You have all smelled him from almost a mile away.
He walks into a room ten seconds before he actually arrives. You smell him in the grocery store aisle before you see him. You smell him in the restaurant before he sits down. You smell him in the elevator long after he gets off.
He isn't wearing cologne. He is wearing the entire bottle.
The sad part is he may not even know he has too much on. How can that happen? Everyone has a nose.
Yes, everyone has a nose, but not all noses work the same.
Take me for instance. My sense of smell has seriously deteriorated over the years. I can still smell the scent itself, but I can no longer accurately judge how much I have on. I am not completely nose blind, but I am close enough that I have to rely on routine rather than my nose.
That is the difference between the man who bathed in cologne and me. I know exactly how many sprays to use and where to put them. Sometimes my fragrance is very noticeable, but it is never strong enough to make people move in the opposite direction.
A good fragrance should make people want to get a little closer, not take a step back.
A lot depends on the brand and type of scent you are wearing. There are oils, Eau de Parfums, colognes, and Eau de Toilette. Each has its own strength level.
In my personal opinion, Eau de Parfum or a quality cologne is the best bet. It contains more fragrance oils than Eau de Toilette and is generally lighter and easier to control than a fragrance oil. Yes, you'll pay a little more for it, but it is worth the investment.
You will hear from influencers what brands to purchase, which type to buy, and where to buy it. Sounds good, but what they don't tell you is where and how to wear it. Remember, influencers are, for the most part, there to expose men to products they are being paid to show.
Common Cologne Mistakes
Most men make one of two mistakes. They either wear far too much or they wear none at all. The first mistake is obvious. The second one is usually caused by fear of making the first mistake. A good fragrance should be discovered, not announced.
Another common mistake is buying a scent because an influencer told you to buy it. A fragrance that smells fantastic on one man may smell completely different on another. Body chemistry, age, skin type, and even climate can affect how a fragrance performs.
One final mistake is using cologne to cover body odor. Cologne is not a substitute for a shower. Shower first, groom yourself properly, and then use fragrance as the finishing touch.
What Brands To Purchase
This all depends on your budget.
If your budget is tight, it is better to have one bottle of a medium-priced fragrance than five bottles of cheap stuff. The cheap stuff often has a harsh alcohol smell that can be difficult to ignore. In my opinion, Cremo Cologne for Men is one of the best bargains available. I own two bottles myself. Italian Bergamot is citrus-inspired and one of my favorites. Blue Cedar & Cypress is a clean masculine scent. At around $23 on Amazon, it is a very good buy. I would not go less expensive than this.
For the man with a larger budget, Burberry Hero is one of my go-to fragrances. I wear it to the gym, the grocery store, and many casual outings. Mont Blanc Explorer Eau de Parfum is another excellent choice.
For the fortunate man with a very large budget, Creed Aventus is one of the very best fragrances ever made. I wear all of these fragrances and then some, but these are the cream of the crop and among my personal favorites.
Where To Wear It
Everywhere except to wheel the garbage carts to the curb. For that extra lift in confidence, remember this if you remember nothing else I say: When a man leaves the house, he should look good, smell good, and taste good.
Certain scents work better in certain situations. For formal gatherings, keep things light and fresh. Citrus-based fragrances are usually a safe choice. Cremo Italian Bergamot or Eau Sauvage fit well in these situations. For sporting events, casual gatherings, and everyday wear, Cremo Blue Cedar, Burberry Hero, and Mont Blanc Explorer are all excellent choices. For date night, special occasions, and evenings out, Creed Aventus or Acqua di Gio Elixir can be hard to beat.
How To Wear It
Do not spray fragrance into the air and run through it. It wastes product and does not put enough fragrance where it belongs.
Here is what I do. One light spray on the right side of the neck just below the ear. One light spray on the left side. One spray on the back of the neck. A very light spray on each wrist or forearm. If it is a particularly weak fragrance, I may add one spray to the Adam's apple area and one spray lower on the chest.
That's it.
You should not smell like a fragrance counter at a department store. You should feel more confident knowing you have just the right amount on. If you are dressed well, wearing the right shoes, and paying attention to the details, fragrance becomes another part of the package.
How Long Should A Fragrance Last?
Many men judge a fragrance by how strong it is. That is the wrong test.
The goal is not to fill a room. The goal is for someone standing next to you to notice that you smell good.
Different types of fragrances last different lengths of time.
Fragrance oils generally last the longest because they contain the highest concentration of scented oils. They can remain noticeable for many hours and sometimes all day. Eau de Parfum is usually next. It offers a very good balance between longevity and subtlety, which is one reason I prefer it. Eau de Toilette is lighter and typically does not last as long.
Despite the name, Eau de Toilette has absolutely nothing to do with a bathroom toilet. The term comes from a French word related to grooming and personal preparation. It simply refers to a lighter concentration of fragrance oils.
Resist the temptation to keep reapplying fragrance every hour because you can no longer smell it. Your nose adapts to familiar scents much faster than the noses of the people around you. If you are unsure whether your fragrance is still present, ask someone you trust.
A man should not be remembered because his fragrance entered the room before he did. He should be remembered because he looked put together, carried himself with confidence, and happened to smell great when people got close enough to notice.
We will have other guides in this category covering my top fragrances, budget favorites, and much more. Stay tuned.