Katrina Rosales
Whether you should refresh your cologne by spraying throughout the day depends on a few factors. Firstly, the type of cologne you use will determine how long it lasts and how often you need to reapply. Colognes with higher concentrations of perfume oils tend to be more potent and longer-lasting. For example, eau de parfum typically lasts around six to eight hours, whereas eau de toilette lasts about three hours. Additionally, certain fragrance notes, such as woody, amber, and oriental notes, tend to have better longevity on the skin compared to citrus, floral, and fruity scents.
Another factor that affects how often you should reapply cologne is your skin chemistry. Diet, skin health, underlying chemical makeup, and hormones can all influence how long a fragrance lasts on your skin. For instance, pregnant women may need to apply their chosen scent more frequently due to hormonal changes. Similarly, dry skin tends to absorb perfume molecules faster, causing fragrances to fade more quickly. Applying cologne to freshly washed and moisturized skin can help extend its longevity.
It's important to note that over-application of cologne can be unpleasant for you and those around you. A subtle enhancement to your image is usually best. Applying cologne directly to the skin, especially pulse points like wrists, neck, and inner elbows, allows the scent to mix with your natural oils and project better. Reapplication throughout the day can be done sparingly, focusing on pulse points, to maintain a subtle yet inviting aroma.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| How often to reapply | It depends on the perfume. Some perfumes may fade after a few hours, while others settle into the skin and last longer. |
| Factors affecting reapplication | Skin chemistry, type of scent, blend of notes, number of times sprayed, and sweating. |
| How to make perfume last longer | Apply to freshly washed, moisturized skin; use petroleum jelly; spritz warmest points of the body; use eau de parfum instead of eau de toilette; use a travel-size atomizer or roll-on for reapplication. |
| How to know if you've applied too much perfume | You should only need to spritz your perfume three to four times per application. If a tissue sticks to the spot you've spritzed after five seconds, you've used too much. |
| Where to spray cologne | Pulse points like wrists, neck, inner elbows, and chest. |
| How long does cologne last on the body | It depends on the type of cologne. Aftershave lasts around an hour, Eau Fraiche less than an hour, Eau de Cologne two to three hours, Eau de Toilette four to seven hours, and Eau de Parfum five to eight hours. |
What You'll Learn
How to make cologne last longer
Cologne is a great way to boost your confidence and make you feel more attractive. However, it can be frustrating when your cologne dissipates within a few hours of application. The good news is that there are several things you can do to make your cologne last longer. Here are some tips to help you extend the longevity of your favourite fragrance:
Apply Right After a Shower
The best time to apply cologne is immediately after a shower when your skin is still slightly damp. The moisture on your skin gives the scent something to latch onto, strengthening its staying power. Open pores also allow the cologne to seep into your skin, resulting in a longer-lasting aroma.
Moisturise Beforehand
Applying an unscented lotion or moisturiser before spraying your cologne can make a big difference in its longevity. The petroleum jelly composition holds fragrances longer than when applied to dry skin. Moisturised skin retains the scent longer, preventing it from evaporating as quickly.
Spray on Pulse Points
Spraying cologne on your pulse points, such as wrists, neck, inside elbows, calves, ankles, and behind the knees, can help extend its longevity. These areas are warmer, allowing the scent to remain strong and fully develop.
Layer Your Fragrance
Using complementary products such as soaps, aftershaves, and body balms can help remove competing scents and enhance the bouquet of your cologne. This can be especially effective if you use products from the same brand, creating a seamless blend.
Avoid Overapplying
While it may be tempting to think that spraying more cologne will make it last longer, this is not the case. Overapplying can lead to front-loading, and you may still find yourself scentless by the middle of the day. Start with a light application and build up as needed.
Store It Properly
It is essential to store your cologne in a cool, dark, and dry place, away from direct sunlight and extreme temperatures. Heat, light, and humidity can speed up the breakdown of your fragrance, reducing its potency and longevity.
Additionally, here are some common mistakes to avoid when applying cologne:
- Spraying directly onto clothes: This can damage garments, especially those made of delicate fabrics, and cause the scent to dissipate quickly due to airflow.
- Rubbing wrists together: Rubbing cologne between your wrists can "bruise the scent," causing it to break down faster.
- Spraying and walking through: Spritzing cologne into the air and walking through it wastes product and causes the scent to evaporate quickly.
- Rubbing into the skin: Rubbing fragrance into the skin can shorten its lifespan by breaking down the molecular bond.
- Applying too much: A subtle enhancement is best; less is more when it comes to cologne application.
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When to reapply cologne
The longevity of cologne depends on the brand, the strength of the scent, its blend of notes, and how many times you spritz it. Your skin chemistry also affects how long cologne lasts. Woody, amber, and oriental perfumes tend to last longer on the skin, while citrus, floral, and fruity scents fade faster.
Cologne, or Eau de Cologne, typically lasts around two hours. Eau de Toilette lasts about three hours, while Eau de Parfum lasts closer to six or eight. However, your skin chemistry and type can alter that, and sweating makes perfume wear off faster.
If you're wearing Eau de Parfum, reapply your cologne once throughout the day. If you're wearing Eau de Toilette, reapply every four hours. The most potent perfumes don't require a second spritz and can last a full 24 hours.
If you're going to be out all day, you may want to carry a travel-size atomizer or roll-on to freshen up your scent without having to carry the entire bottle around with you.
Some people like to reapply cologne two or three times a day, in the morning, afternoon, and evening. Others prefer to apply cologne only once a day, in the morning or before leaving the house, and then apply a different fragrance in the evening.
If you're going to be out for an extended period, such as a workday, you may want to reapply cologne during the day, especially if you work in a hot climate, as your warmer body temperature will cause the perfume molecules to evaporate faster.
It's best to reapply cologne to pulse points on your skin, like your wrists, neck, inner elbows, and chest. These points are warmer, allowing the scent to diffuse throughout the day and develop your signature scent.
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Common mistakes when applying cologne
Applying cologne is an art form, and if not done properly, can lead to over-application or a scent that fades quickly. Here are some common mistakes to avoid when applying cologne:
Spraying on Clothing
Spraying cologne directly on clothes prevents it from mixing with your natural oils, giving it its unique quality. It can also harm certain fabrics and cause the scent to dissipate quickly.
Splashing on Skin
If the cologne doesn't have a spray nozzle, don't splash it onto your skin. This can lead to over-application. Instead, place a finger over the opening and gently tip the bottle to dab the scent onto your body.
Spraying a Mist Cloud
Spraying a mist and walking through it may seem like a good idea, but it renders the cologne almost useless as most of it ends up on the floor.
Rubbing on Skin
Rubbing cologne into the skin can make the scent fade faster as it breaks the molecular bond. If not spraying, simply dab it on gently.
Applying Too Much
A subtle enhancement is best. Start light and reapply as needed. Ask a friend for feedback if you're unsure.
Forgetting Mid and Base Notes
The top notes of a cologne will evaporate within 15 minutes, so pay attention to the mid and base notes, which last longer and are what others will mostly smell on you.
Forgetting to Moisturize
Similar to applying cologne on dry skin after a shower, moisturizing beforehand helps the fragrance absorb better and last longer.
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How to buy the right cologne
The right cologne for you will depend on your body chemistry, the types of scent notes you find appealing, and where you plan to wear it. Here are some tips on how to buy the right cologne:
Do Your Research
Start by researching colognes online. Think about which scents might appeal to you and use Google to search for fragrances that include these. You can also refer to the fragrance colour wheel to get an idea of what kinds of scents are available.
Test the Fragrance
Use cologne testers or scent blotters to initially test fragrances. You can order fragrance testers, which come in smaller bottles, or visit a store that has scent blotters available. Spray the cologne onto the blotter two or three times in a downward motion.
Once you've narrowed it down to a few options, test the fragrances on your skin. Spray one cologne type on each wrist, and if you're testing more than two, spray onto your inner elbows as well.
Give It Time
Give the cologne time to develop. Walk around the store or do something else for 30 minutes, then smell each fragrance again. To get a true idea of what each cologne will smell like on you, it's important to let it mix with the oils on your skin.
Buy It
If you still love the cologne after the 30-minute development period, go ahead and buy it! You can also order the cologne at a discount online.
Other Tips
- Don't overspray. Start with one or two sprays and build up from there if needed.
- Apply cologne to your skin rather than your clothes. Fragrances are designed to interact with the oils and pH of your skin, enhancing and prolonging the scent.
- Spray cologne on pulse points such as your wrists, neck, and chest. These areas generate heat and will help diffuse the fragrance.
- Avoid spraying cologne directly on your face or on broken or irritated skin.
- If you do apply cologne to your clothing, spray it on a small area such as the collar or cuff, and test a small, inconspicuous area first to avoid stains or discolouration.
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How to test your cologne
Testing a cologne before buying it is important to see how it will react with your skin's chemistry. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to test your cologne:
Research Colognes Online:
Using a fragrance colour wheel, think about which scents might be appealing to you. Use Google to search for fragrances that include these scents so that you have a starting point once you reach the store.
Use Cologne Testers or Scent Blotters:
A convenient option for trying colognes is to order fragrance testers, which come in smaller bottles. Alternatively, you can visit a store that has scent blotters available to test the fragrances in person. Scent blotters are small, white cardboard strips that absorb the fragrance and help you smell it without putting it on your body. When applying the cologne to the blotters, spray two or three times in a downward motion into a cloud, and pass the blotter through the cloud.
Test the Fragrance on Your Skin:
Once you have narrowed it down to two to four fragrances, it's time to see how they react to your skin's chemistry. Spray one cologne type on each wrist. If testing more than two, spray onto your inner elbows as well. Do not test more than four at a time, as this could confuse your sense of smell.
Give the Scent Time to Develop:
Walk around the store or do something else for 30 minutes. Once the scent has had a chance to mix with the oils on your skin, give them each another sniff. It can be helpful to smell something different, like coffee, in between each sniff to cleanse the nostrils. Notice how each smell has developed once it's had a chance to work with your body chemistry.
Buy It If You Still Love It:
If there is one or more fragrances you really enjoy after the 30-minute development period, it's likely that you'll enjoy owning that scent.
Additional Tips:
- Avoid wearing other fragrances when testing out something new.
- Limit the number of scents you test to three at one time, as your brain and sense of smell can only handle a few scents well before getting confused.
- Test scents earlier in the day, as our sense of smell usually peaks in the morning.
- Coffee beans have been proven to work as olfactory palate cleansers, so be sure to use them in between sniffing different fragrances.
- If you prefer, you can also do this entire process from the comfort of your home by ordering fragrance samples online.
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Frequently asked questions
It depends on the type of cologne you're using. Eau de parfum should be reapplied once throughout the day, while eau de toilette may need to be reapplied every four hours. The most potent perfumes can work their magic for a full 24 hours.
Yes, it's okay to reapply cologne throughout the day if needed. However, avoid over-applying by keeping it to a spritz or two.
Hold the bottle 3-6 inches from your body and spray onto pulse points, such as your wrists, neck, and chest. These areas generate heat and help diffuse the fragrance.
Apply cologne to freshly washed and moisturized skin. You can also try layering your fragrance by using complementary products such as body washes, deodorants, and body creams.
