The Art Of Wearing Cologne: Timing Is Everything

Knowing when and where to apply cologne is an art form. Too much cologne can be overpowering and off-putting, while too little may not be detectable. Cologne is not necessary for the workplace, but it is generally acceptable. It is more suitable for big events, such as weddings, funerals, parties, or nights out. It is also important to be mindful of others when wearing cologne, as some people may be allergic, and your natural body odour combined with cologne may create an even more unpleasant smell. Cologne should complement your natural body chemistry and fit your lifestyle in terms of how long the scent lasts. It should be applied sparingly to pulse points on the body, such as the wrists, neck, and chest, as these areas generate heat and help diffuse the fragrance.

Apply cologne to pulse points

Applying cologne to your pulse points is an effective way to make your fragrance last longer and smell better. Pulse points are areas on your body where your heart pulse can be felt, and they include the insides of your wrists, your neck, behind your ears, the bottom of your throat, inside your elbows, behind your knees, and your chest. These spots are ideal for applying cologne because the warmth from your blood helps to diffuse the fragrance, enhancing its projection and cast.

When applying cologne to your pulse points, it is important to hold the bottle 3-6 inches away from your skin to ensure you don't over or under-apply. Start with a light application—one spray on one pulse point is usually enough. You can always add another spray to a different pulse point if you feel you need more. It is also recommended to apply cologne to clean, dry skin, as this provides a good base for the fragrance to adhere to and helps it last longer.

While pulse points are ideal for applying cologne, you don't need to apply it to every pulse point. Choose a few spots, such as your neck and wrists, and keep the application subtle. Remember, less is more when it comes to cologne application. You don't want to be overwhelming to those around you.

Don't overdo it

It's easy to overdo it with cologne. You want to smell good without imposing your fragrance on everyone who comes within 10 feet. Here are some tips to avoid overdoing it:

Choose the Right Concentration

Colognes come in different concentrations, which determine their strength. The higher the concentration, the more expensive the cologne tends to be, but it will also have better sillage (the trail it leaves when you walk away) and longevity. If you're using a highly concentrated cologne, you won't need to apply as much. Eau de Parfum (EDP), for example, is one of the most concentrated types of cologne and a little goes a long way.

Apply to Clean Skin

Make sure to apply cologne to clean skin. This ensures that sweat, sebum, or other buildup doesn't interfere with the perfume oils. It's best to apply cologne right after showering, as the hot water will open your pores, providing a good base for the cologne.

Target Pulse Points

Apply cologne to your pulse points, which are the areas of your body that produce a lot of body heat. These include your wrists, neck, chest, forearms, and inner elbows. The heat will help diffuse the scent throughout the day and allow it to meld with your body chemistry. However, avoid applying cologne to areas where you sweat excessively, as less appealing smells don't mix well with cologne.

Hold the Bottle 3-6 Inches Away

When spraying cologne, hold the bottle 3-6 inches away from your body. Holding the bottle any closer than 3 inches risks over-applying, while spraying from further than 6 inches away may result in under-application.

Start with a Light Application

It's better to start with a light application and add more if needed. Choose one area, such as the neck or forearms, and start with one spray. If you notice that the scent fades quickly, choose another area and spray there the next time you apply. You can also ask a close friend or family member for their opinion, as you can become nose-blind to scents you wear often.

Reapply Sparingly

Depending on the type of cologne, you may need to reapply, especially if you're going out in the evening. When reapplying, dab a little onto your pulse points. Remember, you will quickly become used to the smell of your cologne, but others will still be able to smell it. It's generally not necessary to apply cologne more than once a day.

Be Mindful of Others

Remember that some people are allergic to cologne, so be sensitive to this when wearing cologne in indoor areas or in close quarters with others. Additionally, cologne should be discovered, not announced. It should be subtle enough that people need to be physically close to you to smell it. If someone can identify the cologne you're wearing, you're probably wearing too much.

Choose the right cologne for your body

The right cologne for you will depend on your body chemistry, the scent notes you find appealing, and where and when you plan to wear it.

Study concentration levels

The concentration of perfume oils in a cologne will determine its strength and longevity. Understanding the nomenclature on the bottle will help guide your search.

• Eau Fraiche: The lightest concentration of perfume oils (1-3% oil). These will wear off quickly.
• Eau de Cologne: 3-5% concentration. If a scent is labelled simply as "cologne", it probably falls in this range.
• Eau de Toilette: 5-8% concentration. This is the "standard" concentration.
• Eau de Parfum: 8-15% concentration. Will be noticeably stronger than an Eau de Toilette.
• Parfum or Extrait de Parfum: The highest concentration (15-30% or up to 40%).

Understand fragrance families

Fragrances are often separated into large buckets and smaller categories, such as "Woody", "Floral", "Green", "Aquatic" or "Aromatic". Understanding these categories will help you hone in on a scent that suits you.

Understand notes and layers

Notes are the individual elements that combine to create a fragrance's final composition. Notes include things like sandalwood, musk, bergamot, rose, moss, and patchouli. A scent might have just a few notes, or dozens.

Notes are organised into three layers of dissipation:

• Top notes: Provide the initial impression and make a strong impact, but will be the first to evaporate.
• Middle or heart notes: Make up the bulk of the fragrance and last the longest, defining the scent's overall character.
• Base notes: Anchor the fragrance and give it depth and longevity.

Start with a signature scent, then expand

It's a good idea to start with a signature scent—a versatile fragrance that you wear most often and that people associate with you. From there, you can build out a more dynamic portfolio, with different colognes for different occasions and seasons.

Ask people what they're wearing

If you like someone's cologne, ask them about it. You can then use that product's notes, classification, and fragrance family as a basis to find a similar fragrance.

Use online resources

The internet is a great resource for finding a new cologne. Sites like Fragrantica, Basenotes, and Parfumo offer encyclopaedias of fragrance knowledge, and you can browse by notes, brands, and ratings.

Always try before you buy

Try a scent before you buy it. Many brands will include a sampler with a product, or offer discovery sets. Subscription sample companies like LuxSB and Scentbird will send you a different scent each month.

Start with a light layer

When trying a new cologne, start with a light application. Even the best scent can be off-putting if it's too strong.

Wear it a few times before committing

Try wearing a new cologne in different settings and at different times of day before committing to it as your signature scent.

Don't shy away from synthetics

Synthetic ingredients are often safer and more sustainable than natural ingredients, and are less likely to cause allergic reactions.

Apply to clean skin

Applying cologne to clean skin is the best way to ensure it works effectively. The cologne will react with your body's natural oils, so it's important to give it a fresh, clean canvas to work with.

Applying cologne after a shower is a good idea, as the hot water will have cleansed your skin and opened your pores, providing a good base for the cologne. However, make sure your skin is completely dry before you apply cologne, as applying it to damp skin may prevent the scent from lasting as long.

When applying cologne, hold the bottle 3-6 inches from your body and target your pulse points. These are the areas of your body that produce a lot of body heat, such as your wrists, neck, chest, and behind your ears. The heat will help the fragrance to continue to smell good all day long.

When applying cologne to your wrists, spray or dab it on and then let it dry on the skin. Don't rub your wrists together, as this can change the way the cologne smells and make the scent fade faster.

If you're applying cologne with a bottle that doesn't have a spray nozzle, use the dabbing method. Cover the open bottle with your finger, tip the bottle, then right the bottle and put it down. Dab the liquid onto your finger in the area where you wish to apply the cologne. One small dab is enough.

If you're unsure about how much cologne you're applying, ask a friend or family member for their opinion. It can be difficult to judge how you smell yourself, and you can become nose-blind to scents you wear often.

Don't spray on clothes

Why You Shouldn't Spray Cologne on Your Clothes

While it may be tempting to spritz your cologne onto your clothes, especially if you have sensitive skin, there are several reasons why this is not a good idea.

Firstly, cologne is designed to interact with the oils and pH of your skin, which helps to enhance and prolong the scent. By applying it directly to your skin, you will also be able to create a unique scent as it mixes with your natural body odour.

Secondly, spraying cologne on your clothes can cause stains or discolouration, especially on delicate or pale fabrics, due to the oils present in all perfumes.

Thirdly, cologne applied to your skin will develop and change scent throughout the day as it goes through its scent stages. This evolution is what makes a scent interesting and attractive. If you spray it on your clothes, the scent will remain flat and monochrome.

Finally, if you spray cologne on your clothes, you will have to commit to that particular perfume for as long as you wear that garment. Even after washing, the scent may linger, meaning you will have to wear the same perfume again the next time you put on that item of clothing.

Frequently asked questions