Typically, a cologne will project to other people from a few minutes to 2 hours, and will further linger on the skin for 3 to 5 hours. Giving a cologne a longevity of 3 – 8 hours. However, these figures depend on a number of factors such as the concentration of the cologne, your skin type, and even where on your body you spray it.
If you’ve ever wondered whether your new bottle of cologne was fading a lot quicker than it was supposed to, trust me, you’re not alone.
The truth is, there is no magic minute or hour that all colognes will last for, even for the exact same bottle! How long your cologne lasts will depend on a whole lot of factors, like the type of cologne, you’re skin type, and even where on the body you spray it!
So keep reading this article where we explain these factors and everything there is to know about how long colognes last on the skin.
How Long Does Cologne Last On The Skin?
There are only so many sprays in each bottle of cologne, so it makes sense that we would like each spray to last as long as possible. But unfortunately, every bottle has its limitations.
A cologne is usually detectable to other people for a few minutes to up to 2 hours, before it fades and becomes a skin scent.
At this stage, the scent is only noticeable to the person wearing it, and can no longer be determined by others. This usually lasts for 3 to 8 hours.
However, these time frames are just a rough guide, and I have even seen examples of fragrances lasting for days after use. So what are the factors that affect how long a cologne lasts on the skin?
Factors That Affect Longevity
Concentration
Concentration is without a doubt the biggest factor when it comes to how long your cologne will last. If you are new to the idea of fragrance concentration, check out this article we wrote here.
But to put it simply, concentration is the amount of fragrance oil present in a cologne’s mixture.
Comparing the two most common fragrance levels, an Eau de Toilette Cologne will last you around 3 to 5 hours of scents, while an Eau de Parfum Cologne lasts around 5 to 6 hours.
Skin Type
Your skin type is a crucial factor. Oily and combination skin are the champions here, embracing and extending the fragrance’s lifespan. The natural oils provide a hospitable environment for the scent to settle. In comparison, people with dry skin, such as myself, struggle to hold the fragrance for as long, due to the lack of moisture to hold onto those fragrant molecules.
The Weather
Mother Nature herself also plays a hand in this. More heat means the faster evaporation of cologne, cutting its lifespan super short. Picture those summer days when your fragrance seems to disappear into thin air. Wind and air quality also step into the scene.
Wind can whisk away your fragrance particles, leaving you with just a faint whisper of your chosen scent. Humidity can also shorten fragrance longevity as it accelerates the evaporation of scent molecules from the skin!
The Notes
It was pretty recently that I discovered, that certain fragrance notes last longer than others.
Fragrances are composed of various notes that unravel over time. Some notes are resilient voyagers, accompanying you throughout the day. Spicy, woody, and oriental notes tend to have staying power, while lighter, citrusy notes fade sooner.
Where On The Skin
I’ve also learned it’s important to be smart when deciding WHERE on the skin you should apply your cologne.
Applying cologne on pulse points, where blood vessels are closer to the skin’s surface, creates a longer-lasting effect. These areas emit heat, aiding in the gradual evaporation of the fragrance, resulting in a slow and continuous release of the scent throughout the day.
To read our full guide on how best to apply perfumes and colognes, click here!
Clothes Vs Skin
A big decision when it comes to applying cologne is whether to go for the clothes or the skin.
Cologne lasts longer on clothes, trapping the scent, and acting as a reservoir of fragrance. However, cologne is designed to mingle with your skin’s natural oils and do not cause stains unlike applying on clothes, so while clothes might keep the fragrance alive longer, the skin is still the best place for your cologne!
Projection Vs Longevity
Before we go any further, it’s important that we clarify a pretty big misconception people have when discussing long-lasting fragrances.
And that is the difference between LONGEVITY and PROJECTION. To simplify;
Projection
Projection, also known as sillage, is about how far a fragrance radiates from your body and how noticeable it is to others around you. To put it simply, how long the fragrance is detectable to the people around you?
Longevity
Longevity refers to how long a fragrance remains detectable on your skin after application. It’s a measure of how many hours the scent remains noticeable, even if it becomes faint.
How To Keep Cologne On the Skin For Longer!
Some quick steps you can take to keep Cologne on your skin for longer;
- Hydrate Your Skin: Moisturized skin holds onto fragrance more effectively. Apply an unscented lotion before spritzing your cologne.
- Layering: Opt for matching scented shower gels or lotions to build a strong foundation for your cologne.
- Pulse Points: Apply cologne to pulse points—wrists, neck, and behind the ears. These areas emit heat, enhancing the scent diffusion.
- Don’t Rub: Rubbing your wrists together after applying cologne can break down the fragrance molecules. Let it air dry instead.
- Clothing Trick: If you aim for an extended scent trail, lightly spritz your clothes from a distance.
For even more tips and tricks, please see our article here, where we cover the topic in depth!
Experiment: What Is The Longest Lasting Cologne?
In the cologne industry today, there are a few popular fragrances that most people seem to own. So, on the topic of long-lasting colognes, I’ve decided to examine four of the most popular colognes that I own, and determine which of these is the longest-lasting!
(I’ve used the eau de toilette release of all these fragrances and sprayed two times each on my neck.)
How Long Does Dior Sauvage EDT Last?
Sauvage: I chose to apply Sauvage at around 1 pm in the afternoon. And although the projection was practically over after 3 hours, I could still faintly smell it on my skin by 9 pm. However, I did spend most of that day indoors and in cool rooms, so Sauvage lasts around 7-9 hours.
Projection: 3 Hours
Longevity: 7-9 Hours
How Long Does Bleu Chanel EDT Last?
Bleu de Chanel: The following day, it was time for one of my all-time favorites, Bleu de Chanel. Again, at 1 p.m., I sprayed it twice on my neck. However, this time, by 8 pm, the scent was completely gone. I did, however, spend a few hours of that day shopping in the London summer climate, resulting in 6 – 7 hours of longevity.
Projection: 1 Hour
Longevity: 6-7 Hours
How Long Does Versace Eros EDT Last?
Versace Eros: Now it was time for one of Versace’s modern classics, Eros. Once again, at 1 p.m., I sprayed it twice. And by 10 o’clock that night, I could still detect it on my skin! What’s most interesting is that I spent almost the entire day outside in pretty warm weather. Thus, for me, Eros boasts 9 hours of longevity.
Projection: 2 Hours
Longevity: 9 Hours
How Long Does Creed Aventus EDT Last?
Creed Aventus: Now, moving on to one of the most expensive bottles in my collection, Aventus by Creed.
On this occasion, I sprayed the cologne at 7 a.m. just before leaving the house. And while I was expecting the scent to fade quickly, I was pleasantly surprised. By the time I got home at 4 p.m., the scent was still faintly present, while also having a very strong projection throughout the entire day.
Projection: 3 Hours
Longevity: 9 Hours
| Fragrance (EDT) | Longevity | Projection |
|---|---|---|
| Dior Sauvage | 7-9 Hours | 3 Hours |
| Bleu de Chanel | 6-7 Hours | 1 Hours |
| Versace Eros | 8-9 Hours | 2 Hours |
| Creed Aventus | 9-10 Hours | 3 Hours |
Conclusion
So, to conclude. You can expect a few sprays of cologne to the skin to last a total of 3 to 8 hours, on average. For the first two of these hours, the cologne will project and be noticed by people around But for the hours that follow, it will fade into a skin scent, only noticeable when you put your nose to it.
But as we’ve also learned, a lot of factors can play at hand, such as the weather, your skin type, and the type of fragrance cologne you are using.
So next time anyone ever wonders how long colgones tend to last on the skin, we hope you now have the info to give them the answer!
