Scents are powerful tools that help our brains form memories. We all have certain memories that are brought back by a certain smell. People that smell good are recalled more fondly and are also more attractive. This is enough to show how important smelling good is.
The main accessory people wear to help them smell good is a cologne. They’re the perfect accessory to be worn during the day. If you know how to pick the right one for you, your smell will become something like your signature. A good memory that will help people remember you.
Seeing how important colognes are, that got me worrying about how long should cologne last? Cologne should last 2-3 hours. They’re about 4% of perfume oil in alcohol and water. They will only not last this long if they’re of dubious quality or are expired. Otherwise, the cologne will last for 2-3 hours on your skin.
The point is that the cologne will last a nice period of time. Since it’s usually fresh and light, you’re supposed to wear it during the day and reapply it as the day progresses.
To last longer than this, the concentration of perfume would have to be heavier, which would make it not ideal for day-light use. So, if you’ve always wondered how to use cologne and the differences between perfume, cologne, eau de toilette, and etc., keep reading.
How To Make The Cologne Last Longer
There are a few tricks that will make the cologne last longer. The first one is to apply it right after you’ve showered. This is when your skin is the cleanest and the cologne will be able to attach better to your skin that is without other scents.
Another tip is to apply the cologne after you’ve moisturized. The moisturizer helps the cologne attaches itself to your skin scent. When your skin is hydrated, it absorbs the cologne better.
To finish with the tricks, apply the cologne in your skin instead of your clothes, and apply directly on your wrists and rub each other. This will help the smell to penetrate your skin better. This makes the cologne last longer because it will attach itself to your skin better.
Now, if you do apply these techniques together, your cologne will last longer immediately. When you think about it, these are easy tricks but, as you’ll see, make a lot of difference.
All you have to do is to apply it in the right moment and in the right places. You should also make sure that you’re wearing deodorant and that you use an aftershave balm. I recommend the Calvin Klein Obsession Aftershave Balm (link to Amazon)
When To Wear Cologne
You can wear cologne to every moment of your day during daylight. For events at night, it’s better to wear perfume. Now, the time of the day isn’t the only thing that matter. You should consider what is the occasion when you’re going to wear the cologne.
For instance, in outdoor events, you should consider fresh fragrances. For indoor events go with more sober and remarkable scents. The important thing is that you combine different elements that work with your personality.
Now, you should wear cologne to work. This is a perfect time to wear your cologne. Just be mindful and do not be that person who wears too much cologne an everyone can smell you a mile away. Spray just enough on your skin, especially when you’re in professional situations.
So, you should wear the cologne during the day and in various occasions. It can be at work or at an event. You can experiment with different fragrances that will match the place that you’re in. As long as you respect these rules, you’re good to. I recommend the Pheromones For Men Cologne (click to see pricing on Amazon)
Should You Reapply Cologne Throughout The Day
When you realize that the cologne will last 2-3 hours, you then wonder if you should reapply it. After all, you work for a longer period of time than that. So, if you’re wondering whether or not you can reapply the cologne, the answer is easy but not that easy.
Yes, you can reapply the cologne. Still, you have to be careful to not reapply too much. The thing is that even though the scent is gone, there’s residue over your skin. This means that you don’t need to reapply the same quantity of cologne that you did on the first time.
So, you can reapply after the 3 hours, but be careful to not exaggerate. Make sure to reapply it on your wrists again and rub them on each other afterward. This is the best way to make sure that you will smell good the whole day.
The point is that reapplying the cologne isn’t hard at all. You should just be mindful of how much you apply and when you apply it. This means that you should reapply it on your wrists and behind your ears, and you should do it every 3 hours.
Eau de Parfum Lasts 5 To 8 Hours
Now, if you want something stronger that will last longer, you should be considering a perfume. They last from 5 to 8 hours because the perfume oils are more concentrated than the cologne. This means that a perfume has more perfume oil in the alcohol and water formula than the cologne.
Still, you should be aware that perfumes are supposed to be worn at night. So, if you have a dinner date or a party at night, you should wear perfume. They have a stronger scent signature because they’re more concentrated. It makes your aroma more remarkable to people.
Obviously, you can wear perfume instead of cologne during the day if you want to, but it’s not recommended. The best you can do is to wear cologne during the day and perfume in the evenings. I recommend the 1 Million Prive By Paco Rabanne (link to Amazon)
Should You Apply Cologne On Your Clothes?
There are no rules against spraying cologne on your clothes, but it’s best if you don’t do it. The reason is simple. When you spray cologne on your skin, it mixes with the oils present on your skin and creates its own scent. Now, when you spray cologne on your clothes you miss the chance of creating your own signature.
Not only that but spraying cologne on your clothes is likely to create stains. This can ruin your favorite shirt with time. This is why the best thing that you can do is to apply the cologne directly on your skin.
So, make sure to favor skin over clothes when it comes to how you apply your cologne. This may also avoid bad smell since some fabrics respond badly to colognes and perfumes mixtures.
How To Wear Cologne
You may think that you know how to wear cologne, but you may not. It goes beyond simply spraying a little bit over your skin. To wear cologne properly, you have to know where to apply it, how to apply it, and what goes well with your personality.
First of all, as you know, you should wear cologne during the day. If you’re going to work or spend a day in the park, spray some on your skin and you’re good to go. Now, make sure to do it on your neck, behind your ears, and on your wrists. You may apply elsewhere, but these places should not be forgotten.
As you can see it is simple. All you have to do is to make sure that you also don’t overdo it. Spray only once over a certain area of your body, maybe twice. Definitely not more than that.
How To Choose The Best Cologne For You
There are as many scents as you can imagine, maybe even more. With so many options it’s hard to know what to pick for you. Still, there are a few ways to best choose a cologne for yourself.
The first thing that you should start with is with your taste. Smell the cologne and see if you like it. Now, give preference to fresh and light tones. Citric scents are best for the summer and days that you’re doing something outdoors.
If you want to go to work or something that requires a level of formality, choose a cologne that has sober notes. These are the ones with stronger smells without getting too much attention. If you take this into consideration, you’ll find the perfect cologne for you.
Related Questions
Does Cologne Last Longer On Skin Or Clothes?
Cologne lasts longer on your clothes because the skin absorbs it with time. The oils of the cologne mix with the ones on your skin and they eventually evaporate. Still, you should wear the cologne on your skin and not on your clothes. Colognes will stain the fabric and with time create unpleasant smells. With your skin, it will last for as long as it’s supposed to and will create a smell that is unique to you.
Does Cologne Expire?
Cologne doesn’t get spoiled like food, but it does expire. They usually last for 3-5 years, if they’re properly stored. This means in a warm, fresh, clean place. If the cologne has expired it may cause skin irritation, bad smell, or simply not work at all.