Fragrances have the capacity to evoke emotions and memories. In science, this effect is called a ‘Proust’ phenomenon, which refers to when smell triggers your remembrance of a past event. This is why wearing scents is essential especially during momentous occasions in your life. If you want to prolong a memory, it’s important that you learn how to apply Cologne correctly.

Application Techniques

You might already be applying cologne on your neck and wrist, but have you ever stopped to wonder why? Part of knowing how to apply cologne is learning where to apply it.

Where to Apply

Men’s cologne is often applied at pulse points as the heat in those areas helps to radiate scent slowly and efficiently. Heat points also allow the fragrance to meld with your natural body chemistry for a scent that’s unique to you. Aside from the neck and wrist, other heat points include the chest, inner elbow, forearm, shoulders, and the back of the ear.

How to Apply

Once you hop out of the shower, towel dry your body and spray cologne directly on the skin. Applying to clean skin is important as you want to be rid of other oils and scents that can mix with the fragrance. It also opens up your pores so the scent can absorb better. 

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Hold the bottle three to six inches away and spray so the cologne gets properly dispersed. Make sure that the spray dispenser works properly so you get an even application rather than a random blotch.

How Much to Apply

Overapplying is worse than underapplying so only select one or two heat points max to work on. If you’re using an EDP or a parfum, a small dab on each area may be enough.

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For Eau Fraiche, EDTs, and EDCs, you may need around two to four sprays to get a nice scent going. Start with a light application and build up according to your preference. For lightly scented fragrances, consider transferring a tiny amount of fragrance into an atomizer so you can reapply throughout the day when the scent wears off. 

Common Mistakes

This is common practice but applying cologne as the last step in your morning routine is the worst way to do it. This is because you’ll end up spraying it over your clothes, when you really want it to be sprayed directly on your skin as mentioned. For the same reason, don’t spray into the air and walk through the cologne as it’s a waste of product.

If you’re using a fragrance with a stopper bottle, don’t splash the cologne directly onto your skin. Instead, use an applicator if one is included, or place one finger over the opening and tip the bottle upside down. This should give you just the right amount on your fingers which you can then dab lightly on your heat point or points of choice.

Take note: dabbing is key. Rubbing men’s cologne is a big no no as it breaks down the head notes of the scent and makes it fade faster. 

Finding the Right Product

A big part of knowing how to apply cologne properly is using the right product. Fragrance is a generic term encompassing scents and all fragrances are basically just a mixture of a perfume or essential oil, solvents, and other ingredients.

You can categorize fragrance into subgroups based on the percentage of perfume oil in a product. The larger the concentration of Perfume Oil, the richer and longer-lasting the scent is. Often, the most concentrated blends are also the most expensive.

Eau Fraiche

Eau Fraiche are often the cheapest fragrances you can find. They contain only about 1 to 3% perfume oil, and usually last less than an hour on the skin.

Eau de Cologne (EDC)

You’d often find men’s cologne readily available in drugstores or groceries. EDCs are often marketed to younger customers and contain around 2 to 4% perfume oil. The scent lasts  around two hours.

Eau de Toilette (EDT)

Still considered a lightly scented fragrance, Eau de Toilettes contain 5 to 15% of essential oil and lasts for around three to five hours. They’re also referred to as ‘toilet water’ or ‘aromatic water’. 

Eau de Parfum (EDP)

Many luxury brands offer their signature scents in a Eau de Parfum format. EDPs contain around 15 to 20% perfume oil, and the scent can last up to eight hours on the skin.

Unlike EDCs and EDTs which you’ll find in spray bottles, Eau de Parfum can be packaged in either spray or stopper bottles. Stopper bottles help you control the amount to use since you’ll need a significantly smaller dose with an EDP.

Perfume or Parfum

Perfume or parfum boasts the highest concentration. They can contain 20 to 30% of perfume oil and tend to last to an all-day wear. You’ll often find them in stopper bottles as they are too strong and expensive to spray all over.

Although Eau de Cologne is listed as a category, the term cologne is generic in the English language and can be used interchangeably with fragrance.

If the French naming category is not listed on the bottle, you’ll likely see the percentage concentration of perfume oils instead. This should guide you on how to shop for men’s cologne and in what to expect in terms of strength and longevity.

Making cologne last

Now that you’ve learned how to apply cologne properly, keep in mind that proper storage also helps you maximize your bottle from the first to the last drop. Men’s cologne should be stored in a cool, dry place. Direct sunlight or fluctuating temperatures can evaporate certain oils or alcohols in the fragrance which can alter the scent of the product.

While we do suggest owning a few colognes for different occasions, note that fragrances have an expiration date. Colognes have an average shelf life of around three to five years so make sure to consume them before they go bad. 

Wearing cologne has the capacity to uplift your mood. During special occasions, using a special fragrance can help you relive those moments later on through olfactory memory. A signature scent will also elevate your style so you can leave a nice first impression. Once you master the art of how to apply cologne, you’ll gain the power of using scent to your advantage.