The Journal

A woman hugging a man at an apartment door at golden hour with a Bale jar on the table

The arm's length test: is your scent too strong?

Hold your arm out and sniff. If you can clearly smell your scent from there, it is too strong. How to run the test and fix it.

The arm's length test: is your scent too strong?

Hold your arm out and sniff. If you can clearly smell your scent from there, it is too strong. How to run the test and fix it.

Six small Bale sample jars in a row on an oak desk beside a notebook, pen and watch

Run your own wear test: how long does a scent l...

The only longevity number that matters is yours. A simple wear test: same amount, same spot, several days, damp skin against dry, checked at set points and written down.

Run your own wear test: how long does a scent l...

The only longevity number that matters is yours. A simple wear test: same amount, same spot, several days, damp skin against dry, checked at set points and written down.

A closed Bale jar in an open dresser drawer among folded shirts and a leather watch roll

Heat, light and time: what breaks a fragrance down

Cologne does expire, slowly. Heat, light and air take the top notes first, darken the liquid and turn the opening sour. How to spot it, slow it, and why a...

Heat, light and time: what breaks a fragrance down

Cologne does expire, slowly. Heat, light and air take the top notes first, darken the liquid and turn the opening sour. How to spot it, slow it, and why a...

A man applying Bale Bleu Hour body butter to his wrist beside the open jar on a marble counter

Do not rub your wrists together

Rubbing your wrists after you spray cologne pushes the opening off faster and smears it thin. Spray, let it dry, and save the rubbing for a body butter, where it...

Do not rub your wrists together

Rubbing your wrists after you spray cologne pushes the opening off faster and smears it thin. Spray, let it dry, and save the rubbing for a body butter, where it...

A man holding a Bale Savanna jar up in a hotel bathroom with brass fittings

Why you should never buy cologne on the first s...

The first spray is alcohol and top notes. How to choose a cologne by what is left an hour later and at the end of the day.

Why you should never buy cologne on the first s...

The first spray is alcohol and top notes. How to choose a cologne by what is left an hour later and at the end of the day.

A man applying Bale Bleu Hour body butter to his wrist beside the open jar on a marble counter

How to test a cologne on skin, not on paper

Paper strips skip your skin's warmth and chemistry. Here is how to test a cologne on skin and what to check at the end of the day.

How to test a cologne on skin, not on paper

Paper strips skip your skin's warmth and chemistry. Here is how to test a cologne on skin and what to check at the end of the day.

Stock up and save

Mix any scents. One for work, one for nights out, one for weekends.

Starts with Rogue 540. Swap any jar for another scent on the next page.