Many people wear perfume or cologne as a means of smelling nice for special occasions, such as a night out with friends, a hot date with a new love interest, or simply to present a good front at an important event.
But how long does cologne last once applied to the skin, and what factors affect its longevity?
How Long Does It Last?
Generally speaking, an average splash of cologne will last for about one to two hours.
This obviously depends on the amount you have applied, the environment you are in for that duration, and elements such as temperature.
What Happens To Cologne?
When it comes to predicting the longevity of perfume or cologne, there are several key factors that come into play.
Volume
As touched on previously, the amount of cologne you apply has a direct correlation to how long the scent will last on your skin.
Liquid fragrance evaporates into vapor at room temperature, and thus the more liquid fragrance you begin the process with, the longer your skin will smell of the product in question.
Of course, there are downsides to applying a hefty amount of scent, and we have all been around people who might have overdone it.
Volatility
On the subject of evaporation, the rate of this also depends on the molecules of the specific ingredients that the cologne or perfume contains.
Not all of these ‘aroma chemicals’ evaporate at the same rate, which goes to explain why certain smells like citrus (oranges, lemons, etc) tend to evaporate quickly, whereas others like musk tend to linger for a much longer period of time on the skin.
This also comes down to the surface area of the application.
Colognes which have been sprayed onto the skin cover a wider surface area, thus evaporating at a quicker rate.
Whereas cologne or perfume that has to be applied as an oil or liquid will tend to cover a smaller surface area, thus taking slightly longer to evaporate.
Lifetime
All molecules have a lifespan, and this is also true of scent molecules.
Depending on the molecule/ingredient in question, the lifespan could be shorter or longer, which will have a direct impact on how long the smell will remain on your skin.
There also needs to be a certain concentration of these scent molecules for the human nose to be able to detect and smell it.
Sense of smell varies depending on species, which is why dogs are better at sniffing substances than humans are, and unfortunately, as humans, our sense of smell is fairly limited – at least when placed against other species in the animal kingdom.
How To Properly Apply Cologne
When it comes to most things, there are right and wrong ways to do things, especially when you are trying to get the most from a specific product.
Bodily Location
The place where you apply the cologne or perfume also makes a huge difference to how long it will last.
If you are spraying it on areas that make frequent contact with other surfaces – such as your hands or wrists – then the scent doesn’t stand a chance of lasting more than a short period of time.
Be sure to consider the location you’re intending to apply the scent, and consider what the individual body parts are going to be coming into contact with on a regular basis.
This is one of the best ways to get the most out of your cologne.
The Right Amount
Another important thing to consider is whether you are wearing the right amount of cologne.
This can obviously be a fine line to walk, but if you are not putting enough on, then it certainly isn’t going to last for the duration of any event or special occasion.
Ask a partner or friend to do a smell test, as this is the best way to tell whether it is too faint or too overpowering.
But remember, it is best to apply in smaller increments, so as to avoid smelling too strongly.
Cologne Longevity & Perception
Of course, there can be times when it is merely our own perception which has affected how well our cologne smells.
Olfactory Fatigue
This phenomenon is known as olfactory fatigue, and is essentially ‘nose blindness’, wherein we become so used to a particular smell that we no longer recognize it – or have the ability to discern it – amongst other smells in our environment.
The perfect example of this is how you might not realize that your home smells musty, that it is until you go away on vacation, only to return after a fortnight and notice a funny smell in the home.
This is why it is important to ask someone else’s opinion, particularly if you are concerned about your perfume or colognes longevity.
Things To Remember
When considering cologne, it is important to remember that the longevity of each scent is different, and there are numerous chemical configurations that go into making a particular brand or product.
All Scents Are Different
The chemical composition of fragrances tends to differ depending on the product or source of the smell.
This is the main reason why some colognes are really effective and long lasting, while others are poor and quick to dissipate.
It Is Situation Dependent
Depending on the situation, your cologne could last a long time, or a disappointingly short one.
Particularly hot environments will cause you to sweat, which dilutes the fragrance, and the heat also expedites the evaporation process.
Final Thoughts
And there we have it, everything you need to know about cologne, and how long it can last on the skin.
There are many different colognes on the market, but to stand the best chance of smelling good all evening, opt for ones with especially resilient ingredients, and always ask for a second opinion.
If you liked this article, you might enjoy our post, ‘7 Best-Smelling Aftershaves for Men That’ll Make You Love Shaving‘.
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