Looking to make the most of your cologne? There are several do’s and don’ts to be mindful of.
• Hydrate your skin: Ensuring your skin is well-hydrated pre-spritzing can make all the difference in the longevity of your cologne application. Moisturizing your skin prior to applying your cologne gives the fragrance something to stick on and absorb into—unlike applying it to dry skin, which can cause it to be prone to evaporate quicker.
• Apply after a shower: It’s best to apply your cologne immediately following a shower for the same reason you apply it to moisturized skin. After coming out of the shower, your pores are open and your skin is damp, making it better able to absorb the cologne and deliver a long-lasting scent.
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• Apply to pulse points: The old advice of spraying your cologne onto your wrists to make it last longer is dead-on. This is because your wrist is a pulse point and is where your veins are closest to the skin’s surface. This creates a warmer environment for the scent to stick to, which ultimately helps it last longer.
• Avoid rubbing wrists together: Rubbing your wrists together after application can break down the fragrance, making it escape from your skin sooner and ultimately counteracting what you’re trying to accomplish.
• Don’t over-apply: Whatever you do, resist the urge to over-apply your cologne. While you may think spraying on half the bottle will make the scent last longer, colognes are meant to be sprayed one to two times (especially if you’re not using the eau de toilette variety). Also, many formulas are designed to distribute different notes as they sit on your skin throughout the day, and over-applying can hinder this natural process.
Does cologne go on skin or clothes?
Some people prefer misting their cologne into the air and walking through it. That’s fine; however, others make the prime mistake of spraying it directly onto their clothes. This is a faux pas because colognes are meant to mix with the natural oils of your skin, not the fabric of your clothes. While application to your clothes may make your shirt or jacket smell good, it doesn’t allow the cologne to actually hit your skin. This can hinder its longevity and can create nasty stains on your garments.
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Does Vaseline help cologne last longer?
If you’re looking to extend the life of your cologne, applying Vaseline to your pulse points (your wrists and neck) before spritzing on your product can be effective. Like moisturizing your skin pre-application (and applying cologne onto damp skin right after a shower), Vaseline creates a sticky surface for the cologne to stick to and allows the formula to last longer than it would have if it were applied straight onto dry skin. Some other areas you can apply Vaseline to for a long-lasting effect are your knees, inner elbows, and neck.
How long does a bottle of cologne last?
The standard shelf life of a bottle of cologne varies, but it’s typically three to five years. Still, you should always check the label of your product to confirm. Because fragrance isn’t like food in the sense of having an expiration date, in some cases it may be appropriate to continue using it past the five-year mark. Formulas with heavier base notes tend to be longer-lasting, while oil-based fragrances as well as those with citrus notes tend to have a shorter shelf life. In either case, if your product smells sour, appears oxidized, or boasts an acidic or metallic scent, this may be a sign that too much oxygen entered your bottle and it may be time to toss it.
Does cologne cover body odor?
Fragrances are unique in that, as they linger, they mix with your body’s natural chemistry to create a distinct scent that’s unique to you. This is why the way a cologne smells on one person may be completely different from how the same formula smells on you. When it comes to body odor, cologne definitely isn’t a replacement for deodorant. That being said, one school of thought is that cologne can actually complement body odor. Some studies have even shown that the chemistry between cologne and your natural odor is linked to attracting potential sexual partners. Do your research and search out the best colognes for men.
Is it okay to put cologne under your armpits?
While cologne should be applied directly to the skin to increase its longevity and wear time, applying it directly onto your armpits can be a source of irritation—especially if you have sensitive skin, to begin with. Some argue that doing so can have an effect on melanin production in this area—in other words, it can lead to the darkening of armpits—though there’s little science to back this claim up.
That being said, if you’re concerned with sweaty armpits and don’t have deodorant on hand, you may be able to get away with doing a spritz or two on your underarm area while wearing a shirt.
How should I store my cologne?
Don’t ignore the “store in a cool, dry place” on the bottle of your colognes—they’re written on there for a good reason. Many people store their fragrances in their bathroom, but because your bathroom tends to be a warm, moist environment, it’s not the best choice of storage when it comes to your fragrance.
Your cologne is best stored in its original box, standing upright, and in a cool environment such as your nightstand, inside your closet, or tucked inside your dresser drawer. Also, avoid putting your fragrance in the refrigerator—while this may prove to be beneficial for your hydrogel sheet mask, your fridge can oxidize the cologne or degrade the formula.