Ah, perfume. Some of us want to smell as if we just spent five hours in a Bath & Body Works and other want to smell like we walked by a bakery selling the most scrumptious tangerine tarts. Point is: perfume is so incredibly personal! But what are some of the universals? Well, knowing where to spritz it, as well as other tips and tricks to make your signature scent last. If that's you, you've come to the right place.
First things first: if you've been spraying perfume on your wrists and rubbing them together like you've seen in commercials, you're actually making your fragrance fade faster—and fragrance experts want you to stop that immediately.
Rubbing breaks down the delicate molecules that create the scent, essentially crushing your perfume before it has a chance to develop on your skin. What actually works is far simpler: spray, don't touch and let the fragrance sit and dry naturally on top of your skin.
Understanding where to apply fragrance changes how long it lasts and how strongly it projects throughout the day. But there's more to fragrance application than just hitting the correct spots. Skin hydration, how much you apply and even where you store your bottles all play important roles in whether your perfume lasts two hours or eight.
The frustrating reality is that your nose adjusts to your own scent within about 15 minutes, which means you might think your perfume has faded when everyone around you can still smell it perfectly. This is why so many people overspray—they literally can't smell themselves anymore and assume they need more. The key is trusting that if you applied it correctly—it's still there even if you can't detect it.
We consulted fragrance experts who formulate and sell perfumes professionally to find out the best application techniques for making your scent last. Here's what actually works. Happy sniffing!
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Where To Spray Perfume: The Best Placement
Areas where blood vessels are closest to the skin—helps diffuse and amplify your scent.
Matt Moore, founder of EastWest Bottlers, tells Parade it's all about strategic placement.
"Apply to the pulse points—these areas are naturally 'hotter' and will help project, such as the chest, underside of wrists, inside elbows, back of the ears and knees," he explains.
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Savannah Britt, founder at The Fragrance Affair, is all about maximizing your scent. "All over from your neck, to your clothes, to your feet. Don't be afraid to be generous all over!" she says.
However, if you're pairing your perfume with a perfume oil, she recommends applying the perfume oil to pulse points like your wrists and neck. "Unlike perfume, oils are more stable and don't evaporate," says Britt.
The most important instruction both experts agree on? "Whatever you do—don't rub it in," Moore shares. "Let the fragrance sit and dry on top of the skin."
Where To Avoid Applying Fragrance
Some areas are off-limits for safety and comfort reasons.
Britt keeps it simple, explaining, "Avoid applying fragrance near your eyes and intimate areas."
The delicate skin in these areas is sensitive to alcohol and fragrance compounds, which can cause irritation.
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How Much Fragrance Should You Use?
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Moore takes a conservative approach with an important caveat about olfactory adjustment. "A few dabs or a spritz at the pulse points should do the trick," he advises. "Remember that with time, your body and nose will also adjust."
If you've accidentally overdone it, Moore offers a fix. "If you feel like you've gone too far, simply wipe skin with a damp, warm cloth—it will not take off all of the fragrance, but it will reduce its concentration on the skin without greatly altering the scent."
The truth is, it comes down to what you're most comfortable with. Some people like a scent blast (Britt shares: "I'm an over-sprayer, and I like to pair my perfumes with body mists of similar accords"), and some prefer more subtly. Follow your fragrance dreams!
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Longevity depends primarily on concentration and formulation.
"Perfume's staying power is determined by the type of formulation," says Britt. "Ranging from least potent to most potent there's eau fraiche, eau de cologne, eau de toilette, eau de parfum and extrait de parfum," she explains. "If you're looking for a scent that's beast mode, then I'd recommend eau de perfumes and extrait de parfums because they can last up to six to eight hours."
Moore adds that alcohol-based fragrances are also going to stick around longer, as well as those with "heavy base in formulations (musk, patchouli, etc)—as opposed to floral or citrus."
Related: How to Properly Layer Perfume, According to a Fragrance Expert
Top Tips for Wearing Perfume
Say it with us: Hydration, hydration, hydration! Always, you guessed it, hydrate your skin first. Moore says to apply unscented lotion after showering, then spray your perfume.
It's also key to store bottles properly. "Be sure to store your fragrances in a cool, dry place for best results over time—not in a humid bathroom that's exposed to lots of sunlight," Moore advises. Heat and light degrade the fragrance compounds.
Try a cool, dry closet or a dresser drawer for storage instead—it will protect your treasured scent, which, depending on which bottle you choose, can be a serious investment.
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Sources:
Savannah Britt, founder at The Fragrance AffairMatt Moore, founder of EastWest BottlersHence then, the article about a perfumer says this is the best place to apply fragrance was published today ( ) and is available on Parade ( Saudi Arabia ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
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