IF you’re a man, no doubt you own cologne. It’s a billion dollar a year industry with scents and styles as varied as can be imagined. Like many men, maybe you received your first bottle from your father or grandfather. It’s a rite of passage for many men as time-honored as “the talk” or sharing your first beer. In any case, cologne is a fine thing when used properly and sadly, many men today don’t know the rules to the game, so here are some do’s and don’ts when it comes to cologne.
Do
Don’ts
Properly used, cologne can be a great accent aroma to your natural body chemistry and a pleasing addition to your personal styling products. Keep in mind that less is more when dealing with the strength of the scent and the amount you apply.
Good luck.
Do
- Find a brand you like. Don’t be swayed too much by advertising. If any cologne existed that actually made women lose their mind and jump on you it wouldn’t be $7.99 at WalMart. That’s marketing at work. Find a scent you like that fits with your personal style.
- Then ask a woman. You’re a guy, what do you know about what scents are appealing? You didn’t really think that novelty bacon-scented cologne was a good idea, did you? Seriously, find a woman and have her confirm your choice on this one. You probably can’t be trusted.
- Read Ingredients. Surprisingly, the ingredients in cologne aren’t just “cologne.” Especially when dealing with strong scents, read the ingredients. There can be any number of extracts in there and many of them can wreak havoc with allergies.
- Apply after a shower. The best time to apply any cologne, aftershave, or moisturizer is after a hot shower when your pores are open. Anything you apply post-shower will last longer.
Don’ts
- Take a bath in it. Cologne is powerful stuff and a little bit will go a long way. The reason your father had the same bottle of Old Spice from 1965 is because he knew he didn’t need to take a bath in it. Less is definitely more when it comes to cologne. Apply just a tiny amount. Even if you can’t smell it, other people can.
- Use it as a substitute for bathing. Slathering yourself with cologne to cover up the fact that you didn’t have time to take a shower is a horrible idea. Not only will it not cover up the bad scent, you’ll now smell like whatever you smelled like in the first place PLUS too much cologne. It’s an assault on the senses.
- Mix Scents. Cologne is best used sparingly and on its own. Don’t’ mix different kinds. Also, pay attention to the scent of your shampoo or conditioner as well. If either have a strong scent, don’t mix in cologne.
- Assume all women like it. There are many women who find cologne to be off putting, especially when a man applies too much. If your goal is to impress your date, maybe hold off on the cologne for now or go lightly on it.
Properly used, cologne can be a great accent aroma to your natural body chemistry and a pleasing addition to your personal styling products. Keep in mind that less is more when dealing with the strength of the scent and the amount you apply.
Good luck.
