My social media timeline appears to finally be safe this week. I have been seemingly spared from rotating reels of pulsating, performative pelvic pumps, and your favorite fragrances furiously flying on faces with fervent folly. To be fair, there was a method to all the Internet madness. Traditionally, both sides of the neck are touted as the preferred landing spot for your favorite fragrance, as the pulse points provide a warm area to gently heat and project the scent. However, claims that synthetic compounds in your fragrance can be readily absorbed by your thyroid gland (sitting beneath your neck’s thin layer of skin) have given pause to many individuals. Now, I am not an endocrinologist, but I respect the deep concern.

Nevertheless, rubbing cologne on your face and beard does not seem like a great alternative either. It should be noted, if you have selected a quality fragrance that exhibits longevity, projects well, and smells great – you can skip all the unnecessary theatrics set to 90s R&B music unless you fancy peacocking for the Internet. Honestly, I never sprayed cologne directly on my throat, as I was never really comfortable holding the atomizer close to my neck. However, if potentially disrupted hormones are a concern (I humbly suggest you contact your primary care physician for a discussion) here are a few spots that I prefer. Depending on the strength of the fragrance, of course I do not hit every location. I do not need to asphyxiate myself, nor the person next to me.

• Shoulder blades & deltoids – keep the scent close and leave a great scent trail behind you. I find myself enjoying my scent for the day a bit longer when applied to the back area.
• Forearms – arm movement greatly assists with scent projection. I always aim for the forearms – never my wrists – as the forearms provide a larger landing area for distribution.
• Inner elbows – same as with your forearms, movement helps with projecting your fragrance to the surrounding area.
• Stomach – contain your fragrance within your clothing, your body can warm the fragrance, and it will naturally waft upwards through your torso area.