The Ultimate Guide To Applying Cologne 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 quickly. The key is to apply sparingly and strategically so that the cologne lasts all day. The best spots to spray cologne are heated areas of the body, including the neck, chest, pulse points, forearms, and inner elbows. It is generally recommended to spray cologne on the skin rather than clothes. This is because fragrances are designed to interact with the oils and pH of the skin, which helps to enhance and prolong the scent.

Apply cologne to pulse points

Pulse points are the places on your body where you can feel a pulse, as the artery is close enough to the surface of your body for you to feel your heart pumping blood through it. These are the best spots to apply cologne because they are particularly warm spots on your body. The close contact with contracting blood brings warmth, which diffuses the fragrance, making it more effective and long-lasting.

The best pulse points to apply cologne to are the neck area, the inner wrist, the chest, and behind the ear. You can also apply cologne to the temples of your head, your foot, and the inside of your elbow and the back of your knee. However, be careful not to overdo it—one spritz to each pulse point is best practice.

When applying cologne to pulse points, hold the bottle 3–6 inches away from your body. This will prevent you from over or under-applying.

Hold the bottle 3-6 inches from the skin

Holding the cologne bottle the correct distance from your body is crucial to applying cologne effectively. Hold the bottle 3-6 inches from your body. Any closer than 3 inches and you risk over-applying; spraying further than 6 inches away and you will likely under-apply.

Holding the bottle at this distance allows you to focus the scent on a specific target (the pulse point), without over or under-concentrating it. It strikes the perfect balance between turning your skin red from too much alcohol concentration and losing too many particles from a poorly targeted spritz.

Pulse points are the areas of your body that allow for the most even distribution of scent since the skin there is warmer. For men, these points are the neck, armpits, knees, wrists, and behind the ears.

The heat helps diffuse the scent throughout the day and allows it to meld with your body chemistry to develop your signature scent.

Spray onto the chest

Spraying cologne onto your chest is a recommended application area by many cologne wearers. The chest is a heated area of the body, and applying cologne here will allow the scent to diffuse throughout the day and develop your signature scent as it mixes with your body chemistry.

When applying cologne to the chest, it is important to remember that less is more. You should hold the bottle 3-6 inches away from your body and apply sparingly. One spray should be enough, but you can add another if you feel it is necessary. It is also important to let the cologne dry before putting on a shirt, so that it stays mostly on your body and your body heat can keep the scent active.

Some people prefer to spray cologne onto their clothes, rather than directly onto their skin. However, this can prevent the scent from mixing with your natural oils, which gives the cologne its unique quality. It can also cause the scent to fall flat and may damage certain fabrics.

Applying cologne to the chest is a good option if you want to enjoy the scent yourself, rather than announcing it to everyone around you. This is because the scent will be further from your nose, so you are less likely to become anosmic to the scent.

Don't spray on clothes

While spraying cologne on your clothes may seem like a good idea, there are several reasons why you should avoid doing so.

Firstly, spraying cologne directly on your clothes prevents it from mixing with your natural oils, which gives the cologne its unique quality. This can also prevent the scent from going through its scent stages, causing it to smell flat and one-dimensional.

Secondly, some colognes may stain or discolour certain fabrics, so unless you're prepared to stick to one scent for as long as you wear that item of clothing, it's best to avoid spraying cologne on your clothes. Light washing may not be enough to eliminate strong perfumes, and dry cleaning may not remove the scent at all.

Thirdly, the scent of cologne on your clothes may not evolve in the same way as it would on your skin. Colognes often have three stages of evaporation: top notes, medium notes, and base notes. When you wear a fragrance, it goes through these stages, and the scent changes and develops over time. This evolution is what makes a scent interesting and attractive. However, when cologne is sprayed on clothes, it may not go through these stages in the same way, and you may miss out on the full experience of the fragrance.

Finally, spraying cologne on your clothes can be harmful to some fabrics. The alcohol in colognes can dry out and damage certain fabrics, especially if you spray from a close distance.

So, while it may be tempting to spritz your cologne onto your clothes, it's best to stick to applying it directly onto your skin. This will allow the cologne to interact with your body chemistry and develop your signature scent.

Apply after a shower

Applying Cologne After a Shower

Applying cologne after a shower is one of the best ways to ensure that the scent lasts all day. The shower cleanses your body of any other scents and opens your pores, which helps the cologne absorb into your skin.

Pulse Points

The best spots to apply cologne are the pulse points, which are the heated areas of your body, including your neck, wrists, chest, armpits, knees, inner elbows, and behind your ears. These areas allow for the most even distribution of scent since your skin is warmer there.

How to Apply

Hold the cologne bottle 3-6 inches away from your body and apply a light application. Start with one spray on one area, such as the neck or wrists, and see how the scent develops throughout the day. You can always add another spray to a different area if you feel the scent is fading too quickly.

Mistakes to Avoid

• Do not spray cologne onto your clothing, as it can damage the fabric and prevent the scent from mixing with your natural oils.
• Do not rub the cologne into your skin, as this can make the scent fade faster.
• Avoid applying too much cologne, as this can be overpowering.

Frequently asked questions