Heidi Norton
Knowing how to apply perfume properly is a skill that can elevate your personal style and leave a lasting impression. While it may be tempting to spritz a new perfume enthusiastically, there are some simple tweaks that can help you get the most out of your fragrance. Firstly, it's important to remember that less is more. A few spritzes should be enough to leave a fragrant trail, and overdoing it can be overwhelming for you and those around you. The placement of your perfume also matters. The best spots to apply perfume are your pulse points, which are areas where blood flows close to the skin's surface, such as the wrists, neck, collarbones, inner elbows, and behind the knees. These points are warm and moist, helping the fragrance notes to develop quicker. It's also recommended to apply perfume to your hair and clothes for a longer-lasting scent, although this should be done carefully as perfume can stain certain fabrics.
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What You'll Learn
Prepare your skin: shower, moisturise, and avoid broken skin
Preparing your skin before applying perfume is an important step in ensuring that your fragrance lasts longer. Here are some detailed tips to help you prepare your skin properly:
Shower
Taking a shower is an excellent first step as it opens up your pores, making your skin more receptive to the fragrance. The warm and damp environment created by the shower also helps the perfume spread more evenly across your skin, preventing it from concentrating on one area. Make sure to dry your skin, especially the pulse points, before applying the perfume. Pulse points are areas where blood flows close to the skin's surface, such as the wrists, neck, inner elbows, collarbone, and behind the knees. These areas emit heat, helping the fragrance notes to develop quicker.
Moisturise
It is important to ensure that your skin is soft and hydrated before applying perfume. Applying an unscented body lotion or moisturiser first will help the perfume lock onto your skin. When perfume lands on dry skin, it tends to evaporate quickly. Therefore, moisturising creates a better base for the fragrance to adhere to and prolongs its presence.
Avoid broken skin
Avoid applying perfume to areas of broken skin, such as cuts or abrasions. The alcohol in fragrances can irritate broken skin, causing discomfort or stinging. It is best to be cautious and avoid these areas altogether when applying your perfume.
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Spray, don't rub: apply to pulse points and let it dry
When applying perfume, it's important to remember to spray and not rub it onto your skin. This is because the friction from rubbing can change the course of the scent, causing it to lose its integrity and freshness. By avoiding rubbing, you preserve the different layers of the fragrance, allowing them to develop and unfold naturally.
So, where should you spray? The best spots are your pulse points, which are areas where blood flows close to the skin's surface, making them warm and ideal for fragrance development. These include your wrists, neck, collarbones, inner elbows, behind the knees, and even behind the earlobes. Spraying on these areas will allow you to experience the scent as intended and will help it last longer.
When spraying, hold the bottle about five to six inches away from your skin to avoid an unpleasant flow of liquid. One spritz per pulse point is usually enough, and it's important not to overdo it. Allow the perfume to dry naturally before putting on your clothes, as this will prevent any possible stains.
Additionally, you can enhance the longevity of your perfume by applying an unscented body lotion or moisturizer to your skin beforehand. This provides a hydrated base for the perfume to lock onto, preventing quick evaporation. However, be mindful of any cuts or abrasions, as the alcohol in the fragrance may irritate broken skin.
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Don't overdo it: one spritz per pulse point is enough
When it comes to perfume, less is more. You want to smell good without overwhelming yourself or those around you. The purpose of perfume is to leave a lasting impression, not a penetrating whiff.
The pulse points on your body, such as your wrists, neck, collarbones, inner elbows, and behind the knees, are ideal spots to apply perfume. These areas emit heat, helping the fragrance notes to develop quicker and spread more evenly. However, one spritz per pulse point is usually sufficient. The concentration of the perfume is also a factor to consider. For example, an Eau de Toilette can be spritzed more generously than a highly concentrated Extrait de Parfum.
It's important to note that we can become accustomed to a perfume over time, leading to the temptation to apply more. However, this can be unpleasant for those around you who are not used to your scent. Additionally, the environment and occasion should dictate the amount and type of perfume you wear. Lighter, uplifting scents are more suitable for daytime, while heavier fragrances are better for the evening.
To make your perfume last longer, ensure your skin is soft and hydrated by applying an unscented body lotion or moisturizer first. You can also spray your perfume on your hair and clothes, but be cautious as it may cause stains or discolouration, especially on synthetic materials. Natural fabrics are recommended.
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Spray your hair and clothes: but test for stains first
Hair and clothes are two alternative surfaces to spray your perfume on, instead of your skin. Perfume oils and water-based perfumes are ideal for spraying on your hair, but if you want to use a regular perfume, it is better to spray some on your brush and gently comb it into your hair. This is because perfumes are largely made of fragrance oils and alcohol, which can be drying and damaging to the hair.
Spraying perfume on your clothes is a good way to make the scent last longer. However, be aware that some perfumes can cause stains on your clothes, especially the more concentrated perfumes with a darker, ambery color. It is best to test for stains first by spraying a small amount on a discrete part of the fabric. Synthetic materials could also change the way a perfume smells, so it is best to only spray natural fabrics.
If you want to avoid staining your clothes, you can spray perfume on a few cotton or cashmere yarns and place them in your clothes and lingerie drawers. This will make your clothes smell subtly like your perfume.
Ultimately, whether to spray perfume on your skin, hair, or clothes is a matter of personal preference, skin sensitivity, and the desired longevity of the fragrance.
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Store it properly: keep it fresh and avoid oxygen exposure
Storing perfume properly is essential to keep it fresh and avoid oxygen exposure. Oxygen is the "natural enemy of perfume", according to perfumer Francis Kurkdjian, as it slowly breaks down the scent's molecules, altering its composition over time. To prevent this, it is best to store perfume in smaller vessels, as they can remain fresh for up to three months. If you have a generously sized bottle, you can decant the liquid into smaller vials. Another option is to store half-empty fragrances in the fridge to maintain their freshness.
It is also important to consider the environment in which you store your perfume. A hot and humid environment, such as near radiators, windowsills, or in the bathroom, can accelerate the evaporation of your fragrance. Instead, perfume should be kept in its original packaging in a cool, dry, and dark location to preserve its scent and longevity. Additionally, perfumes contain alcohol, which can tarnish or discolour certain metals, so it is best to let the fragrance dry before putting on any jewellery.
By following these storage tips, you can effectively keep your perfume fresh and avoid oxygen exposure, ensuring that your fragrance remains in optimal condition for a longer period of time.
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Frequently asked questions
First, take a shower or bath and dry your skin, especially the pulse points. Apply an unscented body lotion and/or Vaseline to lock in moisture. Then, spray the perfume on your pulse points, holding the bottle about five to six inches away from your skin. Avoid rubbing your wrists together, as this can break down the fragrance molecules. Instead, let the perfume dry down naturally.
Less is more when it comes to perfume. One spritz per pulse point is usually enough. If you're using a highly concentrated perfume, be careful not to overdo it.
Store your perfume in its original packaging in a cool, dry, and dark place. Keep it away from radiators, windowsills, and the bathroom, as heat and humidity can accelerate evaporation.
