Perfume is a form of self-expression, and finding your signature scent can boost your self-confidence in a way that both yourself and others can notice. Yvan Jacqueline, president of Parfum de Marly Americas, said that when choosing cologne, consider “what you want to experience as a wearer and how you want to present yourself”. “Seek projectivity, persistence, versatility, uniqueness, the way the fragrance gives you and the suitability of the season. But choosing the right scent (or several) is only the first step: in order for your scent to really shine, good application technique is also key. Want to take your perfume game to the next level? Next, we asked Jacqueline and two other expert perfumers about top tips on how to choose the best fragrance for you, and how best to use cologne to maximize its efficacy and longevity.
How to Choose a Cologne
Guerlain Master Perfumer Thierry Wasser stresses that creating a fragrance line is a personal thing, so choose the one that’s right for you and try your cologne as much as possible before committing to it. “I think it’s a mistake to read too many online reviews or over-analyze the perfume you bought before smelling it in person,” he said. “Perfume is an emotional choice, not an intellectual one, and I think it’s better to make it yourself. Experience the fragrance in its entirety – the look of the bottle, the feeling of holding it in your hand, and of course, the smell of the perfume. “Persists on your skin. ”
Frank Voelkl, Chief Perfumer at Firmenich, agrees, stressing that you should consider getting a sample so you can experiment with the fragrance extensively: “When looking for an iconic scent, it’s important to apply the scent to your skin, as everyone develops scents differently. He said. “Once you’ve smelled the fragrance and been with it for hours or days, and you’re constantly going back and looking for more, you’ll know you’ve found your signature. ”
Current Cologne Trends
While choosing a fragrance is ultimately a personal choice, if you’re not sure what you like, looking at the varieties of notes that’s trending today can be a good place to start. “Men are increasingly gravitating towards unexpected notes, including fresh citrus notes, deep oud and gastronomic elements,” Jacqueline tells us. “We’re seeing a surge in vanilla and sweeter ingredients that interact with base notes like musk, oud and even citrus. ”
According to Jacqueline, citrus notes are currently popular for their “rejuvenating qualities”, which include notes of grapefruit, bergamot and orange blossom. In contrast, “woody fragrances include notes such as cedar, sandalwood, oud and vetiver,” he says. “Woody perfumes can make you feel refined and confident, and will always be the first choice to impress.”
How to Apply Cologne
Our experts tell us that there are no hard and fast rules about where or how to use scents, and you can tailor the method to your intentions. “There’s no real do’s and don’ts to use perfume,” Wasser told us. “As long as you feel good and the perfume itself doesn’t stain your clothes, feel free to spray it. “That being said, our perfumers still have the following tips on storage and techniques to maximize the potency and longevity of cologne.
- Store cologne properly: Wasser and Voelkl recommend storing cologne in a cool, dark place to ensure that the perfume stays fresh, as heat and light can change its composition.
- Know your pulse point: While you can spray cologne anywhere you want, “certain areas on our body have higher blood circulation that can help your perfume produce a stronger effect,” Voelkl explains. “Pulse points are the areas on the body where odors are most evenly distributed. These points include areas such as the neck, knees, wrists, and behind the ears. By applying cologne to these areas, you can target the “warmest” spots on your body, which will help your fragrance produce a stronger effect – but at the end of the day, it comes down to personal preference.”
- Be strategic about where to spray: “Spraying perfume on the neck or behind your ears is the perfect place for the wearer to enjoy the perfume, as well as to hug or kiss your close friends to experience the perfume more intimately,” Vassell told Birdy.
- Choose your favorite perfume form:“In addition to the traditional spray pumps, perfumes are coming in more and more forms, including roll-ons, essential oils and sprays,” Vassell explains. “I think this spray is much more versatile – whether it’s spraying on the skin, clothes, hair, or adding fragrance to the room.”
- Consider layering multiple scents: If you haven’t quite found the perfect scent for you, consider layering or combining multiple scents to create a unique scent combination that you really enjoy. “Layered perfumes also allow you to express your personal creativity and develop your own signature blends,” Vasseur adds. “I love the concept of layering different fragrances.”
Maximize the Life of Your Cologne
While the amount of time a scent stays on the body varies from person to person and from environment to environment, our experts do offer some suggestions for how long a scent lasts.
- Stay moisturized: It turns out that your skincare routine can also boost the effectiveness of cologne. “Moist skin seems to retain fragrance better than dry skin, so apply perfume to damp skin if you can,” Vassell tells us.
- Spray perfume on your hair:“Spraying it on your hair might be a good idea to make the scent last, but of course, it’s a preference. “Dedicated hair perfumes are a growing category, but you can also spritz any of your favorite colognes – know that many fragrances aren’t designed for hair, so if you overdo it, the alcohol can become dry.
- Consider spraying on clothing: Perfume usually lasts longer on perfume than on the skin, so Voelkl recommends spraying perfume on the skin and clothing.
- Layer with other scent products:“You can also combine the fragrance with supplements like lotions and shower gels to help keep the scent on the skin longer,” says Voelkl. You can do this with a matching scent product (if available) or choose any scent you like when layered with cologne of your choice.
Finally
The market for cologne is wider than ever, with countless fragrances to choose from and a variety of ways to wear and combine your favorite scents. You can choose cologne based on a range of factors, including seasonality, notes, price point, or simply because you like it, and your method of use can equally do whatever you like – although certain tips can help you maximize the power of your scent and longevity. Regardless of how or why you choose to use cologne, experimenting with different colognes and perfecting your use before choosing your favorite cologne will help you discover perfume habits that enhance self-expression.
