I have seen people making mistakes while applying perfume. There are close friends who would spritz onto their wrists and rub them. And then some others would bathe in the perfume. Some would apply perfume while going on an air journey. Others would be confused and spray directly onto their hair.
So, let’s dive into the do and don’ts of applying perfume the right way.
Spray on to Pulse Points
So first thing first. What are pulse points on the body and why they are important while spraying perfume?
These are nine points where the main pulses of our body are closest to the skin. They have higher temperatures than the other parts of the body.
Okay, so now you know this but among the many pulse points, which are important to know while applying perfume. To put it simply, the underneath of the wrist, inside of the elbow, and side of the neck are the main pulse points where you should apply perfume.
And now, why spray on pulse points?
Pulse points have a higher temperature, so a perfume would project more. And the downside is, that perfume would last less on a pulse point than other parts of the body.
At times it happens that after some time is passed and suddenly you have an activity and your body temperature rises then a perfume from the pulse point starts projecting again, even after the projection phase is over.
So body temperature and pulse points do play the role in the projection of perfume.
Some also think that applying perfume on the neck causes it to age faster and wrinkles appear, which is actually a myth.
Should you apply Perfume on Clothes? Maybe, but read this first
Can you apply perfume on the clothes, the answer is yes. But should you apply perfumes on the clothes, and the answer is, that it is not the best practice.
And here is why?
We tend to spray perfume on our clothes with the intention that it would last more and project more. And yes it might be true. But the characteristic of perfume is enhanced more on the skin and not on clothes. Also, some perfumes can have stain marks on your clothes if applied from a close distance.
On average clothes are changed after three wearings. You would not want to wash your shirt after a single wear if your work environment is inside the enclosed office. And if you are working outside on hot summer days then definitely you would be washing it after a single wear.
A perfume once sprayed onto clothes remain there for a long time. You might smell your perfume the next time you take it out of the closet. This holds more true if you are wearing a blazer that was sprayed with intense perfume many days back. And if you chose to use a different perfume then you would be smelling like a cocktail.
Some perfumes are hard to get out of clothes. Like Oud Ispahan or maybe a perfume with hard tobacco notes like Tom Ford Tobacco Vanille.
So, as a good practice, be comfortable with spraying the perfumes onto pulse points only if you intend to wear a different perfume every day.
How much of perfume should you apply
How many sprays are enough? The misconception is that the more perfume, the more projection and, more longevity. this might be true for projection but not the lasting.
While applying perfume, remember that less is more. More projection might not be comfortable for people around you. Others might be intolerant to certain types of scents. Sometimes, the over-spraying of perfume can also cause headaches.
An important thing to know how much to spray is the different oil concentrations used in EDT, EDP, or Parfum variants.
A perfume sprays 0.1 ml in each spray approximately. So a 100 ml perfume should last for a good 1000 sprays. Applying less would also ensure that your perfume bottle lasts for a long time.
But then each perfume spraying needs are different. Nishane Hacivat might be good with 2-3 sprays in a single session. Whereas Bleu De Chanel or Bvlgari man in black would be good with 6-7 sprays.
So must see the sweet point of each perfume as per projection, lasting and, your experience.
However, the DNA of perfume will also tell you how much you spray. For instance, an overdose of perfume like Dior Fahrenheit might not be a good idea.
The Best Time to Spray the Perfume
There is no hard and fast rule. But the best practice is to apply the perfume after the bath. Your pores are open and your skin is not infected and has not secreted any oil. So the perfume is good to exhibit its full potential on clean skin.
It is also a good practice to wear perfume before putting on clothes. Spray perfume and let it gets settle down for a couple of minutes and then wear the clothes. This would ensure that the cloth does not rub onto perfume.
Do Not Rub The Perfume after the spray
The number one most common mistake is to rub the perfume immediately once sprayed. A perfume has three notes of scents that come out with each spray. Each note has different viscosity. They sit on your skin and dispense as per their viscosity and blending.
Once perfume is rubbed then the blending is affected and it might not exhibit its true characteristics during the dry-down phase.
Oftentimes time people smell alcohol more than the perfume as they have bought either a counterfeit one or their perfume storage temperature was very high. Read all the reasons as to why your perfume smells like alcohol.
Spray from a Distance
A perfume spray mechanism is designed to form a mist. If you keep the sprayer very near to the skin then a perfect mist won’t be formed. The perfume would not dispense equally.
A simple rule is that keep the sprayer at a distance of 6 inches or more to form a uniform mist on your skin.
How to store your perfumes
If you have a large collection or even a single perfume. Always store them in a dark place and away from a place where temperature changes rapidly. The best place can be inside your clothes closet.
Do not store perfume in the refrigerator or in a kitchen as the temperatures are extreme. Moreover, do not store perfumes inside the washroom as the humidity is high.
Pay close attention to the color of perfumes where possible. A change in color is a sign of a deteriorated condition of perfume due to light or temperature changes. Do not keep perfumes in the car. If you have to take perfume along then invest a little in travel atomizers as they can come in handy during such need.
Apply Perfume as per season and occasion
Knowledge about perfumes is really less. People just buy perfume without any research. Like clothes and shoes, any perfume can not be a good choice for all seasons and occasions.
A winter perfume has different accords than a summer or spring perfume. Also, not every perfume is good for all clothes. A gym perfume can not be worn on a suit as it would just give a different vibe and you won’t feel the power, a perfume has to offer.
Read my take on how to buy perfume which is in much detail on this subject.
Does Moisturizer help in the Longevity of Perfume?
This a very common question in the perfumer fraternity and forums alike. Should you moisturize your skin before applying the perfume? Will, the moisturizer helps in sticking the perfume molecules for longer on the skin?
A moisturizer does not increase the longevity of the perfume. You should moisturize the skin as it is a healthy routine. But do not expect a moisturizer to increase longevity.
My only suggestion would be to use a good-quality moisturizer without a scent. A fragrance-free moisturizer would ensure that no unwanted scents are mixed with your perfume.
Our Co-Author has just written a detailed article on this aspect. Must go through “how to Last a perfume longer” in order to know her findings.
Do Not Apply more perfumes for closed space encounters or Air Journey
Many times during the air journey I’ve come across people who were bathed in perfume. It is a bad practice. In closed spaces, do not apply an overdose of fragrances.
Moreover, I know people who just spray every perfume in a duty-free shop and then board airplanes. Imagine what others are going through. A strong smell is very irritating for others sitting nearby.
For office meetings and Air Journey, I would recommend Dior Homme Intense. A very mature powdery-suede Unisex perfume that is very soothing for others as well.
Do not apply perfume directly on Hair
Although hair can hold onto perfume for longer but perfume damage hair too. Instead use a perfume hair mist, which is specifically made for the purpose. Our co-author Eshal has researched this topic and has written some good information on this topic.
Moreover, if you want to know the best hair mists that are safe for hair and contain the wow factor smell then some good options are discussed in this article.
Parting Thoughts
Apply perfume as an essential thing. A perfume gives your personality power, provided you are a guru in how to apply perfume the right way.
Buy and use perfumes as essential wear like your clothes, shoes, or watches. A little research would get a long way in defining and enhancing your personality.
Happy perfuming.
Founder of OppositeAttracts.com, Imran has traveled extensively to explore the world of fragrances. Through his articles, he shares his in-depth knowledge and passion for scents with our readers.
