The Art Of Wearing Cologne: A Guide For Men

Knowing when to wear cologne can be tricky. Wear too much, and you risk becoming that guy — the one who walks into a room and fills it with an overpowering cloud of fragrance. But cologne, when worn properly, can boost confidence and make a powerful, positive first impression. So, when is the right time to wear cologne? In general, if you're going to be around other people, it's good to wear cologne. You can wear it to work, on a date, to an event, or even just when socialising with friends. However, there are some situations where it's best to avoid wearing cologne. These include enclosed spaces, such as commercial flights and road trips, fragrance-focused events like wine tastings or culinary experiences, and occasions where you want to be more muted, such as funerals.

How much cologne to wear

When it comes to cologne, the general consensus is that less is more. You want to make your body smell nice, not the whole room. It's always better to start with a small amount and add more later if needed.

How to Apply Cologne

There are many different methods for applying cologne, such as the cloud method, the spray-in-your-hair method, and the pulse point method. However, the most important thing is to spray it directly onto your skin, not your clothes. Cologne is designed to use your body heat to slowly and consistently release the fragrance throughout the day. If you spray it on your clothes, the scent will be muted and may cling when you don't want it to.

How Much to Apply

The ideal number of sprays will depend on the person and the type of cologne. A good starting point is one spray on the chest right after a shower. If that's not too overpowering, you can add another spray to your wrists or neck, which are pulse points that will warm up the fragrance and help it last throughout the day. Some people prefer to spray twice on the neck, once on each arm, and once on the chest (a total of six sprays). If you're not sure if you're applying too much, ask a friend for their honest opinion.

When to Reapply

No cologne will last 24 hours, so if you apply in the morning and want to smell good in the evening, you'll need to reapply. However, be mindful of your surroundings. If you know you'll be in an enclosed space for a long period, such as a commercial flight or road trip, it's best to avoid wearing cologne at all, as even a small amount can build up and become overpowering.

When to avoid wearing cologne

While cologne can be a great way to boost your confidence and make you feel more attractive, there are certain situations in which it's best to avoid wearing it. Here are some scenarios where you might want to skip the cologne:

• Enclosed spaces: Avoid wearing cologne if you know you'll be in an enclosed space for an extended period. This includes commercial flights, road trips, dentist appointments, cramped offices, or any other confined areas. Even a small amount of cologne can build up and become overpowering in these settings.
• Fragrance-focused events: If you're attending a wine tasting, a culinary experience, or an event where fragrance is a key element, it's best to avoid wearing cologne. The scent can clash with the culinary delights and distract from the intended sensory experience.
• Shopping for fragrances: When you're shopping for perfumes or colognes, avoid wearing your own scent. You don't want your cologne to clash with or overpower other fragrances, making it difficult to accurately assess new scents.
• Physical activities: If you're planning to engage in physical activities such as going to the gym, hiking, or playing sports, it's best to skip the cologne. These activities often lead to sweating and body odour, and even the best cologne will eventually be overpowered by your natural scent. Instead, apply cologne after you've finished your activity and had a shower.
• Muted occasions: There are certain occasions where it's best to keep a low profile and avoid wearing cologne. For example, at a funeral, you don't want to stand out with a strong scent. Similarly, for job interviews and first dates, you might want to make a good impression without coming across as overpowering.
• Strong scents: Be mindful of the strength of your cologne. Even if you love the scent, too much of it can be off-putting to others. Always apply sparingly and ask for feedback from trusted friends to ensure you're not overdoing it.
• Sensitive environments: Keep in mind that some workplaces have rules against wearing cologne or perfume due to the enclosed space and the potential for triggering allergies or sensitivities in others. It's better to err on the side of caution and avoid wearing cologne in these environments.

How to apply cologne

There is no definitive right or wrong way to apply cologne, but there are some general guidelines that can help you get the most out of your fragrance.

Firstly, it is important to apply cologne to your skin, not your clothes. Cologne is designed to be applied to the skin and uses your body heat to slowly release the fragrance throughout the day. Spraying it onto your clothes will mute the scent and make it harder to control the volume.

When applying, it is best to start with a small amount and add more if needed. A single spritz, at least six inches away from your body, is a minimal application. You can test this by seeing if you can smell it easily—if so, it might be too much. Ask a friend for their honest opinion if you're unsure. You can always add another spritz, but it's harder to undo an overdose. Remember, less is more.

Apply cologne after a shower when you are clean. You can reapply later if needed, but avoid applying when you are dirty, sweaty, or about to engage in activities that will make you sweat. Cologne is designed to make you smell good, but it will clash with body odour.

There are several key locations that are ideal for applying cologne, such as the wrists, neck, and chest. These areas, known as pulse points, are warmer and help the fragrance continue to emit its scent throughout the day.

It is also important to understand the different notes of your cologne. Top notes are the initial, temporary smell; middle notes are heavier floral or spice scents; and base notes are bolder, longer-lasting scents that become noticeable after application. Knowing these can help you understand how your cologne will smell throughout the day and how it interacts with your body chemistry.

Finally, remember that cologne should be enjoyed by those close to you, not the whole room. Avoid wearing cologne in enclosed spaces, and be mindful of situations where fragrance matters, such as culinary experiences or perfume shopping.

Choosing the right scent

Choosing the right cologne scent is a very personal affair. It is important to pick a scent that works for your body. Cologne ingredients interact with your unique body oils, so the same cologne will smell slightly different on different men. A scent that works for your friend may not work for you.

To find the right scent, you can start with a light, fresh-scented cologne and explore from there. You can also steer into what you already have. For example, if you use floral-scented soap, you may want a floral cologne. You can also think about musk, citrus, wood, and fruit scents.

When testing a new cologne, it is important to test it out directly on your skin and see how it interacts with your unique body chemistry over time.

Once you've found the right scent, it's important to remember that less is more. Even if your cologne smells fantastic, it's possible to go too strong. Generally speaking, the gentleman's scent is subtle, so start with a very small amount of cologne. You can always add more later.

To apply, spray the cologne on your skin, not your clothes. Spraying on your clothes will mute the scent and make it hard to get the volume right. The best places to apply cologne are on your chest, wrists, and neck. These pulse points will warm up the fragrance so it continues to emit a scent throughout the day.

If you are going to be in an enclosed space for a long period of time, such as on a commercial flight or road trip, it is best to avoid wearing cologne. Even a tiny amount of cologne can build up and create problems in small spaces.

How to remove cologne

There are several methods to remove cologne, especially if you've applied too much or dislike the scent. Here are some of the most popular and effective techniques:

• Alcohol: Dip a cotton ball in rubbing alcohol and dab it on the areas where you applied cologne. This will dilute the scent. You can also use hand sanitizers, which often have a high alcohol content.
• Makeup Remover: Saturate cotton pads with a makeup remover designed for waterproof cosmetics, such as Bioderma, and apply them to the perfumed area. Leave it on for at least 3 minutes. If the scent remains, repeat the process with a fresh cotton pad. Finally, rinse the area with water.
• Unscented Products: First, apply unscented deodorant to the area. After a few minutes, wash the area with an unscented heavy-duty laundry detergent.
• Baking Soda Paste: Create a paste by mixing equal parts baking soda and warm water. Rub this paste into your skin, let it sit for several minutes, and then rinse it off.
• Vinegar: Mix a simple dressing of white vinegar and oil, dab it onto your skin, let it set in, and then wash it off with soap and water. For hair, mix 1-2 tablespoons of cider or wine vinegar into a cup of water and rinse your shampooed and conditioned hair with this solution.
• Oil: Apply a mildly scented oil, such as almond, jojoba, or grape seed, to your skin and give yourself a massage. You can also add some sugar or honey to the oil for a scrub.

Frequently asked questions