While there are no hard rules when it comes to perfume application, there are tips that can help you enjoy your collection more and practice good perfume etiquette. These dos and don’ts will help you achieve your ideal longevity, choose the right scent for any occasion, create the impression you desire, and stay mindful of others.
Do: Apply to Well-Hydrated Skin
Most fragrance experts agree that the best place to apply perfume is directly on the skin. Body heat causes perfume oil to bloom and unravel, creating a more lush and complex fragrance experience.
It’s also important to make sure your skin is well hydrated before applying your perfume. Dry skin can damage fragrance molecules, shortening the duration of your fragrance. For better potency and projection, apply fragrance to moisturized skin.
Don’t: Overspray
It’s polite to avoid overspraying your fragrance. Very strong perfume can be overwhelming to others, especially if you’ll be spending time in enclosed spaces with them. Focus on enhancing your natural scent, rather than overpowering it. People should notice your scent when they’re close to you, rather than from across the room.
Do: Experiment With Application
Body chemistry and personal preference can make a big difference in how you like to apply your fragrance, so finding your ideal application technique can take some trial and error. Let’s go over some common application options to help you get started.
Experts generally suggest applying to your skin on your pulse points, which are the hottest parts of the body. These points are at your wrists, inside your elbows, behind your knees, at the base of your neck, and behind your ears. You may find you prefer some pulse points over others due to the way fragrance develops on your unique skin.
You may also find that you don’t like fragrance as much when it’s applied directly to your skin. In that case, consider applying it to your clothing or your hair. You should know that the alcohol in fragrances may discolor certain fabrics or have a drying effect when sprayed on the hair. While that’s something to keep in mind, know that many people apply their fragrance to their clothing or hair with no issue.
Don’t: Rub Your Wrists Together After Application
If you apply fragrance to the pulse points of your wrists, resist the urge to rub your wrists together. This application technique is common, but friction can destroy scent molecules, changing or weakening the aroma of your fragrance.
Do: Choose Your Scent Based on the Occasion
If you want to use fragrance to complete your outfit or make a specific impression, be mindful of matching your fragrance to the occasion. For example, lighter fragrances tend to work well for daytime, while more bold fragrances are often best suited to evening events. When you choose a fragrance that complements the occasion and dress code, you’ll create a more cohesive look.
Don’t: Mix Perfume and Scented Beauty Products That Don’t Blend
Many people enjoy layering perfume with cosmetics that feature complementary scents. For example, a citrusy fragrance might pair beautifully with a citrus scented body lotion, and the pairing may help weaker citrus notes last a bit longer.
However, not all scents go together, so you want to choose your pairings with care. A good rule of thumb is to stick to scents in the same fragrance family. Floral scents tend to pair well with other florals, woody scents pair well with other woody scents, and so on.
If you’re interested in trying more adventurous layering combinations, we have a layering guide dedicated to helping you find unique, yet complementary pairings.
Do: Reapply As Needed
Some scents simply don’t last as long as others. For example, citrus notes and aquatic notes are lovely, but they’re not long lasting. Other scents, like eau de toilettes and body mists, may be lighter due to their lower fragrance oil concentration.
If one of your favorite scents has a shorter duration and you want to smell like it all day, you’ll likely need to reapply to get your desired result. Bring a travel atomizer with you and reapply as needed.
Don’t: Reapply in Shared Spaces
While you should feel free to reapply your fragrance as desired, it’s considered impolite to reapply in shared public spaces. This includes public transportation, public bathrooms, and shared office settings.
It’s impolite to spray perfume in these types of enclosed public spaces because the smell can linger. This can be an issue for people who have allergies or are bothered by strong scents. If you don’t have a private space to touch up in, consider stepping outside and away from others before you reapply.
Do: Fix Excessive Application
If you accidentally overapplied your fragrance, you can take steps to fix the situation. If you applied it to your skin, try cleaning the area with a cotton ball soaked in rubbing alcohol. Cleansing with soap and water is also an excellent option, but that may not be possible if you’re away from home. Other options that can dilute your fragrance include rubbing the application area with hand sanitizer or unscented lotion.
If you applied your fragrance to your hair, consider braiding it or putting it up. This can reduce the amount of fragrance that’s released from your hair as you move around. If you applied your fragrance to your clothes, remove or cover the sprayed item if possible.
Don’t: Store Fragrances in the Bathroom
People often apply fragrances in the bathroom after applying other cosmetics. However, if you also store your perfume collection in the bathroom, this can end up damaging your fragrances.
Bathrooms are home to extreme temperature fluctuations and humidity changes–both of which are hazardous to fragrance molecules. Depending on window placement, perfume stored on a bathroom counter can also be exposed to direct sunlight, another fragrance degrading element.
To protect the quality and lifespan of your favorite fragrances, store them in a dark place with a cool and consistent temperature.
Do: Experiment and Express Yourself
Ultimately, applying fragrance is about expressing yourself and enjoying different olfactory experiences. Playing around with different fragrance combinations can help you feel more creative and add a spark of joy to your daily routine. Embrace that spark and enjoy the process of experimenting with different application techniques, fragrance families, and fragrance combinations.
Find a fragrance you’ll love applying again and again. Browse our selection of fairly priced, designer-inspired fragrances.
