The Art Of Wearing Cologne: A Guide For Men

Knowing how to apply cologne is an art form. If not done properly, it can lead to over-application or a scent that fades almost immediately. The key to making cologne last longer is to apply it to pulse points, which are areas of your body that produce a lot of body heat. The heat will cause the fragrance to continue to smell good all day long. These include the insides of your wrists, the base of your throat, behind your ears, inside your elbows, and behind your knees. It's also important to hold the bottle a few inches away from your skin when applying cologne, and to avoid rubbing it in, as this can change the scent and make it fade faster.

Apply to pulse points

Applying cologne to your pulse points is one of the most important steps in the process. Pulse points are areas of your body where your heart pulse can be felt. These points are located behind your ear, at the bottom of your throat, on your wrist, inside your elbow, and behind your knee. The veins at these points run close to the skin's surface, emitting more heat. This warmth helps to diffuse the scent throughout the day, 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 once or twice, depending on the strength of the fragrance. Avoid rubbing the cologne into your skin, as this can break down the scent's notes, causing them to evaporate too quickly. Instead, gently dab the cologne onto your skin or let it dry on its own.

If you're using a cologne without a spray nozzle, cover the opening of the bottle with your finger and gently tip it upside down before dabbing the scent onto your chosen pulse points. Remember to wash your hands afterward to avoid transferring the cologne to other objects.

When choosing where to apply cologne, you don't need to cover every pulse point. Select a few spots, and keep the application subtle. The bottom of the throat (neck) is a good choice for everyday use, while applying a small amount behind the ear can be ideal for social situations where people will be leaning in close to speak to you.

Don't rub it in

Rubbing cologne into your skin can break down the scent, causing it to fade faster. This is because the friction generated by rubbing can increase the temperature, causing the top notes of the cologne to evaporate more quickly.

Rubbing cologne into your skin can also forcibly mix the scent with your natural oils, altering the way the top notes smell.

Instead of rubbing cologne into your skin, you should dab it onto your wrists and neck.

If you are applying cologne to your wrists, you should also avoid rubbing your wrists together. This is a common misconception, and although it will not cause any significant damage to the scent, it can cause the top notes to evaporate more quickly.

Spray from a distance

When applying cologne, it's important to hold the bottle at the correct distance from your body. If you spray too close to your skin, you risk over-applying, and you might end up with too much liquid on your skin, which can cause skin irritation and an overpowering scent.

The recommended distance to hold the bottle from your body is between 3 and 6 inches. This distance allows you to focus the scent on a specific target, usually a pulse point, without over or under-concentrating it. It's the perfect balance between avoiding too much alcohol concentration on your skin and losing too many particles from a poorly targeted spritz.

Some sources recommend holding the bottle between 6 and 9 inches or even 15 cm away from your body when spraying. This creates a mist that diffuses the cologne over a wider area of skin. This technique allows the fragrance to mingle with your natural scent, creating a subtle aroma. The mist also allows you and those around you to pick out the developing fragrance notes as the scent matures throughout the day.

If you're using a cologne that doesn't have a spray nozzle, you can apply it by covering the open bottle with your finger, tipping the bottle, and then dabbing the liquid onto your skin.

Apply to clean skin

Applying cologne to clean skin is an important step in ensuring that the scent lasts longer and doesn't mix with other odours. Here are some detailed tips on how to apply cologne to clean skin:

• It is recommended to apply cologne immediately after showering, as the hot water cleanses your body of any other scents and opens your pores, which helps the cologne absorb better into the skin.
• Before applying cologne, ensure your skin is completely dry.
• Avoid rubbing the cologne into your skin, as this can change the scent and cause it to fade faster. Instead, simply spray or dab it onto your skin and let it dry naturally.
• When spraying cologne, hold the bottle about 3 to 6 inches away from your body. This ensures that you don't apply too much or too little.
• Target the pulse points on your body, such as your wrists, neck, behind your ears, inside your elbows, and behind your knees. These areas emit more heat, which helps the fragrance continue to smell good throughout the day.
• Choose one or two pulse points to apply cologne to, rather than applying it to all of them. This will ensure that your scent is subtle and not overwhelming for those around you.
• If your cologne doesn't have a spray nozzle, use the dabbing method. Cover the bottle opening with your finger, tip it briefly, then dab the liquid onto your finger and apply it to the desired area.
• Wash your hands after using the dabbing method to avoid transferring the cologne to other objects.

Don't overdo it

The key to wearing cologne is to apply it sparingly. You want to smell good without overwhelming those around you. In fact, according to many "Gentleman" books, if someone can identify the cologne you're wearing, you're wearing too much.

So, how much is too much? Well, you'll know you've gone overboard when you can smell yourself from a mile away, or your friends' eyes water when you walk into the room. As a general rule, you should never apply more than two sprays of cologne.

When applying cologne, it's important to target your pulse points. These are the areas of your body that produce a lot of body heat, such as your wrists, neck, and behind your ears. The heat will help the fragrance continue to smell good all day long. However, don't apply cologne to every pulse point—choose just a few spots to avoid an overwhelming scent.

It's also important to apply cologne to clean, dry skin. Taking a shower first will help open up your pores and provide a good base for the cologne. When applying, hold the bottle 3–6 inches away from your skin and spray or dab lightly. Don't rub the cologne into your skin, as this can change the scent and make it fade faster.

Finally, don't reapply cologne too often. You'll quickly grow used to the smell and think it's worn off, but others will still be able to smell it. Once a day is usually enough.

Frequently asked questions