For men, finding the right cologne can be a real game-changer, as you can confidently go about your day knowing that you are giving off a pleasant scent.
Of course, everybody will have their own personal preferences in terms of the cologne they wish to use and the types of scents they like, but choosing your fragrance is only one issue.
Aside from selecting the right cologne, men also need to know how to actually wear it in order to get the greatest effect. In particular, many men don’t know the answer for; how many sprays of cologne should you use?
This article will look to explain how much cologne to use, while also providing some tips on how to adjust this process, how to ensure your scent lasts for as long as possible, and how to avoid some of the common pitfalls that can contribute to feelings of disappointment with even the very top products on the market.
How Many Times Should You Spray Cologne?
Generally, it is best to aim for between two and four sprays. Applying too much cologne can very easily become overpowering, however, If you spray too little, the scent is unlikely to be as noticeable as you would like and it is also likely to fade too quickly.
When applying cologne, the number of sprays used has a significant bearing on the end results. If you spray too little, the scent is unlikely to be as noticeable as you would like and it is also likely to fade too quickly, resulting in a need to re-apply several times over the course of the day.
Conversely, applying too much cologne can very easily become overpowering. In fact, it is generally agreed that ‘less is more’ when it comes to the application of cologne and a certain level of caution is needed.
Experts generally agree that men should always wear fragrances in a very restrained way, even if it’s a wonderful perfume. Cartier’s in-house perfumer, Mathilde Laurent, explains that “People will hate it if it’s overpowering,” which is why moderation is so important.
So how many times should you spray cologne for the ideal outcome? Generally, it is best to aim for between two and four sprays. However, there are a number of other factors that need to be considered too.
Understanding the Concentration of Cologne
First, you need to give some thought to your chosen cologne and the natural strength of its scent. Not all colognes are made equally and this applies not only to quality, but also to how powerful a fragrance is.
Spray colognes can be broadly separated into four categories, which are defined by their concentration and staying power. Essentially, the higher the percentage of the aromatic essence in a fragrance, the stronger the smell. With this in mind, the four categories are as follows:
- Eau de Cologne – Around 2-4% concentration. Less potent, with the shortest duration.
- Eau de Toilette – Between 5 and 15% concentration. A very popular option.
- Eau de Parfum – A concentration of 15-20%. Considered strong and long-lasting.
- Perfume Spray – Approximately 20-30% concentration. Rare for men’s cologne.
The potency of your cologne can, therefore, have a major influence on how many sprays of cologne you apply. Naturally, the number of sprays required to apply a cologne with a very low concentration is going to be higher than the number of sprays required to apply a cologne with a higher concentration and this needs to be factored in.
Where to Apply Cologne for the Best Results
For ideal results, cologne should be applied to warmer parts of the body, although it does not work as well if you choose areas that are prone to sweat build ups. This is why it is usually recommended that men apply their cologne on ‘pulse points’ on the body, where arteries bring blood close to the surface of the skin.
Pulse points are the locations on the body that people tend to use to check a pulse, with the two most common being the wrists and the neck. It is no coincidence that these are also two of the most popular locations to apply cologne. A few sprays of the cologne on these parts of the body should help to optimize the scent and its duration.
The precise parts of the body you opt for may also depend on your reason for applying the cologne. For instance, the neck is quite an intimate area, and could be a good option if you are planning to impress a romantic partner. By contrast, the wrists are a less intimate option and may be ideal when wearing cologne to work, or social situations.
Areas that should be avoided include the armpits, the backs of knees, and the groin area. The potential for sweat to build up in this areas is much greater than with the wrists and neck, and this can affect the cologne’s concentration.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Using Cologne
There are a number of common mistakes that men make when wearing cologne and these can all impact the number of sprays they feel they need, along with the final outcome.
As a starting point, almost all cologne is at its best when applied to a clean, dry body, so the ideal time is after a bath or shower, but once you are fully dried off.
Cologne works best when applied directly to the skin and this is almost always preferable to applying cologne to your clothing. The main exception here is if you have sensitive skin, which reacts badly to cologne, in which case applying a small amount to a jacket or shirt could be a viable alternative.
You should also avoid rubbing the cologne into your skin after spraying, and it is important not to spray from either too close or too far away.
Somewhere around 3-6 inches from the body is likely to be optimal. Some cologne bottles may spray over a wider area, or with more force, so you should try to adjust this distance accordingly.
One very popular application method, which should be avoided, is the practice of spraying the cologne into the air and walking through it. People mistakenly believe this is an effective way to evenly distribute cologne.
In reality, it lacks precision, it can easily result in cologne being too weak or too strong, and it is wasteful because much of the cologne simply falls to the ground. As a result, you end up spending more money on cologne each year.
Final Thoughts
The application of a nice cologne can provide the finishing touches when you are getting ready for an important meeting, a date, a social occasion, or a wedding. However, choosing the right cologne is only part of the battle, because getting the ideal scent requires an understanding of the best way to apply it.
A good rule of thumb is to apply 2-4 sprays of your cologne to pulse points, such as the wrists and neck. With that being said, sensible adjustments can be made and the precise number of sprays will depend on the type of cologne you have purchased, its concentration, how powerful the scent is intended to be, and where you are going.
