How to Choose a Man's Cologne
Choosing a men's cologne can be confusing. With all the options available from Armani to Yardley, you might not know where to begin. However, it is actually simple to pick one out once you know the key steps: choose what smells right to you, opt for a scent inspired by your lifestyle, sample it correctly, and never overpower others with the scent when wearing it. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Ignore what is "in style" on the market. A cologne needs to appeal to your personal style. Think about the scent you want to project to the world instead of what a magazine says you should wear. An outdoors-style scent with crispy wood or a softer cologne can be equally sexy, no matter what friends or articles will tell you.
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Determine when you'll be wearing the cologne and how that could interact with the cologne's scent. An athletic man might seek a scent with a cedarwood or sandalwood base that is invigorating while a young professional might go for a sophisticated scent that has a light citrus base. A man feeling proud of his masculinity might select something with musk that has an earthy scent while an urban hipster might go for a lighter, outdoorsy effect. There are even novelty colognes that have luxury car or aged whiskey scents.
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Make a list of brands you see advertised and, every so often, sample them. A cologne does not need to be expensive to smell good. In fact, cheaper colognes sometimes smell better on your skin than the pricey brands. Remember that some expensive brand names are available at discount drug stores. Also, be on the lookout for department store sales.
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Test the scent by spraying it on one wrist and then waiting a while. It is best not to test more than one cologne at a time as the scents can mix together. If possible, wait 24 hours to determine if you are allergic to the cologne. If you are allergic, the area you sprayed will become red and irritated, sometimes within an hour.
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Wear the cologne of your choice by applying it lightly to the neck area, behind your ears, and on your wrists and elbows. Don't drench yourself. You never want to overpower people's sense of smell. You can also try a trick that some women use to apply perfume: Spray the fragrance into the air, then walk through the mist and let it settle on your hair and shoulders.
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Tips & Warnings
Never judge a scent by how it smells on someone else. Your body will interact with it differently.
Never apply cologne to your clothes as it can leave a stain.
