Buzz
A comprehensive guide on how to smell your best without going overboard
Perfume might be the final touch to complement your attire, whether it's a simple T-shirt and jeans ensemble. Applying perfume can add excitement to a date night and aid in attracting your desired partner. However, there are misconceptions about how to apply perfume, where to apply it, and which types to purchase. The difference between applying perfume correctly and incorrectly is significant and can greatly impact your evening. Fortunately, the steps to correctly apply perfume are straightforward and easy.
Steps
Preparing to Apply Your Perfume
Discover your ideal perfume. Don't just choose a perfume because it's from a designer brand. Ensure that you genuinely adore the perfume's top and bottom notes.
- The top notes are the initial scents you detect upon spraying the perfume, typically citrus, fruity, or herbal fragrances. They tend to dissipate quickly, so it's essential to also consider the bottom notes.
- The bottom notes usually consist of woody and natural scents. To assess whether you like the bottom notes, apply a small amount of perfume to the back of your wrist, wait 20 minutes, and then smell it again.
- You can also seek assistance in making your decision by visiting a perfume store, such as Bath and Body, or a perfume counter at a department store.
Opt for a daytime or evening scent. When heading out casually or to work, consider a daytime fragrance. For dates or dinner outings, opt for an evening fragrance.
- Check the labels on the packaging; they often indicate whether it's for daytime or evening wear. Alternatively, the color of the packaging can give a clue—bright yellows and oranges usually signify daytime scents, while dark blues, reds, and purples suggest evening fragrances.
- Evening fragrances are typically applied to the neck area for immediate impact. For better retention, apply extra moisturizer to the chosen area.
- Daytime fragrances are usually sprayed lower, around the hips or knees, as they rise throughout the day. To enhance longevity, moisturize the area beforehand.
Take a warm shower or bath. Warm skin absorbs perfume more effectively. Ensure the water is hot to open your pores.
- Use unscented or lightly scented body wash or soap to avoid clashes with your perfume.
- Moisturize your skin during this time to enhance receptivity to the fragrance.
- Condition your hair if you plan to apply perfume to it, ensuring it's soft and receptive.
Thoroughly dry your skin. After your warm shower or bath, ensure your skin is completely dry, including hard-to-reach areas like the back of your knees, neckline, and hair. These are your 'pulse points,' where perfume performs best.
Moisturize your skin. If you didn't moisturize during your shower, do so after drying off. Smooth, hydrated skin holds fragrance better than dry, rough skin.
- Use lotion or body oil, applying a small amount and spreading it evenly over your skin.
- Petroleum jelly is another option; it helps the fragrance last longer by adhering to the jelly molecules rather than pores. Apply small amounts to the pulse points: feet, knees, elbows, collarbone, and neck.
- Focus on pulse points like wrists or inner arms for perfume application.
Apply perfume before dressing.
Directly spraying perfume onto clothes can leave water marks, especially unwelcome during a fancy dinner date. Perfume interacts better with skin on pulse points than with clothing fibers.
Applying Perfume
Keep fragrance at arm's length. Maintain a distance of 5-7 inches from your body. Aim the nozzle toward your skin. If your skin feels too wet, you're holding it too close.
Target your 'pulse points' for application. These areas have close blood vessels and extra heat, enhancing fragrance projection. Common pulse points include collarbones, knees, and necklines.
Direct your sprays precisely. Instead of dispersing perfume widely, aim directly at pulse points for maximum effectiveness and scent retention.
Apply perfume with a dabbing motion. For non-spray perfumes, dispense onto your hands, rub them together, then gently dab onto pulse points in circular motions.
Allow your 'pulse point' to air dry without rubbing. Keep clothing away until the area is dry, waiting at least ten minutes. Avoid rubbing as natural oils can alter the scent of the perfume.
- The common practice of rubbing perfume onto your wrists breaks down its molecules and diminishes its fragrance.
Avoid excessive use of perfume. A little goes a long way, so it's better to apply too little than too much. You can always carry a bottle in your purse for touch-ups later if needed.
Choosing Your Application Spots
Infuse your hair with perfume. Fragrances adhere to hair fibers, ensuring a lasting scent. Perfume also combines with hair products like shampoo and conditioner, prolonging its fragrance.
- Mist perfume onto a comb or brush, or apply it directly with your hand or a towel. Gently comb through your hair, ensuring even distribution.
- Be cautious not to apply too much perfume to avoid drying out your hair with alcohol content.
Apply perfume behind your ears. The veins near the skin in this 'pulse point' ensure immediate effects, making it ideal for nighttime fragrances. Dab a small amount of perfume on your fingertips and apply behind your ears.
Massage perfume near your collarbone. The neck/collarbone area has natural contours that provide ample space for the perfume to settle and meld with your skin. Apply perfume by dabbing it with your fingertips or spraying it from 5-7 inches away.
Spritz perfume on your back. While the back isn't a typical spot for perfume, its coverage by clothing ensures a longer-lasting scent without overwhelming. Reach around and spray a few times down your spine. If needed, ask for assistance from a friend.
Apply perfume behind your knees. Due to constant movement, the knees generate heat that helps diffuse the scent gradually throughout the day. Dab perfume behind the knees with your fingertips or spray it from a distance of 5-7 inches.
Apply perfume inside your elbows. Like the knees, elbows are active 'pulse points' that generate heat. Dab perfume inside your elbows with your fingertips or spray it from 5-7 inches away.
Place perfume in your belly button. Although unconventional, the belly button is a great spot for perfume as it interacts with a 'pulse point' and is discreetly covered by clothing. Apply a small amount of perfume to your fingertips and rub it around and inside your belly button.
Maximizing Your Perfume
Understand your perfume's behavior. Different perfumes interact uniquely with your skin. Monitor how long the scent lasts and observe any adverse reactions. If necessary, consider switching to a different perfume.
Refresh your scent every four hours. Even high-quality perfumes fade over time. Seek feedback from friends or family to gauge if you need to reapply. Sometimes, you may become accustomed to the scent, but it remains noticeable to others.
Use alcohol wipes or hand sanitizer. If you feel overwhelmed by the fragrance, use an alcohol wipe or hand sanitizer to remove excess perfume. Afterward, allow the area to dry before reapplying a more moderate amount of perfume.
Store perfume away from sunlight and heat. Exposure to light and warmth alters the perfume's composition, leading to changes in scent. To preserve the fragrance, store it in a cool, dark place, such as a refrigerator.
Check the expiry date of your perfume. Perfume, like other products, has a shelf life. If you detect a strong odor upon opening the bottle, it's a sign that your perfume is past its prime.
Additional Tips
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Avoid leaving your perfume bottle in direct sunlight, as it can cause the scent to diminish more quickly.
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If perfume isn't your preference but you still desire a subtle scent, consider using scented body wash and matching lotion.
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Occasionally experiment with new fragrances. Over time, you may become accustomed to a particular scent and lose the ability to detect it.
The recommendations provided here are gleaned from the experiences of Mytour readers like yourself. If you have a useful tip to share with the Mytour community, please submit it below.
- You can create your own natural perfume using essential oils. Mix and match oils such as lavender, orange, eucalyptus, or peppermint to craft your perfect fragrance!
- Spray perfume in front of yourself twice (no more!) and walk through the mist. This method imparts just the right amount of subtle scent.
- Before applying perfume to pulse points, apply Vaseline and let it dry. This will help the scent last longer!
Important Notes
- Avoid wearing perfume that overwhelms those around you.
- Remember, less is more when it comes to perfume application. A few light spritzes are sufficient.
- Resist the urge to vigorously rub your wrists together after applying perfume. This can alter the fragrance due to increased evaporation caused by heat.
- Consider your 'scent circle'—an arm's length from your body. Your fragrance should be subtle and only noticeable to those within this proximity.
- Do not spray perfume directly onto clothing to avoid staining. Perfume is meant for your skin, not your attire.
- Opt for solid perfumes, which are less likely to contain petrol or oil-based ingredients found in many liquid perfumes.
