How To Match Cologne And Skin Type

Both cologne quality and effectiveness are tied to a great range of factors, such as diet, environment, genetics, and behavior (stress, smoking, etc.). But the biggest x-factors are your skin type and PH levels. And the oilier (or dryer) skin is, the more potent (or weak) cologne can smell.

Oily Skin

Skins high in natural oil represent more active body chemistry. This extra oil at the skin's surface can interact with cologne to create longer-lasting, more powerful scents. Alternately, too many natural skin oils (or perspiration) can merge with cologne to form an unwelcome odor. To guard against this, wear less cologne over the course of the day and opt for lighter fragrances, or types of cologne that contain less hints of musk and earth, and more citrus and floral tones. Cologne developed for summertime wear is the best bet for men with oily skin.

Dry Skin

Cologne dissipates faster from dry skin, so it must be applied more frequently. However, because of the ethyl alcohol base, frequent reapplications run the risk of further drying out and damaging your already dry or sensitive skin. What a conundrum...With this in mind, dry-skinned guys should opt for "winter" colognes. These are stronger fragrances, formulated to last longer in drier, colder times, and thereby reducing the need for frequent reapplication.

Sensitive Skin

Arguably the biggest danger for the sensitive-skinned man is wearing strong cologne while wearing other potent skin products. If you're prone to rashes and acne, you're best off refraining from using cologne alongside strong aftershave balms and body sprays. The potential for allergic reactions is simply too great. When it comes to buying cologne for sensitive skin, follow the same rules for dry skin, but also look for colognes that list all-natural ingredients free from synthetic fragrances. I'm especially partial to colognes from small natural health labels.

How To Test Cologne

Before getting into the nitty-gritty of matching cologne with skin type, here are some basics for picking out cologne:Play the right notes.

Each cologne is comprised of three "notes," or fragrances. While you're at the store, pick your favorite colognes, and spray a sample of each onto a blotter card (practically every fragrance counter provides these for free).

Smell the cologne; this is the first note, or "top note"; essentially, it's your first impression of a scent.

Wait 10 to 15 minutes and smell the card again. This is the middle note: it's the scent that takes over after the top note dissipates.

Now, wait 45 minutes to an hour, and smell again. This is the "dry-down note" -- the longest-lasting scent and one that will hang on for three to four hours. If all three notes meet your olfactory standards, you're good to go.

Popular Tip

For optimal results, apply cologne to your throat, wrists, chest, or the sides of your neck (opt for one or two of these spots at a time). These are "pulse points" for heat, and they create the best interaction between cologne and your natural oils. Another popular tip is to spray cologne onto the back of your knees before getting dressed, as scents tend to rise.

As a form of application, many men also prefer to spritz cologne into the air and then walk into the resultant mist, although most fashion experts caution against getting any cologne on your clothes -- so sticking to the first application method is best.And finally, the rule I can't repeat enough: No one should smell your cologne unless they're standing close to you. If you enter a room and people three feet away start sniffling, you're wearing too much. When in doubt, use as little cologne as possible. Women want to smell you, not Christian Dior.

• Owning the best colognes is a deal maker or breaker, but in order to make sure you step out looking and smelling like the complete package, make sure you're applying and storing your cologne correctly. Here are some tips:

• Never spray cologne onto your clothes.

• Apply cologne onto pulse points like the back of your knees (before getting dressed), on your wrists, on the base of your throat, and behind your ears.

• Keep your cologne in a dry, cool place, like a drawer or medicine cabinet.

• To make the cologne's scent last longer, "layer on" the same fragrance by using shower gel, moisturizer, or after-shave by the same brand and product line. Every man should have a rotation of at least three cologne bottles, to avoid the risk of being known as a predictable guy.

• Change up your cologne every now and then by always making sure it's appropriate for the time and place, and others will smell style from a mile away.

Tips Of The Day

Do dab or spray fragrance on areas of your body where the heat will cause the fragrance to slowly release.

-The "pulse points", i.e., anywhere you can easily feel your pulse, inside of wrists , inside of elbows, base of the throat, temples, behind the ears, behind the knees, ankles, breast cleavage or the middle of the chest, above the heart.

-To store perfume so it will last, keep it away from heat and light.
A dark closet, a seldom-opened deep dresser drawer, or a covered box will work well. Exposure to light is a sure way to send your fine fragrances round the twist.

-To store perfume so it will last, do not keep fine fragrances in the bathroom.

-To store perfume so it will last, do not keep fine fragrances in the bathroom, as the heat and humidity will hasten the breakdown of the chemicals.

-To store perfume so it will last, do not store perfumes in the fridge.

-To store perfume so it will last, do not store perfumes in the fridge as the humidity and temperature can cause unhappy changes in the chemistry
Layer the scent of your fragrance to make its presence felt longer.
Buy matching accessories to that fragrance (such as aftershave, shower gel, body lotion, deodorant) and apply those before spraying on the fragrance of the same make.

Do not spray fragrance into the air and then walk into it.

-This disperses most of the fragrance into the air and you may end up with it on your face, which will cause breakouts due to the high oil content in the perfume. It is not very effective as far as making the fragrance last.

Do not spray fragrance in your hair.

-It's sometimes believed that this will make the fragrance last longer, but in fact the oils in your scalp can change the fragrance in a way you won't like, and the alcohol in the fragrance can dry your hair

Do not spray fragrance directly on your clothes.

-Fragrance is designed to be on skin, not fabric, it may quickly turn into a smell you don't want around you as it reacts with the fabric.
To store perfume so it will last, avoid direct exposure to air.
Splash or pour bottles, which expose the fragrance to air every time they are opened, cause problems, so consider decanting perfume into a smaller atomizer for regular use.

Additional Tips For Men

When it comes to buying cologne, most men take one of two routes:

1. They restock bottles of the same cologne they've been using since high school.

2. They mix it up, changing their cologne based on what smells good to them at the department store counter.The latter route is obviously preferable, but choosing the right cologne isn't just a matter of what suits your nose -- it's a matter of what suits your skin.

The way a particular fragrance smells will change from guy to guy, as a cologne's scent is the product of chemical reactions between your skin and the cologne's ingredients. So read on and learn how to find the best types of cologne for your skin.

What Ingredients are in Perfume ?

In order to create the most desirable scent and to make it long lasting, perfumes include layers of notes. These notes include:

· Top notes
· Middle notes
· Base notes

Top notes, which are also referred to as head notes, are those scents that are immediately perceived when applying the perfume. These notes are made of light molecules that evaporate quickly, thus creating the person’s first impression of the perfume. Ginger and citrus are both popular choices for top notes.

Middle notes, also referred to as the heart or as the main body of the perfume, are those scents that come after the scent from the top notes have evaporated. This part of the perfume can actually seem unpleasant at first, hence being masked by the top notes. Over time, however, the scent becomes more pleasant. Rose and lavender are commonly used in order to create the middle notes.

The base notes is what is smelled after the middle notes dissipate. The base notes are meant to help provide the top and middle notes with added strength. Some base notes can still be smelled up to 24 hours after being applied.

A guide of the different scents available to you

Fruity

Fruity fragrances use fruit scents as part of the formula to create a spicy, fresh, and youthful scent that is versatile and may be worn in all seasons. These fragrances provide a classic scent with an added twist, and are ideal for outdoor wear particularly during milder weather.

Woody

Woody perfumes (sometimes called "chypre") are unique in that they feature hints of earthy tones such as tree bark or moss that are associated with forest scents. Woody scents are generally suited for the mature woman, since they have a very sophisticated quality. These scents - which can include sandalwood, patchouli, bergamot and cedar - are particularly suited for cooler evenings, and add a rich, natural and fresh air.

Green

Green fragrances provide a lighter scent that is reminiscent of freshly cut grass or spring growth. The predominant notes of these fragrances are derived from green plants such as pine, juniper, grass, leaves, and herbs. Generally speaking, green fragrances feature more neutral tones, making them ideal for all occasions – particularly for younger or sportier women.

Oriental

Oriental perfumes are strong and full-bodied, creating a sensual, exotic, and warm impression. Oriental fragrances include ingredients such as spices, musk, balsams, resins, sweet vanilla, and sumptuous flowers. Fragrance tones in this category cross over from spicy fruit scents to warm and woody ones. Oriental perfumes are ideal for corporate environments and special events.