The Ultimate Guide To Wearing Cologne Like A Pro

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.

- Apply cologne to pulse points, which are areas on your body where your heart pulse can be felt, such as your wrists, neck, behind your ears, inside your elbows, and behind your knees.

- Hold the bottle 3-6 inches away from your body when spraying.

- Apply cologne after showering, as this will help the scent absorb better.

- Choose different colognes for different occasions. For example, a lighter, citrus-based scent for afternoons and a stronger scent with spice undertones for the night.

- Don't rub the cologne into your skin, as this can change the scent and make it fade faster.

- Don't mix cologne with other smells, such as strongly-scented deodorant or aftershave.

Apply to pulse points

Applying cologne to your pulse points is a great way to make your fragrance last longer and smell more intense. Pulse points are areas on your body where your heart pulse can be felt, and they include the insides of your wrists, your neck, behind your ears, the inside of your elbows, and behind your knees. These areas emit more heat, which helps to lift the fragrance.

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 intensity of the cologne. You can also dab the cologne on with your finger if it doesn't have a spray nozzle. Avoid rubbing the cologne into your skin, as this can break down the scent and cause it to fade faster.

If you're going out in the evening or to a noisy social scene, you may want to apply cologne behind your ears. This way, when people lean in close to speak to you, they'll catch a subtle, attractive scent.

Hold the bottle 3-6 inches away

Holding the bottle at the correct distance from your skin is key to applying cologne properly. Hold the bottle around 3 to 6 inches away from your body. This will ensure that you don't apply too much in one go, helping to avoid an overpowering scent. Holding the bottle at this distance will also ensure an even distribution of the fragrance.

When applying cologne, you should also be mindful of where you are spraying. Hold the bottle at the correct distance and angle it towards the areas you want to target. Typically, you would spray cologne onto your pulse points. These are the areas where your blood vessels are closest to the skin, making these spots warmer and helping to project the fragrance. Common pulse points include the wrists, neck, behind the ears, inside the elbows, and behind the knees. Holding the bottle 3-6 inches away from these areas will ensure you apply the right amount of cologne to these key spots.

The 3-6 inch rule also helps to prevent waste. Holding the bottle too close can result in too much cologne being applied in one area. This can not only be wasteful but can also lead to an overly strong scent. Holding the bottle at the correct distance will help the cologne last longer, allowing you to get the most out of the fragrance.

Finally, holding the bottle 3-6 inches away will help you create a balanced fragrance. Applying cologne at the correct distance will ensure that the scent is evenly distributed and will develop authentically as the top, middle, and base notes emerge. This will help you to enjoy the full character of the cologne and ensure that it wears in a balanced and nuanced way.

Spray onto the chest

The chest is a great place to apply cologne, as it scents your shirt and provides a nice burst of scent to anyone you might end up hugging.

Hold the cologne bottle 6-9 inches away from your chest and spray once or twice at most. 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 for more, not something that hits them over the head. Let the cologne dry before putting on a shirt.

Your cologne should be smelled during a hug, not a handshake. It should be discovered, not announced. People should remember you were there, not know that you're coming.

The heat from your body will help diffuse the scent throughout the day and allow it to meld with your body chemistry to develop your signature scent.

Don't rub it in

Rubbing cologne into your skin can break down the molecular bonds in the fragrance, causing the scent to fade faster. Instead, spritz or dab the cologne onto your skin and let it dry. This allows the fragrance to develop naturally on your skin.

Rubbing cologne into your skin can also cause the liquid to drip down your shirt. To avoid this, hold the bottle a few inches from your body and give yourself a light spritz.

If your cologne doesn't have a spray nozzle, cover the open bottle with your finger, tip the bottle, then right the bottle and put it down. Dab the liquid onto your skin in the area where you wish to apply the cologne.

If you do end up rubbing your cologne in, wash your hands afterward so you don't get cologne on everything you touch.

Don't spray onto clothes

Why you shouldn't spray cologne onto your clothes

Spraying cologne directly onto your clothes is considered the worst way to apply cologne. Here are some reasons why you shouldn't do it:

• Cologne is designed to interact with the oils and pH of your skin, which helps to enhance and prolong the scent.
• Applying cologne to your skin allows it to mix with your natural oils, giving it its unique quality.
• Spraying cologne on your clothes can prevent the scent from going through its scent stages, resulting in a flat and monochrome fragrance.
• It can be harmful to some fabrics. Some colognes may interact with certain fabrics and leave stains or discolouration.
• The scent will not last as long on your clothes as it would on your skin. Fragrances evaporate quicker on skin and can be absorbed by the skin.
• The heat of your skin will make the fragrance project more.

How to apply cologne properly

Now that you know why you shouldn't spray cologne on your clothes, here are some tips on how to apply cologne properly:

• Apply cologne directly onto clean, dry skin immediately after showering. The shower cleanses your body of any other scents and opens your pores, which helps the scent absorb.
• Hold the spray bottle 3-6 inches away from your body. Holding the bottle any closer than 3 inches risks over-applying, and spraying from further than 6 inches away will result in under-applying.
• Apply cologne to heated areas of your body, such as your neck, chest, pulse points, forearms, or inner elbows. The heat helps diffuse the scent throughout the day and allows it to develop your signature scent.
• Start with a light application. Choose one area, such as the neck or forearms, and apply one spray. If you notice that the scent fades quickly, choose another area and apply cologne there the next time you use it.

Frequently asked questions