Good cologne will make people notice you.
Poor cologne will do the same.
You may be wondering why people should need to wear cologne, anyway. Nobody really wants to be "that person"; the one you always know is coming. Believe me; this is not what a cologne is supposed to do! There is no excuse for being badly dressed or badly cared for; this guide will help you with one of the aspects of the latter element. A distinguishing feature of cologne is the fact that if you've already bought a bottle of it, you probably take enough care of yourself to want to stand out, but have no idea what to buy. As a result, you end up having the same scent as any other incapable; for example, a scent of water (does it sound familiar?). It's not your fault. If you want to stop floating in a sea of Acqua di Gio, read this guide!
Steps
Step 1. When do I wear what?
There are three categories that make it easy to answer this question. They are age, occasion and season. Age is not a fundamental factor, but it must be taken into consideration. Some people, however, assume that - they say - a 23-year-old cannot appreciate high-class Eau de Cologne. This is bullshit. The caveat, however, is that wearing a 150-euro bottle of Cologne is practically useless in a context like that of high school. The season is quite a logical factor, actually. Wearing a strong musky wood scent can be overwhelming in a hot summer climate, while scents consisting of marine or aquatic notes are too weak in a freezing winter.
Step 2. What do I wear when…?
This is not a question that can be answered easily, so I will consider different situations separately and explain from time to time which perfume is appropriate to wear.
- Fifteen in high school. If you're in high school, chances are the most formal thing you'll need to go to is the high school prom. A decent cologne for the age group would be Kenneth Cole's Reaction. It smells good for a Kenneth Cole, is relatively cheap and common, and has a good projection. It smells mostly of melon and apple, and has a sandalwood base. It is a good workhorse. Alternatively, there is Paul Smith pour Homme, which basically has a pleasant smell of cut grass. It is a light fragrance for every day, exactly what you need.
- First day of your new important office job. You will need to impress your new boss and new colleagues. A good choice is The Third Man by Carons, consisting of lavender and spices that never feel aggressive. It is a warm and safe cologne and its fragrance will improve throughout the day, becoming great.
- In the disco. My favorite club perfume is A * men. It is made entirely of chocolate and vanilla… with more chocolate… and even more chocolate. It withstands hours and hours of dancing and sweating and has good persistence. Plus, women love it.
- Formal dinner. Creed's Himalaya works wonders in this case. It has a fresh winter smell mixed with wood. This fragrance is expensive and doesn't last longer than a few hours, but it's worth it. People, this is the smell of money.
- Please help, I need a woman. Envy by Gucci is a great cologne for attracting women. It is not a fragrance for every day, but the opposite sex reacts well to it. Wood, spices, tobacco and incense make it a good choice.
- Normal, daily use. Be Delicious by DKNY is a good choice for informal use. It's sweet and light, so it'll work in the summer, and it's spicy enough to work in the fall. Plus, it's relatively easy to find.
- A light fragrance for the summer. Light Blue pour Homme by Dolce & Gabbana is a new fresh cologne, fantastic for teenagers and even some children, since it has a fantastic light scent that does not have the excessive strength of the original cologne. Light Blue by Dolce & Gabbana is fine in spring and summer, while the original cologne is fine in autumn and winter and has a stronger, more adult scent. However, Light Blue could be wasted for the older age groups.
Step 3. So how do I apply this stuff?
Eau de Cologne reacts to body heat, so the best areas to apply it to are the wrists and chest / neck. My routine is to spray perfume on my left and right wrists. Then, I spray it once or twice on the chest. Some like to put some behind the neck, or behind the ears to create a trail of perfume. Also, do not rub the cologne. Doing this breaks down the molecules and doesn't make the scent last as long as it should. Either way, use it in moderation. You don't have to let everyone know you're on your way.
Step 4. So… what about the deodorant?
Odorless deodorants will be your best bet from now on. I swear to Mitchum. A firm "no-no" to anyone who is using any deodorant with stupid smells like "Ocean Wave" or "Jazz Fusion" or whatever.
Step 5. Where do I get this stuff from?
There are tons of reputable eBay retailers (remember to check the feedback), and this is probably where you'll find the best deals. As for real world-wide stores, try Sephora or any other department store.
Advice
- Between trying a cologne and another, smell some coffee beans to "reset" your sense of smell.
- If you are buying perfume in a store, remember to smell it before buying it. Spray it on one of the strips that will be provided to you and continue to smell it occasionally over a period of about 20 minutes, until you have developed the right approach to understand if that is the right cologne for you. Plus, after you've found a cologne that you're pretty sure you want to buy, be sure to try it out before you buy it. Each cologne reacts differently according to the different chemical compositions of the skin. You can try up to four colognes at a time - one on each wrist and one on the inside of each elbow (where you have the veins).
- Do not sprinkle cologne on your clothes. It won't last long; rather the opposite will happen, actually.
- If your bottle of cologne does not have a spray cap, put your fingers on the bottle and turn it upside down. Then rub your fingers across your chest. Use moderation.
- Before you buy it, smell it. If you can, sprinkle some and ask someone who is impartial to smell it.
- A whole spray on the wrists is excessive. Try a quick sprinkle on just one and then rub your wrists together. As for the chest, however, the surface to be covered is greater. Your intent must be to attract attention, as if your wrist were the teaser of a fragrance, and when someone leans towards you, they can smell and experience the full effect of the alchemy that surrounds you. Do not be fooled by excessive application.
Warnings
- Please don't wear too much cologne. 1-3 sprays are enough.
- Most cologne waters should be thrown away within 5 years if you actually continue to use the bottle.
