Testing Cologne At Home: A Beginner's Guide

Testing cologne at home is a great way to find your perfect scent without the pressure of a busy store or the influence of a salesperson. It also gives you time to experience the full fragrance cycle, rather than just the top notes, and to understand how it fits into your lifestyle. The best way to test cologne at home is to get samples and wear them for a few days. You can either spray the cologne directly onto your skin or use paper blotters. If using your skin, spray the cologne onto your wrist or the back of your hand and let it dry naturally. Avoid rubbing your wrist or hand as this can affect the fragrance's evolution. If using paper blotters, spray the cologne onto the blotter and wave it under your nose, being careful not to touch it. It's important to only test a few fragrances at a time, as your sense of smell can usually only handle about three scents before it gets confused. Take breaks between testing and avoid wearing your own fragrance or a strong deodorant when sampling different colognes.

Using blotting paper

Testing cologne or perfume on blotting paper is a great way to get an initial sense of the scent. Blotting paper is usually the first step in the process of buying a new fragrance. The strips of paper are made from absorbent, porous material that allows perfumes to be absorbed quickly, giving you an accurate reading of how the fragrance smells.

To test cologne on blotting paper, start by spraying a cloud of cologne in a downward motion. Two or three quick sprays in a row is enough. Then, pass the blotting strip through the cloud, focusing on the pointed end of the strip. Wait a few seconds and let the alcohol evaporate before bringing the strip to your nose. It's important not to touch the strip to your nose; instead, wave it under your nose and inhale gently. Keep the strip at least an inch or two away.

If you're testing multiple fragrances, use the same number of sprays for each so that you can accurately test their concentration. It's also important to keep the strips away from each other to avoid mixing the scents.

The blotting paper experiment will help you narrow down a few favourites that are worth testing on your skin. However, keep in mind that a fragrance may smell different on your skin due to your body chemistry, so it's worth testing your favourites on your wrist or the back of your hand to get the full picture.

Testing on skin

Testing fragrances on your skin is usually the next step after testing them on blotters. It is important to reserve this step for a select few fragrances that stand out to you, as testing on the skin will allow you to see how the scent evolves and how it interacts with your body's natural chemistry.

The warmth of your skin, its flora or chemistry, and its natural oils will react with the perfume to create a scent that is unique to you. On your skin, the fragrance will go through its full olfactive life cycle, so you must still love it towards the end of the day when only the base notes are present.

Practically speaking, testing on your skin will limit you to your two wrists. You could spray different parts of your body, but the more parts you spray, the higher the chances that the fragrances will contaminate each other.

When testing on the skin, spray your wrist, not too close and not too far. Leave the fragrance to dry naturally, and do not rub your wrist with your finger to prevent contamination. Without touching your wrist with your nose, inhale the perfume. Allow the fragrance to develop over time and periodically refer back to enjoy how the scent develops and changes. During this time, try to avoid washing your wrists or splashing water on them.

An alternative to testing on the wrist is to spray the fragrance on the back of your hand or on your lower arm. These may be more uncommon areas for fragrance testing, but they are more practical as they are easier to smell.

Before testing fragrances on your skin, make sure your hands are thoroughly washed. With all the things we touch during the day, our hands become dirty and polluted by other smells. It may be difficult, but also try to avoid washing your hands during testing. Soap and water can affect a fragrance's natural evolution, which may impact the results.

It is also important to avoid wearing other fragrances when testing on the skin. While you may love your everyday perfume, it could hinder your ability to experience a new fragrance.

Avoiding nasal fatigue

When testing cologne, it's important to be aware of olfactory fatigue, or \"nose saturation\", which occurs when your nasal receptors become less sensitive to specific scents. This can happen when you're exposed to a scent for an extended period, such as when wearing a cologne, working in a scented environment, or walking past a fragrant store. To avoid nasal fatigue and accurately test cologne at home, follow these steps:

Firstly, only test a few colognes at a time. Your brain can only distinguish between a limited number of scents before it gets confused. Three is often cited as the maximum number of fragrances to test at once.

Secondly, take breaks between testing different colognes. This gives your olfactory senses time to recalibrate and prevents overexposure to a single fragrance. Step outside for some fresh air, eat a piece of mint or lemon, or try smelling your own skin. Your skin's natural scent can serve as a "cleanser" for your nose, offering a brief respite from other fragrances.

Thirdly, use olfactory palate cleansers like coffee beans. Neuroscientist Noam Sobel's research found that smelling coffee beans between fragrance samples helps reset the olfactory palate, ensuring you experience each scent with the same intensity.

Finally, incorporate longer breaks and diversify your scent experiences. Professional perfumers take extended breaks between evaluations and smell unscented materials like fabric to rejuvenate their olfactory senses. They also explore a broad spectrum of natural ingredients, such as aromatherapy oils and citrus scents, to reduce the risk of olfactory fatigue.

By following these steps, you can effectively avoid nasal fatigue and accurately test cologne at home.

Getting samples

Testing cologne samples is the best way to find a fragrance that suits you. The first step is to get hold of some samples. You can do this by visiting a department store and asking a sales representative to introduce you to a cologne. Ask them about the scent and its popularity. If they offer to spray it on you, politely decline, as your skin will absorb the scent and you will be left smelling of mixed scents. Instead, ask them to spray it onto a piece of paper, or a 'blotting strip'. Most department stores will have these freely available. You can also ask if they have any small bottle or plastic samples that you can take home.

Collect a few samples and put them in your bag or pocket. If they are paper samples, try to spread them out into different pockets or compartments so they don't all mix together. You can also ask the sales representative if they have any larger packages or combos, which can work out cheaper.

It is not necessary to buy a cologne the first time you come across it. Take your samples home and test them out in a familiar environment.

Where to test on skin

When testing cologne, it is important to test it on your skin to see how it interacts with your body chemistry. The warmth of your skin, your skin's flora or chemistry, and the skin's natural oils will react with the cologne to create a scent unique to you.

The best places to test cologne on your skin are your wrists, the back of your hand, or your lower arm. These are all pulse points, which are naturally warmer due to the veins underneath. The cologne will take longer to diffuse if you spray it on the back of your hand or lower arm, but these areas are more practical because they are easier to smell.

When testing cologne on your skin, spray the desired area twice, holding the bottle at the correct spray distance. Then, let the cologne dry naturally without rubbing it in. Inhale the fragrance without touching your wrist or hand to your nose. Over time, the fragrance will deepen as you experience each of the notes in its formulation. Refer back to the area you sprayed periodically to observe how the scent develops and changes.

If you are testing multiple colognes, be aware that they may contaminate each other. The more areas of your body you spray, the higher the chances are that the different fragrances will mix and create an unpleasant blend.

Frequently asked questions