Seamus Hammond
Applying perfume is an art rooted in chemistry. The right application of perfume can elevate your fragrance, while incorrect application can cause it to smell stiff and lifeless. The first step is to select the right areas of the body to apply perfume. These areas should be naturally warm and moist, like the insides of the elbows, back of the knees, chest, neck, and wrists. These areas allow the perfume to develop and unravel, mixing with your natural oils. It is also important to note that perfume should not be rubbed into the skin, but rather dabbed or spritzed.
How to Use Liquid Perfume
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Where to Apply | Pulse points on the body, such as the insides of elbows, back of knees, chest, neck, wrists, and cleavage |
| How to Apply | Spray about five inches from the skin; do not rub into the skin |
| How Much to Apply | Two or three spritzes are usually enough |
| When to Apply | Directly on skin; avoid spraying on clothing as it might discolour it |
| Storage | Consume at a brisk pace; store in smaller vessels or the fridge to maintain freshness |
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What You'll Learn
Apply directly to the skin
Applying Liquid Perfume Directly to the Skin
When applying liquid perfume directly to your skin, it's important to select areas of the body that are naturally warm and moist, such as the insides of the elbows, back of the knees, chest, neck, and cleavage. These areas allow the perfume to be fully enjoyed. If you apply perfume to cooler areas of the body, the top notes tend to dissipate too quickly, leaving you with a scent that can smell stale and lifeless.
Your pulse points, or areas of the body where you can feel your heartbeat, are ideal spots to apply perfume. Your wrists, neck, and collarbone are common pulse points. The heat emitted from these areas helps the fragrance notes develop more quickly. When applying perfume to your pulse points, hold the bottle about five inches away from your skin and spritz lightly. Avoid spraying too close to the skin, as this can lead to an unpleasant feeling of liquid flowing onto your skin.
After spritzing, resist the temptation to rub the perfume into your skin. Allow the fragrance to sit on the skin and mix with your natural oils. The warmth of your skin will activate the perfume throughout the day, acting as a natural diffuser. For an even more powerful scent, try layering perfume over moisturised skin, such as after applying body lotion or oil. The fragrance will bind to the oils in your skin, creating a better surface for the scent molecules to adhere to.
Applying perfume directly to the skin is generally preferable to applying it to clothing. Perfume can discolour certain fabrics, and the scent may not be fully appreciated when absorbed by clothing. However, if you do wish to mist your clothing with perfume, it's important to note that the olfactory experience will differ from when the perfume is applied directly to the skin.
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Layer with other scented products
Layering fragrances is a great way to create a unique scent that reflects your personality and style. It allows you to customise, enhance and extend the life of your favourite fragrances.
To start, you can layer various body products from the same range to increase the longevity of a single perfume. For instance, you can use a scented lotion or body butter with oils and perfumes to increase the duration of the scent on the skin. It is important to note that fragrance molecules cling to moisture, so well-hydrated skin provides the perfect canvas for long-lasting fragrance.
When layering different perfumes, it is best to start with the heavier fragrances and then move to lighter fragrances. Heavier fragrances are usually woody and amber scents, which are described as bold, rich and luxurious. Lighter fragrances include floral and fresh scents. You can also layer by applying a single-note perfume under or over an existing scent. For example, if you have a favourite citrus fragrance that doesn't last long, you can put a sandalwood or cedarwood scent underneath.
It is also important to consider the fragrance notes and families of your perfumes to determine whether they will layer well. You can achieve the most striking results by mixing perfumes with different notes rather than pairing perfumes with similar characters. For instance, you can layer a floral perfume with a spicy body lotion.
Lastly, layering perfumes is all about experimentation, so don't be afraid to play around with different combinations.
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Spritz post-shower
Spritzing your perfume after a shower is a great way to ensure your fragrance lasts all day. The warmth of your skin after a shower will help to "activate" the perfume, as founder of unisex fragrance line DedCool, Carina Chaz, explains: "Fragrance should sit on the skin [to] mix with your natural oils".
It's important to spritz your perfume directly onto your skin, as fabrics can mute the scent. According to Matthew Milèo, a former in-house fragrance expert for Chanel, "In order for a perfume to truly unravel itself in the most divine way, it needs a proper medium to anchor itself". The lipophilic (oil-loving) properties of skin make it the perfect medium for the oils of perfume to attach to.
When spritzing post-shower, target areas of the body that are naturally warm and moist, like the insides of the elbows, back of the knees, chest, and sides of the neck. These areas will allow the perfume to be "truly enjoyed", as Milèo says, and will prevent the top notes from "fly [ing] away too quickly".
For an even more powerful scent, try layering perfume over body lotion or oil. Melina Polly, CEO and co-founder of skincare brand Palermo Body, explains that "Fragrance binds to the oils in your skin, so applying it after your body lotion or oil creates a better surface for the scent molecules to bind to".
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Dab your pulse points
Dabbing liquid perfume on your pulse points is a great way to make your fragrance last longer. Pulse points are areas on your body where blood vessels are close to the skin, and they emit more heat than the rest of your body. This heat helps to diffuse the fragrance, creating a lasting scent and enhancing its strength.
When applying liquid perfume to your pulse points, it's important to use a gentle application technique. Avoid rubbing the perfume into your skin, as this can break down the top notes of the perfume and affect the way the scent develops. Instead, gently dab the perfume onto your skin, allowing it to mix with your natural oils. One or two sprays per pulse point are usually enough to create a subtle but pleasant presence.
The wrists are one of the most common pulse points for applying perfume, as they offer a perfect vehicle to distribute your scent to other pulse points. Other common pulse points include the neck, the inside of the elbows, the back of the knees, and the temples. These areas are naturally warm and moist, allowing the perfume to be truly enjoyed.
You can also apply liquid perfume to your hair and clothes to make your scent linger. However, keep in mind that spraying perfume on fabric may result in a different olfactory experience, as the fragrance may smell more powdery on clothes. It's also important to spritz a few inches away from the skin to achieve even application and avoid stains.
Remember, when it comes to perfume application, less is more. Perfume tends to intensify as it warms up on your skin, so start with a small amount and add more if needed. Experiment with different application techniques and find what works best for you and your fragrance.
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Avoid rubbing perfume into the skin
The warmth of the skin is an important factor in maximising your perfume. Your neck, wrists, and the insides of your elbows are pulse points that emit more heat than other parts of your body. This heat activates the perfume, acting as a natural diffuser. However, if you are in a hot climate, avoid applying scent directly to your body, as the natural oils of the skin can destroy the perfume faster.
If you have applied too much perfume, you can use a cotton ball dipped in rubbing alcohol to tone down the scent. Alternatively, baby wipes or non-scented lotion can also fix an overpowering scent.
For those with sensitive or eczema-prone skin, check with a dermatologist before applying perfume, as fragrance is a common allergen.
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Frequently asked questions
Apply perfume directly to the skin, focusing on pulse points like the wrists, neck, and cleavage. These areas emit heat, helping the fragrance notes to develop. You can also spritz behind the knees, on the collarbone, or on your hair.
Hold the perfume bottle about five inches from the skin. Spraying too close can cause an unpleasant flow of liquid.
Two to three spritzes are usually enough to make the fragrance last.
While you can mist perfume on clothing, it may not capture the full accord of the scent. Clothing can also be discoloured by perfume.
Perfume is sensitive to environmental changes. To maintain freshness, store in smaller vessels or tuck half-empty bottles in the fridge.
Additional Tips:
- Avoid rubbing perfume into the skin. Let it sit and mix with your natural oils.
- Apply perfume post-shower or layer it over body lotion or oil for a more powerful scent.
- If you have sensitive or eczema-prone skin, check with a dermatologist before using perfume as fragrance is a common allergen.
