Applying Perfume: Perfumes and Fragrances for Women

Applying Perfume: Perfumes and Fragrances for Women

Learn the best places to use perfume spray for a lasting scent

None of us wants to be like the woman we passed on the street the other day—the one who was wearing so much perfume that you had to stop and take a few deep breaths before continuing on. She obviously didn't know how to apply perfume the right way. Don't worry—it is possible to wear perfume without making those around you want to wear gas masks.

Here are some basic tips to follow when applying perfume or a designer fragrance:

1. Whether it is a solid, perfume spray, or lotion, apply your perfume before you put on any clothing or jewelry. Some perfumes and fragrances will leave permanent stains on fabrics, metals, and pearls.
2. Apply the perfume lightly to the body's pulse points: wrists, base of the throat, behind the earlobes, the bend in your elbows, and between the breasts.
3. Do not dab your wrists together after applying perfume—this breaks down the scent.
4. Since body heat rises, apply perfume to the back of your knees to leave a lasting impression.
5. Only apply fragrance to your hair if it is freshly washed. If not, the natural oil in your hair will change the scent of the perfume. To add fragrance to your tresses, spray your hair once or twice from a distance of at least 8 inches. Another option is to spray some of the perfume into your hands and then disperse it through your hair. Do not spray your hairbrush or comb; this will leave the scent attached to it and affect any other scents you spray into your hair.
6. If you have fair or dry skin, your perfume will wear off faster than for those with oily or darker skin. This simply means that you might need one or two sprays of your favorite scent during your lunch break.
7. Vary the fragrances you use from time to time. It has been medically proven that scents have a strong effect on our emotions and mindset. Don't feel inhibited about trying new and different perfumes every 3–4 months, or with the changing seasons.
8. To keep your scent as true as the first day you bought it, place it in an airtight plastic container and store it in the fridge between uses. By doing so, you slow the process of oxidation, which breaks down the scent. This is especially useful during those hot, bright, and humid months.