The Step-By-Step Guide on How to Use Cologne Like a Man

Using cologne is an invisible part of your unique style, and it has a powerful effect on how people will engage and remember you. Yet, why do 80% of men refuse to wear fragrance regularly? Maybe you lack the knowledge on how to use cologne and how much cologne to use.

There is so much more that you need to know on scents and how to pick the right one for you. You should also be careful about where to apply and where to store your colognes.

Don’t fret, we’re going to help. Here is some additional information about fragrances, how to use cologne, testing, and how to make it last.

Did You Pick the Right Perfume Type?

There are five types of perfume and they all have different fragrance concentrations. Perfumes with higher concentrations have more perfume oils and less alcohol.

First is the Parfum, which has the highest fragrance concentration. It contains 15% to 40% concentration and lasts the longest, usually six to eight hours. This type is suitable for those with sensitive skin.

Eau de Parfum has a concentration between 20% to 30%. It can last about four to five hours. This type is also great for sensitive skin and is the most suitable for everyday wear.

Eau de toilette has a concentration between 5% to 15% and it can last for two to three hours. This type is good for daywear.

Eau de Cologne has a concentration between 2% to 4% and it can last for one to two hours. It usually consists of light, fresh, and fruity scents.

Lastly, the Eau Fraiche is the most diluted version with a concentration between 1% to 3%. It can only last for an hour.

Know the Different Fragrance Notes

Perfume notes are the parts that make up a fragrance's scent. You can learn more about your preference when you know the different notes available. It's categorized into three: top, heart, and base.

Top notes or head notes are the top layers of a fragrance. It will be the first smell that you detect when you spray a bottle of perfume and it can linger around for five to fifteen minutes. Top notes contain citrus scents, like lemon and orange, as well as floral scents, like lavender and rose.

Heart notes or middle notes make up the majority of the total scent and it can last for twenty to sixty minutes. This layer usually has full-bodied, aromatic floral oils like jasmine and cinnamon.

Base notes are the foundation of a fragrance and it boosts the lighter notes, adding depth and resonance. It kicks in after thirty minutes and works together with heart notes to create the fragrance's scent. Popular base notes are vanilla, musk, moss and woody notes like sandalwood.

Why Should You Use Cologne?

19 out of 20 women love the smell of cologne on a man, but they tend to stay away from those who wear too much.

After all, the olfactory sense is the most important factor for women when choosing men.

A nice fragrance also adds to your impression of being a sharp and confident man.

Niche Cologne vs Designer Cologne

There are many brands out there that create excellent colognes, called designer colognes. Most focus on softer and safer scents that most people find pleasing.

Niche colognes are for those selective customers so they have more unique scents. It can cost more and have a bolder scent compared to designer colognes.

Test If Your Cologne Matches Your Chemistry

You should test if the cologne you have or plan to buy matches your skin chemistry. Try out the scent blotters that most stores lay out for you when choosing a cologne. Lessen your choices by taking a pick from all the scent blotters.

You can ask the store managers for a trial spray to check if it matches your skin chemistry. Try not to test more than four times or you'll confuse your sense of smell. Walk around the store or try something else outside for 30 minutes to see how the cologne works with your oils.

There is always a change in the smell that's developed when the cologne mixes with your skin. If you have one or two fragrances that you like, go back to the store and buy that cologne.

How Do You Use Solid Cologne? 

What and how to use solid cologne?

Solid colognes use natural wax, like shea butter, as a medium for its fragrance. They are easy to bring anywhere and it won't smash or leak its content in your bag.

However, solid colognes only lasts for 2 to 4 hours and most scents are unavailable in solid form. It can also be sticky and leave some residue on your skin. To use it, simply dab it onto your pulse points (explained below).

Where Do You Apply the Cologne?

There are areas on your body called pulse points that you should hit while applying cologne.

Those heated areas help spread the smell for the entire day. The cologne mixes with your odours and pheromones making a smell that's distinctly you.

The best places to put your cologne is on your neck, shoulders, chest, wrists, and inner elbows. Don't apply cologne on all the pulse points, only pick one or two to avoid over-applying. Although the crotch, armpits, and behind the knees are warm too, those areas are not ideal for cologne.

Note that fragrances cling to those with oily skin types longer than those with drier skin. If you have dry skin, apply a little extra cologne to soak up the scent.

How Much Cologne Should You Use?

Although cologne is light in fragrance, it can still have a heavy and long-lasting scent.

When you put too much, it can cause you and the people around you to have migraines and allergic reactions. Never use cologne as a substitute for soap and only apply one to two sprays or dabs.

If you're not sure about how much cologne to use, you can ask friends or family on their opinion of the scent and application to see if it's too much. Most persons become nose-blind to scents that they wear often.

Where Should You Store Your Cologne?

You can lower the life expectancy of your cologne if you store it in the wrong area. Place all your fragrances in a cool and dark place. Heat and humidity can change the aroma and affect the physical properties of the ingredients.

Make sure not to expose your fragrances to the air for too long or it may oxidize and create off-odours. Fragrances can last for years, and you have to constantly check if it still looks and smells great.

Tips on How to Use Cologne

Apply cologne after your shower. When you shower, it cleanses the body of other scents and opens your pores. Apply the cologne when your skin is dry as it helps absorb the scent and lasts longer on your body.

Spray the cologne 3-6 inches from your body. When applying with a spray bottle, it's best to put some distance or you may over-apply. If the bottle is over 6 inches, then you will most likely under-apply the cologne.

Always start with a light application. Only choose one area to spray and when the scent disappears, that's when you should re-apply.

Avoid spraying on your clothes. It prevents your cologne from mixing with your natural oils which gives it a unique quality. It can also damage the fabric of your clothes and makes the scent go flat.

Don't spray a mist cloud. Although it's a great way to avoid over-application, the scent won't stick to you. This is only useful to get a quick smell of it.

Don't rub the cologne onto your skin. When you rub it on your skin, it makes the notes fade quicker. Simply dab on your skin rather than rubbing.

Don't spill the cologne. When applying cologne from a regular bottle, use a finger and press it against the opening of the bottle while you tilt the bottle. Then, dab your finger onto your pulse points.

Make it last longer. When you moisturize your skin, it can hold the scent of the cologne longer. Use scent cream or body lotion that's unscented or ones that have the same scent as your cologne.

Use Vaseline. When you put vaseline on your pulse points, it extends the scent for one to two hours long.

Use Your Cologne Effectively

Now you know how to use cologne properly!

Was all this information helpful for you? Use it well and get yourself the right fragrance scent and type. Feel the confidence that comes from cologne and get out there to show off your style. 

Thank you for reading! Please do check out our men's fragrances available to smell good, feel good, and look good! Make sure to read our other blogs to get news, product reviews, and get informed on our new releases.