Perfume can have a powerful effect on the wearer. Our sense of smell is 150,000 times more sensitive than our vision and is deeply connected to our emotions.
Scent is a complex and subjective art that requires some finesse when wearing it. Here are a few fragrance tips to keep in mind:
Know Your Scent
A good perfume can boost your confidence, make you feel like you’re dressed up, and garner you a compliment or two. However, picking out a scent is often a process of trial and error that takes time to figure out what you like and dislike.
To help with the process, we spoke to a fragrance expert who revealed some tips for choosing the right perfume and properly applying it. This includes avoiding some common mistakes that will keep your perfume from lasting all day, and ensuring you don’t spray yourself to the point of olfactory embarrassment.
Fragrance is a complex mixture of what people in the perfume industry call raw materials, which can include extracts from natural sources or synthetic chemicals that are combined to create a unique signature scent. They’re dissolved in alcohol to preserve them, which determines the strength of a perfume and how long it lasts on your skin. Taylor Swift Fragrance Review can help you decide whether you want to try something Taylor has been always wearing.
There’s a lot of information to take in when you start exploring different scents, including notes, accords, and the intensity of an Eau de Parfum, Eau de Toilette, or Perfume Extract (the higher the percentage of aromatic compounds, the stronger the perfume). It may seem intimidating, but learning basic perfume terms can help you navigate the scent section at a store and narrow down your options with confidence.
When selecting a fragrance, it’s important to remember that everyone smells differently. A scent that’s beautiful on one person may not be pleasant for another. If you try a perfume and don’t immediately fall in love with it, don’t give up on it. Instead, reapply it and take note of how the smell changes as the day progresses. Then, you can decide whether it’s the perfect match for you.
Start Light
It might seem like perfume is a foolproof way to instantly look put together, but it takes more than just one spritz to get the right effect. It’s important to note that fragrances have varying concentration levels, which will determine how long the scent lasts and how much you need to apply. For example, a perfume labeled as “perfume” will have the highest fragrance concentration, followed by “eau de parfum,” and finally, “eau de toilette.”
When applying cologne, it’s best to spray on the areas where you can smell it easily, including your wrists, neck, inner elbows, and chest. These areas will help the scent linger and leave a trail of perfume behind when you move throughout your day. Spritzing too much can quickly overpower your natural scent, so start with a light layer and add more as you get more comfortable with the fragrance.
Another tip to remember is that perfume adheres to the skin best when it’s hydrated, so it’s important to spray right after taking a shower or bath. The oils in the body lotion or oil will create a surface for the perfume molecules to bond with, which will make it last longer.
Fragrance is also sensitive to temperature and humidity, so it’s important to keep your bottle in a cool, dry place. The changes in temperatures and humidity can cause the chemicals in the perfume to react differently, which can change the overall scent of the fragrance. For instance, leaving a perfume in the steamy bathroom can change its citrus notes to something more musky or turn amber tones green. A proper storage container will prevent this from happening.
Don’t Shake Your Bottle
It might feel like a small thing, but shaking your perfume bottle is actually really bad for it. The delicate fragrant molecules within perfume bottles are incredibly fragile, and vigorous shaking will disrupt their chemical composition and make them less potent over time. It also introduces air bubbles into the mixture, which can lead to unwanted oxidation. Keeping your fragrances stored in a dark, dry place (like in a dresser drawer) is a good way to maximize their lifespan.
Perfumes are a complex combination of top, middle and base notes, all expertly blended into an aromatic symphony. Just like musical notes, each note contributes to a particular harmony and can have different effects on your mood and behavior. Yong says that it’s important to understand how each fragrance works, because you can then choose which scents will work best for your specific body chemistry.
Aside from your skin chemistry, other factors like diet and hormone changes can affect how your perfume smells on you. You should also pay attention to how and where you apply your perfume, as this can have a big impact on how long it lasts. For example, spraying perfume directly on your skin may not give you the most lingering effect; instead, try applying it to the top of your neck, wrists and elbows, where the natural heat of your body will help the scent to cling to your skin longer.
The most playful and intoxicating step of your beauty routine, applying perfume can seem like a breeze-a quick spritz here, a dab there and you’re ready to go. But in actuality, there’s more to applying perfume than meets the eye: from where you spritz it on your body to how much you put on, and even where you store it, all of these things can have an impact on how long it will last and how strong it will smell.
Don’t Spray With Your Clothes On
We’ve all seen those glamorous movie scenes in which a woman delicately spritzes her perfume then gracefully waltzes through it—but as romantic as this seems, doing so actually breaks down the scent. Instead, spray directly onto oiled skin (preferably your pulse points) before getting dressed. This allows you to smell the full scent and lets your unique body chemistry interact with it. It also prevents stains from forming on your clothing, and it helps extend the longevity of your fragrance.
Your perfume isn’t simply a scent, it’s a mood enhancer that reminds others how you want to be perceived at a given time or event. When applied properly, it can help communicate playful, mischievous, or sensual emotions to those around you. But knowing the tricks of the trade is key. That’s why we consulted several fragrance pros on the secrets of applying perfume correctly—and getting it to last all day long.
Whether you’re new to fragrance or a long-time devotee, these simple tips will let you get the most out of your signature scent. From which bottle to buy, to how much and where to apply it, we’ve got you covered with everything you need to know for Fragrance 101 success.
Don’t Apply Too Much
The fragrance you choose and the amount you apply can have a big impact on how your scent smells. It’s important to find the right balance so that you don’t overpower those around you. While you may love the way your perfume smells on you, there’s a chance that it could be too overpowering for others, especially those who have allergies or just prefer something a little less potent. Smells can be very evocative and can trigger memories and emotions, so it’s important to use your fragrance judiciously.
Thankfully, if you do end up applying too much perfume, there are ways to fix it. A little rubbing alcohol or even baby wipes can work wonders to tone down an overpowering scent, as they will dilute it and help your fragrance last longer. The weather and your skin’s moisture level can also affect how long a perfume will last, so keep these factors in mind when deciding how much to spray.
When you do spray perfume, it’s best to stick to one or two easy-to-spot pulse points such as your neck, chin or wrists. Hold the bottle about six inches away and spray lightly. Avoid spraying your hair, armpits or anywhere near the genitals as these areas are often a trigger for those with allergies. A light mist over your clothing can also be a great way to extend your fragrance. Just be sure not to overdo it – perfume can stain silk and other delicate fabrics. Using a perfume atomizer can also help you extend your scent throughout the day and will make it easy to reapply later. It’s also a good idea to carry a small vial of your favorite fragrance with you, so that you can reapply it as needed.