It's 2022 and men everywhere are giving up their spray colognes for their solid counterpart. Why? If You're like me you probably didn't even know cologne came in a solid form. I just learned this a year ago at a trade show in Midland, TX. A local men's grooming company was handing out samples and I am not one to turn down a sample of anything. So I tried it right then and there and never looked back. In my opinion Solid Cologne is better than spray because you can't beat the durability, portability, ease of use, and long lasting fragrance.
What is Solid Cologne?
Cologne in solid form is typically a combination of intoxicating scents like Red Saffron, Grapefruit, & Redwood mixed in a wax base. Traditionally they will come in a tin or roll on. Solid cologne for men (also referred to as "hard cologne" or "dry cologne") has exploded in the past several years due to its durability, lasting fragrance, and subtle nature, but it's nothing new.
Solid cologne, in some form or another, has been around for centuries. In fact the Ancient Egyptians were obsessed with smelling their best and often used body oils and solid perfume made with beeswax, oils, and animal fats. The oil became a staple of daily life as the dry and arid climate meant that they were a necessary part of Egyptian life. So in a way, without Cleopatra we may not have the men's fragrance industry we have today.
What is Spray on Cologne?
Spray on Cologne is a fragrance typically mixed with a carrier agent (such as alcohol or water) that allows the fragrance to be dispersed evenly in one spray. The scent comes from either essential oils or fragrance oils.
What is the difference between Solid cologne and liquid cologne?
Besides the obvious fact that one's a solid and one's a liquid. The most noticeable difference between the 2 is strength. And by that I mean radius. How far people can smell you coming. The scent is typically much stronger with spray on cologne so the scent can be detected from further away. (Not always a good thing.)
The 2nd most noticeable difference I found is staying power. Liquid colognes are known for evaporating very quickly while hard colognes seem to stay on the skin longer and allow the fragrance to mature as the day goes on while uniquely interacting with your skin aroma and body temperature.
Can you eat solid cologne?
No...... Solid cologne is not eatable and why would you want to anyways?
Where can I buy solid cologne near me?
Due to the raise in popularity over the years many more retail stores offer a solid cologne but it's still much easier to find it's liquid counterpart. If you live in or near Midland, TX you can always stop by the Midland Downtown Farmers Market and pick up some Solid Colognes in our most popular scents like Red Saffron, Grapefruit, & Redwood or Lime, Bergamot, & cedar. Otherwise you can buy some straight from the Daily Grind online store.
Is liquid or solid cologne better?
It really comes down to personal preference but in my view dry cologne is better. Let me give you 4 reasons why:
1. More Durable.
I love that it comes in a discreet metal tin. It's sturdy & wont break which is what I need because I'm rough on everything I own. I can't tell you how many glass bottles of spray on cologne I've broken by simply dropping on the floor.
2. More Portable & easier to travel with.
Most airlines don’t allow bottles of liquid but never seem to have a problem with a solid cologne. I've had to toss so many expensive bottles of cologne out at tsa it would make your head spin. The small size and light weight of solid cologne makes it perfect for carrying with you on the go. Easily fits in your jean pockets or in your breast pocket, allowing you to freshen up throughout the day as needed.
3. Milder scent.
Look, we all know a guy at the office or at the bar who smells like he bathed in aftershave, you can smell him coming from a mile away. Alot of men are guilty of this and don't realize it. Most spray on cologne / aftershave have a very strong fragrance making it easy to overdue it. If you've ever walked past an Abercrombie & Fitch in the mall or a man wearing Axe Body Spray from the 90s you'll know what I mean.
Solid colognes tend to be more subtle so you won’t need to worry about leaving a trail of "bro cologne" through the office and subjecting all your co-workers to your bad decisions. Unlike the spray it's really hard to overdue it with a solid blend.
4. Not as harsh on your skin.
Most body spray is made with a high percentage of alcohol which is known for drying out the skin. Of course we could debate whether the occasional spray on your skin is good or bad for you but using a solid wax cologne is certainly better as it doesn't include any alcohol and instead utilizes natural moisturizing ingredients like shea butter and essential oils.
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How to apply Solid Cologne.
Application couldn't be easier. Simply glide a finger or two over the wax until it heats up enough to lightly coat your finger tip. Then rub the product onto the typical pulse points like the wrist, behind the ears and neck or thighs ;) As the wax heats up from your skin the scent will evolve throughout the day as it subtly blends with your own natural aroma.
Can I use Solid Cologne in my beard?
I mean, yes, technically you could but why? I would suggest using a beard oil or beard balm instead as they are crafted specifically to moisturize and condition your beard, leaving your facial hair not only smelling great but feeling great too.
DIY How to Make Your Own Solid Cologne.
Believe it or not it's actually pretty simple to make your own wax cologne at home. All you'll need is Beeswax, a carrier oil such as jojoba, olive, grapeseed, sweet almond oil, argan oil etc. Essential oils of your choice for fragrance, and Containers to hold your cologne like Altoid tins, etc.
Step One: Because this 4 step DIY process is so easy, why not make several batches and try different scents to find your favorite. First, decide how much dry cologne you want to make. How many containers do you want to fill? Pro Tip: I suggest using equal parts beeswax and carrier oil. Try 2 tbsp of beeswax and 2 tbsp of Argan oil. If your beeswax/oil mixture is getting too thick once you start melting down, you can always add more oil as you go.
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Step Two: It’s important to create a fragrance you are stoked with BEFORE you add it to the wax, so play around with your scented essential oils by pouring them into a separate bowl before taking your beeswax/oil mixture to the stove to melt it down. I suggest about 18-25 drops of oils per 1 tbsp. You can always add more or less depending on how strong you’d like your cologne to be. Make sure your containers are prepped and ready for pouring before you have a bowl of steaming hot liquid in your hands!
Step Three: Using a double boiler, heat your beeswax and oil on the stove. If you don’t have a double boiler, you can always fill a pot with water and place a heat safe bowl in the boiling water to melt the beeswax. Just don't try melting down beeswax in a microwave. Heat the wax on low/medium heat and stir aggressively as it melts. Once the wax is completely melted add your essential oil concoction into the melted mixture.
Step Four: After the wax is melted down, pour it into your containers. It will most likely begin to harden before you get the bowl emptied out, so just pop it back on the stove if you have too. The wax will only need a few hours to harden and then Boom! You’re all done! You now have home made, all natural, dry cologne.
What does solid cologne taste like?
Again, I would not advise eating dry cologne, or liquid cologne for that matter. But I imagine it tastes just like it smells. Please don't eat your grooming products.
In conclusion: The debate over solid cologne vs liquid is a hot topic right now but I got my money on solid.
I hope you found this article helpful. If so, I'd love to hear from you in the comments.
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Author: Lance Reis