Hey there Mr. too much or too little cologne?
Hey there Mr. too much or too little cologne?
Men’s Guide to Cologne
The cologne you’re wearing and how you wear it says a lot about who you are. Applying too much can definitely be a huge turn off for girls and even at a job interview.
Up your cologne game with just few tips and some dos and don’ts.
What is the difference between perfumes, colognes and all other types of fragrance? How and when should I apply cologne for the best effect and longevity? Knowing the answers to these questions will help you with choosing the correct fragrance for an event, where, how and when to use it.
Colognes, Perfumes & All the Others
As a start we first need to understand the different types of fragrances. Knowing the differences will help you with picking the right fragrance for your needs or for a specific event. These types mainly differ by the concentration of oils and alcohol in the fragrance. The amount of oils and alcohol is what determines how strong the scent will be, and how long it will last. And no, the title has nothing to do with who’s it’s for. Perfume is not meant for women only, and colognes are not for men. (Although this is usually the terminology).
Perfume
Perfume is the most concentrated fragrance. It is it has 20%-30% perfume oils and has very little water or alcohol added to it. Perfumes usually have a bit of an oily mixture, they can last for up to 24 hours when applied. That’s a lot, and this what makes them the most expensive fragrance of all.
Eau de Parfum
This fragrance is weaker than a Perfume and can be used daily. It usually contains about 15-20% oils and around 80% alcohol. It usually lasts for about 5-8 hours.
Eau de Toilette
Contains about 5-15% oils dissolved with alcohol. It usually lasts for about 2-3 hours. It’s used to keep the skin fresh during the day.
Eau de Cologne
Usually used as a term for men’s fragrances. It’s a perfume that originated from Cologne, Germany. It Contains about 2-6% perfume oils dissolved with alcohol. Eau de Cologne usually contains a mixture of citrus oils such as lemon, orange, tangerine and more. It lasts for about 2 hours.
Eau Fraiche
Translation from French: “fresh water”. The lightest fragrance of all. Contains about 1-3% perfume oils. Unlike Eau de Cologne, Eau de Toilette and Eau de Perfume Eau Fraiche doesn’t contain alcohol, it’s mixed with purified water.
It lasts for about 1-2 hours.
How to Correctly Apply Cologne
When applying cologne there are several things to consider, your skin type, how much to apply, when to apply and where.
When Is the Best Time to Apply Cologne?
The best time to apply cologne is after a good hot shower. After a shower your pores are open and will absorb the cologne better. This way the scent will last longer on your body. Make sure your skin is properly dried before applying.
Avoid applying cologne when your skin is sweaty or you’re not clean it will only make things worse.
Where to Apply Cologne?
Cologne should be applied directly on the skin. Fragrances are designed to work with your natural skin oils. Don’t spray your cologne on your clothes, this is because fragrances work best with the natural skin oil. Your cologne might interact poorly with your clothes scent. It can also stain your clothes, so it’s better just to apply on the skin.
You should apply the cologne on your pulse points. These are areas that produce heat, the heat helps intensify a fragrance and will actually amplify the scent. These points include:
• Neck
• Inner elbows
• Wrists
• Chest
How Much Cologne to Apply?
You don’t want other people to be overwhelmed by your fragrance. There’s a saying about fragrances that goes like this: “Fragrance should be discovered not announced”.
If you’re new to wearing fragrance you should start light, with a single spray on a single point. As time goes by and you get more comfortable with wearing fragrance, you can use more.
Colognes in general will last longer and be stronger on someone with an oily skin, dry skin may cause the scent to evaporate faster. So if you have a dry skin consider adding a bit more cologne. If you keep your skin hydrated, you will maximize the scent’s lifespan. (You can use a skin moisturizer or a lotion for that)
The weather also affects the scent. Warmer temperatures require less cologne. So if it’s a hot or humid day you can use a bit less than what you’re used to.
Tips & Hacks on How to Apply Cologne
Here’s some tips & tricks that will help you with applying cologne correctly and avoid mistakes.
• Don’t rub the fragrance on your skin (for example, between your wrists). When doing that you’re actually breaking the molecular bonds in the fragrance which makes the scent weaker.
• No need to spray a cloud of cologne and walk into it.
• Don’t splash, use your finger and apply to the pulse points as I explained above.
• Spray from a distance, 3-5 inches.
• Don’t shake the bottle before applying.
Storing Your Cologne Correctly for a Long Shelf Life
So, you’ve bought the perfect cologne, you’ve spent time and money on it. If you want your cologne to live long and provide good quality scent you must store it in the right place.
Usually most people end up putting their cologne in the bathroom or just on the shelf.
Colognes like cool and dark places. Repeated exposure to light will degrade the scent very quick. You should also avoid storing your cologne in places with extreme temperature changes, such as the bathroom or your car.
Try to keep your cologne in its original package and store it in your bedroom or the office.
Jason Hall
Jason blogs at Wisebeards.com about everything manly – With a strong passion for men’s grooming and self-improvement of all kinds
Guest Writer