How Much?
This is probably the most common concern and question I get. I have a simple rule of thumb: hold out your arms and imagine a circle that touches the tips of your fingers surrounding you. Anyone outside of this circle should not be able to smell you unless your moving or there is some motion in the room. This means that someone you let into your personal space will be able to smell you and others won’t be disrupted by your scent. I always like to remind myself that fragrance is meant to be a subtle message about your personality and style. Your fragrance is much more effective when you allow others to get a slight whiff of the scent; only enough to draw them in closer. It’s not meant to cloud everyone around you. Got it? Perfect! OK… so, I can’t really tell you how many sprays to wear, because every scent has a different strength, but generally you’re safe with two sprays when going to the office and three or four when going out to the club. Now, some may be overwhelming with just one spray and others will be faint with even 4 sprays. Try to figure this out by asking friends if they can smell you while just outside arms length, 30 minutes after applying. Generally citrusy scents are ok to wear a little more, while heavier and sweeter scents are best to wear in moderation. Remember: don’t be that guy… you know.. the one who wears way too much of the wrong scent.
Where to apply?
Are you that guy who sprays the air and then walks into the cloud of cologne you just created? Well… if you are… Stop! It’s a huge waste and no one will be able to smell you in an hour or so…
The most common place that guy’s spray their fragrance is on their neck and/or upper chest. This is a great place to spray your fragrance, but I also recommend trying your forearms. Spraying your forearms will increase the projection of the scent — allowing others to get a better whiff of you. In the winter, heavier fragrances are more common — when wearing one of those, you may want to consider spraying the back of your neck so you don’t feel overwhelmed with scent. Spraying the back of your neck will also enhance the scent trail you leave behind when you’re walking. Ever walk past a really gorgeous girl and want her to look back at you? This will do the trick: wear a great fragrance on the back of your neck, and as she walks past, she won’t be able to resist turning around to figure out what that was! …Now, you look back.. catch her eye and bam! Ask for her number… done! You’re welcome!
Is your scent just not lasting?
Got a scent that just doesn’t last? Everyone is different, but most of our noses get used to scents relatively quickly and we just stop smelling them. This is called scent fatigue and it gets even the best of us — tempting us to spray on more and overwhelming your neighbors. First, ask a friend if they can smell it before completely deciding that it’s faded away. Usually, you still smell great! But, for those fragrances that truly don’t last as long as you’d hope, try spraying the pits of your elbows (that area that’s opposite of your elbow — the crease between your bicep and forearm). This area tends to lock in the scent for almost twice as long. And when you extend your arm you allow a burst of fragrance out.
What to Wear?
Ok… So I’ve told you how to wear it. Now, here are a few of my favorites that get the most complements from women. Also, they aren’t overly popular, so you’ll smell unique!
Aqva by Bvlgari
($27 – $80) Website >>
Two sprays is great for the office and three-four when you’re out. This one is aquatic, fresh and lasts all day! Definitely a head turner with great projection.
Terre d’Hermes by Hermes eau de toilette
($69 – $120) Website >>
Two sprays of this is sufficient for the office and three when you’re out. This one is the perfect combination of pepper, woods and vetiver (a very sexy earthy grass). This one is definitely going to get a ton of attention from the ladies.
Aventus by Creed
($150 – $320) Website >>
Two sprays for the office and three-four when you’re out. This is by far my favorite of the above mentioned. It’s a bit pricy, but worth it! This one is guaranteed to garner compliments! It’s very unique, lasts all day and smells incredible! You’re going to want to bathe in this stuff, but try to fight the temptation. It smells like pineapple, apple, dry woods with a sexy ambergris note. I’ve never been able to get through a full day’s wearing without receiving at least one or two compliments. It’s been referred to as a “panty dropper” on several occasions.
