The Best Places To Spray Men's Cologne In A Small Room

Knowing where to spray cologne can be tricky, especially in a small room. The key is to apply sparingly and target the pulse points, which are the areas of your body that produce a lot of body heat. The heat will help the fragrance to continue to smell good all day long. The best spots to spray cologne on the body are the neck, wrists, chest, forearms, and inner elbows. It's also important to hold the bottle 3-6 inches from your body when spraying to avoid over-application.

The best spots to spray cologne

Applying cologne is an art form. Done right, it can make you feel more attractive and confident. Done wrong, and you risk becoming "that guy" who wears too much cologne. Here are some tips on how to apply cologne correctly and the best spots to spray for a subtle, yet lasting fragrance.

How Much to Apply

The key to applying cologne is to use it sparingly. You should only need one or two sprays to create a subtle signature scent. If you can no longer smell your cologne, that doesn't mean that others can't. Over-application can be off-putting and overwhelming for those around you.

Where to Spray

The best spots to apply cologne are the pulse points on your body. These are areas that emit heat, helping the fragrance to diffuse throughout the day and allowing it to meld with your body chemistry. The pulse points include:

• Neck
• Wrists
• Behind the ears
• Inside of elbows
• Chest

You can also apply cologne to your forearms or the back of your neck, which will leave a faint trail when you're moving.

Other Tips

• Always apply cologne to clean skin, preferably straight after a shower when your pores are open.
• Hold the bottle 3-6 inches away from your body when spraying.
• Avoid rubbing the cologne into your skin as this can break down the fragrance and make the scent fade faster.
• Avoid spraying cologne on your clothes as it can damage certain fabrics and prevent the scent from developing properly.
• If you need to reapply cologne, dab a small amount on your pulse points.

How to avoid overdoing it

When applying cologne, it's easy to go overboard. Heavily applied colognes can lead to coughing, trouble breathing, headaches, or nausea. Here are some tips to avoid overdoing it:

Understand the Fragrance Strength

Colognes come in different strengths and concentrations, which affect their longevity. Terms like "parfum" and "eau de toilette" imply different levels of concentration. Understanding the strength of your cologne will help you know how much to apply. For example, an eau de toilette may benefit from an extra spritz, while a parfum may not need as much.

Test the Fragrance

Spray the cologne on the back of your hand twice and test it over a couple of hours. This will help you understand how your cologne performs and how much you need to apply at the beginning of the day.

Understand the Fragrance Sillage

Sillage refers to the trail of fragrance left by the wearer when they walk by. To test your cologne's sillage, find an empty room, spray twice, and leave. Check back every few minutes to gauge the strength. If you can still smell the fragrance after 10 minutes, it's probably quite strong.

Prepare Your Skin

Cologne works best on clean skin. Take a shower before applying cologne to remove any foreign odours and open your pores. Make sure to moisturize before applying cologne to ensure the skin doesn't absorb it too quickly. Opt for a scentless moisturizer to avoid clashing with the cologne.

Apply to the Right Areas

Apply cologne to pulse points, which are areas of your body with veins and arteries close to the surface that produce heat. These include the neck, wrists, and behind the ears. The heat helps diffuse the scent throughout the day. Start with one area and one spray, and build from there if needed.

Hold the Bottle 3-6 Inches Away

Holding the spray bottle 3-6 inches from your body will ensure you don't over or under-apply the cologne.

Ask for a Second Opinion

It's hard to judge how you smell yourself. Ask a friend or partner if your cologne is too strong or too faint.

The importance of pulse points

Pulse points are the places on your body where you can feel a pulse, as the artery is close to the surface of your body. These spots are warmer due to the proximity of the artery, and this warmth helps to diffuse the fragrance, making it more effective and long-lasting.

There are nine pulse points on the body, including the inner wrist, two points on the neck, the temples of the head, and the foot. When applying cologne, it is recommended to target two or more of these pulse points.

The best pulse points to apply cologne to for everyday use are the neck, inner wrist, and chest. This combination provides a subtle scent that is suitable for the office or a day out. For a night out or a date, you may also want to apply cologne to the area behind the ear, as this adds a subtle boost to the overall strength of the scent and gives people a pleasant whiff when they get close to your face.

It is important to start small when applying cologne to multiple pulse points and to ask a trusted friend for feedback on the intensity of the scent. Less is more when it comes to cologne, and you can always add more if needed.

In addition to the common pulse points mentioned above, some uncommon pulse points for cologne application include the inside of the elbow, the back of the knee, and the top of the foot. These spots can be considered when going to the beach, wearing shorts, or spending time outdoors, as there is more room for the scent to travel.

How to apply cologne to your hair

Although it is not recommended to spray cologne on your hair, there are ways to do it without damaging your hair. Firstly, it is important to note that cologne is not designed to be sprayed on hair, as the alcohol in most colognes can dry and damage hair.

If you want to spray cologne on your hair, it is best to use an alcohol-free formula. Hold the bottle at least 8 inches (20 cm) from your head and lightly mist your hair. Alternatively, you can spritz a small amount of cologne on your hairbrush and then comb it through your hair.

Other Ways to Scent Your Hair

• Scented styling products: Hairspray, gel, mousse, pomade, and other styling products are often scented and can be used to give your hair a pleasant fragrance.
• Dry shampoo: Washing your hair every day can dry it out, but dry shampoo can be a lifesaver on those days when you don't have time to shower. It will absorb excess oil from your roots and leave your hair smelling fresh.
• Hair oils: Hair oils can help moisturize, boost shine, and add antioxidants to your hair. Many natural oils also have a pleasant scent, so they can be used to perfume your hair.
• Essential oil spray: You can create your own natural hair perfume by adding 5 drops of your favourite essential oil to 2 cups of water and 2 tablespoons of melted coconut oil in a glass spray bottle.
• Floral water: Floral waters, or hydrolates, are made by distilling plants to extract their natural oils, resulting in a light but concentrated fragrance. You can mist a floral water over your hair whenever you want to add a scent.

How to store cologne

To keep your cologne in good condition, it's important to store it correctly. Here are some tips to help you store your cologne and make it last longer:

• Keep the bottle sealed: Oxygen is perfume's worst enemy. Always keep the cap on the bottle when not in use. Oxygen exposure can ruin the mixture's balance and catalyse its evaporation.
• Store in a cool, dry place: Keep your cologne in a dark, dry place, away from direct sunlight and heat sources. Sunlight and heat can damage the perfume and its bottle. A closet or drawer is a good option. The kitchen and bathroom are not suitable due to temperature changes and humidity.
• Maintain a constant temperature: Avoid placing your cologne in areas with extreme temperature fluctuations. Instead, opt for a spot with a consistent temperature, ideally around 60 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Store in the original box: The original box provides extra protection from light and temperature changes. It's also helpful to keep the bottle safe from potential damage.
• Use travel containers: When travelling, transfer your cologne to a smaller container to reduce the risk of losing the entire bottle.
• Avoid shaking the bottle: Shaking the bottle introduces unwanted oxidation and can break delicate chemical bonds in the fragrance.
• Refrigerate: You can store your cologne in the refrigerator, especially if you live in a hot and humid climate. The stable temperature will help preserve your cologne. However, avoid placing it in the freezer as extreme cold can damage the chemical balance.
• Check for discoloration: Discoloration may indicate that your cologne has started to degrade. Natural fragrances tend to darken over time without affecting the scent, but synthetic fragrances should not discolour.
• Store in an airtight container: For extra protection, place the original box in an airtight bag or container to minimise oxidation and protect your cologne from harmful rays.
• Avoid excessive use of applicators: Reusable applicators can introduce bacteria and oils into the bottle, damaging the fragrance. It's best to use disposable applicators or opt for spraying directly onto the skin.
• Avoid spraying on clothes: Fragrance oils are designed for the skin. Spraying on clothes can affect the evaporation process and may cause stains or discolouration.

Frequently asked questions