Make Your Cologne Last All Day Long

There are many ways to make your cologne last longer. Firstly, it is important to understand your skin type. Dry skin absorbs fragrance more quickly, while oily skin allows the fragrance to last longer. It is also important to moisturize your skin before applying cologne, as this provides a base for the fragrance to cling to. You should also apply cologne to your pulse points, which are the warmest areas of your body, such as your wrists, neck, and behind your ears. These areas help to diffuse the fragrance and make it last longer. Additionally, you can try layering your cologne with complementary scented body products, such as body wash or lotion, to create a stronger base for the fragrance. Finally, avoid rubbing your wrists together after applying cologne, as this can break down the fragrance and cause it to fade more quickly.

Apply after a shower

Applying cologne after a shower is one of the best ways to make your fragrance last longer. The steam from a warm shower or bath helps open your pores, allowing your skin to absorb the cologne more effectively. This gives you a longer-lasting aroma.

Tips for Application

• It is best to apply cologne when your skin is still slightly damp, as wet skin holds onto oils better than dry skin. However, ensure that you dry off before getting dressed to prevent the fragrance from staining your clothes or jewellery.
• Avoid rubbing the cologne into your skin, as this can cause the fragrance to break down faster. Instead, gently dab or spritz it onto your skin and let it air-dry.
• Target your pulse points, which are the warmest areas of your body. These include your wrists, neck, behind your ears, inside your elbows, and behind your knees. The warmth from these areas helps the fragrance to diffuse throughout the day.
• If you have particularly sticky skin, you can apply petroleum jelly to your pulse points before spraying your cologne. This acts as a barrier, preventing your body's natural oils from breaking down the fragrance.
• Remember not to overapply. One or two spritzes are usually enough, and you can always reapply later if needed.

Other Tips to Make Your Cologne Last Longer

• Moisturise your skin before applying cologne. Hydrated skin is more likely to absorb and retain the fragrance.
• Layer your cologne with complementary scented products, such as body wash, deodorant, or body lotion. This helps to strengthen the fragrance and make it last longer.
• Spritz your cologne onto your hair or comb/brush before styling to keep your hair smelling great. Avoid spraying it directly onto your hair or scalp, as the alcohol in colognes can dry out your hair.
• Store your cologne in a cool, dry, and dark place, such as your bedroom or closet. Heat, humidity, and light can speed up the breakdown of the fragrance.
• Reapply your cologne throughout the day if needed, especially after 4-6 hours.

Moisturise beforehand

Moisturising before applying cologne is a great way to ensure the scent lasts longer. This is because hydrated skin is more likely to soak up your cologne than dry skin.

How to Moisturise Before Applying Cologne

First, you'll want to apply a body lotion or cream over your entire body, paying particular attention to areas where you plan to spritz the cologne. These areas include your wrists, the nape of your neck, the inside of your elbows, behind your ears, behind your knees, calves, and ankles.

If you don't want to alter the scent of your cologne, be sure to choose an unscented moisturiser.

Why Moisturising Before Applying Cologne Helps the Scent Last Longer

Because hydrated skin holds onto fragrance better than dry skin, the scent will linger throughout the day, and you won't have to reapply as often.

Other Tips for Making Your Cologne Last Longer

In addition to moisturising beforehand, you can also try the following tips to make your cologne last longer:

• Apply right after a shower.
• Store the cologne in a cool, dark, and dry place.
• Layer your fragrance with complementary scented products.
• Spritz on your wrists and other pulse points.
• Spray your comb or hairbrush.
• Spritz your clothing.

Layer your fragrance

Layering your fragrance is a great way to make your cologne last longer and create a unique, personalised scent. Here are some tips on how to layer your fragrance effectively:

Choose Scents with Common Fragrance Notes or Families

The key to successful fragrance layering is to choose scents with complementary notes or families. Look for fragrances that have a commonality and feel like they belong in the same scent world. For example, woody notes like sandalwood and ambery woods pair well with floral notes like jasmine and rose. Alternatively, fresh and floral perfumes often have synergy due to their light and bright fragrance notes. When choosing which perfumes to layer, consider their individual notes and how they might interact with each other.

Start with the Scent You Want to be Most Prominent

When layering fragrances, it's best to start with the scent you want to be the base. This will act as the foundation for your unique scent profile. Spray on your chosen fragrance, then build on top by layering new elements. Think of it like building a house – you need a strong foundation first!

Apply Fragrance from Highest to Lowest Intensity

When layering different types of fragrances, such as eau de parfums and body sprays, it's best to work from highest to lowest fragrance intensity. Start with stronger, more dominant fragrances, then layer on lighter scents so they can sparkle on top. This will ensure that your lighter fragrances aren't overpowered by the stronger ones.

Try Layering Fragrances on a Tester Card

If you're new to fragrance layering, it might be helpful to try layering your chosen perfumes on a piece of card first. This way, you can experiment with different combinations without having to wear them all day. Fragrance layering is all about experimentation, so don't be afraid to try out different pairings until you find the magic combination!

Customise Your Fragrance Application

When layering fragrances, subtlety and balance are key. You don't have to spray each fragrance with the same intensity or in the same amount. Play with the ratios of each scent to discover the best blend for you. Remember, fragrance is personal, so if the scents you're layering make you feel good, that's all that matters!

By following these tips, you can become a fragrance alchemist and create a unique, long-lasting scent that's truly yours.

Spritz on your wrists

Spritzing cologne on your wrists is one of the most popular ways to apply fragrance. The practice of applying perfume or cologne to the wrists started in the early 1900s, before atomizers (spray mechanisms) were widespread. Back then, perfumes were highly concentrated and came in bottles with crystal stoppers. Women would wipe the stoppers on their wrists and then rub their wrists on their ears.

Your wrists are considered pulse points, which are areas where veins and arteries are closer to the skin's surface. These areas are believed to be warmer than the rest of the body, and the warmth is thought to help scents remain strong and fully develop so that they linger on the skin for longer.

However, some sources dispute the idea that pulse points are warmer, arguing that the body temperature remains fairly regulated. Instead, it is suggested that spraying cologne on the forearm, hair, shirt collar, or fabric may be a better option for making the scent last longer, as the oils can sink into the structure of the fibers and take longer to evaporate.

When applying cologne to your wrists, avoid rubbing them together, as this can "bruise the scent," causing it to break down faster. Instead, let the scent soak into your skin, or lightly dab your wrists together or against other pulse points.

Spray your comb or hairbrush

Spraying cologne on your comb or hairbrush is a great way to make your hair smell amazing without damaging it. The alcohol content in traditional colognes can dry out your hair, so applying cologne to your brush or comb before styling is a clever alternative.

Firstly, it is important to note that you should avoid spraying too close to the roots. Instead, focus on evenly distributing the scent throughout the length of your hair. This method will leave you with a soft and subtle scent.

If you want a stronger fragrance that also nourishes your hair, consider using a hair mist. These are formulated with a much lower concentration of alcohol compared to cologne, so you can spray them directly onto your hair without worrying about damage.

However, if you are set on using cologne, spraying your comb or brush is a great way to apply cologne to your hair without damaging it. This method will leave your hair with a soft and subtle scent that will last throughout the day.

Frequently asked questions