For many of us, the last step in our daily morning ritual is to spritz on a little perfume, some perhaps much more than others. Sometimes we even carry a small bottle of our favorite cologne with us to reapply throughout the day. What if you're having trouble figuring out the right amount to apply or don't want to carry an entire bottle of cologne with you throughout the day?
If you're looking to make your perfume routine a little easier, a good solution may be to switch to a solid cologne. Solid colognes are a perfect alternative to their spray counterparts - made with a high concentration of fragrance ingredients, a few swipes will keep you smelling fresh all day. Coming up, we'll talk more about solid colognes and how to use them, including some of our favorites.
Meet the expert
- Anthony Tori is an entrepreneur and co-founder of a solid cologne brand Ulio and Jack.
What is solid cologne?
The solid cologne is made from ingredients such as beeswax and shea butter forming the base, along with essential oils and other fragrances that give each a unique scent. The portability problem of ordinary glass cologne bottles was the reasoning behind many of the solid perfume brands now available - the solid base means that these colognes often come in small boxes, allowing for easy and discreet use.
"We started making solid cologne because we were traveling a lot and wanted to travel light," says Anthony Tori of Solid Perfumer. Ulio and Jack. "On top of that, our normal cologne bottles would break or even get confiscated at airport security lines, so we created wax colognes that are easy to carry in our pocket." The brand's colognes come in a small pocket-sized box that is only slightly larger than a matchbox. As Tori also points out, the size of most solid colognes means you can get it through airport security without having to worry about throwing it away.
Solid Eau de Cologne vs Eau de Cologne Spray
Besides portability, one of the main differences between solid and spray colognes is the method of applying the scent. Spray cologne typically uses an alcohol base that evaporates, leaving only the scent behind. If you're looking for an alcohol-free option, a solid may work for you. Tori says Ulio & Jack's solid colognes are made without alcohol, which he says is a big hit with customers. Many solid colognes, like the ones you'll find below, contain more such as jojoba oil rather than natural products. chemicals or things you can't pronounce. Solid cologne also tends to be more concentrated than sprays, which means a little can go a long way.
How to use solid cologne
Just like with spray perfumes, solid cologne works best when applied to your pulse points, such as the neck, chest, wrists and behind the ears. Similar to using a balm, simply rub your fingers gently over the wax and then apply it to the above areas.
As the wax begins to heat up on your body, the smell will become more pronounced, so be careful not to apply too much at first. As with all colognes, however, your body chemistry will determine how much and how often you use it. "How long the scent lasts will depend on the person's skin. People who tend to have drier skin will notice that the scent won't last as long as someone with oily skin," explains Tori.
