Nick has never really been a ladies’ man. Some things came easily to him, like picking out great-smelling cologne or solving some difficult algorithm.
But he has never known how to successfully approach a woman he likes. If he tried, he would just become shy, sometimes painfully so.
That was why he hesitated greatly about going over to the lady seated at another table from him. He could not think of an opener to get her interested.
However, he knew he had to try. So he went over to her but immediately he got close to her, she looked up. Then she smiled at him and asked, “What scent are you wearing?” The rest is history.
Cologne is more essential than most people give it credit for. Unlike perfume, you can wear it without your nostrils feeling cloyed. The importance goes beyond just smelling great and having a conversation starter.
It is good you know what you have with the right cologne. This knowledge will open up the world of colognes to you and dare you to do more.
Table of Contents
What Is Cologne?
First of all, cologne is mixture of essential oils, alcohol and water, along with some other ingredients. The essential oils make up a tiny part of it but give it that great fragrance.
On the scale of concentration of fragrance, the cologne contains about 5% essential oils. This makes it lighter than perfume extract but strong enough to last for several hours.
It may interest you to know that cologne is not exclusive to men. It is said that the name derives from the name of a place in Germany called Cologne.
Supposedly, the first known citrus, woody and floral-based fragrance came from there. That is the oldest tale about it, anyway. But the point, you see, is that the name does not mean it is for men only. In fact, the main ingredients of cologne would make it seem more feminine than masculine.
So if a bottle says Eau de Cologne, do not shy away from it as a woman. Except the scent does not agree with you, pick it for yourself.
The Importance of Cologne
The right cologne can foster deep and lasting emotional bonds. People will remember you better and more favorably than someone who does not wear one.
How you smell would determine how people receive you. It adds a little extra to your overall appearance and personality. And that little is powerful enough to turn things around for you.
If you had a loved one that used some particular cologne, it would become dear to you. You would be more inclined to refer people to it, even if you do not use it yourself.
Great-smelling cologne presents you as someone who knows what they want. It portrays you as a confident person who has everything together.
Another reason why it is important is it makes you more approachable to the opposite sex. So many of us have had instances where strangers walked up to us to inquire about the scents we were wearing.
The right cologne makes you more attractive. This does not mean that it is the only criterion to winning hearts; it simply plays a huge role. You would be amazed at how things turn out with the perfect blend.
Why More People Do Not Use Cologne
It may be simply because they don’t understand its importance. But a basic knowledge of its advantages would go a long way in drawing good attention. If more people are taught to use it from younger ages, they would grow up with the right attitude towards it.
Thing is, women know more about fragrances than men. However, growing boys need to be indoctrinated into the culture of using colognes. When they grow, they may teach their own children.
Essential Factors that Make for a Good Cologne Choice
There are some essential points to keep in mind when you are choosing cologne. You see, walking down the isle of a perfume store can be daunting if you do not know what you are doing.
At such times, narrowing things down would be gold. So the points below will go a long way in helping you choose right…
Oil Concentration
Colognes are not made with a high percentage of essential oils. They can swing between 3-8%, with most settling at 5%. If you have chosen to use a cologne, therefore, you should not expect to have the same results as an eau de parfum or perfume extract. These contain higher amounts of essential oils so smell stronger and last longer than cologne.
However, you can still choose cologne with a perfect blend of ingredients. With this, you can get a great scent. It is important then, to determine what works for you when it comes to concentration.
Notes of the Cologne
When you hear a perfume maker mention the notes of a fragrance, they simply mean the scents which make up the fragrance. Notes could vary, from lemon and orange to patchouli and vanilla. They could be all-natural or they can be synthetically made. The advent of time has seen to it that almost any desired scent can be created.
With this, you get your preferred scent, whether the rugged and manly scent or the sensual and romantic scent.
In every bottle of cologne, one note is almost always more pronounced than the rest at first. That top note is the one you have to decide on before you go shopping.
It is the one that would create the very first impression, for you and others. This is not a decision to be made at the store or at the spur-of-the-moment.
Perfumer
Some brands, or perfumers, have distinguished themselves from others by their uniqueness. For some, their scents are easily recognizable from far away. This is because they already have a signature which is noticeable, even with different fragrances.
Having a particular perfumer you favor is a positive thing. Here is why: when they make different colognes, you can still use any one of them. You would not be veering far off from that core scent you like.
For example, if you have favored Versace fragrances for years, it would be easy to use different products from the brand. It does not have to be the particular one you use all the time.
Therefore, it is advisable to have a favorite brand. This does not mean you should not try out other brands from time to time. It simply means that it would be easier for you make a choice that way.
Price of the Cologne
The higher the price of a bottle of cologne, the more it should offer you. When you pay more, you should never settle for mediocrity.
In the same vein, everyone’s bottle of cologne will not offer the same thing. If your choice goes for $100, for example, and your friend’s goes for $250, there will be some difference. Their scent would last longer than yours. This is because their choice probably contains a higher concentration of aromatic oils, which are expensive, than yours.
Apart from the oils, there are other ingredients that could affect pricing. The rarer the ingredients in a bottle of cologne, the higher the price would be.
Year of Production
Colognes affect the senses the same way wine does. And in much the same way that wine ages, scents age, too.
The reason is that some of the active ingredients change and become sharper with time. If you have a good bottle of cologne, and it lasts long, the scent would probably change and become sharper. A current scent could smell somewhat different in two years’ time.
The year of production could also affect the types of scents that are available. As the years go by, perfumers go with the changing times. The scents available twenty years ago might not be so obtainable now.
Projection of the Cologne
The distance that your cologne travels could be seen as important. If you are particular about having people notice your cologne, you should check its strength. When it is that strong, you should only use a little. This is because too much of it would be overwhelming. Keep the strength of the cologne in mind when making a choice.
5 Tips to Make your Cologne Shopping Profitable
Below are some tips you can employ to maximize your shopping. With the information, getting the right cologne should not be so daunting anymore…
Check Lesser-Known Brands
Do not fixate on designer brands. Thing is, a lot of these barely-known brands are perfumers. They focus all their attention on just making scents that are unique.
The result is usually clear to see. The perfumers give the best worth for your money, creating scents that suit you and last long. You can also trust that they would use natural ingredients most of the time, to eliminate undue adverse reactions. So, do not get carried away by big names. Settle down and find what works for you.
Trust your Instincts
Nowadays, fragrance bottles come in different shapes, sizes and colors. When you enter a perfume store, you can be dazzled by them. Do not let that faze you; just go with your gut feeling.
Walk the isles and pick out the ones that are most attractive to you. When you have done this, begin to smell or test them one by one. One or two would stay with you.
Avoid Complicated Scents
This tip is peculiar for those who are hesitant about wearing scents. There are colognes that have complicated blends. If you are trying out cologne for the first time, you may want to go with an easily recognizable scent, like citrus.
The same goes for those who are wary about wearing complicated fragrances. Choose something light, fresh and simple. This would help you maximize it to the full.
Run a Test on your Own Skin
Everyone has a unique scent. Ten people could use one bottle of cologne and come out smelling differently. This is because the ingredients in it mix in different ways with the skin’s oil.
This is why you need to test your choice of cologne on you. Do not check it on the salesperson’s wrist; it won’t give you the same result. Running a test on your own skin is the best way to know what you are getting.
Go Along with Someone
When you go shopping for cologne, take a friend whose opinion you trust. This should be someone who would tell you the truth and help you choose the best.
Women are usually better at choosing fragrances. But do not let that restrict you from taking a man if he knows about colognes. Let them smell your choice on your skin. Getting a second, or even a third, opinion in such a delicate matter would not hurt.
