Men tend to have two behavioral types when it comes to cologne. Either they buy the exact same brand of cologne that they’ve been using since their school days, or else they keep buying different brands of colognes, depending on what catches their fancy.

Though it might immediately seem evident that the latter option is better, choosing the best cologne is not always about what your nose likes. Most people don’t take into account is that every cologne smells differently on different people. This is because the fragrance that you smell is a result of the reaction between your skin and the ingredients in the cologne.

Selecting a cologne

Go to the store and spray different types of cologne on a paper strip. Do this if you intend on trying out a bunch of different ones. If you try them all on your arm and wrists, by the time you get to the fourth cologne, your arms and wrists will be drenched in all the scents. You won't get a good idea of the right fragrance unless you put each one on different strips.

Smell different strips and evaluate which fragrances you like, and which ones smell more cough syrup. Start eliminating the ones you really don't like. After sniffing all the colognes you are interested in (or until you feel faint, whichever comes first), take a breather and walk around the shopping center or outside the store for a while. Sniffing coffee (or coffee beans) help in removing the smell residue from your nose, since coffee refreshes your sense of smell. So if you're walking around the department store with a cup of cappaccino, you don't even need to take a break from sniffing.

Once you do go back to the store to make your decision, you can test out how the cologne smells on you. At this point, you shouldn't have as many options since you won't be as bombarded by an array of scents and fragrances, after having already gone through an elimination process.

Types of cologne

If you have ever gone shopping for colognes you must be familiar with the types of colognes available for men. Colognes are nothing but perfumes, and are referred as such by the Americans. Eau de toilette that French perfumes have written on their bottles are also the same, and just happens to be the name they are referred to by in Europe. Things you should now about cologne:

Where to wear it. Wearing cologne to work is generally acceptable, but cologne almost becomes a necessary fashion accessory when going out at night. A light citrus-based scent is perfect for an afternoon outing, but a special evening out calls for a stronger scent with spice undertones or musky notes that will mix with your own natural pheromones.

Where to spray it. Cologne basics stipulate that applying cologne strategically is more important than you think. A little under each ear ensures that a woman leaning in close to talk will take note of your scent. Your face and chin are the obvious spots, but your chest is the best location for the cologne to mix with your own natural scent and slowly make itself known as it wafts toward your collar.

When to wear it. You’ll need more than one cologne since what you apply for the daylight hours simply won’t meet the mood and atmosphere of the night. A light citrus scent or woods-based scent are perfect for daytime activities, like work. Nighttime, however, requires a scent with deeper mystery. Thus, you’ll want to use a cologne with spicy notes or a musk-based scent.

How much to wear. Treat your cologne as a secret you share with only a few people -- or at least those within your close personal space. Apply a very sparse amount under each ear and on your torso. You may not think its enough, but cologne actually mixes with your body and intensifies over time. Far too many men make the mistake of applying more because they cannot smell it when they first spray it on, or they shake out a palm full because think they need more. The truth is: a well-chosen cologne applied in small amounts will get your more attention than if you bathed in it.

Identifying scents

Spice

John Varvatos Vintage
First introduced in 2006, John Varvatos Vintage is the perfect scent for a romantic evening. A mix of tamarind leaves, herbs and dates, with spice, woods, leather, and vanilla, Vintage is a modern masculine scent.

Woods
Burberry London for Men
A mature scent suitable for business occasions and daytime use, Burberry London for Men conjures an old-world mix of bergamont, cinnamon, pepper, lavender, port, mimosa, moss, tobacco leaf, leather, and opoponax.

Musk

Gucci Pour Homme II
Undeniably modern, incontrovertibly masculine... Gucci Pour Homme II combines black tea, bergamot, tobacco, cinnamon, wood, and musk that creates a subtle musk surely meant for the night.

Citrus

LaCoste Elegance
A light, mature scent with plenty of floral fragrance notes mixed with citrus create an almost effortless second skin. This is a daytime scent meant to be worn with ease. Splash on just a bit before heading out the door and you’ll be fine all day.

Rules of Applying Cologne
When using cologne, even if it does not have a spritzer to apply it, make sure that you don’t splash cologne on yourself. You might not think it is strong, but your perfume should never announce your presence. Only someone standing close enough to you to have a conversation should be able to smell your cologne. It should be discreet and classy and not overpowering! If you have trouble taking out a small amount, just transfer the cologne into a spritzer before applying it.

Thought the general rule of applying perfume says, apply it to your pulse points, that does not mean applying it to ALL your pulse points! Choose a couple of pulse points, maybe your neck and your wrists and only apply it there. Again this is the rule about not overwhelming people with your cologne.

Do not ever apply cologne or spray it on your clothes. Not only does it evaporate more quickly, it might also stain your clothes. While it might be ok to do this with a deodorant, a cologne has a concentrated amount of alcohol with other ingredients, so it’s best to apply it to your skin.

Tips and tricks

Most people usually know these rules of applying cologne. We are here to make sure you know more! Use these tricks and tips to enhance the life of your cologne, and have the ladies impressed with your pizzazz.

Always store your cologne bottles in a dark, dry place. Storing them in a place where they are constantly exposed to the sun will make it lose its smell faster.

When you use a spritzer to spray a cologne on, make sure you keep the nozzle at least 10 inches away from your skin.

Do not confuse smells. Don’t bathe using a strong scented soap and then apply a cologne with different notes. Instead, enhance the efficacy of your cologne by using a shower gel or soap by the same brand or else use an unscented moisturiser and soap before applying cologne.

Xpert tip. Please remember that cologne is meant to give you a pleasant, lingering fragrance, but it is definitely not meant to disguise body odor. There is no way you can mask poor hygiene and body odor with cologne. In fact, the smell of cologne, when mixed with body odor, gives off a distinctively unpleasant smell.