Make Your Cologne Last All Day Long

There are several tricks to making cologne last longer, from knowing where and how to apply it to storing it properly. The best time to apply cologne is after a shower when your skin is still damp, as the moisture gives the scent something to latch onto. You can also apply petroleum jelly or an unscented moisturiser to your pulse points before spraying your cologne, as this will help it last longer. It's also important to store cologne in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, as heat and light can cause the fragrance to break down.

Apply after a shower

Applying cologne after a shower is one of the best ways to ensure that your fragrance lasts longer. Here are some detailed tips to help you maximise the staying power of your cologne after showering:

Open Pores and Damp Skin

When you step out of the shower, your pores are at their most open, allowing cologne to seep into your skin. This is the perfect time to apply your cologne as it will give you a longer-lasting aroma. The remaining moisture on your skin also gives the scent something to latch onto, strengthening its staying power.

Moisturise First

Before applying cologne, it is beneficial to moisturise your skin. Moisturised skin retains scent for longer. You can use an unscented lotion or a matching moisturiser to prep your skin and provide a smoother base for the fragrance to adhere to. Just be sure to let the moisturiser dry before applying your cologne.

Avoid Rubbing

When applying cologne, avoid rubbing it into your skin, especially on your wrists. This can break down the fragrance and shorten its lifespan. Instead, lightly dab or spritz the cologne onto your skin to avoid disrupting the fragrance profile.

Pulse Points

Target your pulse points when applying cologne after a shower. These include your wrists, the nape of your neck, inside your elbows, behind your knees, and behind your ears. These areas react to the natural changes in your body temperature, helping to diffuse your scent across your body throughout the day.

Let it Dry

After applying cologne, be sure to let it dry completely before getting dressed. This will prevent the fragrance from staining your clothes or jewellery. It will also allow the scent to settle onto your skin, ensuring it lasts longer.

Moisturise first

Applying a thin layer of moisturiser before spraying your cologne is a great way to make your scent last longer. This is because cologne evaporates more quickly on dry skin, so moisturising beforehand helps to lock in the scent.

It is recommended to use an unscented moisturiser or lotion, as you don't want to mix scents. However, if you want to experiment, you can try using a fragranced moisturiser that complements your cologne.

Moisturising is particularly important if you have dry skin, as fragrances will 'stick' to moisturised skin for longer. The best time to moisturise is right after a shower, when your skin is still damp. This gives the cologne something to latch on to, strengthening its staying power.

You can also use petroleum jelly as a base for your cologne. Apply it to your pulse points, such as your wrists, neck, inside elbows, calves, ankles, and behind the knees, before spraying your fragrance.

Spray on pulse points

Pulse points are areas of the body that are warmer than the rest because veins and arteries are closer to the surface of the skin. These points include the wrists, the nape of the neck, behind the knees, behind the ears, and inside the elbows. Spraying cologne on these points can make the scent last longer because the warmth helps scents remain strong while also fully developing them so that they're able to linger on the rich, long-lasting middle and base notes.

Pulse points react to the natural changes in your body temperature, helping to diffuse your signature scent across your entire body throughout the day. Spraying your ankles and calves with cologne also causes the smell to rise.

To make the most of this technique, it's important to avoid rubbing the cologne into the skin, as this can shorten its lifespan. Instead, lightly dab the cologne onto your pulse points, as this gentle application method won't break down the aroma and will help it last longer. This is because friction causes the fragrance's top notes to fade faster, resulting in a less potent scent.

You can also apply petroleum jelly to your pulse points before spraying on your cologne. The petroleum jelly will act as a base and help keep your cologne lasting all day.

Store correctly

Storing your cologne correctly is essential to preserving its quality and ensuring it lasts longer. Here are some tips to help you store your cologne properly:

Keep it away from the bathroom: The bathroom is not an ideal place to store your cologne due to fluctuating conditions of heat, humidity, and light. These factors can cause the fragrance to break down and lose its potency. Instead, choose a cool, dry, and dark place, such as your bedroom or closet, to shield your cologne from extreme temperatures and humidity.

Store in a cool, dark place: Heat and light can speed up the breakdown of your cologne, so it's best to keep it away from direct sunlight. A cool, dark place like a drawer or cabinet in your bedroom is ideal.

Original bottle: It is recommended to store your cologne in its original bottle. Transferring it to a different container can alter the fragrance's composition and allow air to mix with the scent, reducing its quality and longevity.

Avoid shaking: Shaking a perfume bottle introduces air into the container, which can shorten the scent's lifespan. Stick to the simple process of uncapping, spraying, and recapping to preserve the fragrance.

Shelf life: Fragrances have a finite shelf life, typically ranging from two to ten years. If your cologne smells off, has changed colour, or exhibits signs of deterioration, it's probably time to discard it.

By following these storage tips, you can help maintain the quality and longevity of your cologne, ensuring it lasts longer and retains its intended scent.

Layer fragrances

Layering fragrances is a great way to create a unique scent that lasts longer. Here are some tips on how to layer fragrances effectively:

• Choose fragrances with common notes or from similar fragrance families. Look for scents that have a commonality and feel like they reside in similar fragrance worlds. For example, floral and woody fragrances often pair well together, as do earthy and aquatic perfumes.
• Start with the scent you want to be most prominent. Choose a fragrance that will act as your base scent, then layer other fragrances on top to complement its collection of notes.
• Apply fragrances from highest to lowest intensity. Start with an eau de parfum or another strong, dominant fragrance, then layer lighter scents on top. This will allow the lighter scents to sparkle without being overpowered by the stronger fragrance.
• Try layering fragrances on a tester card. If you're not sure how different fragrances will interact, try layering them on a piece of card first. This way, you can experiment without having to wear your creation all day.
• Customise your fragrance application. When layering fragrances, subtlety and balance are key. Consider which scents you want to be more or less prominent and play with their ratios to find the best blend for you.

In addition to these layering tips, here are some general tips for making your cologne last longer:

• Apply right after a shower. The steam from a warm shower helps open your pores, allowing your skin to absorb the fragrance more readily.
• Moisturise your skin beforehand. Hydrated skin is more likely to soak up your cologne. Use an unscented moisturiser to avoid altering the scent of your cologne.
• Apply petroleum jelly to your pulse points. This will act as a barrier between your skin and the cologne, helping the fragrance to "stick" all day.
• Spray your pulse points. These include the wrists, neck, inside of the elbows, and behind the knees. These areas are warmer, helping the scent to remain strong.
• Mist your hair. Spray your cologne on a comb or brush and run it through your hair to avoid damaging your hair with the alcohol in the cologne.
• Spritz your clothing. The fragrance will cling to the fabric until you wash it, but be careful to avoid delicate fabrics that could be ruined by fragrance oils.

Frequently asked questions