you don't want to impose your fragrance on everyone who comes near you.
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Target the neck, wrists and chest
Targeting the pulse points on your body is a great way to make the most of your cologne. These points, such as the wrists and neck, are the warmest parts of your body, and the heat will help the fragrance to continue smelling good all day long.
The wrists are a great place to start, and you can even rub your wrists on your neck to transfer the scent. The insides of your wrists are the best spot, and you should avoid rubbing the cologne in, as this can change the scent and make it fade faster. You can also try the area behind the ears, which is another pulse point.
The neck is another great spot to target, especially if you're going on a date and want to make sure your date can smell your cologne. It's also a good idea to apply cologne to your chest, as this will scent your shirt and provide a burst of fragrance to anyone you hug.
When applying cologne to these areas, be sure to hold the bottle about 3 to 6 inches away from your body. This will ensure that you don't over-apply or under-apply the cologne.
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Avoid rubbing it in
Rubbing cologne into your skin can change the scent and make it fade faster. This is because rubbing can break the molecular bond in the fragrance, dulling the top notes (the scents you smell in the first five minutes of applying cologne). It also mixes the cologne vigorously with your natural oils, which can further alter the scent.
Instead of rubbing, you should let the cologne dry on your skin. If you want to be extra glamorous, you can lightly dab your wrists together or dab them onto other pulse points.
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Reapply sparingly throughout the day
The key to reapplying cologne is to do so sparingly. You want to smell good without imposing your fragrance on everyone who comes near you. You should also be mindful that you can become nose-blind to scents you wear often, so it's a good idea to ask a friend if your application is appropriate.
How Much Cologne to Reapply
You should reapply cologne very sparingly. One spray on your wrists should be enough. You can then rub your wrists on your neck. If you feel you need more, consider adding a second spray.
Where to Reapply Cologne
You should reapply cologne to your pulse points. These are the warmest parts of your body, which will help the fragrance to perform to its fullest potential. The insides of your wrists, your neck, and behind your ears are good spots.
When to Reapply Cologne
You probably don't need to apply cologne more than once a day. However, if you're going out in the evening, you may want to reapply.
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Frequently asked questions
It's important to apply cologne sparingly. One or two sprays should be enough, and you can always apply more as the day goes on.
Apply cologne to your pulse points, which are the warmest parts of your body. This includes your wrists, neck, and inner elbows. You can also apply cologne to your chest.
Hold the bottle 3 to 6 inches away from your body. Holding it any closer could result in over-application, while holding it further away may result in under-application.
No, rubbing cologne into your skin can change the way it smells and cause the scent to fade faster. Instead, simply dab or spray it on and let it dry.
