Your cologne doesn't last forever once applied. Here's how to know when it's faded and whether reapplication is appropriate.
The Nose Goes Blind
The most important concept: olfactory fatigue means YOU stop smelling your own cologne long before others do. After 30-60 minutes, your brain filters out the constant scent signal. You think it's gone; everyone around you still smells it. This is why people over-apply — they can't smell it, so they spray more.
The Wrist Check
Put your nose directly on a sprayed area (wrist, collar). If you can smell it there, others can smell it from a normal distance. If nothing registers even on direct contact, the fragrance has truly faded.
When to Reapply
If the wrist check shows nothing after 4-6 hours, one touch-up spray is appropriate. Keep a decant handy for this. Never add more than one spray as a touch-up — the base notes from your morning application are still present even if the top notes are gone. Adding fresh top notes on top of existing base notes creates a richer, layered effect.
When NOT to Reapply
If you can still smell it on your wrist, don't add more. If someone close to you recently commented on your scent, it's still working. If you're in an enclosed space (office, car), reapplication risks over-saturation for everyone else.