subject: Watch Out For These Cologne Blunders [print this page] In the fashion world ignorance is not an excuse; given the many cologne blunders men commit, I thought it wise to bring you a refresher on cologne to help to get back on course. So, before you rush to your local department store to pick up that new brand you saw being advertised on the internet remember this:
Always try new colognes before you buy
The only way to tell how a scent will behave on you is to try it on your skin, don't succumb to the pressure of the cute perfume sales girl , request to test the frag on your skin, this gives you an opportunity to see how the scent blends with your body chemistry and also determine if there's a risk of allergic reaction before committing your dollars.
The food factor
When it comes to picking colognes one thing stands out tall and that's body chemistry. Please note that what you eat plays a very major role influencing your type of cologne. A good example is fatty, spicy foods often cause colognes to smell stronger. Therefore, if you're planning to go out on a date, then you better stay away from that Indian curry or else you should expect nothing more than a goodnight handshake.
Have dry skin; reapply
It's very important that you know your skin type before embarking on a cologne hunt. Oily skins maintain scents longer with fewer applications. This happens because the moisture on the skin functions as a scent activator. Drier skin works the opposite, so if you have the latter then remember to recharge for a longer lasting scent.
Use after hot shower
Time is a very important factor when it comes to application of cologne; the best time is immediately after a hot bath or shower. The logic here is that then skin is more absorbent because a hot bath helps open pores that sock up scent. That's what keeps you smelling fresh for longer. Scenting unshowered skin is a terrible cologne mistake in the world because it results to a nasty cover up.
Here are Cologne blunders
Douse
We all know that guy who has a perpetual trail of saturated scent you can smell from a mile away. It announces his coming and going in the most olfactory offensive way 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 skin's 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 of scented soaps
So what's the problem with strongly scented soaps? Well, applying cologne after taking a bath with strongly scented soaps will result to a mixed scent and in most cases overshadow the cologne scent. That's not what you want after spending a whole 100 bucks on the cologne.
