Buzz
Perfume can elevate your outfit, even if it's just jeans and a t-shirt. A touch of fragrance can set the mood for a romantic evening and captivate your partner. However, there are misconceptions about how to apply perfume, where to apply it, and which type to buy. There's a significant difference between using perfume correctly and incorrectly, and this can transform your evening. Fortunately, the steps to use perfume properly are simple and straightforward.
Steps
Preparing to Use Perfume
Find the right perfume for you. Don't choose a perfume just because it's a designer brand. Remember, you must genuinely love the top and base notes of the fragrance.
- The top note is the scent you notice immediately upon opening the bottle. Common top notes include citrus, fruity, and herbal scents. These fade quickly, so it's essential to check the base notes as well.
- The base notes are often woody or natural scents. To determine if you like the base notes, spray a bit on the back of your wrist, wait 20 minutes, and smell it again.
- You can also explore perfumes by visiting stores or perfume counters in malls and asking for recommendations.
Select daytime or nighttime fragrances. For casual outings like street walks, work, or beach visits, opt for daytime perfumes. For dates or dinner outings, consider nighttime scents.
- Check the perfume bottle's label. Daytime or nighttime fragrances are often indicated, but you can also infer from the packaging color if this information is missing. Bright yellow and orange typically suggest spring and daytime scents, while dark blue, red, and purple often indicate nighttime fragrances.
- Nighttime perfumes are best applied to the neck or nearby areas. This is because nighttime scents don't last as long, and you want an immediate impact. Applying a bit of moisturizer to the area before the perfume can help the scent linger.
- Daytime perfumes are usually sprayed on the hips or knees. These scents are designed to last all day and have a longer-lasting aroma. Using a bit of moisturizer near the application area can help the fragrance last longer.
Take a shower. Clean, smooth, and warm skin absorbs perfume better. A hot shower helps open up the pores.
- Use unscented or lightly scented soap or body wash. You don't want the soap's scent to clash with your perfume.
- This is also a good time to moisturize. Use a cream or oil to prepare your skin for the perfume.
- Washing your hair is beneficial if you plan to apply perfume to it. Use conditioner to soften your hair and help the perfume adhere better.
Dry your skin. After a hot shower, make sure to dry your skin thoroughly. Damp skin can make it difficult for the perfume to adhere. Pay special attention to hard-to-reach areas like the back of your knees, neck, and hair. These areas are known as 'pulse points,' where perfume is most effective.
Moisturize your skin. If you didn't moisturize during your shower, do so after drying your skin. Perfume adheres better to soft, smooth skin rather than dry, rough skin.
- Body oils or creams work best. Take a small amount in your palms, rub your hands together, and then apply it all over your skin.
- Vaseline is another excellent option. The perfume will cling to the waxy oil molecules instead of your pores, helping the scent last longer. Dab a small amount and rub it into your skin.
- The key is to target the 'pulse points.' Some effective pulse points include your feet, knees, elbows, collarbone, and neck. These are the best spots for applying perfume.
Apply perfume before dressing. Spraying perfume directly on clothes can leave unsightly stains, especially when preparing for a romantic evening. Perfume works better on 'pulse points' than on clothing, as the scent molecules are more effective when in direct contact with the skin.
Applying perfume
Hold the perfume bottle away from your body. Ensure the bottle is at least 12 cm – 15 cm away from your chest/body, with the nozzle facing towards you. If the perfume wets your skin, it means you are spraying too close.
Spray perfume on "pulse points." These are areas where blood vessels are close to the skin's surface. These spots are warmer, and as heat rises, the fragrance will disperse more effectively. Common pulse points include the collarbone, knees, and neck.
Spray in the right spots. Instead of misting the perfume into the air and walking through it, aim directly at the "pulse points." This method enhances effectiveness and reduces waste.
Dab perfume onto your skin. For non-spray perfume bottles, you can always use your hands to apply the fragrance to "pulse points." Simply place a small amount of perfume on your palm, rub your hands together, then gently dab onto your skin using a small circular motion.
Allow "pulse points" to dry naturally without rubbing. Avoid covering these areas with clothing until they are completely dry. Wait at least 10 minutes. Natural body heat and oils can alter the fragrance, so refrain from rubbing the skin where perfume has been applied.
- Many people have the habit of rubbing their wrists together after applying perfume. However, doing so breaks down the perfume molecules, causing the scent to fade more quickly.
Avoid over-applying perfume. A small amount of perfume is sufficient to create a pleasant scent. It’s better to apply too little than too much. You can carry the perfume bottle in your bag and reapply later if needed.
Choose the right spots
Apply perfume to your hair. Fragrance clings to hair fibers, making it an excellent way to retain the scent for a longer duration. Perfume also adheres to hair care products like shampoo and conditioner, helping the fragrance last even longer.
- Simply spray perfume onto a comb or hairbrush. You can also use your hands or a cloth to dab perfume onto the brush and gently comb through your hair. Ensure you cover the entire hair rather than just a few sections.
- Be careful not to use too much perfume on your hair, as the alcohol content can dry it out.
Dab a small amount of perfume behind your ears. This "pulse point" has veins close to the skin’s surface. Take a small amount of perfume on your fingertip and gently dab it behind both ears. A touch of perfume here creates an instant effect and works best with evening fragrances.
Apply perfume near the collarbone. The collarbone area has natural indentations due to its bone structure, allowing perfume to settle and interact with the skin. You can dab perfume with your fingertips or spray it from a distance of 12-15 cm.
Spray perfume on your back. The back is not a typical spot for perfume application. However, since it’s fully covered by clothing, the scent lasts longer and remains subtle. Simply reach behind your back to spray a few times or ask for assistance if needed.
Apply perfume behind the knees. The knees are constantly in motion, generating heat, which helps the perfume to activate and gradually release its fragrance upward. Dab a small amount behind your knees or spray from 12-15 cm away.
Apply perfume to the inner elbows. Like the knees, the inner elbows are active areas that radiate heat throughout the day. Use your fingertips to dab perfume or spray it from a distance of 12-15 cm.
Apply perfume to the navel. This might sound unusual, but the navel is an excellent spot for perfume to settle and interact with the body’s natural warmth. Covered by clothing, the scent remains subtle. Use your fingertips to apply a small amount around and inside the navel.
Using perfume
Get familiar with perfume. Your skin may react differently to various fragrances. Pay attention to whether you can still detect the scent after a few hours. It’s essential to test and ensure your skin doesn’t have an adverse reaction to a particular perfume.
Reapply perfume every four hours. Even the best perfumes don’t retain their scent throughout the entire day. Ask friends or family if they notice you need to reapply. Sometimes, you might become accustomed to the scent and not realize you still smell great.
Use alcohol-based wipes or hand sanitizer. If you feel you’ve applied too much perfume, simply use an alcohol-based wipe or hand sanitizer to remove the excess, then dry and reapply. This time, avoid spraying or dabbing too much.
Store perfume in a cool, dark place. Heat and light can alter the chemical composition of perfume, changing its scent and making it less effective for special occasions. The best place to store perfume is in the refrigerator.
Check the expiration date on your perfume bottle. Like any other product, perfume has a shelf life. If you notice a sharp or unpleasant odor when opening the bottle, it’s likely your perfume has expired.
Tips
- Avoid exposing perfume to direct sunlight, as this can cause the fragrance to fade faster.
- If you’re not fond of perfume but still want a subtle scent, try using a fragrant body wash and lotion with a matching aroma.
- Experiment with new scents occasionally. Using the same perfume repeatedly can become monotonous, and you might stop noticing its fragrance over time.
- Switch to a different perfume for special occasions like Valentine’s Day or Christmas.
- If perfume isn’t your thing, consider using a body mist instead.
- Try men’s fragrances. While it may sound unusual, many men’s perfumes work wonderfully for women too.
- Avoid using deodorants with conflicting scents, as they can create an overpowering mix.
- Store perfume in the refrigerator to extend its lifespan by two to three weeks.
Warnings
- Don’t apply too much perfume, as it can overwhelm those around you.
- Avoid over-spraying. A few spritzes are usually enough to leave a pleasant scent.
- Refrain from spraying perfume directly on clothes, as it can stain fabrics and won’t interact with your skin’s natural oils.
- Everyone has a personal scent radius, roughly the length of an arm. Your perfume should only be noticeable to those who enter this space, making it a subtle and private message.
- Never rub your wrists together after applying perfume. This doesn’t break down the fragrance molecules but can generate heat, altering the scent’s layers and causing it to evaporate faster.
- Many liquid perfumes are formulated with petroleum or oil-based ingredients, while solid perfumes often avoid these components.
