Using Cologne Without Going Overboard
Submitted by SharpMan Editorial Team on Monday 11th October 2010- How to apply cologne.
- How to avoid reeking.
- Picking your scent.
The goal: you want to smell good. The problem: no man should smell too good. How can SharpMen pick and apply cologne like a pro? Check out the following SharpGrooming tips:
How Strong Should You Smell? Despite what cologne manufacturers would like you to believe, the best cologne application is a subtle one. Think of cologne two ways: one, as insurance in case you reek; and two, as a special signature for those who come close to you. In both cases, you needn’t go overboard. Just think subtlety, and your message will be just as strong.
How to Apply Cologne Like a Man. First choose your tools: For those SharpMen who have a hard time regulating the amount of cologne they put on, stick with a spray product. Never exceed two pumps of the spray. If it is not possible to get a spray for your product of choice, do what you can to avoid "splashing" like the actors in those Mennen commercials. After all, once the dam is open, volume can get out of control faster than you think.
Next, pick your application point. Certain areas of the body have a higher "burn rate" than others. These hot spots, frequently used by women, include the inner wrist, neck and other areas that are exposed to air. To keep these areas reeking all day, you’ll have to start with a lot of scent in the morning — which often means that you arrive at work stinking like Pepe Le Pew. We don’t recommend this.
Instead, apply a small amount to your hands and rub (or simply spray directly) the cologne to your chest, back, thighs and any other part of your body that is not exposed to air. This allows the scent of your cologne to emanate slowly and relatively evenly throughout the day. You’ll also find that this technique ensures that expensive colognes last a long time.
Picking Your Scent. No scent is right for every man. What smells good on your friend may not work for you. Also, your choice of cologne may be limited by what your friends aren’t wearing, since every man wants a signature scent of his own. Similarly, no scent works equally well for all occasions. For this reason many men keep a variety of scents around. For example, lighter scents, often demarcated by citrus, are great for work and post-sport activities. They smell clean, but don’t overwhelm hovering nostrils. On the other hand, heavier scents work better during the evening, since their stronger aroma may be too intimate or suggestive for the workplace.
Don’t know what scent suits you? Take a small bag of coffee beans to your local department store and sniff around. Ask to spray small pieces of cardboard, rather than your arms, in order to test various scents. Between each sniff, breath into the coffee bean bag to "clean" your smell palette. Now try another. When you’ve narrowed your choices down to two or three, spray a small amount on different parts of your arms, make note of what you sprayed where and then walk away from the counter. After about an hour, smell your skin again to see which scent you prefer. You’ll find that the oils and individual chemistry of your skin will change the way each cologne smells on you. Based on these "mature" smells you can make your selection.
This article last updated on Wednesday 13th October 2010