Seamus Hammond
While there are many ways to apply perfume, experts agree that rubbing it into the skin is not the best method. Rubbing perfume on the skin can cause the top notes to fade and evaporate, and it can also distort the scent by causing it to overly mingle with your skin's natural oils. Instead, it is recommended to spray perfume directly onto pulse points, such as the wrists, neck, and cleavage, and then let it dry without rubbing. This allows the fragrance to interact with your skin's natural oils and unfold over time. Applying perfume to moisturized skin or clothing can also help to make the scent last longer.
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What You'll Learn
Why you shouldn't rub perfume on your wrists
While there are many methods to apply perfume, such as spraying it into the air and walking through it, or spraying it onto your clothing, many people opt to apply it to their wrists. This is because applying perfume to pulse points like the wrists warms it up, allowing it to emit fragrance throughout the day.
However, you may have heard that rubbing your wrists together after applying perfume can ruin the scent. This is because rubbing your wrists together can dull and spoil the top notes of the perfume, which are the most delicate molecules in the mix. Top notes also tend to be the reason you chose that perfume in the first place, so by getting rid of them right away, you're not getting the most out of your purchase.
The friction between the perfume and your skin's natural oils can also change the way the scent smells and cause it to evaporate faster. As Carina Chaz, founder of the unisex fragrance line DedCool, explains, "fragrance should sit on the skin [to] mix with your natural oils." When you rub your wrists together, you are "drying out a lot of the scent."
Master perfumer Harry Frémont, who has created fragrances for brands like Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein, Lancôme, and Marc Jacobs, agrees that rubbing perfume into the skin can spoil the top notes. He explains that this "rushes the fragrance," causing it to fast-forward to the heart notes and bypassing the opening scent.
Therefore, if you want to get the most out of your perfume, it's best to avoid rubbing your wrists together after application and instead lightly dab them together, then let the perfume air-dry.
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How to apply perfume to your skin
Applying perfume to your skin is an art rooted in chemistry. Here are some tips on how to apply perfume to your skin:
Firstly, your skin is the perfect canvas for your favourite scent. The lipophilic (oil-loving) properties of the skin make it the ideal medium for perfume oils to attach to. The warmth of the skin helps the scent to unravel and express itself.
When applying perfume, it is best to spritz it directly onto your skin, rather than your clothes. Apply the perfume post-shower and ensure your skin is dry. You can also apply a non-scented moisturiser before spraying your perfume to make the scent last longer.
Apply the perfume to your pulse points, which are areas where the blood vessels are close to the skin's surface, creating extra heat. These include the inner elbows, wrists, knees, neck, and collarbone. The heat from these points will enhance the fragrance and make it last longer. You can also apply perfume to your belly button, which is another pulse point.
It is recommended to avoid rubbing perfume into the skin, as this can cause the top notes of the fragrance to fade and evaporate. Instead, gently dab the perfume onto your skin and let it mix with your natural oils.
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How to make perfume last longer
The longevity of a perfume depends on several factors, including its concentration, the notes it contains, and individual body chemistry. Here are some tips to make your perfume last longer:
Choose the right concentration
Perfumes with higher concentrations, such as Eau de Parfum or Extrait de Parfum, typically last the longest, up to 6-8 hours or more. On the other hand, Eau de Toilette and Eau de Cologne may only last around 3-4 hours.
Apply to pulse points
Apply perfume to your pulse points, which are areas where your veins are closest to the skin, making them warmer. These include your neck, wrists, the insides of your elbows, behind your ears, the back of your knees, and your collarbones. The warmth from these points helps to diffuse the fragrance, making it smell stronger and last longer.
Moisturize your skin
Apply an unscented body lotion or moisturizer to your skin before spraying on your perfume. Oilier skin retains fragrance better, so using an oil-based moisturizer will help lock in the scent and prevent it from staining delicate clothing or jewelry.
Avoid rubbing your wrists
Resist the temptation to rub your wrists together after applying perfume. This can break down the structure of the perfume, causing the top notes to evaporate more quickly and reducing its longevity. Instead, let the perfume settle into your skin naturally, and gently tap the area if needed.
Spray on clothes and hair
In addition to applying perfume to your skin, spritz it onto your clothes as well. The fabric fibers can hold onto the scent for an extended period, even after washing. You can also lightly mist your hair with perfume, as the fragrance will permeate your strands and last longer. However, avoid dousing your hair in perfume, as it can be damaging and too strong.
Store properly and reapply
Always store your perfume in a cool place, away from direct sunlight and harsh temperature changes. Additionally, consider keeping a travel-size bottle with you for touch-ups throughout the day to ensure your scent lasts.
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How to store perfume
While making a rub-on perfume at home may be a challenging task, here is some information on how to store your perfume to make it last longer.
Perfumes are delicate and can be affected by various factors, including light, temperature, and humidity. Introducing a bottle of fragrance to oxygen causes the scent inside to dilute and become oxidized. With more oxygen and less scent in the bottle, the smell will naturally diffuse. To avoid altering the sensitive DNA of a fragrance, it is best to store your perfume in a place free of both natural and artificial light. Keep it in a dark, dry, and cool area, such as a closet or a cabinet. Avoid storing it in the bathroom, as the humidity from the shower or bath can cause the scent to turn rancid, change colour, or both. The extreme humidity and temperature fluctuations in bathrooms can cause your perfume to spoil quickly.
Some people even go as far as storing their perfumes in the fridge to increase longevity. However, this may not be a realistic option for everyone. If you decide to store your perfume in a refrigerator, be aware that the cold temperature can alter the delicate chemical balance of certain perfumes. Therefore, it is recommended to reserve this storage method for colognes and eau de toilettes, which have a more robust chemical makeup.
Additionally, consider keeping your perfume in its original box when storing it in a closet or cabinet. The boxes are designed to protect the aromatic elixir within and can help increase the life of your scent.
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How to apply perfume to your hair
While some people suggest that spraying perfume on your hair can be damaging in the long term, others claim that it is a good way to make the scent last longer. It is generally advised to avoid applying perfume directly to your hair, especially if your hair is dry or damaged.
If you want to apply perfume to your hair, it is recommended to spray it on your wrist and then dab it onto your hair. You can also spray perfume in the air and walk through it, allowing the scent to gently perfume your hair and body.
Hair perfumes are also an option. These are formulated to be gentle on the hair and scalp, without the harsh ingredients found in regular perfumes that can dry out your hair. Hair perfumes are typically applied by holding the bottle at arm's length and misting it evenly throughout the lengths of your hair. You can also flip your head upside down to add extra lift and scent at the roots.
It is important to note that the warmth of your skin is essential for the fragrance to "unravel" and express itself fully. Therefore, applying perfume directly to your skin or clothing is generally recommended over applying it to your hair.
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Frequently asked questions
Spraying perfume directly onto the skin will always give you the highest-quality scent. The pulse points on your body—the wrists, neck, and cleavage—are where your body emits heat, which could help those fragrance notes develop quicker.
Rubbing perfume into your skin can lead to evaporation, which may cause the scent to fade and dull. Rubbing also creates friction, allowing the perfume to overly mingle with your skin's natural oils, creating a distorted scent.
Keeping your skin moisturised can help your perfume last longer. You can also apply perfume to your hair by spraying it on your comb before brushing.
Store your perfume in a cool, dark, dry place for optimum quality and degradation prevention. Humidity, direct sunlight, and changing temperatures can alter the shelf life of your perfume.
After a shower is a perfect time to apply perfume. Perfume absorption is ideal when the skin is warm and clean pores are open.
