Katrina Rosales
There is a science and an art to applying perfume correctly. The placement of the perfume depends on the environment, the outfit, and the desired experience. The best spots to apply perfume are the pulse points, which are warm and moist because the veins are closest to the skin in these places. These include the neck, wrists, inner elbows, collarbones, and behind the knees. Applying perfume to the chest, shoulder blades, and belly button can also allow a partner to smell it. To make perfume last longer, it is recommended to moisturize the skin first, as dry skin can cause the scent to fade more quickly. Perfume should also be applied directly to the skin, as synthetic materials can change the way it smells, and fabric only catches some parts of the perfume.
How to Correctly Apply Perfume
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Skin preparation | Take a shower or bath and dry your skin completely. Apply an unscented body lotion, oil, or Vaseline first. |
| Spray distance | Hold the bottle about 5 to 7 inches (13 to 18 cm) away from your skin. |
| Spray technique | Spray but don't rub. Avoid misting and walk through the fragrance cloud instead. |
| Amount | Don't overdo it. One spritz per pulse point is enough. |
| Pulse points | Spray your neck, collarbones, wrists, inner elbows, behind the ears, knees, and belly button. |
| Clothing | Avoid spraying on synthetic materials as it may discolour. Spray natural fabrics or walk through the mist to distribute the scent evenly over your clothes. |
| Storage | Store perfume in its original box at room temperature (70 degrees Fahrenheit). |
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Moisturise first
Moisturising your skin before applying perfume can help the scent last longer. This is because fragrance binds to the oils in your skin, so applying it after your body lotion or oil creates a better surface for the scent molecules to bind to.
It is best to use an unscented body lotion or moisturiser, so as not to interfere with the perfume's true scent. Vaseline is also a good option, as it is unscented and will not irritate the skin. If you have sensitive or eczema-prone skin, check with your dermatologist before applying perfume, as fragrance is a common allergen.
Applying moisturiser 10-15 minutes before the perfume has been found to be effective. However, if you use too much moisture, the perfume may not last as long.
After moisturising, you can spritz your perfume onto your pulse points, which are the points that are warm and moist because your veins are closest to the skin. These include your neck, chin, collarbones, wrists, inner elbows, chest, shoulder blades, and behind the ears.
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Pulse points
The pulse points on the body include the wrists, neck, and jawline area. The wrists are perhaps the most common place to apply perfume and are a perfect vehicle to distribute your scent to other pulse points. Avoid rubbing your wrists together after applying perfume, as this can break down the top notes of the perfume and affect how the scent develops on your skin.
The side of the neck is one of the more powerful pulse points on the body, thanks to the carotid artery that resides there. Applying perfume to the base of the throat is a great way to ensure your fragrance wafts towards your face throughout the day.
Other pulse points include the elbow creases, behind the knees, and behind the ears. Applying perfume to the inside of the elbows helps the fragrance to diffuse continuously throughout the day due to the natural movement of your arms. The area behind the knees retains heat, helping to maintain the fragrance's lasting trail. A spritz behind the ears ensures the perfume winds up in your hair, contributing to its range and longevity.
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Don't rub
Do not rub your wrists together after applying perfume. This is a common misconception and a sure way to reduce the strength of the fragrance. The friction caused by rubbing can break down the perfume, affecting the way it should smell. The top, middle, and base notes of a perfume are designed to unfold over time, and rubbing your wrists together will disrupt this process.
It is also important not to rub the perfume into your skin. Perfume should be applied to your pulse points, which are warmer areas of the body that will help the fragrance to evolve and diffuse throughout the day. These areas include your neck, chest, and wrists. By applying perfume to these areas without rubbing, you allow the fragrance to fully develop as it mixes with your body chemistry.
Rubbing perfume into your skin can also affect the way it dries. When you rub perfume, you are essentially forcing the top notes to evaporate faster, which can disrupt the delicate balance of the fragrance. This can cause the perfume to smell differently than intended and may even shorten the amount of time the scent lasts on your skin.
Another reason not to rub your wrists together after applying perfume is to avoid wasting the fragrance. When you rub your wrists together, some of the perfume will be lost to friction and evaporation. This means you'll need to use more perfume to achieve the desired scent, which can be especially costly if you're using a more expensive fragrance.
Lastly, avoid rubbing or wiping the perfume application area against your clothes or any other surface. This can transfer the perfume to unwanted areas and may cause staining or discolouration. Allow the perfume to dry on its own, and if you need to speed up the drying process, gently blot the area with a soft cloth or tissue. Remember, the key to properly applying perfume is to let it
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Spray before dressing
Spraying perfume before getting dressed is a great way to ensure the scent lasts longer. The fragrance will have direct contact with your body's natural oils, enhancing the scent and making it more durable.
It is important to remember that the perfume should be allowed to dry on the skin before putting on clothes, to avoid potential discolouration. The alcohol in perfumes can react with certain fabrics, so it is best to spray the perfume directly on the skin, rather than on the clothes.
If you want to spray your clothes, it is recommended to do so before you put them on, to ensure an even mist. Synthetic materials can change the way a perfume smells, so it is best to spray perfumes on natural fabrics.
When applying perfume, hold the bottle about 5 to 7 inches (13 to 18 cm) away from your skin and target the pulse points. These are areas where blood vessels are closest to the skin, creating extra heat, which enhances the fragrance and makes it last longer. The wrists, inner elbows, neck, collarbone, and behind the knees are all ideal places to spray perfume.
Remember, less is more when it comes to perfume. A few spritzes should be enough to leave a lasting impression.
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Avoid synthetic fabrics
While perfume generally lasts longer on clothes because fabric retains scent molecules better than skin, it is advisable to avoid spraying perfume directly onto synthetic fabrics. Synthetic fabrics such as polyester and nylon are less absorbent than natural fibres, so they are less likely to show immediate stains. However, perfumes with added dyes can leave visible marks on lighter synthetic fabrics. Synthetics also tend to hold on to scents for longer, which can be unpleasant if the perfume doesn't age well.
If you are going to spray perfume on your clothes, it is advisable to test it on a small part of the fabric first. Synthetic materials can also change the way a perfume smells, so it is best to only spray perfume on natural fabrics. Natural fabrics such as cotton, cashmere, wool or linen are better for retaining the original scent of the perfume.
Silk is a natural fibre that easily absorbs oils and fragrances. Perfume can leave stains on silk and also disrupt the fibre structure, weakening it over time. The high alcohol content in perfumes can dry out wool fibres, making them brittle and more prone to damage. Even with washing, these stains may remain because oils don't dissolve easily in water.
To avoid staining your light-coloured clothes, spray a cloud of perfume in front of you and walk into it immediately after.
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Frequently asked questions
Spray or dab perfume on your pulse points, such as your wrists, neck, collarbones, inner elbows, and behind the knees. Spraying perfume on your clothes can alter its scent, so it's best to apply it directly to your skin.
Hold the perfume bottle about 6 to 20 cm away from your skin and spray it onto the pulse.
Yes, it is recommended to moisturize before applying perfume. The fragrance binds to the oils in your skin, so applying it after your body lotion or oil creates a better surface for the scent molecules to bind to.
One spritz per pulse point is usually enough. Less is more when it comes to perfume, and you don't want to overwhelm yourself and others with a strong scent.
The best time to apply perfume is right after a shower or bath when your skin is still warm and damp. This helps the perfume spread more evenly across your skin.
