Seamus Hammond
Applying fragrance may seem simple, but there are several tips and tricks to ensure your scent lasts longer and complements your natural body chemistry. The way you apply a perfume has a big impact on how long it will last. From taking a hot shower to drying your skin and applying an unscented body lotion or moisturiser, there are many steps to follow to ensure your fragrance stays fresh and captivating throughout the day.
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What You'll Learn
Apply fragrance to pulse points
Applying fragrance to your pulse points is a great way to make your scent last longer. Pulse points are areas on the body where blood vessels are close to the skin surface, and emit more heat than the rest of the body. This helps to diffuse the fragrance, creating a lasting scent.
The wrists are a popular pulse point to apply perfume, as they are a perfect vehicle to distribute your scent to other pulse points. Avoid rubbing your wrists together, as this can break down the top notes of the perfume and affect how the scent develops on your skin. Instead, use your wrists to blend the fragrance before touching it to your neck, hair, and other pulse points.
The neck is another common pulse point, and one of the most effective ways to apply perfume. It is recommended to spritz the perfume on the base of the neck, rather than the sides, to avoid constantly smelling the perfume throughout the day. You can also spritz a bit of perfume behind the ears, which will ensure the scent winds up in your hair, contributing to its longevity.
Other pulse points include the inside of the elbows, which can help spread your scent, especially if you are wearing long sleeves. The back of the knees is another pulse point, which can be great when wearing skirts or shorts, as this area retains heat and helps to maintain the fragrance trail.
It is important to remember that less is more when it comes to applying fragrance, and it is always better to start with a small amount and add more if needed.
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Avoid rubbing it into the skin
Avoid rubbing perfume into your skin. This is a common mistake, and one of the first fragrance habits we learn, but it can ruin the scent. The friction caused by rubbing your wrists together can change how the scent performs on your skin. It can cause the fragrance's top notes to fade and evaporate before they settle, meaning the notes that made you fall for the scent in the first place are lost. The friction can also heat up the skin, producing natural enzymes that change the course of the scent. This can cause a floral fragrance, for example, to lose its crispness.
Instead, lightly spritz both wrists and let the liquid sink in. Then, do nothing at all. This will allow the perfume to slowly mix with your skin's natural oils, which is what makes your scent last and can make the same scent smell slightly different from person to person.
If you want to apply perfume to your wrists, it is best to spritz or dab it onto them. You can also apply perfume to your pulse points, which are areas where your veins sit closest to your skin, and you can feel your pulse. These include the inside of your wrists, inner elbows, below your belly button, behind your earlobes, and the back of your knees. These warm spots emit extra body heat, which helps to diffuse the scent.
Applying perfume to your skin is not the only option. You can also apply it to your hair or clothing. Applying perfume to your hairbrush instead of directly onto your hair can result in a more even application. Perfume can last a long time on clothing, but it may smell different than it does on your skin. It is best to avoid spraying it on lighter-colored clothes, delicate fabrics, or outerwear to avoid stains and lingering scents that can clash with other fragrances.
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Hydrate skin first
The key to making your fragrance last longer is to apply it to hydrated skin. Fragrance adheres best to the skin when there is some moisture involved. The lipophilic (oil-loving) properties of the skin make it the perfect medium for perfume oils to attach to. The warmth of the skin starts the unravelling process, allowing the scent to fully express itself.
To achieve this, it is recommended to apply perfume right after a shower or bath. This is because your skin is free of dirt and sweat, and it is warm and ready to absorb moisturisers and fragrances. However, make sure to dry off completely before applying your scent, as it may rub off or evaporate faster while you are drying.
You can also apply a non-scented body lotion or oil before spraying your fragrance. This creates an even better surface for the scent molecules to bind to. The fragrance will bind to the oils in your skin and the lotion or oil, resulting in a more powerful scent-to-skin adhesion.
Additionally, the number of sprays or dabs of your fragrance can vary. It depends on the concentration and your personal preference. As a starting point, three to four sprays or dabs are generally recommended, but you may need to experiment with the fragrances you own to find the right amount for you.
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Don't apply immediately after a shower
Don't apply fragrance immediately after a shower
Applying fragrance immediately after a shower is not advisable because it can negatively impact the longevity of the scent. Firstly, it is important to let your skin cool down after a shower. If you apply fragrance when your skin is still warm, it will cause the perfume to evaporate faster, leading to reduced longevity. It is recommended to wait for your skin to return to its regular temperature before applying perfume. This can take around 30 minutes to an hour, but the exact time depends on the water temperature of your shower.
Secondly, it is best to avoid applying fragrance to wet skin. While some people suggest applying fragrance directly to wet skin and then rubbing it in, this can cause the top notes of the perfume to fade and evaporate quickly, altering the scent. Instead, it is generally advised to apply perfume to dry skin, particularly in the pulse points, to ensure it sticks and lasts longer.
Additionally, after a shower, your skin's natural oils and body scent have been washed away. Applying perfume to clean skin allows it to mix with your natural scent, creating a unique fragrance. If you apply perfume immediately after showering, you may find that your skin chemistry changes the scent in a way that you may not prefer. Therefore, it is often recommended to wait a few hours after showering before applying fragrance to let your natural oils and body scent re-emerge.
Moreover, it is suggested to apply an unscented moisturizer or body lotion to the areas you intend to spray with perfume. This helps to hydrate the skin, providing a better base for the fragrance to adhere to. However, it is crucial to ensure that the moisturizer is fully absorbed and that your skin is dry before applying the perfume, as moisture can cause the fragrance to fade faster.
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Spritz onto hairbrush, not directly onto hair
While spritzing perfume onto your hair may seem like a good idea, it can do more harm than good. This is because most perfumes contain an alcohol called ethanol, which helps dilute the fragrance and carry the scent. However, ethanol can dry out your hair, causing your hair cuticle to coarsen, leading to frizz and even breakage. Constant use of ethanol-rich products can also irritate your scalp.
To avoid this, spritz your fragrance onto your hairbrush instead of directly onto your hair. This will give you a more even application and prevent hair damage. First, spray your hairbrush a couple of times with perfume. Then, wave the brush in the air for a few seconds to allow the alcohol to evaporate. Finally, brush your hair until the scent is fully and evenly distributed.
If you want to scent your hair without using perfume, you can try a product specifically formulated to be sprayed directly onto strands, such as a hair fragrance or hair mist. These products are designed to gently condition and shine hair without drying it out.
Remember, when it comes to applying fragrance, less is more. You want to put on enough for the scent to hold, but you don't want to overdo it.
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Frequently asked questions
Make sure your skin is soft and hydrated before applying perfume, so the perfume can lock onto your skin. The best way to do that is to apply some unscented body lotion or moisturizer first. Take a hot shower or bath to open your skin’s pores so the scent will be absorbed into the skin better. Avoid rubbing the perfume after application to preserve its potency.
It’s very easy to overdo it with perfume, especially if you aren’t familiar with the different types. An eau de parfum has the strongest concentration of notes, so just one spritz is powerful enough for all-day wear. An eau de toilette is a lighter option that will require two or three sprays and likely a second application later in the day.
The best spots to apply a perfume are your pulse points: the points that are warm and moist because your veins are closest to the skin in those places. These include the inside of your wrists, inner elbows, below your belly button, behind your earlobes, and the back of your knees.
