The Definitive Guide to Colognes (For Men Who Don't Wear Cologne)

The same fragrance can smell different on different people because each individual's skin has its own chemical signature and pH balance. Because of this it's important to sample the cologne on your own skin and not just on the test strips they give you at the store.

However, when you go to the store it's best to avoid spraying every cologne on your skin. Not only will you likely get kicked out of the mall later, but you won't be able to distinguish between fragrances. The best method is to get a pile of test strips and a pen. Write the name of the cologne on the strip and then spray the strip with the fragrance. Choose your top five or so fragrances, and only then try a couple of them on your skin. It is important to wait at least twenty minutes before making your final decision, as this is what fragrance will actually smell like in day to day use.

For a more detailed buying guide, check out A guide to choosing and buying fragrance on basenotes.net.

Where should I apply fragrance?

Colognes react to body heat, so it's best to target areas of the body that produce the most heat and are exposed to air. Good places include the wrists, the back of the neck, and the chest. Avoid applying to back of ears as the fragrance will come off too strong.

Some General Tips

-Avoid rubbing your wrists together because the friction will make the cologne turn sour.

-Do not apply cologne to wet skin as the scent will dissipate too quickly and the residue will smell sour.

-In the strange but true category, wearing the same cologne as the girl's father may work in your favor...

Or, more commonly, what is the best cologne to pick up women? Sadly, there is no one answer on this. First, each cologne will smell different on each person because of difference in skin type and pH balance. Second, different girls are different (I know, I know). A girl may love the smell of a cologne on one guy but hate the smell of the same cologne on a different guy. So what can we do?

The best advice is to choose a cologne you like that also matches your personality type. Wearing an ultra-masculine cologne like Kouros if you aren't ultra masculine is like wearing a huge cowboy hat to a party and then just sitting in the corner -- it makes you look awkward. Wearing the right cologne for you will make you look self-confident, and ultimately self-confidence is the most attractive quality in a guy. Trust me, I know. I read it on Wikipedia.

There are hundreds of colognes on the market today, and below I list just the best of the best. These aren't necessarily the most popular, because most people just buy whatever Walmart or their local drug store is selling. However, these are the ones that people who know cologne love.

To make things easier, I have grouped the fragrances below by recommended use. I have tried almost all of these at one point or another, and you really can't go wrong with any of them.

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