How to Put On Perfume

Perfume. It smells nice. It can make you feel good. But how do you put it on so it lasts and smells just right? It’s not as simple as just spraying it everywhere. There are a few easy tricks that can help you get the most out of your favorite scent.

Wearing perfume should be a pleasant experience, not overwhelming. The goal is for people to notice your scent when they get close, not when you walk into a room. Think of it as a subtle touch, like a nice accessory.

This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about putting on perfume the right way. We’ll cover what you need, how to do it step-by-step, and some common mistakes to avoid. Let’s get started!

What You Need to Know

Before we dive into the steps, let’s understand a few basic things about perfume.

Perfume is concentrated: This means a little goes a long way. You don’t need to drench yourself in it.

Different types of perfume: You’ll see words like “perfume,” “eau de parfum,” “eau de toilette,” and “eau de cologne.” These words tell you how strong the scent is.

• Perfume (Parfum): Strongest. Lasts longest (6-8 hours).
• Eau de Parfum (EDP): Very strong. Lasts a long time (5-6 hours).
• Eau de Toilette (EDT): Lighter. Lasts a few hours (3-4 hours).
• Eau de Cologne (EDC): Lightest. Lasts a short time (1-2 hours). Knowing this helps you decide how much to use. You’ll use less of a perfume than an eau de toilette.

Skin matters: Perfume smells different on different people. Your skin’s natural oils and how warm your skin is can change the way a scent smells and how long it lasts.

Moisture is your friend: Perfume lasts longer on moisturized skin. Think of it like a sticky surface that holds the scent better. Dry skin can make the scent disappear faster.

Step-by-Step Guide

Here’s how to put on perfume the right way, step by step.

Step 1: Start with Clean Skin

This is super important. Always put perfume on clean skin. Why? Because if your skin isn’t clean, the perfume can mix with old sweat, dirt, or other smells, and it won’t smell as good. It might even smell bad.

The best time to put on perfume is right after you shower or bathe. Your skin is clean, and your pores are open, which helps the perfume sink in better. Make sure your skin is completely dry after your shower. Damp skin can dilute the scent.

Think of it like a blank canvas. You want the perfume to be the only star of the show, not competing with other odors.

Step 2: Moisturize Your Skin

This step is a game-changer for how long your perfume lasts. Perfume sticks better to moisturized skin than to dry skin. Imagine a sponge: a dry sponge won’t hold much water, but a damp one will.

After you’ve dried off from your shower, apply an unscented lotion or moisturizer to the areas where you plan to spray your perfume. These are usually your pulse points (more on that in the next step).

Why unscented? Because you don’t want the smell of your lotion to fight with the smell of your perfume. You want your perfume to be the main scent. If you don’t have unscented lotion, a very lightly scented one that matches your perfume’s scent family (like a citrus lotion with a citrus perfume) might work, but unscented is always safest. Petroleum jelly (like Vaseline) can also work really well in a pinch, as it creates a barrier that holds the scent.

Step 3: Choose Your Pulse Points

This is where the magic happens. Pulse points are areas on your body where your blood vessels are close to the surface of your skin. These spots are warmer, and the heat helps to spread the scent throughout the day. It’s like a natural diffuser.

Common pulse points include:

• Wrists: The inside of your wrists. Don’t rub them together after spraying (more on this later!).
• Neck: The sides of your neck, just below your ears, or the base of your throat.
• Behind the Ears: A subtle spot that works well.
• Inner Elbows: Good for when you’re wearing short sleeves.
• Behind the Knees: A surprisingly effective spot, especially if you’re wearing a dress or skirt. The scent rises throughout the day.
• Ankles: Another good spot for the scent to rise.

You don’t need to spray all of them. Pick 2-3 spots. For example, your wrists and neck are usually enough for everyday wear. For a stronger scent, you might add behind the knees.

Step 4: Hold the Bottle at the Right Distance

Don’t hold the bottle too close or too far away. If it’s too close, the perfume will concentrate in one spot, which can be too strong and might even stain your clothes. If it’s too far, a lot of the spray will just go into the air and be wasted.

The ideal distance is usually about 5-7 inches (12-18 cm) away from your skin. This allows the perfume to mist evenly over the area you’re targeting.

Step 5: Spray, Don’t Drench

Remember, less is more with perfume. You want a subtle hint, not a cloud.

For most perfumes (especially eau de parfum or perfume), 1-2 sprays per pulse point is usually enough. For lighter scents like eau de toilette or eau de cologne, you might do 2-3 sprays.

Aim for a light mist. You shouldn’t see a visible wet spot where you sprayed. If you do, you’re probably spraying too much or too close.

Step 6: Let It Dry Naturally (No Rubbing!)

This is one of the biggest mistakes people make. After you spray, resist the urge to rub your wrists together or rub the perfume into your skin.

Why? Rubbing creates friction and heat, which can break down the perfume molecules. This changes the way the scent smells (it can make the top notes disappear faster) and makes it last for a shorter time. It essentially “crushes” the scent.

Just spray and let the perfume air dry on its own. It only takes a few seconds.

Step 7: Consider Your Clothes (Optional)

While it’s best to spray perfume directly on your skin, some people like to spray a little on their clothes. This can make the scent last longer because fabric holds scent well.

If you do this, be careful:

• Spray lightly: A very fine mist from a distance (at least 8-10 inches).
• Avoid delicate fabrics: Silk, satin, and light-colored clothes can sometimes stain. Test a small, hidden area first if you’re unsure.
• Don’t spray too much: Clothes tend to hold scent very strongly, so a little goes a long, long way.
• Spray before you put them on: This helps prevent stains on your skin and allows the scent to settle.

A good trick is to spray a light mist into the air and then walk through it. This gives a very light, even distribution on your clothes and hair. But again, this is optional and not as effective as skin application for diffusion.

Step 8: Reapply if Needed (Carefully)

Most perfumes last for several hours. You might not need to reapply at all. However, if you have a very light scent (like an eau de cologne) or if you have a long day ahead, you might want to reapply.

If you reapply, do it sparingly. One light spray on one or two pulse points is plenty. You don’t want to build up too much scent throughout the day. It’s easy to become “nose blind” to your own scent, meaning you can’t smell it as much, but others still can.

Tips and Best Practices

Here are some extra tips to help you get the most out of your perfume.

• Store your perfume correctly: Keep your perfume bottles in a cool, dark place, away from direct sunlight and extreme temperature changes (like a bathroom cabinet, not on a sunny windowsill). Heat, light, and humidity can break down the perfume and make it smell different or go bad faster.
• Don’t “chase” the scent: After you spray, don’t keep sniffing your wrist to see if you can still smell it. Your nose gets used to your own scent very quickly. If you can’t smell it, it doesn’t mean others can’t.
• Layer your scents (carefully): Some perfume brands offer matching lotions, shower gels, and body sprays. Using these together can make the scent last longer and smell more consistent. If you don’t have matching products, use unscented ones.
• Consider the occasion: A heavy, strong perfume might be great for a night out, but too much for an office environment. Choose lighter scents for daytime or professional settings.
• Don’t spray near jewelry: Perfume can sometimes tarnish or damage certain types of jewelry. Put your perfume on first, let it dry, then put on your jewelry.
• Spray into your hairbrush: For a subtle scent in your hair (which holds scent well), lightly spray your hairbrush a few times, then brush your hair. This avoids getting too much alcohol directly on your hair, which can be drying.
• Less is often more: Seriously, this is the golden rule of perfume. It’s better to use too little than too much. You want people to get a pleasant whiff, not be overwhelmed.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Knowing what not to do is just as important as knowing what to do.

• Rubbing your wrists together: As mentioned, this breaks down the scent molecules and makes the perfume fade faster and smell different. Just spray and let it dry.
• Spraying too much: This is the most common mistake. You become “nose blind” to your own scent, but everyone around you can smell it strongly. It can be annoying for others and a waste of expensive perfume.
• Spraying on unmoisturized skin: The scent won’t last as long because there’s nothing for it to cling to.
• Spraying on dirty skin: Mixing perfume with body odor creates a very unpleasant smell. Always apply to clean skin.
• Spraying directly onto clothes (especially light ones or delicate fabrics): This can cause stains and might not allow the scent to develop properly as it does on skin.
• Storing perfume in the bathroom or direct sunlight: Heat, humidity, and light degrade the perfume over time, changing its smell and reducing its shelf life. Your perfume can go “bad.”
• Spraying into the air and walking through it: While this gives a very light, diffused scent on clothes, it’s mostly wasted perfume. It’s not the most effective way to apply for lasting power on your skin. Direct application to pulse points is better.
• Buying perfume based only on how it smells on a test strip: Perfume smells different on skin. Always test it on your skin before buying to see how it develops with your body chemistry. Wear it for a few hours.

Conclusion

Putting on perfume isn’t complicated once you know a few simple tricks. By starting with clean, moisturized skin, choosing your pulse points, spraying from the right distance, and letting it dry naturally, you’ll make your favorite scent last longer and smell its best.

Remember, perfume is meant to enhance your presence, not announce it from across the room. A subtle, well-applied fragrance can boost your confidence and leave a pleasant impression. Experiment with different scents and find what works best for you and your lifestyle. Enjoy smelling great!

FAQs

Here are some common questions people ask about putting on perfume.

1. How many sprays of perfume should I use? It depends on the type of perfume. For strong perfumes (Parfum or Eau de Parfum), 1-2 sprays on 2-3 pulse points is usually enough. For lighter scents (Eau de Toilette or Eau de Cologne), you might use 2-3 sprays on 3-4 pulse points. The goal is a subtle scent, not an overwhelming one.

2. Why does my perfume not last long? Several reasons: your skin might be dry (moisturize first!), you might be rubbing it in (don’t!), or the type of perfume you’re using might be very light (like an Eau de Cologne). Storing it improperly (in heat or sunlight) can also make it fade faster.

3. Can I spray perfume on my hair? Yes, but lightly and indirectly. Alcohol in perfume can be drying to hair. A good method is to spray your hairbrush a few times and then brush your hair. This gives a subtle, lasting scent without direct alcohol application.

4. Where is the best place to store perfume? Store your perfume bottles in a cool, dark place, away from direct sunlight, extreme temperatures, and humidity. A drawer, closet, or cabinet in your bedroom is ideal. Avoid storing it in the bathroom, as the fluctuating heat and humidity can degrade the scent.

5. How far away should I spray perfume? Hold the bottle about 5-7 inches (12-18 cm) away from your skin. This allows the perfume to mist evenly over the area you’re targeting without concentrating too much in one spot or wasting too much in the air.