The Ultimate Guide To Wearing Cologne

Knowing how to wear cologne is a skill. It's easy to overdo it and become that guy who fills a room with an overpowering scent. The key is to be subtle and understated, allowing your cologne to complement your style, rather than drown it out. So, how do you strike the perfect balance? Firstly, it's important to apply cologne directly to the skin, rather than clothing. This allows the fragrance to mix with your body's natural oils and chemistry, creating a unique scent. Apply to the warmest parts of your body, such as the neck, chest, wrists, and inner elbows, as body heat helps to diffuse the scent. Hold the bottle 3-6 inches from the skin and start with a light application—one or two sprays should be enough. Remember, less is more. You want people to discover your cologne, not smell it from across the room.

How to apply cologne to your body

Applying cologne is an art form. It can make you feel more attractive and confident, but if not done properly, it can be overpowering or fade too quickly. Here are some tips on how to apply cologne to your body for the right strength and staying power:

Apply After Showering

Start with a clean slate by applying cologne after showering and once your skin is dry. Bathing washes away lingering odors and opens up your pores, allowing your skin to absorb the scent better. You can also consider using a soap in the same scent as your cologne to create a fragrant foundation.

Focus on Body's Hot Spots

Apply cologne to the warmest areas of your body, such as your chest, neck, wrists, forearms, inner elbows, lower jaw, shoulders, and pulse points. Your natural body heat will help diffuse the scent throughout the day. Applying cologne to these areas also allows it to interact with your unique body chemistry, creating a signature scent. Choose one or two locations to ensure the scent doesn't become overpowering.

Hold Bottle 3 to 6 Inches Away

If you spritz cologne too close to your skin, it may be too strong. Hold the bottle 3 to 6 inches away from your body when spraying. Spraying from farther away may cause the scent to dissipate too quickly.

Start with a Light Application

Begin with a single spritz on one or two warm locations. Then, wait for the scent to settle. If it fades quickly, choose another hot spot area and spray there. You can also ask a close friend or family member for feedback, as you may become nose-blind to scents you wear often.

Reapply if Needed

Depending on the type of cologne and the occasion, you may need to reapply, especially if you're going out in the evening. When reapplying, dab a small amount onto your pulse points, such as your neck or wrists.

Common Mistakes to Avoid:

• Spraying on Clothing: Cologne should be applied directly to the skin. Spraying it on clothes prevents it from mixing with your natural oils, resulting in a flat scent. It can also damage or stain the fabric.
• Rubbing into Skin: Rubbing cologne into your skin can make the scent fade faster and change how it blends with your natural aroma. Instead, gently dab it onto your skin and let it dry.
• The "Cloud Method": Spraying a cloud of cologne and walking through it is wasteful and ineffective. Most of the fragrance ends up on the floor instead of your body.
• Over-application: A man's cologne should be subtle and understated. Remember, less is more. Start with a light application and reapply as needed.

How to test if a cologne suits you

Testing a cologne before buying it is important to see how it will react with your skin chemistry. Here are some tips on how to test if a cologne suits you:

Research and choose a few options

Start by researching colognes online. Think about which scents might be appealing to you and use Google to search for fragrances that include these. You can also take a fragrance finder quiz, which will recommend colognes based on factors such as fragrances you already like, your preferred scent family, and how you want the cologne to make you feel.

Test the colognes

Once you have a few options, test the fragrances using cologne testers or scent blotters. Scent blotters are small, white cardboard strips that absorb the fragrance and allow you to smell it without putting it on your body. When applying the cologne to the blotters, spray two or three times in a downward motion onto the strip.

Test on your skin

After narrowing down your options to a few fragrances, test how they react to your skin's chemistry. Spray one cologne type on each wrist. If you're testing more than two, also spray your inner elbows. Avoid testing more than four at a time, as this can confuse your sense of smell.

Give the scent time to develop

Wait for about 30 minutes and then smell each tested area again. In between each sniff, it can be helpful to smell something different to cleanse your nostrils (coffee works well for this). Notice how each smell has developed once it's had a chance to work with your body chemistry. This will give you a true idea of what each cologne will smell like on you.

Ask for feedback

You can also ask a close friend or family member for their opinion on the strength and appropriateness of the fragrance. You can become nose-blind to scents you wear often, so it's helpful to get a second opinion.

Make your purchase

If you still love the cologne after the development period, it's likely that you'll enjoy owning and wearing that scent.

How to make cologne last longer

When to Apply Cologne

The best time to apply cologne is immediately after a shower when your pores are most open, allowing the cologne to seep into your skin. Applying cologne to damp skin also strengthens its staying power.

Where to Apply Cologne

Apply cologne to your pulse points, which are the warmest parts of your body. These include the nape of your neck, your wrists, the inside of your elbows, the backs of your knees, and behind your ears. These points help diffuse your cologne across your body throughout the day.

How to Apply Cologne

• Do not rub cologne into your skin as this can "bruise the scent", causing it to break down faster. Instead, lightly dab it onto your pulse points.
• Do not spray cologne into the air and walk through it. This wastes the product and causes the scent to evaporate quickly. Instead, spray it directly onto your skin.

Storing Cologne

Keep your cologne in a cool, dark, and dry place, such as your bedroom or closet. Avoid storing it in the bathroom as heat, humidity, and light can speed up the breakdown of the scent.

Other Tips

• Moisturize your skin before applying cologne. Dry skin soaks up perfume oils, causing the scent to evaporate more quickly.
• Layer your cologne with other scented products, such as soaps, aftershaves, and body balms, to remove competing scents.
• Spray cologne on your clothes, hair, or accessories. However, avoid spraying on delicate fabrics such as silk or suede, as fragrance oils can ruin them.
• Carry a travel-sized bottle with you for touch-ups throughout the day.

Common mistakes to avoid when applying cologne

Spraying the fragrance on your clothing

Spraying cologne on your clothes prevents it from mixing with your body's natural oils, which gives cologne its unique quality. This can also prevent the scent from going through its different scent stages, resulting in a flat and monochrome fragrance. Additionally, spraying cologne on your clothes can damage or stain the fabric.

Splashing the cologne on your skin

If your cologne does not have a spray nozzle, avoid splashing it onto your skin. This can lead to over-application. Instead, place one finger over the bottle's opening and gently tip it upside down, using a dabbing motion to apply it to your skin. This method gives you more control over the amount of cologne used.

Spraying a mist cloud and walking through it

While this method may seem like it prevents over-application, it is actually wasteful and ineffective. Most of the cologne ends up on the floor, and very little is applied to the body. To get the most out of your cologne, it must be applied directly to the skin.

Rubbing the cologne into your skin

Rubbing cologne into your skin can cause the scent to fade faster as it breaks the molecular bond in the fragrance. If your cologne does not have a spray applicator, simply dab it onto your skin and let it dry.

Applying too much cologne

A man's cologne should be subtle and understated, complementing and enhancing his style rather than overpowering it. Remember, less is more when it comes to cologne. It is best to start with a light application and reapply as needed.

How to store cologne to extend its shelf life

To extend the shelf life of your cologne, it is important to store it correctly. Here are some tips to help you do that:

Keep the bottle sealed:

Avoid exposing your cologne to oxygen as much as possible. Keep the bottle sealed when not in use. Oxygen can cause the cologne to oxidise and the scent to fade over time.

Store in a dark place:

Keep your cologne away from direct sunlight and artificial lighting. Light can cause the structures within the cologne to break down, leading to an unpleasant scent and a shorter shelf life.

Choose a dry storage area:

Avoid moisture and fluctuating humidity levels, as these can cause chemical reactions and alter the fragrance. Store your cologne in a dry place to prevent damage to the scent and evaporation.

Avoid the bathroom:

The bathroom is not an ideal place to store cologne due to the extreme humidity and temperature fluctuations. Instead, opt for a closet or cupboard outside the bathroom.

Keep the original box:

The original packaging provides extra protection against light and moisture. It also helps maintain a consistent temperature. Keeping the box will also provide cushioning if the bottle is accidentally dropped.

Store on a low-level shelf:

Placing your cologne on a lower shelf reduces the risk of it falling and shattering. It also prevents potential damage to the scent caused by the impact of falling.

Use smaller bottles for travel:

When travelling, transfer your cologne to a smaller bottle. This reduces the amount of fragrance exposed to oxygen, helping to prolong its lifespan.

Maintain a constant temperature:

Aim for a cool, consistent temperature of around 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Avoid extreme temperatures and fluctuations, as these can affect the chemical structure of the cologne.

Check for discolouration:

Discolouration may indicate that your cologne is starting to spoil. Natural ingredients will darken over time without affecting the scent, but synthetic fragrances should not change colour.

Store in an airtight container:

Consider double packing your cologne by placing the original box inside an airtight bag. This minimises oxygen and light exposure, further protecting your fragrance.

Frequently asked questions