The Art Of Spraying Cologne: Tips For Men

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.

- Apply cologne after showering directly onto dry skin.

- Hold the spray bottle 3–6 inches from your body.

- Apply cologne to heated areas of your body, such as the neck, chest, pulse points, forearms or inner elbows.

- Start with a light application.

- Re-apply cologne if needed.

- Avoid spraying the fragrance on your clothing, as this prevents it from mixing with your natural oils.

- Avoid splashing the cologne on your skin.

- Avoid spraying a mist cloud and walking through it.

- Avoid rubbing the perfume into the skin.

- Avoid applying too much cologne.

Apply cologne to pulse points

Applying cologne to your pulse points is one of the most important steps in making your scent last longer and linger. Pulse points are the warmest parts of your body, and applying cologne to these areas will help project the scent.

The best spots to spray cologne on the body are the wrists, neck, behind the ears, and even behind the knees. These areas are considered pulse points because you can feel your blood pumping through the veins. The heat generated by your blood flow will help diffuse the scent throughout the day.

When applying cologne to your pulse points, hold the bottle 3 to 6 inches away from your skin. This distance ensures you don't over or under-apply the cologne. Start with a light application—one spray per pulse point is usually enough. You can always add another spray if needed, but it's essential not to overdo it.

It's also important to note that you should avoid rubbing the cologne into your skin after spraying. Let it dry naturally. Rubbing the cologne can break down the molecular bond in the fragrance, causing the scent to fade faster.

By applying cologne to your pulse points, you can be confident that your scent will emit and linger, creating a lasting impression.

Moisturise skin before spraying cologne

Moisturising your skin before applying cologne is a good idea, particularly if you have dry skin. However, some people believe that mixing fragrance with moisturisers can change the scent of the cologne, so it's best to allow the moisturiser to soak in first.

If you have dry skin, it's a good idea to moisturise before applying cologne, as this can help the scent to last longer. One person suggests allowing two or more fragrance-free hours for the moisturiser to soak in before applying cologne. Another suggests using petroleum jelly on the skin where cologne will be sprayed, as this is the only product they've found that is truly fragrance-free.

However, some people disagree with mixing cologne and moisturiser. One person says that even "fragrance-free" moisturisers have a scent, as they contain odour-cancelling ingredients. They believe that these neutralising chemicals could affect the perfume when it is sprayed on top. Another person agrees, saying that mixing cologne with moisturiser changes the scent and "kills projection".

Therefore, if you want to moisturise before applying cologne, it's best to allow the moisturiser to soak in first.

Spray cologne directly onto skin

Spraying cologne directly onto the skin is the best way to apply cologne.

Firstly, ensure you are applying cologne to clean, dry skin. The shower cleanses the body of any other scents and opens the pores, which helps the scent absorb. Therefore, it is best to apply cologne immediately after showering.

Hold the bottle 3-6 inches away from your body. Any closer than 3 inches and you risk over-applying, and spraying further than 6 inches away will likely result in under-application.

Apply cologne to the pulse points, which are the heated areas of the body. These include the wrists, neck, behind the ears, the chest, and even behind the knees. The heat from these areas helps to diffuse the scent throughout the day and allows it to meld with your body chemistry to develop your signature scent.

It is also important not to rub the cologne into the skin after spraying, as this can make the scent fade faster. Instead, let it dry before putting on a shirt. This will help the scent to stay on your body, and your body heat will keep the scent active.

Don't spray cologne onto clothes

Spraying cologne directly onto clothes is considered the worst way to apply cologne. Here are some reasons why you should avoid spraying cologne onto your clothes:

Preventing the Unique Scent from Developing

When cologne is sprayed directly onto clothes, it is prevented from mixing with the wearer's natural oils. This interaction with natural oils is what gives cologne its unique scent. Spraying cologne onto clothes can also prevent the scent from going through its various scent stages, resulting in a flat and monochrome fragrance.

Harmful to Certain Fabrics

Some fabrics can be harmed by cologne. In addition, certain fragrances may interact with certain fabrics and leave stains or discolouration. It is important to test a small, inconspicuous area of the fabric first if you do decide to spray cologne onto your clothes.

Faster Fading

While cologne may last longer on clothes, the scent will be diluted more quickly. The heat of the skin will make the fragrance project more, and cologne is designed to interact with skin, not fabric.

Wasted Cologne

Spraying cologne onto clothes can be a waste of the fragrance, as it will fade faster and will not smell the same as it would on skin.

Staining

Oil-based colognes can leave stains on clothing that look like semen, especially on white shirts.

Hold the bottle 3-6 inches from the skin when spraying

Holding the bottle 3-6 inches away from your body when spraying cologne is crucial for a few reasons. Firstly, it ensures you don't over or under-apply the fragrance. Holding the bottle any closer than 3 inches risks applying too much, while spraying from further than 6 inches away will likely result in under-application. This distance allows for a balanced application, ensuring the scent is not too overpowering or too faint.

The optimal distance of 3-6 inches also helps to focus the cologne on specific areas of the body, known as pulse points, without wasting the product. These pulse points, such as the wrists, neck, and chest, are the warmest parts of the body, as they are where the main arteries are located. The heat from these areas will help diffuse the scent throughout the day, allowing it to meld with your body chemistry and develop a unique signature scent.

It is important to note that holding the bottle too close or too far away can lead to an uneven application. By maintaining a distance of 3-6 inches, you ensure that the cologne is distributed evenly on the desired area, maximizing its fragrance and longevity.

Additionally, holding the bottle at the correct distance can help prevent staining on clothes. Spraying cologne too close to the fabric may result in an excessive amount being applied, which can cause stains, especially on lighter-colored garments. Holding the bottle at the recommended distance helps to control the amount of cologne being sprayed, reducing the risk of staining.

Finally, holding the bottle 3-6 inches away helps to avoid wasting the cologne. Spraying from too far away can cause the fragrance to disperse into the air, landing on unintended surfaces and reducing the amount available for application. Holding the bottle at the optimal distance ensures that most of the cologne reaches the intended target, making the most of the product.

Frequently asked questions