Seamus Hammond
Knowing where and how to apply perfume is just as important as the composition of the notes themselves. The key to keeping your perfume pleasant but not overpowering is to diffuse it all over, rather than concentrating it in one area. Pulse points, such as the wrists, neck, inner elbows, collarbone, and behind the knees, are ideal places to spray perfume, as the heat from your body will help release the scent. However, it is important to note that spraying perfume on your face or anywhere that gets sun exposure can magnify the effects of UV damage on your skin. Applying perfume to your clothing is another option, but be cautious as it may stain or discolour certain fabrics.
How to Apply Perfume
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Spray distance | 5-20 cm from the skin |
| Target areas | Pulse points (wrists, neck, collarbone, inner elbows, behind the knees, cleavage), hair, clothes |
| Skin preparation | Shower/bath, moisturise with unscented lotion/oil, dry skin |
| Application technique | Spritz, don't rub or mist, "spritz and step" technique |
| Application amount | Less is more, 2-3 spritzes, one spritz per pulse point |
| Storage | Cool, dry, dark environment, away from metals |
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What You'll Learn
Pulse points
The pulse points on your body include the neck, wrists, elbow crease, behind the knees, and behind the ears. The wrists are perhaps the most common place to apply perfume, offering the perfect vehicle to distribute your scent to other pulse points. Use your wrists to create any fragrance blends before touching your neck, hair, and beyond. Avoid rubbing your wrists together, as this can break down the top notes of the perfume and affect the way the scent develops on your skin.
The elbow crease is an often-overlooked pulse point, but the natural movement of your arms helps the fragrance to diffuse continuously throughout the day. Similarly, the back of the knees is a pulse point that helps to maintain the fragrance's lasting trail by retaining heat.
Some people prefer to avoid pulse points altogether when applying perfume. They argue that the scent evaporates faster on these points. Instead, they recommend applying perfume to the collarbone, upper back, lower back, upper forearm, or chest.
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Don't rub wrists together
When applying perfume, it is advised not to rub your wrists together. This is because doing so can cause the perfume to lose some of its top notes, impacting the scent and longevity.
The traditional way of applying perfume to the wrists involves gently dabbing or tapping the wrists together instead of rubbing. This method helps to avoid the friction that can cause the perfume to break down.
Another reason not to rub your wrists together after applying perfume is to prevent it from being wasted. When you rub your wrists, some of the perfume may be rubbed off, reducing the amount available for projection and scent trail.
Additionally, rubbing your wrists can cause the perfume to heat up, which can alter the way it interacts with your skin's natural oils and pheromones. This can potentially change the way the fragrance develops on your skin over time.
Instead of rubbing your wrists together, you can gently blot or tap the area with a soft cloth or tissue. This will help to dry the perfume without causing friction or altering the scent. Applying moisturiser before spraying perfume can also help prevent the need to rub your wrists together, as it will help the scent adhere to your skin.
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Spray on clothes
Applying perfume to your clothes is a great option if you have sensitive skin. The fibres of your clothes will absorb and retain perfume for longer than your skin. As you move throughout the day, the scent will be released from the fabric, creating a captivating aura around you.
However, there are a few things to keep in mind when spraying perfume on your clothes. Firstly, always test the perfume on a small, hidden area of the fabric first, as some perfumes can cause stains, especially on light-coloured or delicate fabrics. Darker, more concentrated perfumes with an amber colour are more likely to stain. Synthetic materials can also alter the scent of the perfume, so it is best to stick to natural fabrics.
When applying perfume to your clothes, hold the bottle 6-8 inches away from the fabric to ensure an even distribution and avoid over-saturation. It is also recommended to spray your perfume before getting dressed, so you can easily target the areas you want to scent and avoid staining other items of clothing.
While spraying perfume on your clothes can be a good option, it is important to note that the scent will not last as long as it would on your skin. The warmth of your skin helps to diffuse the fragrance more gradually, enhancing the top, middle, and base notes of the perfume. The oils in your skin also hold the scent better, especially with long-lasting perfumes like Eau de Parfum.
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Avoid sun exposure
When it comes to applying perfume, it's important to consider the potential risks of sun exposure. While you may enjoy wearing your favourite scent during sunny days, direct sunlight on areas of the skin with perfume can lead to skin issues. This is because certain ingredients in perfumes, such as essential oils and alcohol, can cause a phototoxic reaction when exposed to sunlight, resulting in skin damage. The effects can vary from mild irritation and discolouration to more severe consequences like burns and permanent pigmentation spots.
To avoid these issues, it's recommended to spritz your perfume onto your clothes instead of directly onto your skin. This way, you can still enjoy your favourite scent without risking skin irritation. You can also spritz your perfume under your hair or on accessories like a shawl or towel, ensuring the areas with perfume are covered and not directly exposed to sunlight.
Additionally, be cautious when applying perfume before going out in the sun. Avoid spraying perfume on areas of your skin that will be fully exposed to sunlight, such as your chest and neck. This is because the combination of UV radiation from the sun and perfume ingredients can irritate your skin and cause skin conditions like Poikiloderma of Civatte, characterised by mottled pigmentation and broken capillaries.
It's also worth noting that sunlight can affect not only your skin but also the perfume itself. Ultraviolet rays from the sun can alter the colour of perfumes, and the heat can set off unexpected chemical reactions within the natural ingredients, ageing the perfume faster. Therefore, it's best to store your perfume in a cool, dark place, like its original box, to maintain its freshness and integrity.
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Moisturise skin first
Moisturising your skin before applying perfume is a great way to ensure your fragrance lasts longer. This is because dry skin doesn't hold on to scents, so perfume tends to evaporate quickly when applied to dry skin.
To combat this, you can apply an unscented moisturiser or body lotion to your skin before spraying your perfume. This will create a smooth, even base for your fragrance to latch on to. It's important to let the moisturiser absorb into your skin before applying your perfume, so be sure to give it a few minutes to sink in.
Another tip is to apply your perfume immediately after a shower or bath. Your skin is warmer after a shower, which helps it absorb perfume better. Just be sure to dry off and moisturise before spraying your favourite scent.
If you're going to be outdoors in the sun, it's best to avoid applying perfume directly to your skin, as this can magnify the effects of UV damage. In this case, you can try spraying your perfume on your clothes or hair instead. However, be cautious when spraying perfume on clothing, as it may stain or discolour certain fabrics.
Remember, when applying perfume, less is more. A few spritzes on your pulse points—such as your wrists, neck, inner elbows, and collarbone—should be enough to leave a lasting impression.
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Frequently asked questions
The best way to apply perfume is to spritz, not mist. Target specific pulse points such as the wrists, neck, inner elbows, collarbone, behind the knees, and cleavage. You can also spritz in front of you and then walk through the mist.
Hold the perfume bottle about 5 to 20 cm away from the skin. If you spray too close, it can lead to an unpleasant flow of liquid.
Yes, hair can hold perfume longer than skin because it is porous. However, as most perfumes contain alcohol, which can damage hair, it is best to spray it on your hairbrush and comb it through your hair.
Applying perfume to your clothes can be a great way to make the scent last longer. However, be careful as it may stain certain fabrics, especially natural fabrics. Also, the perfume may smell different on your clothes than on your skin.
Less is more when it comes to perfume. Two or three spritzes are usually enough to make it last, and you don't want to overwhelm yourself or others with a strong scent.
