The Ultimate Guide To Applying Cologne

Knowing how to apply cologne is an art form. If not done properly, it can lead to either over-application or a scent that fades almost immediately. To avoid being that guy, cologne should be applied sparingly and strategically so that it lasts all day. Here are some tips on how to apply cologne correctly and effectively:

Apply to pulse points

Pulse points are areas of the body where you can feel your heart pulse 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. These are the best spots to apply cologne because the warmth of your blood helps to naturally diffuse the scent.

Apply cologne to your pulse points by spritzing or dabbing it onto the skin. Do not rub it in, as this can cause the top notes of the cologne to fade and evaporate before they can settle.

If you are going out into a noisy social scene, consider applying a small amount of cologne behind your ear. This way, when people lean in to speak to you, they will notice an attractive scent.

For everyday use, it is recommended to apply cologne to the bottom of your throat (neck). This is a warm area of the body that will help the scent to diffuse throughout the day.

When applying cologne to the wrist, press it into place so that the cologne sits below the skin at the pulse point. This will ensure that the scent lasts longer and does not slowly die away over the day.

Remember, less is more when it comes to cologne. Start with a light application and reapply if needed.

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, such as your pulse points, without over or under-concentrating it. This is the perfect balance to avoid turning your skin red from too much alcohol concentration, and from losing too many particles from a poorly targeted spritz.

The pulse points, or heated areas of the body, are the best spots to apply cologne. These include the neck, chest, wrists, forearms, and inner elbows. These areas help to diffuse the scent 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 to apply sparingly and strategically. Start with a light application and choose one area, such as the neck or forearms, to spray. If you notice that your scent fades quickly, choose another area to spray next time. You can always ask the opinion of a close friend or family member if you are unsure about the application.

By holding the bottle 3-6 inches away from your body and targeting the correct areas, you can ensure that your cologne is applied effectively and lasts throughout the day.

Start with one spray

How to Put on Cologne

The key to applying cologne is to avoid over-application. Cologne should complement your own scent, not drown it out. It should be a subtle hint that draws people in, rather than something that hits them over the head. So, start with one spray. If you notice that the scent fades quickly, choose another area to spray next time. You can also ask a friend or family member for their opinion.

When applying cologne, hold the bottle 3-6 inches from your body. Any closer and you risk over-applying; any further and you'll likely under-apply.

Apply cologne to the heated areas of your body, such as your neck, chest, pulse points, forearms, or inner elbows. These areas will help diffuse the scent throughout the day and allow it to meld with your body chemistry.

If you are applying cologne to your wrists, do not rub them together. This can cause the fragrance's top notes to fade and evaporate before they can settle. Instead, simply let the cologne dry on your skin.

Apply to clean skin

Applying cologne to clean skin is essential to ensure the scent lasts and mixes well with your body chemistry. The ideal time to apply cologne is after a shower, as the shower will cleanse your body of any other scents and open your pores, allowing the scent to absorb better. Make sure your skin is completely dry before applying cologne.

When applying cologne, hold the bottle 3-6 inches away from your body. This distance allows for a focused application without over or under-concentrating the scent. Start with a light application, choosing 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 can also ask a friend or family member for their opinion on whether the application is appropriate, as you can become nose-blind to scents you wear often.

Apply cologne to the pulse points of your body, which are areas where your veins sit closest to the skin, and you can feel your pulse. These include the wrists, neck, inside of the elbows, behind the ears, and the back of the knees. These areas emit extra body heat, which helps to diffuse the scent throughout the day.

Don't rub it in

Rubbing cologne into your skin is one of the first fragrance habits we ever learned, but it's also one of the hardest to break. However, it's a step that should be avoided.

Rubbing cologne into the skin causes friction, which can heat it up and change the scent. It also causes the fragrance's top notes to fade and evaporate before they can settle, meaning the notes that made you fall for the scent to begin with never truly translate onto your skin.

Instead, you want your cologne to slowly mix with your skin's natural oils. This is what makes your scent last and what can make the same scent smell slightly different from person to person.

So, if you're tempted to rub cologne into your skin, resist the urge. Simply dab or spritz it onto your pulse points and let it dry.

Frequently asked questions