How to Apply Perfume: Secrets to Make Your Scents Last Longer
The Art of Fragrance Application
Fragrance might be one of the most playful and intoxicating points of your beauty routine, as scent unleashes sensual memories and can define your signature sense of style. But, there’s an art to applying fragrance that is rooted in chemistry and based on tried and true strategies.
Ahead, perfumers and perfume experts share recommendations on how to apply fragrance correctly, and a few things to avoid to preserve the integrity of your scent.
Table of Contents
Top Recommended Fragrances
Gucci Guilty Love Edition
A romantic and modern floral scent perfect for daily wear.
Burberry Her Intense
A bold, fruity-gourmand fragrance that makes a statement.
Marc Jacobs Eau So Fresh
Light, playful, and packed with energy for sunny days.
The Do’s and Don’ts of Applying Perfume
| DO’S | DON’TS |
|---|---|
| Apply directly to skin for better adhesion | Don’t apply alcohol-based perfume to hair |
| Dab on pulse points (wrists, neck, behind ears) | Don’t rub wrists together after application |
| Layer over unscented moisturizer or oil | Don’t store in bathroom or direct sunlight |
| Apply to clothing (washable fabrics only) | Don’t overspray (2-4 sprays usually sufficient) |
Application Techniques Explained
Do: Apply Directly to the Skin
Your skin gives the perfect canvas for your favorite scent. “To ensure that fragrance really unravels itself in the most divine way, it needs a proper medium to anchor itself,” says Matthew Milèo, a chemist and former in-house perfume expert for Chanel. The lipophilic (oil-loving) properties of skin make it the perfect medium for oils to attach to.
Don’t: Apply to Hair
“Don’t use an eau de toilette in your hair,” says the Senior Creative Director at Bvlgari Parfums. “An alcohol-based formula tends to dry and damage the hair.” However, if you are set on spritzing your tresses, make sure you are using a non-alcohol-based scent or a specific hair mist.
Do: Dab On Pulse Points
When applying perfume correctly, you want to hit all the right spots. “It’s important to select the areas of the body which are naturally warm and moist, like the insides of the elbows, back of the knees, chest, and the sides of the neck,” says Milèo. Greta Fitz, Founder of Ascension, encourages a gentle application technique: “Try dabbing your fragrance on pulse points.”
Don’t: Rub Into Skin
Resist the temptation to rub perfume into your skin. “Fragrance application should be delicate,” says Carina Chaz, founder of DedCool. “Fragrance should sit on skin to mix with your natural oils. When wrists are rubbed together, top notes will fade and evaporate.”
Setting Is Key: How to Store Perfume
With regards to storage, perfume is like a living organism—it’s extremely sensitive to environmental changes. “Fragrance doesn’t like going from cold to hot,” says Kurkdjian. Such shifts can trigger chemical reactions and age the perfume faster.
- Original box (protects from light)
- Cool, dark cupboard
- Room temperature (approx 70°F)
- Dry environment
- Upright position
- Bathroom (humidity changes)
- Windowsills (direct sunlight/UV)
- Car glovebox (extreme heat)
- Near radiators or heaters
- Damp basements
Secrets to Long-Lasting Scent
There’s nothing more annoying than shelling out for an expensive perfume only to find that just a couple of hours after spritzing, the scent has faded away. Here is how to fix that.
| FRAGRANCE TYPE | LASTING POWER | BEST FOR | TIPS FOR LONGEVITY |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parfum / Extrait | 8-12+ hours | Special occasions | Apply to pulse points, lasts all day |
| Eau de Parfum | 6-8 hours | Daily wear, work | Layer with matching lotion |
| Eau de Toilette | 4-6 hours | Daytime, casual | Reapply midday |
| Eau de Cologne | 2-4 hours | Quick refresh | Spray on clothes too |
Ready to smell amazing all day?
By applying these simple techniques, you can make your favorite signature scent last from morning until night. Remember: proper application, strategic storage, and choosing the right concentration are key to fragrance longevity.
