Seamus Hammond
Applying perfume is an art and a science. Where and how you spritz can dictate how long the scent stays on your skin. The key to keeping your perfume pleasant is to diffuse it all over, rather than concentrating it in one area. Pulse points are the best spots to apply perfume as they are warm and emit extra body heat, which helps to naturally diffuse the scent. These include the inside of your wrists, inner elbows, below your belly button, behind your earlobes, and the back of your knees. Applying perfume post-shower when the skin is dried off but still warm can also help the perfume absorb better.
How to Apply Perfume
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Where to apply | Pulse points: wrists, inner elbows, neck, collarbones, behind the ears, knees, belly button, chin, chest, shoulder blades, etc. |
| How to apply | Spritz or dab, don't rub. One spritz per pulse point is enough. |
| When to apply | After a shower, when skin is warm and pores are open. Moisturize first to prevent evaporation. |
| How much to apply | Avoid overdoing it. Diffuse it all over, rather than concentrating it in one area. |
| Where to store | Avoid steamy bathrooms. Store in a cool, dark, dry place like a closet, drawer, or dresser. |
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What You'll Learn
Apply to pulse points
Applying perfume to your pulse points is a great way to make your fragrance last longer and smell more potent. Pulse points are areas on the body where blood vessels are close to the skin, and these zones emit more heat than the rest of the body. This heat helps to diffuse the fragrance, creating a lasting scent.
The most common pulse points to apply perfume include the wrists, neck, and jawline area. The wrists are perhaps the most well-known area for perfume application, and for good reason. They offer the perfect vehicle to distribute your scent to other pulse points. Avoid rubbing your wrists together after application, 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 another powerful pulse point due to the presence of the carotid artery. Applying perfume here will create a lasting scent, as this area is frequently exposed to the air. A spritz behind the ears is also effective and ritualistic, as it ensures the perfume winds up in your hair, contributing to its range and longevity.
Other pulse points to consider include the elbow creases, which are particularly effective due to the natural movement of your arms, helping to continuously diffuse the fragrance throughout the day. Applying perfume behind the knees is another useful pulse point, especially when wearing skirts or shorts, as this area retains heat and helps maintain the fragrance's trail.
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Spray onto clothes
Applying perfume to your clothes is a great way to make your scent last longer. It is generally safe to spray perfume on your clothing, but it's important to be cautious with delicate fabrics like silk, satin, or synthetic materials, as perfume can stain or damage these fabrics. It is recommended to test the perfume on a small, hidden area of the fabric first to check for any staining or discolouration, especially on lighter clothing.
When spraying perfume on clothes, it is best to hold the bottle a few inches away from the fabric to avoid concentrated spots or damp patches. Spraying from a distance will create a light layer of perfume on the surface of the clothes, rather than soaking into the fabric. Focus on key areas such as the collar, cuffs, and hem of your shirt or dress, which will subtly diffuse the fragrance as you move, creating a pleasant scent aura. It is also recommended to rotate your garments to avoid perfume overload on a single piece and to allow the fabrics to "breathe".
Some people prefer to spray perfume on their clothes instead of directly on their skin to avoid potential allergies or reactions, as well as to preserve the original fragrance of the perfume. The scent of a perfume can change when it interacts with the skin's natural oils and chemistry. However, others believe that perfumes are meant to be worn on the skin, especially on pulse points like the wrists and neck, to create a more personal and intimate scent. Ultimately, the decision to spray perfume on clothes or skin comes down to personal preference and comfort.
In addition to spraying on clothes or skin, there are other ways to apply perfume. You can spray it on a hairbrush or comb to scent your hair, or spritz some on your feet before putting on shoes. You can also apply perfume to cotton or cashmere yarn and place them in your clothes drawers or lingerie drawers to scent your garments.
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Moisturise first
Moisturising your skin before applying perfume is a great way to ensure your scent lasts longer. This is because perfume evaporates quickly on dry skin. Moisturisers such as an unscented body lotion or a light coat of Vaseline (i.e. petroleum jelly) provide the perfume oils something to grasp onto, allowing the scent to linger for longer.
It is best to apply moisturiser after a shower when your skin is dried off but still warm. The warmth of your skin after a shower can help to diffuse the perfume across your body and highlight individual fragrance notes. This is particularly ideal for perfumes with a lower concentration of fragrance oil.
If you want to smell good for your partner, apply moisturiser and perfume on your chest, shoulder blades, below and on top of your ears, and even your belly button. If you want to leave a scent trail, apply some to the back of your neck and the inside of your knees.
Remember to always apply perfume to your pulse points. These are areas where your veins sit closest to your skin, so you can literally feel your pulse. Pulse points include the inside of your wrists, inner elbows, behind your earlobes, the back of your knees, your neck, and your collarbones.
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Store correctly
Storing your perfume correctly is essential to maintaining its scent, quality, and longevity. Exposure to heat, light, and fluctuating temperatures can degrade the quality of perfumes over time. Therefore, the ideal place to store perfume is a cool, dry, and dark area.
Firstly, it is important to keep perfume away from direct sunlight. Exposure to light can cause the structure of the fragrance to break down, leading to an unpleasant scent and sour hints. Perfume bottles, especially plastic ones, should be stored in a place free of both natural and artificial light. Dark bottles are fine to withstand light, but clear bottles should be kept out of direct sunlight.
Secondly, avoid storing perfume in places with fluctuating moisture levels, such as the kitchen or bathroom. Moisture and water can cause damage to perfumes by triggering chemical reactions that break down the structure of the scent, altering the smell. Humidity can also cause the perfume to evaporate, resulting in less product. Therefore, it is best to store perfume in a dry place, away from humidity, which can also cause the perfume to spoil.
Thirdly, consider the temperature of the storage location. Extreme temperatures can negatively impact the fragrance. High temperatures can cause the chemical composition of perfumes to break down, leading to alterations in scent and potential spoilage. On the other hand, low temperatures, such as those in a refrigerator, can soil a perfume's delicate chemical balance. Unless you live in an extremely hot climate, storing perfume in the fridge is not recommended as it may cause scent molecules to break down and lead to a loss of depth in the fragrance. Instead, opt for a location that remains consistently cool, such as a closet, cabinet, drawer, or wardrobe.
Lastly, it is best to keep perfumes in their original bottles and boxes whenever possible. Original bottles are designed to be airtight and protect the fragrance from light exposure and air contact. Transferring the perfume to decorative bottles can cause the scent to sour as these bottles have not been properly designed. Additionally, avoid shaking the perfume bottle excessively as it can introduce air bubbles and alter the composition of the fragrance.
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Don't rub it in
Rubbing perfume into your skin can cause it to fade and dull the scent. This is because the friction created by rubbing causes the perfume to overly mingle with your skin's natural oils, creating a distorted scent.
Instead, dab the perfume onto your skin. This will help the fragrance to stay with you throughout the day and night.
Pulse points are ideal spots to dab perfume as these areas emit extra body heat, which helps to diffuse the scent. Pulse points include the inside of your wrists, inner elbows, below your belly button, behind your earlobes, the back of your knees, your neck, and collarbones.
If you want to apply perfume to your hair, use a hair mist that evokes or complements your perfume.
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Frequently asked questions
Apply perfume to your pulse points, which are areas where your veins sit closest to your skin, such as the inside of your wrists, inner elbows, below your belly button, behind your earlobes, and the back of your knees. These spots emit extra body heat, helping to diffuse the scent. You can also spritz a bit of perfume into your hair.
Diffuse the scent all over your body rather than concentrating it in one area. Dab the perfume onto your pulse points and then spray it in front of you and walk through the mist. This will leave a light layer on your clothes. Avoid spraying the fragrance and then walking through it, as this can waste perfume and cause stains.
Apply perfume after a shower when your skin is dried off but still warm. This allows the perfume to absorb better into the skin when its pores are open.
