Finding Your Cologne Soulmate: A Guide To Scents And Dates

Cologne is a powerful tool that can make a strong first impression. It can be the difference between a pleasant interaction and a quick escape. Cologne boosts confidence and helps set the tone for a successful day. However, it is easy to go wrong with cologne. Common mistakes include picking the wrong scent for your body, over-applying, under-applying, and misapplying. Cologne ingredients interact with your unique body oils, so the same cologne will smell different on different men. It is important to test out scents directly on your skin and see how they interact with your body chemistry over time. To apply cologne, keep it simple and start with just one spray on your chest right after you get out of the shower. If the cologne isn't too overpowering, you can also spray it on your wrists or the side of your neck, as these are pulse points that will warm up the fragrance. Always spray cologne directly on your skin, not your clothes.

How to find the manufacturing date of your cologne

Knowing the manufacturing date of your cologne can be helpful in determining its age, especially if you're curious about how long it's been since it was produced. Here are some detailed instructions to help you find the manufacturing date:

Understanding Batch Codes

The manufacturing date of your cologne can often be determined by locating the batch code on the product. Batch codes are usually a short set of numbers and/or letters that can be found on the bottom, back, or sometimes the side of the box or bottle. These codes refer to the date of manufacture and can be decoded using online tools.

Websites like CheckFresh.com, CheckCosmetic.net, and CheckTire.com allow you to input the brand and batch code to reveal the production date. However, it's important to note that not all brands are available on these sites, and some codes may not be recognised, especially for older perfumes.

Identifying Other Dating Clues

In addition to batch codes, there are other clues that can help determine the age of your cologne:

• Labels and Boxes– The style of the box or label can provide a clue to its age. For example, Art Nouveau styles were popular from 1900 to 1920, Art Deco from the mid-1920s to the 1940s, and psychedelic designs from the late 1960s to early 1970s. However, this method may not always be accurate.
• Patent Numbers and Design Registry Numbers– Perfume bottles, especially those from the 1930s and 1940s, may have patent numbers on their base. These can be searched on US patent webpages. English Registry Design numbers may also be found on bottles from the United Kingdom.
• Embossed or Labelled "Made in Occupied Japan"– Cologne bottles with this marking were manufactured between September 1945 and April 1952.
• Enameled Lettering (Serigraphy)– This type of lettering was commonly used on glass bottles after the 1930s and became a regular feature in the 1940s. It is fragile and can be easily lost during cleaning.
• Matching Etched Numbers– Older glass bottles may have matching etched numbers on the base of the bottle and the bottom of the stopper. This was done to match the right stopper with the correct bottle.
• Lot Numbers, Bottle Shape Numbers, or Patent Numbers– Older bottles from the 1930s to 1940s may have these markings embossed directly into the glass base.
• Colored Numbers– Starting in the 1970s, cosmetic companies began stamping coloured numbers on the bottom of their products, usually consisting of four digits indicating the year and month of creation.
• Barcode Presence– If your cologne box has a barcode, it likely dates to after 1989. The presence of a Green Dot recycling symbol indicates a manufacturing date of 1992 or later.
• Warning Labels– Warning labels that read "Warning–Use only as directed. Intentional misuse by deliberately concentrating and inhaling the contents can be harmful or fatal" indicate a manufacturing date of 1975 or later.
• Hypoallergenic Labeling– Any cosmetic, perfume, or lotion labelled "hypoallergenic" dates to after 1975.
• Use of the Word "Dram"– The word "dram" to denote contents was commonly used in the 1930s and 1940s and refers to approximately 5 ml or 1/8 oz.
• Clear Labels Indicating Contents– These labels, usually found on the front, back, or base of the bottle, indicate a manufacturing date of the 1950s or earlier.
• Labels with SDA (Specially Denatured Alcohol)– The presence of this label dates the bottle to the 1940s or 1950s.
• Alcohol Percentage with a Degree Symbol– The presence of a number with a degree symbol indicates the alcohol percentage of the perfume or cologne. This labelling practice dates the bottle to after the 1950s.
• Zip Codes– The presence of a Zip Code on the label indicates a manufacturing date of 1962 or later. Before 1937, no Zip Codes were used, and from 1937 to 1962, two code numbers were used.
• Acid Stamps for Baccarat, Lalique, Cristal Nancy, or Cristal Romesnil– These markings on the base of the bottle can add value and help date the piece. Cristal Nancy closed in 1934, while Baccarat bottles were systematically engraved from 1936 onwards. Older Baccarat bottles may have acid-etched markings, stamps, or round paper labels, while some may have no distinguishing marks.
• Signatures on Lalique Perfumes– Lalique perfumes were signed, and the style of the signature can help date the bottle. Older bottles are marked "R. Lalique" in block lettering until 1945. After this date, bottles are simply marked "Lalique France."
• Entwined HP Mark– This mark on the base of the bottle indicates it was made by the glass factory of Pochet et du Courval in France after 1930.
• S or SGD Mark– This marking indicates the bottle was manufactured by the Saint Gobain Desjonqueres glass factory of France after the 1950s, when the factory was rebuilt with modern, fully-automatic machinery.
• Brosse of France Mark– This mark indicates the bottle was made after the 1920s, when the factory installed semi-automatic bottle-making machines. In 1963, they switched from hand-ground stoppers to precision machine grinding.
• Gaillard, J. Viard,

What to look for on the bottle

When trying to find the date of your cologne, there are several things to look out for on the bottle. Firstly, look for a batch code, which is usually a short set of numbers and letters. This can be found on the bottom or back of the bottle or box. You can then use a website such as Checkfresh.com to find out the manufacture date of the cologne.

Another thing to look out for is the Period-after-opening symbol or PAO, which is a graphic symbol that looks like an open cosmetics pot with a written number of months or years inside it. This symbol has been used since 2005 and identifies the lifetime of a cosmetic product after it has been opened for the first time.

Additionally, you can look for a patent number on the base of the bottle. Patent dates were frequent in the 1930s and 1940s, and you can look up the number on US patent webpages online. English Registry Design numbers can also be found on perfume bottles from the United Kingdom, and these numbers can also be searched online.

Older bottles may also have lot numbers, bottle shape numbers, or patent numbers embossed into the glass base. From the 1930s to the 1940s, older bottles stamped their name and origin somewhere on the bottle. From the 1970s onwards, many bottles had their batch codes engraved into the glass.

Finally, the style of the box or label can also help determine the age of the cologne. For example, Art Nouveau-style boxes or labels generally date back to 1900-1920, while Art Deco styles were used in the mid-1920s, with some styles continuing into the 1940s. Psychedelic-style boxes or labels indicate the cologne is from the late 1960s to early 1970s. However, this method is not always accurate.

What to look for on the box

When it comes to finding the date of manufacture of your cologne, the box it comes in can be a great source of information. Here's what to look for:

Batch Codes

Batch codes are a common way to determine the production date of cologne and other cosmetic products. These are typically found on the bottom of the cologne box or bottle and consist of a short set of numbers and/or letters. You can use websites like CheckFresh.com or CheckCosmetic.net to decipher the batch code and find out the manufacturing date. Keep in mind that not all brands are covered by these websites, and some brands repeat their batch codes every ten years.

Period After Opening (PAO)

The PAO symbol on the box or bottle indicates how long the product can be used after opening. It is depicted as an open cosmetics pot with a written number of months or years. For example, "6M" would mean the product is intended to be used for six months after opening.

EAN Barcode

If your cologne box has an EAN barcode, it dates to 1989 or later.

Green Dot Symbol

The Green Dot recycling symbol started appearing on boxes in 1992.

E-Sign

The e-sign, also known as the estimated sign, indicates that the packaging is filled according to the European Union Directive. If you see this next to the volume on the box or label, it was made after 1976.

Ingredients List

From 1998 to 2003, cosmetic products would list a short list of ingredients on the back of the box. Prior to this, boxes might only list water, alcohol, and fragrance as ingredients. By 2004, a long and detailed ingredients list became standard.

Warning Labels

If your cologne box has a warning label such as "Warning—Use only as directed. Intentional misuse by deliberately concentrating and inhaling the contents can be harmful or fatal," it dates to 1975 or later, as this warning was approved by the FDA in that year.

"Hypoallergenic" Label

Any cosmetic product labelled as "hypoallergenic" dates to after 1975, when the FDA allowed this term to be used.

Zip Code

The presence of a Zip Code on the label denotes that the cologne is from 1962 or later. Zip Codes were first introduced in 1962, while earlier, from 1937 to 1962, two code numbers were used on mail and labels.

Style of Box or Label

The style of the box or label can also provide a rough estimate of the age of the cologne. Art Nouveau-style boxes or labels are generally from the 1900s to 1920s, while Art Deco styles were popular in the mid-1920s to 1940s. Psychedelic styles were common in the late 1960s to early 1970s. However, this method is not always foolproof.

How to identify the type of glass used

To identify the type of glass used in a cologne bottle, you can refer to the batch code on the bottom or back of the bottle. This will give you the date of manufacture, which can be checked on sites like checkfresh.com. Once you have the manufacturing date, you can refer to the United States Pharmacopeia (USP) guidelines, which classify glass types according to chemical durability.

Type I glass, or borosilicate glass, is highly durable and resistant to thermal shock. It is often used for chemical laboratory equipment. Type II glass is Type III glass that has been surface-treated to improve hydrolytic stability. Type III glass, or soda-lime glass, is the most common type for bottles. It is chemically stable, inexpensive, and ideal for recycling. It is used for beverages, foods, and pharmaceuticals.

Other types of glass can be identified by their colour. For example, amber glass is created by adding iron oxide and is used for light-sensitive products. Blue glass is created by adding cobalt oxide during production, and green glass is made by adding oxidised iron chromate, resulting in an emerald shade. Clear glass bottles are produced with no colour additives for maximum clarity.

Additionally, you can identify the type of glass by its intended use. For example, borosilicate glass is often used for lab equipment, cookware, and glassware due to its resistance to temperature changes. Soda-lime glass is typically used for drinking glasses, tableware, bottles, jars, and windowpanes. Lead glass is a softer glass used for decorative items like figurines and some drinking glasses.

How to identify the type of stopper used

To identify the type of stopper used in a perfume bottle, it is important to first inspect how well the stopper fits into the bottle. A good indicator of the bottle's value and time frame is how snugly the stopper fits into the bottle. If the stopper moves around, wobbles, or sits crookedly, it is likely a mismatch.

There are three main types of stoppers:

• Ground-glass or -crystal stopper: This type of stopper was commonly used by all brands until the mid-1940s to 1950s. Each stopper was made to fit a specific bottle, so they are not interchangeable. Often, a number will be etched on the bottom of a crystal bottle, and the same number will appear on the stopper.
• Ground-glass stopper with a plastic band: This type of stopper was introduced in the 1950s and allowed for less precise grinding as the plastic ring held the stopper in place.
• Plastic plug stopper: This type of stopper completely removes the grinding step and aesthetically diminishes the beauty and value of the bottle.

A ground stopper generally indicates an older and more valuable bottle. It is worth noting that some perfume houses etched a number on the crystal version and left the glass version unetched, even though both stoppers are ground. Therefore, it is important to inspect the stopper carefully and, if possible, compare it to photos of the correct stopper for that particular bottle.

Frequently asked questions