Katrina Rosales
Applying perfume is an art and a science, and there are several factors to consider when it comes to making your fragrance last longer and smell better. From choosing the right perfume for your skin type to knowing the correct places to spritz, this guide will help you make the most of your favourite scent.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| How far away the bottle should be while spraying | 5 to 7 inches away from the skin |
| Where to apply perfume | Pulse points like wrists, neck, inner elbows, knees, collarbones, behind the ears, belly button, chest, shoulder blades, and back of the neck |
| How to apply perfume | Spritz or dab it, don't rub it |
| When to apply perfume | Post-shower, when the skin is dried off but still warm |
| How to store perfume | Store it in a box at room temperature, away from sunlight and steam |
| How much perfume to apply | Apply a light layer, don't overdo it |
| How often to buy a new perfume bottle | Consume perfume at a brisk pace, don't let oxygen break down the scent's molecules |
| How to test for allergies | Test a new scent on a small area of your skin and wait for an hour to see if there's any reaction |
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What You'll Learn
Apply directly to the skin
Applying Perfume Directly to the Skin
Applying perfume directly to the skin is the best way to make your fragrance last longer. Skin provides the perfect canvas for perfume, as the lipophilic (oil-loving) properties of skin allow the oils of the perfume to attach to it. The warmth of the skin then starts the unraveling process, allowing the scent to fully express itself.
Pulse Points
Pulse points are the best spots to apply perfume. These are the areas on your body where the blood vessels are close to the skin's surface, creating extra heat. The heat enhances the fragrance and helps it last longer. The pulse points include the wrists, inside of the elbows, behind the knees, the neck, the collarbone, and the chin. If you want to leave a scent trail, or 'sillage', the back of the neck and the inside of the knees are good spots.
Application Technique
When applying perfume directly to the skin, it is important not to rub it in. This can cause the top notes to fade and evaporate, and you will miss out on the overall experience of the scent. Instead, dab the perfume onto your skin. This allows the fragrance to mix with your natural oils.
Skin Hydration
Skin hydration also plays a role in making perfume last longer. Fragrance lasts longer when your skin is hydrated, so it is best to apply perfume right after a shower or bath when your skin is warm and dry. Applying an unscented body lotion or oil before spraying your fragrance can also help to enhance its longevity.
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Layer with other scented products
Layering with other scented products
Layering fragrances is a way to combine two or more scents to create a unique aroma. It allows you to customise, enhance and extend the life of your favourite fragrances while crafting a scent that's uniquely yours.
Where to start
Begin with clean skin. Apply a fragrance primer, which provides a neutral base for the fragrances to blend seamlessly. You can also start with a scented lotion or body oil to hydrate your skin—this helps the perfume stick better and last longer.
Choosing the fragrances
You can choose scents with similar notes or those from the same fragrance family. For instance, you can layer a vanilla perfume with a sandalwood or cedarwood scent underneath. Alternatively, combine scents from different fragrance families for a more complex result. For instance, you can start with a citrusy top note, add a floral middle note, and finish with a woody or musky base note.
Application
Apply the heaviest fragrance first so it doesn't get buried underneath the lighter one. You can also spritz one scent on your wrists and another on your neck.
Experiment
Play with different combinations to find your unique scent. You can also ditch the perfume and stick to scented body products for a more subtle fragrance experience.
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Spray post-shower
Applying perfume right after a shower can be a great way to make the scent last longer. The best way to go about this is to start by taking a warm or cold shower instead of a hot one, so you don't sweat. After showering, gently pat your skin with a towel until it is dry.
Next, apply your perfume to your pulse points. These are the areas of your body that emit heat, helping the fragrance to develop and intensify your scent. Pulse points include your wrists, neck, behind your ears, collarbone, cleavage, temples, inner elbows, and the top of your back. Jacques Huclier, a senior perfumer at Givaudan, recommends holding the perfume bottle about five inches from your skin when spraying. This will ensure that the scent is evenly distributed and will prevent an unpleasant feeling of liquid flowing onto your skin. Two or three spritzes are usually enough.
If you have oily skin, you may want to avoid applying perfume immediately after showering, as this can lead to body acne. Similarly, some people find that the scent of their perfume changes if they apply it to freshly cleansed skin, so they prefer to wait a few hours after showering. This is because showering removes the natural oils from your skin, which can affect the way a perfume performs in terms of both scent and longevity.
If you want to make your perfume last longer, you can apply an unscented moisturiser or a companion body lotion to your pulse points before spraying your perfume. This will provide a good base for the fragrance and prevent it from being affected by the natural oils of your skin.
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Don't rub perfume into the skin
Applying perfume is an art, and a science. It is not just about spraying your favourite scent, but also about making it last longer and preserving its integrity. One of the most common mistakes people make when applying perfume is rubbing their wrists together after spritzing. According to award-winning perfumer Francis Kurkdjian, this habit is "very bad".
The friction from rubbing your wrists together after applying perfume can change the course of the scent. The heat produced from rubbing can alter the middle and top notes of the fragrance, along with the dry-down, which is the last and longest period of the fragrance's unfolding. For example, a floral fragrance can lose its crispness when heated.
To preserve the integrity of your perfume and ensure it lasts longer, it is recommended to spritz both wrists lightly, let the liquid sink in, and then do nothing else. This allows the fragrance to develop as intended and helps to avoid any unwanted changes in the scent.
Additionally, it is important to consider the placement of your perfume. The pulse points on your body, such as your wrists, neck, and inner elbows, are ideal spots as they emit heat, helping the fragrance notes to develop quicker. However, if you are in a hot climate, it is best to avoid applying perfume directly to your body, as natural oils from sweating can break down the perfume faster. Instead, you can lightly mist your hair, scarf, or sarong, allowing the scent to diffuse gently.
Finally, it is worth noting that perfume should be consumed quickly. Oxygen is the "natural enemy of perfume," according to Kurkdjian, as it breaks down the scent's molecules, altering its composition. Therefore, it is recommended to use smaller bottles or decant larger bottles into smaller vials to maintain freshness.
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Walk through a fragrance cloud
To make your fragrance last longer, spritz into the air and walk through the perfume cloud. This technique is perfect for scenting your hair with your favourite fragrance. It's also a great way to ensure your perfume doesn't leave stains on fabrics. When you walk through the cloud of perfume, the scent will gently coat your hair and the exposed skin on your body. This method is ideal for strong perfumes that you want to apply more gently.
You can also use this method to refresh your fragrance throughout the day. Carry a small bottle of your perfume with you and spritz in front of you a couple of times, and then walk through the cloud as you normally would. This will give a subtle boost to your scent without being too overpowering.
Remember, when you're walking through the cloud, to keep the bottle at least 15-20cm away from your body and hair to ensure an even distribution of the scent. You don't want to drench yourself in perfume, just gently pass through the cloud so a light layer of fragrance settles on you.
This technique is a great way to apply perfume before leaving the house. You can spritz the air in front of you as you walk to your front door, ensuring you're enveloped in a subtle scent as you go about your day. It's a simple way to make sure your perfume is evenly distributed and not too strong.
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Frequently asked questions
The best spots to apply perfume are your pulse points, which are the points that are warm and moist because your veins are closest to the skin. These include the wrists, inner elbows, neck, collarbones, and behind the ears.
Avoid rubbing perfume into your skin, as this can cause the top notes to fade and evaporate. Instead, spritz or dab the perfume onto your skin, holding the bottle 5 to 7 inches (13 to 18 cm) away.
Apply perfume after taking a shower or bath, when your skin is still warm. This allows the perfume to absorb better into the skin. Make sure to dry your skin completely before applying the perfume.
The longevity of your perfume depends on your skin type, the application process, and the type of perfume. Fresh perfumes with citrusy or green notes may last about 4 to 6 hours, while perfumes with stronger notes like vanilla, rose, and other florals may last longer.
