A Gentleman’s Guide to Choosing Cologne

The cologne you wear can be incredibly powerful, affecting how others perceive you and how you feel about yourself. But if you have never managed to find that signature scent, where do you begin?

It may seem a simple place to start, but it is worth taking time to consider the kind of scents that you enjoy in everyday life. For example, you might enjoy particular flowers, fruits, spices, or even have scents that evoke powerful, happy memories. Having some scents in mind may help you conduct some research about which colognes might work. For example, you could search for citrus cologne for men or cologne with warm undertones so that you have some idea of where to start when testing.

When you are ready to start the hunt, here is a guide to help you choose the perfect cologne.

Head to some local fragrance stores

There is quite simply no way to know for sure whether a cologne is the right one for you unless you have tried it on your skin. Be prepared to spend some time in fragrance stores sampling their tester pots. Don’t worry about trying too many or taking too long – the staff will understand how complicated choosing a cologne can be and may even be able to make recommendations.

Take a friend with you

It might be difficult to decide what scents work best for you without input from someone you trust, so consider taking a friend or partner along with you before you choose. This is especially true if you are trying lots of colognes, as you may find you struggle to tell the difference between them all eventually.

What works for someone else may not work for you

Why is it so important to test cologne on your skin and not just sniff the bottle or a tester strip? When cologne is applied to the skin, it is affected by the pH level of the skin, body temperature, and your natural body odor, and it will also be mingling with other scents such as deodorant, soap, or shampoo. This is why one cologne might smell great on your friend but does not work as well for you.

Don’t rush the testing

While you might like the initial smell of cologne when you spray it on your skin, you will only be getting the top notes that do not last long. After the top notes have faded, you will notice different scents – the middle notes – and then once the cologne has completely dried, you will discover the base notes. Make sure you have given the cologne enough time to develop before you make your choice.

Once you have decided on a cologne, it is worth comparing store prices with buying wholesale cologne from directfragrances.online, as there may be significant savings available when buying in bulk. After all, if you plan on wearing the cologne every day, it is sensible to stock up.

Consider choosing two colognes

You may decide that you need one cologne for everyday use but another for special occasions such as more formal events or evenings out. Some men use different colognes during the fall and winter to the cologne they wear in spring and summer.

Of course, whatever you choose, it is important not to over-apply your cologne. A good rule of thumb is to apply to the chest and neck area as well as the wrists. This should leave a noticeable scent without overpowering the people around you.