Perfume, or body fragrance, has been around since ancient Egypt. The Egyptians understood the importance of smell. That’s why they experimented with mixing oils, spices, and ointments together.
This early experimentation was the start of what is now a 73 billion dollar industry. Designer houses created some of the most iconic scents known to humankind. Dior, Chanel, and Dolce & Gabbana — every major brand has their own take on the perfect human scent.
Major celebrities have jumped into the scent mix. Big names like Paris Hilton, Katy Perry, Kim Kardashian, and Taylor Swift. There’s no limit to the reach of the fragrance industry.
Yet picking the perfect cologne can be difficult. If you aren’t used to wearing cologne, finding the right scent takes some time.
That’s where we’re here to help. Here are our seven expert tips to help you choose the right cologne scent.
The Right Cologne Scent for You
Looking and feeling attractive is important. A great scent is one of the top attributes that women look for in a man.
Most men have purchased cologne at some point in their lives. At the very least, you may have received a bottle of Brute from a relative at Christmas.
But if you’ve never done any research on fragrances, here’s a quick rundown of our best tips.
1. Decide how long you want it to last.
Before you decide to buy, figure out what kind of performance you’d like out of your scent.
Do you want something that’s stronger, more defined, and lasts all day? Or do you want something light and airy, that leaves only a hint of itself on your clothes?
Many scents come in several options. You can choose something stronger for nighttime and lighter during the day. Here’s a breakdown of the four most common types of scent on the market.
Eau de Cologne
This is the lightest scent category. It comes in a larger bottle and costs less than the other options.
Because it’s lighter, you won’t have to worry about overusing this type of scent. It’s a good addition to your gym bag.
Eau de Toilette
Another lighter scent, although a step up from eau de cologne. This is also good for a daytime function. Consider something of this strength as an everyday wear.
Eau de Parfum
This is the most common type of fragrance. It’s suitable to wear during day or night and lasts about five hours.
Parfum
This is the king of cologne. Parfum has the highest concentration of scent. It also has the lowest concentration of fillers like water and alcohol. That makes it great for those with dry or sensitive skin.
It will run you the most money, but it’s the longest wearing fragrance you can buy. And you only need a little bit to make a big impact.
2. How much do you want to spend?
Price goes hand in hand with how long the product lasts. Do some research and set your budget before you shop.
Parfum is generally the most expensive because of it’s deep, lasting fragrance. While eau de cologne comes in a larger bottle and costs less.
There’s also the choice between a designer fragrance or something from the drugstore. Knowing how much you want to spend will get you looking in the right direction.
Drugstore scents offer some great options at an affordable price. But you’ll get the most complex fragrance structure from a designer.
3. Test it.
Once you’re at the fragrance counter, it’s time to take the test.
Spray it in the air, on the paper blotter, and on your skin. If you only spray a paper blotter, you won’t get the full scent. Colognes smell different on other people.
Allow it to evaporate from your skin rather than rubbing it in. This keeps the fragrance from breaking down.
Wear it around the store. Take a stroll and continue to smell it as you change location.
4. Try no more than four fragrances at a time.
That’s about as much as your body can handle before becoming scent fatigued. If you haven’t chosen by that time, come back another day.
Cleanse your palate between every fragrance. The perfume counter will usually have something that can do that for you. Coffee beans or tea leaves are a good palate cleanser.
5. Take notes.
Jot down what you like and don’t like. You’ll notice a pattern of fragrances that you gravitate toward. This can help you choose other fragrances if you know what you like.
Some of the most common fragrance categories are:
- Citrus fruits
- Aromatics (Lavender and lemongrass)
- Floral and greenery
- Fruity
- Spicy
- Woody
6. Consider more than one fragrance.
You might surprise yourself and pick different colognes for different occasions. Night time cologne scents should be dark and strong. Daytime scents should be lighter and more citrusy.
Plus, you might consider having an everyday scent and something for special occasions.
Again, you can choose different strengths of the same fragrance for different times. Parfum for nights and eau de toilette for your gym bag.
7. Buy a smaller bottle.
Your taste changes over time.
Plus, keeping a fragrance too long changes the flavor of it. You might not like it six months down the road. Best to play it safe with a small sample first.
It’s not recommended to keep fragrance more than a few years. If you go through a bottle in a few months, then you’re in the clear.
But if you know that you won’t use a large bottle in a few years, go for the smaller version.
Now That You’ve Chosen
It’s time to wear it out into the world. Be sure you’re wearing it in the right places.
Choose one or two warm points on your body. For example, your inner wrist and under your lower jaw.
Don’t apply fragrance to clothes. Apply it directly to your skin to get the best scent.
Layering fragrance is not a good idea. They aren’t meant to be worn together so stick to one. It’s best to apply to dry, clean skin.
After you apply, don’t rub your skin together. That changes the fragrance and dismisses some of the lighter tones in the scent.
A little dab will do. Especially if you’re using a stronger product like parfum. Dab a drop onto your finger and gently touch it to the area.
Your Signature Scent
We hope these tips help you to choose the best fragrance product for you.
Scent is an important part of how we perceive the world. Once you’ve chosen a cologne scent that you love, you’ll feel happier and more confident.
Check out our grooming tips for more ideas on how to improve your self-confidence.
