#DMTBeautySpot #beauty

Fragrance – invisible but essential to every man. Choosing the right fragrance is a start, but so is learning how to apply cologne correctly.

There is such a thing as too much fragrance.

That's what we're covering today: A step-by-step guide on how to apply cologne… the right way.

 

Click Here To Watch The Video – How To Wear Cologne CORRECTLY (10 Mistakes To Avoid!)

 

1. Basic Terminology

First, you need to know the differences between men's cologne types. The terms are often on the bottle and tell you right away how long the fragrance will last.

Let's go over them:

• Eau Fraiche: Only 1%-3% of perfume oil. It only lasts an hour – two if you're lucky.
• Cologne: Consists of 2%-4% concentrations. It lasts for about two hours.
• Eau de Toilette (EDT): 5%-15% concentrations dissolved in alcohol. It is often considered to be a daytime fragrance with 3-4 hours of longevity.
• Eau de Parfum (EDP): The category with the highest concentrations of oil at 15%-20%. This can take up to 8 hours to dissipate.
• Perfume: The longest-lasting category with 20-40% pure essence. This will easily last 24 hours.

Click here for a complete introduction to men's colognes.

 

2. Men's Cologne Types

Knowledge is power, and you should know what you're paying for before you spray. There are approximately ten men's cologne types with unique scent profiles. Knowing which you prefer off the bat will give you the advantage.

Let's go through them:

• Aquatic: Synthetic oils are brought together to replicate the smells of the ocean and the beach. They are ideal fragrances for the summer.
• Floral: Distinguished by the smell of gardens and flowers. Common notes include jasmine and magnolia. These go perfectly with the spring.
• Oriental: Notable for their use of amber, patchouli, truffle, and vanilla. They considered the most seductive of the fragrance families.
• Spicy: Often considered a subsect of the Oriental family. We see cinnamon and nutmeg as common attributes. Spicy fragrances are best worn in the winter.
• Leather: Birch or Isoquinolines are used to mimic the scent of leather. They excel at sending messages of authority and badassery.
• Gourmand (Gaw-Muhnd): Defined by chocolate, vanilla, and coffee. If it smells edible, it's a Gourmand fragrance.
• Chypre (Sheep-ra): Versatile fragrances that favor oakmoss and labdanum. Some say this cologne type was around since Ancient Rome.
• Fougere (foo-jair): Derived from the French word for fern. Noted for using lavender, coumarin, and tobacco in abundance. This category is often associated with masculinity and strength.
• Citrus: As the name suggests, citrus fragrances make use of… well, citrus. We see bergamot, orange, and neroli commonly used. They go well with the summer heat.
• Woody: Resin, bark, and cedar are common in woody fragrances. You would benefit the most from applying them in the fall.

For the complete guide to men's cologne types, click here.

 

3. Know The Situation

If you want to know how to apply cologne, you should know what the situation calls for. Are you going to work, school, or on a date? There are loads of fragrances designed around specific scenarios that men deal with.

For Work

For instance, “office” fragrances are a popular category. In office spaces, several people work in close proximity – bold scents will not do here. Instead, these scents rely on fresher and cleaner notes. Look for citrus, green, and floral notes. They can be broken down even further into seasonal professional fragrances.

One example of a perfect summer office fragrance is Artisan Pure by John Varvatos. This brings Mandarin orange and petitgrain to the fore while digressing into smooth woody notes.

What about a winter work fragrance? Valentino Uomo is a solid choice. Top notes include bergamot and orange before opening to heart notes of chocolate and coffee. It all settles into a base of smooth leather notes.

For The Ladies

You'll often see debate as per the best “dating” fragrance or the best “one-night-stand” fragrance. If you want to impress the ladies, you should start with the Orientals.

Tom Ford Anthracite is among the best bad-boy fragrances out there, combining classic Oriental notes such as spice and amberwood to make for a potent date night scent. Another solid choice would be Le Male Essence by Jean-Paul Gaultier – bringing pepper, leather, and amber together.

Click here to learn more about the sexiest men's colognes on the market.

 

4. Knowing Where (And How Much) To Spray

You've bought your first fragrance. You're excited – now, where does it go?

Most would say to spray the pulse points on your body. We're talking the neck, inner wrists, and behind the ears.  The logic behind this is that the heat will project the fragrance more effectively. It is even recommended that you give your hair a light spritz during hotter days for better retention.

You should also apply fragrances soon after showering to ensure your skin is clean when receiving it.

The amount you spray should depend on each cologne's projection.

You should hold the bottle about 3-6 inches from your skin to allow decent coverage. Do not squirt more than 2-4 times. Some men even opt for one spray with certain intense fragrances. The point is to smell good, not to smell overbearing. This is how to apply cologne the right way.

 

5. Finding Your Signature Scent

It's important not to use somebody else's scent, but your own signature fragrance. This is what you've researched, what you've come to love and come to be known for.

Finding your signature scent depends on a number of factors that come down to what you like smelling.

To get you started, here are some questions you should ask yourself:

Research

1. What do you like smelling? Everyday scents that you enjoy should provide the base for your search.
2. What is your lifestyle? Whether you spend a lot of time in the office or out in the town should figure into your research.
3. Who are you trying to impress? Are you trying to impress a lady on your first date or your boss during a presentation? Otherwise, focus on what impresses YOU.

Exploration

1. What are the most appealing colognes in your category? These comprise the usual suspects that appear frequently in your search, like Dior Homme in Gourmand and Dark Rebel Rider in leather categories. They make solid foundations to start from.
2. What is your price range? It's important to know the difference between a $30 fragrance and a $300 dollar fragrance. Learn whether or not it uses natural oils, whether it”s an EDT or an EDP, how complex it is, etc. These factors influence the price.
3. How should you sample them? On your own skin – never on plastic strips. Every fragrance will react differently to your unique body chemistry.

Assessment

1. How many should you try? No more than 3 per visit or you'll exhaust your palette for the day.
2. How do you know what you're smelling? This is where your research into men's cologne types comes in. You can always ask if you're not sure.
3. How long should you wait? Wait at least four hours so you experience the full spectrum of the fragrance (top notes, heart notes, base notes).

Acquisition

1. Did you narrow down? Hone in on two or three options you love. They don't have to be similar as long as you have choices you can't go wrong with.
2. Should you think about the price? This is a bottle that should last you years depending on how much you spray. This is a tool that will get you compliments and make strong first impressions. Even if it goes a little above $100, consider it strongly.
3. Do you need to make a decision? There is no pressure here – take your time and sample as many as you need.

Discovery

1. How do you know? If you fell in love with it, it's a good sign.
2. Can you rebound? Absolutely! If you keep going back to one sample, it's a good sign.
3. What to do next? Apply the same idea as the interchangeable wardrobe. With your foundation down, you can start to expand into other men's cologne types for experimentation.

 

6. Practice Makes Perfect

Despite the knowledge, you can only know what suits you best with practice. with proper application, you will learn how different people react to different fragrances. You will also get a good sense of your own personal preferences such as projection and strength.

You might prefer the subtle intimacy of A*Men Pure Malt, or the sheer potency of Aventus by Creed. It's all up to you! Applying cologne the right way is about experimentation and repetition.

 

7. Correct Fragrance Storage

You can prolong the life of your fragrance by storing it in the right places. Direct sunlight adversely affects colognes. The heat breaks down the chemical bonds that give fragrances their scent, thus weakening them.

This is where opaque bottles have the advantage because they do not let any light in, meaning you can leave it out of the packaging at your leisure. The darker the bottle, the longer the liquid inside will last.

Storing colognes in the bathroom seems natural, but it can damage the quality of the fragrance as well. Steam from hot showers can destroy the particles inside the bottle.

Always keep your bottles stored at room temperature, preferably in places where light isn't a concern. Cupboards and drawers are ideal.

 

Summary – How To Apply Cologne

1. Basic Terminology
2. Men's Cologne Types
3. Know The Situation
4. Know Where (And How Much) To Spray
5. Finding Your Signature Scent
6. Practice Makes Perfect
7. Fragrance Storage

When it comes to acquisition and application, there's a lot to digest when it comes to fragrances. It's a complex product with a rich history, but it is well worth delving into.

The post How To Apply Cologne The RIGHT Way: Mastering Men’s Fragrances appeared first on Real Men Real Style.

DMTBeautySpot

via https://www.DMTBeautySpot.com

Antonio, Khareem Sudlow