Best Places To Apply Cologne For Testing It Out

Testing cologne is an important step in finding your signature scent. The way a fragrance smells varies from person to person, as skin type and diet can affect how a cologne interacts with your body's pheromones. To test a cologne, you can visit a beauty store or department store and request a sample, or you can order a sample online. When testing, it is recommended to spray the cologne on your skin, rather than your clothes, as fragrances are designed to interact with the oils and pH of your skin. The best spots to apply cologne are heated areas of the body, including the neck, chest, pulse points, forearms, and inner elbows, as the heat helps diffuse the scent throughout the day.

Wrists

The wrists are a common area to apply cologne for testing. They are considered a "pulse point", an area where your heart pulse can be felt. The warmth of the blood in these areas enhances the sillage of the perfume. The wrists are also convenient for testing as they are easy to bring up to your nose to smell.

However, some people believe that the wrists are not the best place to apply cologne. The wrists are in constant movement and in contact with objects, which can cause friction and remove the cologne. Additionally, the wrists are located far from your nose and other people's noses, which can make it harder to smell the fragrance.

If you decide to apply cologne to your wrists for testing, it is recommended to spray it on the backside of the wrist or the upper-upper end of the forearm. This helps to prevent the cologne from being rubbed off when you rest your wrists on surfaces.

When testing cologne, it is important to apply sparingly and strategically. Start with one spray on each wrist and give the scent time to develop. Walk around or wait for about 30 minutes to see how the cologne reacts with your body chemistry.

Neck

The neck is one of the best places to apply cologne when testing. The heat from this area will help diffuse the scent throughout the day, allowing it to meld with your body chemistry to develop your signature scent.

When applying cologne to the neck, it is important to hold the bottle 3-6 inches away from the skin to avoid over-application. One spray on the neck is usually sufficient, as colognes are meant to be subtle and kept to your personal space.

If you are testing multiple colognes, apply them to different areas of the body, such as the wrists or inner elbows, to avoid confusing your sense of smell. Give the scent time to develop by waiting at least 30 minutes between each test.

When testing cologne, it is also recommended to avoid wearing any jewellery or watches, as these can interfere with the scent. It is also important to test the cologne on your skin rather than on paper or cloth, as the heat from your skin will cause the perfume to evolve and smell differently than it would on a static surface.

Additionally, make sure to moisturise before applying cologne, as this will prevent the skin from absorbing the fragrance too quickly and allow it to radiate off you. However, be sure to use a scentless moisturiser, as a scented moisturiser may clash with the cologne.

Finally, remember that less is more when it comes to cologne application. Overdoing it can be off-putting and even cause discomfort to those around you.

Forearms

The forearm is one of the best places to apply cologne when testing a new fragrance.

Firstly, it is important to note that cologne should be applied to the skin, rather than clothing. This is because the oils in cologne are designed to interact with the oils and pH of your skin, enhancing and prolonging the scent.

The forearm is a great place to test cologne as it is a pulse point, meaning it is a spot where blood runs close to the skin, providing increased warmth. This warmth allows the cologne to be slowly released throughout the day.

When testing cologne, it is best to apply it to one pulse point, such as the forearm, and then add another area if you notice the scent fading quickly. It is recommended to test no more than four fragrances at a time to avoid confusing your sense of smell.

When applying cologne to the forearm, hold the bottle three to six inches away from the skin and spray. This will give you the perfect application amount and avoid over-saturating one spot.

It is also important to wait at least 30 minutes after applying cologne to the forearm before testing the smell. This is because fragrances have what is known as a three-part life cycle, with top, medium, and base notes that develop at different times.

In addition to the forearm, other good pulse points for cologne application include the neck, wrist, inner elbow, chest, and shoulders.

Inner elbows

The inner elbow is one of the best places to apply cologne when testing a new fragrance. This is because the inner elbow is a pulse point, and the heat generated here will help to diffuse the scent throughout the day. The cologne will also benefit from the body heat in this area, warming through the fragrance.

When testing a new cologne, it's important to give the scent time to develop. After applying, wait around 30 minutes and then smell the cologne again. You can also try spraying the cologne onto a tester strip of paper to get an initial impression of the scent. It's best not to test more than four fragrances on your skin at the same time, as this can confuse your sense of smell.

If you're wearing long sleeves, you might be concerned that people won't be able to smell your cologne. However, the heat from your inner elbow will help the scent to radiate through your clothes. You can also try spraying the cologne onto the inside of your shirt sleeve to increase the projection of the scent.

When applying cologne to the inner elbow, hold the bottle 3-6 inches away from your skin. This will ensure that you don't over-apply or under-apply the fragrance.

Chest

The chest is one of the best places to apply cologne when testing. The chest is a convenient place to apply cologne, and it is also where the perfume is thought to project the most. This is because the chest has the right amount of warmth, and is located at the right distance from your nose. The chest is far away enough from the nose to keep the olfactory oscillations in place, and close enough so that the intensity of the smell is appropriate. The chest is also a good place to apply cologne as it is a pulse point, and the scent will project towards the person you are interacting with.

When applying cologne to the chest, hold the bottle 3-6 inches from your body. Any closer than 3 inches and you risk over-applying, and any further than 6 inches and you will likely under-apply. Apply the cologne to the sides of your chest, and never rub it in as this can destroy the scent molecules and ruin the performance of your cologne.

The chest is a good place to apply cologne if you want to be perceived as hygienic and attractive, especially on a date. The chest is also a good choice if you want to avoid an overwhelming scent, as the shirt will hold back some of the sillage.

Frequently asked questions