How to apply cologne
While it’s actually quite simple to apply a cologne correctly, there are best practices worth considering. Generally speaking, all you’ll need is three to four spritzes (sprayed a few inches from your body) to smell great without being overpowering. We’d recommend spraying on your pulse points: the wrists, the neck, behind the ears and near the temples. However inclined you might feel, try not to apply it on your clothing or jewellery to avoid any damage or staining to precious fabrics.
How to make cologne last longer
To make cologne last longer, it’s best to spray it on oily skin—meaning, consider applying your cologne after showering and moisturising with a body lotion (or body oil). Do not rub it in and let it dry down. If you’re into reapplying, keep a travel-size vial in your bag or opt for a fragrance oil of your favourite scent.
How to choose a men’s cologne
As I began my hunt, I found that the market is overflowing with simply far too many options: From fruity, sweet top notes to woody or musky base notes, there are a million different combinations and possibilities. How am I to know what suits me best? Still, I went into the quest with an open mind, considering everything from light and fresh to heavy and musky and in the process, I managed to find a number of crowd favourites that can appeal to just about anybody’s tastes.
I sniffed some enduring classics, like Calvin Klein’s Eternity, which has been around since 1988 and some new favourites too, such as the Last Day of Summer from Gucci the Alchemist’s Garden (Gucci’s high perfumery line), which smells like what I can only describe as a warm summer hug. The latter ended up being my new spring pick with Maison Margiela Replica’s Jazz Club as runner-up.
No matter what your sensory preferences are though, just remember that there is no such thing as the best colognes for men. Some simply won’t match your personality and what you like could also depend on the season, vibe and mood you’re feeling that day. That’s part of the fun of experimenting with different fragrances; don’t be afraid to try something new.
In your exploration, don’t let the note classifications deter you. Generally speaking, top notes refer to smells on first whiff, middle notes are typically the heart of the fragrance and base notes are the aromas that tend to linger on the skin. Understanding this can, of course, inform your buy. Once you become more comfortable with scent profiles, you’ll be able to distinguish your men’s cologne preferences—whether you gravitate towards rich musks or something light and citrusy. This fall and winter, for example, you might appreciate cosier, spicy elixirs reminiscent of evenings spent by the fire or a warm embrace.
Are colognes and perfume for men the same thing?
Colognes and perfumes for men are both excellent choices for anyone in search of a new fragrance. The difference is, however, that colognes feature a lower amount of fragrance oil in their compositions: colognes are typically formulated with 2-4% fragrance oil, the perfume features around 20% and an eau de parfum around 15%. That said, while all of these will smell great, of course, a perfume for men or eau de parfum would last longer than a cologne.
What is the difference between eau de toilette, eau de parfum and cologne?
“The term eau de toilette came from the French term—faire sa toilette—which means getting ready,” says Linda Levy, president of The Fragrance Foundation. How long they last depends on the composition of the fragrance oil. Eau de parfums contain 15-20% fragrance oil, versus cologne, which uses 2-4%. “Eau de toilettes are much lighter than eau de parfums and have fragrance concentration between 5% and 15%.”
