Steps to Apply Cologne Thursday, November 25, 2010

Many of us are familiar with eau-de-cologne, or more commonly known as cologne. This perfume, which is made of various citrus oils, is used by both men and women alike. Made in the German town of Cologne, it has been described as 'an Italian spring morning, mountain daffodils and orange blossoms after the rain' by its creator, Giovanni Maria Farina.

It only has a typical concentration of 2% to 5% of essential oils, which comprise of lemons, orange, tangerine and the like. It has a very strong smell and it's not advisable to put copious amounts of it on one's person.

Although it is common in our everyday lives, many people still don't know the proper way to apply cologne. So, for the uneducated, here are some tips:

1) Know your skin type. For dry skin, you will actually need more than those with moist skin. It is also better to apply moisturizer before the perfume. That way, the fragrance will be more likely to stick to your skin and stay there for a much longer time.

2) Find your pulse sites. These are the areas on your bodies which you can feel your heartbeat. It is normally at the carotid artery at the neck and the radial artery on both wrists. Applying it there will actually amplify the smell because the constant throbbing will release the aroma from your skin to the surrounding air.

3) Use your fingers. Don't spray or apply directly on your skin. Usually they come in small bottles which have tiny openings. Tip over the bottle, with your finger covering the opening, for a couple of seconds before flipping it back again. You should have some residue on your fingers which should be enough to be dabbed on your pulse sites (neck and wrists for men and between the breasts for women).

Cologne, despite its fancy name, is just another perfume. However, it is more commonly used by men and quite affordable, unlike perfume. They don't give out such a smothering smell and it is worth it to have a bottle around with you.

I've had troubles with choosing right cologne or for my personal use or a gift for my friends. A great website I've found and used many times to purchase discount perfume and cologne is http://www.parfumy.com/