Mens cologne differs from perfumes in the ratio of the fragrance extracts, or notes, to its alcohol content. Cologne is made up of about three to eight percent of fragrance extracts, which is approximately half of perfume’s extract ratio. Due to the higher alcohol content, cologne evaporates more quickly, making it a lighter scent than perfume. The higher alcohol content also helps make colognes less expensive than perfumes.
There are several different types of cologne for men that feature specific fragrances, also known as note families. The most popular scents for men are the woody and the combination fragrances, called aromatic fougere. Other fragrance families include floral, oriental and fresh scents. The major types of fragrances usually include hints of scents such as moss, citrus and musk.
A man’s personality offers good clues to the kind of mens cologne he likely will prefer. Men who love the outdoors, or who enjoy sports, will may appreciate the woodsy fragrances. More sophisticated men may enjoy using colognes with notes of an oriental scent. Older men often prefer the more traditional woodsy and blended, or aromatic fougere, colognes. Younger men may be willing to experiment with colognes that feature newer floral, citrus, oriental and fresh scents.
Mens cologne comes in a number of different products, such as aftershave, bath soap, deodorant, hair products as well as cologne. Fragrance manufacturers often package these toiletries together. The important thing to remember when using mens cologne, or a number toiletries with the same fragrance, is that “less is more.” Especially when worn in an office setting, fragrances in different products can quickly become overwhelming, or even bring out allergies in others. A good rule of thumb is to use just enough fragrance that it can be noted only by people standing less than three feet away in a closed space.
It’s important to test cologne on the body before buying, rather than choosing one based solely on its description. Colognes have a different scent on different people due to body chemistry, so it’s best to visit a cologne counter at a store to sample the selections available. When the potential selections have been narrowed down to just a few, testing the fragrance on the wrist is the best way to assess how it reacts with the body’s chemistry. If possible it’s best to wait 24 hours before testing another fragrance on the body. Taking time to find the perfect mens cologne will help any professional present a more polished appearance