8/12/2019 Cologne Do's and Dont's
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cologne do's and dont'sCompared to debating the introduction of
Spanx for men or issuing a stern warning againstthe use of eyeliner
(leave the raccoon eyes to Adam Lambert), weighing in on thefiner
pointsof personal style, specifically cologne, may seem relatively
pointless.There are bigger battles to fight. But after catching a
whiff of the gravemistakes of men who we thought would never fall
pray to the pitfalls of scent selection,application and storage,
its clear that the time has come for a refresher courseon thedos
& donts of cologne.
cologne dosTry before you buyThere is only one way to tell how a
scent will actually smell, and it doesnt involvescratching and
sniffing a magazine or fragrance-laced piece of card stock from an
overlyaggressive sales girl at the perfume counter. A self-test on
your skin is the single,surefire method for determining its
reaction with your body chemistry.Thats why you should try before
you buy. Then, wait a day before committing to reveal
any potential allergic reactions and ensure the scent will last.
If you need more help pickinga cologne, we're your resource.Watch
what you eatBody chemistry is a key factor when considering the dos
and donts of cologne.The problem: Chemistry isnt consistent. One
trip to the Indian buffet, a gorge-fest offried chicken or throwing
back a beer can make cologne smell stronger -- and notin a good
way.We love spicy, fatty man-food just as much as the next guy. So,
if youre going for gastronomicgold, let your scent sit this round
out. As for date night, well, we shouldnt have to tell
you that the best you could hope for after a curry dinner is a
goodnight handshake.Reapply if you have dry skinWhen it comes to
cologne, knowing your skin type is mission critical. Oily
complexions maintainscent longer, with fewer and less frequent
applications. The additional moistureon the surfaceof the skin acts
as a chemical activator (think of it as a consolation prize for
those yearsspent as a pimple-ridden teenager). Drier skin, on the
other hand, is just the opposite --its like a sponge soaking up
that sweet scent. Go for an extra squirt and make sure
to recharge for a night on the town.Apply after a hot showerLike
most things in life, timing is everything. So, naturally, there is
a primetime forapplying fragrance -- like after a hot shower or
bath. The water temperature andsteam assistin prying pores open,
which in turn, sop up scent. Theyre what keep you smellingfresh(or
not) all day long. And while attempting to scent unshowered skin
isnt the worst
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cologne crime in the world, you do run the risk of instigating a
nasty cover-up.
cologne dontsDouseWe all know that guy who has a perpetual trail
of saturated scent you can smellfroma mile away. It announces his
coming and going in the most olfactorily offensiveway possible--
the classic case of foul play with a trigger-happy hand as the
culprit.Instead of dousing (and needlessly wasting that precious
liquid),spraying at the pulse points is a more effective way of
application and, honestly,a cologne basic. A dab behind the ears,
on the wrists and at the base of the throat --essentially, anywhere
the blood vessels are close to the skins surface --is all you need
to maximize your musk. And remember, when in doubt, less is more.No
one likes to be assaulted with smell no matter how pleasant you
think it is.Use scented soapsCool rain and arctic blast may seem
like the perfect pals for shower time.Whats the problem then?
Strongly scented soaps and body washes can mix inunintended ways
with any cologne applied afterward. At best, the soap smell
will overpower any lighter fragrance making it seem as though
the cologne is barely there.But more likely, the cool, clean scent
of that manly mountain-mist body wash youve been usingfor years
will alter the smell of the cologne you just dropped 80 bucks
on.Were not recommending you switch to some new-age fragrance-free
brand.Just go for something lighter than normal.Think one scent is
enoughDespite the old advice of finding a signature scent and
sticking to it,men must remember the importance of changing things
up. This isnt just for kicks--there is a method to the madness. As
seasons change, cologne must follow suit.A full-bodied fragrance
for mid-July doesnt match the mood and can be overpowerin
g.The opposite is true too: Lighter scents get lost in colder
temperatures come winter time.But the solution isnt to stock up on
your favorite 50 colognes.Instead, opt for just two to complement
the seasons.A citrusy scent for spring and summer should give way
to woodsy, spicy selections in fall.Wait aroundMen have a bad habit
of hoarding unopened cologne bottles for use at a later date.We
tend to stockpile them as though theyd be useful in a nuclear
attack.But colognes have a shelf-life: Three years to be
exact.After that, the natural oils in the bottle lose their
intensity and go rancid.
The good news is that three years is a long time, so if it takes
you longer thanthatto use up your stash, it just wasnt mean to be.
And dont think that a pristine bottle fairsany better. This rule
holds true for all colognes whether theyre still wrapped inplastic
oron their last drop.scent of a manCologne is a crucial part of
being a man. The whole scent thing plays into our primal need
