Fragrances don’t come with an instruction manual because it’s simple enough, right? Aim, press, and away you go. Well turns out there’s more to it than that! Knowing how to store perfume and how to wear perfume isn’t reserved for the pros only. So, if you want to get the most out of your favourite scent, we’ve got a few tips up our sleeves that will elevate your spritzing game!
How to apply perfume
You reach for your favourite scent; what’s your next move? Do you:
a) Send the scent into the air and walk into it b) Spray it on your wrist and lightly dab c) Leave no body part left uncovered
Everyone has a ritual when it comes to enjoying their favourite scent. But, if you want to recreate how the pros do it, try spraying it towards you at an arm’s length so that when it reaches your skin, it’s a light mist instead of a pool of liquid. Not only does the mist effect cover more surface area, but it also allows the scent to dry and develop naturally. But when it comes to hair, should this be included or left out of the misting process?
In terms of where to spray your perfume, the ideal location is wherever the veins are closest to the skin’s surface. So, pay extra attention to pulse points such as your wrists, the inside of your elbows and behind your knees. These areas emit excess body heat and therefore act as a booster for your fragrance by encouraging it to develop quicker. We also recommend applying perfume to the dip in your collarbone. Why? Because your nose sits directly above this area, so when you move your head throughout the day, you’ll catch a whiff of your perfume!
Top tip: Avoid spraying behind your ears as this area is home to lots of sebaceous glands. The alkalinity of the sweat produced in this area can actually ‘turn’ a fragrance.
Want to learn more about how to apply perfume and where? You’ll find the lowdown in our article:
Try a layering technique to maximise the longevity and impact of your scent. You can find body care products within the collection for most fragrances, so start by opting for a delicately scented shower gel and body lotion before spraying the perfume. Go even further by topping up with rollerball scents, deodorants and mists. During the festive season, you’ll want to keep your eyes peeled for gift sets in your favourite fragrances, as they often come complete with matching body care (and sometimes at no extra cost!).
For more about how to wear perfume by layering, head over to our article:
Rubbing the fragrance into your skin is a common fragrance faux pas. While tapping your wrists together as soon as you’ve sprayed your scent may be tempting, it interferes with the drying process which can bruise the fragrance’s notes and alter the aroma. Instead, leave your fragrance to dry naturally on your skin.
Along with rubbing your perfume, there are more fragrance pitfalls you need to know about! Read all about them here:
Before you treat every bottle of fragrance the same, always check the label or ask an expert (such as our in-store Perfume People) on how to use the fragrance to its fullest potential. For example, an aftershave designed as a splash-on and works to close pores after a shave is a different product entirely from an Eau de Toilette (EDT) that shouldn’t be used on freshly shaved skin.
For more tried and tested tips from the pros, you’ll want to check out our article:
Our skin has a natural layer of protection (made up of oil and water), and it is important to ensure this layer is intact so that your fragrance lasts well. The reason? If the skin is lacking in oils, it affects how well a fragrance can grip the skin, causing it to evaporate quicker. Therefore, we suggest moisturising the skin before spritzing, as this will enhance the smell and encourage longevity too!
For more advice on how to get the most out of your favourite fragrances, head over to our blog:
Knowing how to store perfume is the best way to get the most use of your fragrances. We know that perfume bottles may up your #shelfie game and look great displayed in your bathroom, but the best place to store them is in a cool, dark place. By keeping your favourite bottles out of direct sunlight and in their box or a cupboard, you can preserve the scent for longer. So, if you always have a few fragrances on the go at once or save a scent for extra special occasions, you should reconsider that spot on your dressing table and keep them out of sight until you need them.
Now you know how to store perfume to avoid shortening its shelf life, it’s time to discover how to tell if your scent has gone off by reading:
Rosa is a creative copywriter who has been writing about luxury beauty, fragrance and her personal interest, sustainable fashion, for over two years. When she’s not hunting in her local charity shops for vintage homeware, she’s testing out the latest beauty trends. Her favourite perfume? Chance by CHANEL.
How to properly wear and store perfumes
Fragrances don’t come with an instruction manual because it’s simple enough, right? Aim, press, and away you go. Well turns out there’s more to it than that! Knowing how to store perfume and how to wear perfume isn’t reserved for the pros only. So, if you want to get the most out of your favourite scent, we’ve got a few tips up our sleeves that will elevate your spritzing game!
How to apply perfume
You reach for your favourite scent; what’s your next move? Do you:
a) Send the scent into the air and walk into it
b) Spray it on your wrist and lightly dab
c) Leave no body part left uncovered
Everyone has a ritual when it comes to enjoying their favourite scent. But, if you want to recreate how the pros do it, try spraying it towards you at an arm’s length so that when it reaches your skin, it’s a light mist instead of a pool of liquid. Not only does the mist effect cover more surface area, but it also allows the scent to dry and develop naturally. But when it comes to hair, should this be included or left out of the misting process?
You can find out more here:
In terms of where to spray your perfume, the ideal location is wherever the veins are closest to the skin’s surface. So, pay extra attention to pulse points such as your wrists, the inside of your elbows and behind your knees. These areas emit excess body heat and therefore act as a booster for your fragrance by encouraging it to develop quicker. We also recommend applying perfume to the dip in your collarbone. Why? Because your nose sits directly above this area, so when you move your head throughout the day, you’ll catch a whiff of your perfume!
Top tip: Avoid spraying behind your ears as this area is home to lots of sebaceous glands. The alkalinity of the sweat produced in this area can actually ‘turn’ a fragrance.
Want to learn more about how to apply perfume and where? You’ll find the lowdown in our article:
Tips to get the most out of each spray
Layer your scent
Try a layering technique to maximise the longevity and impact of your scent. You can find body care products within the collection for most fragrances, so start by opting for a delicately scented shower gel and body lotion before spraying the perfume. Go even further by topping up with rollerball scents, deodorants and mists. During the festive season, you’ll want to keep your eyes peeled for gift sets in your favourite fragrances, as they often come complete with matching body care (and sometimes at no extra cost!).
For more about how to wear perfume by layering, head over to our article:
Rabanne
Fame
Eau de Parfum Spray
50ML – €90.00
Rabanne
Fame
Eau de Parfum Spray
80ML – €120.00
Rabanne
Fame
Body Lotion
200ML – €46.00
Don’t rub it
Rubbing the fragrance into your skin is a common fragrance faux pas. While tapping your wrists together as soon as you’ve sprayed your scent may be tempting, it interferes with the drying process which can bruise the fragrance’s notes and alter the aroma. Instead, leave your fragrance to dry naturally on your skin.
Along with rubbing your perfume, there are more fragrance pitfalls you need to know about! Read all about them here:
Know your scent
Before you treat every bottle of fragrance the same, always check the label or ask an expert (such as our in-store Perfume People) on how to use the fragrance to its fullest potential. For example, an aftershave designed as a splash-on and works to close pores after a shave is a different product entirely from an Eau de Toilette (EDT) that shouldn’t be used on freshly shaved skin.
For more tried and tested tips from the pros, you’ll want to check out our article:
Looking for a new scent but can’t decide whether it’s the one for you, add this blog to your reading list:
Prepare the skin
Our skin has a natural layer of protection (made up of oil and water), and it is important to ensure this layer is intact so that your fragrance lasts well. The reason? If the skin is lacking in oils, it affects how well a fragrance can grip the skin, causing it to evaporate quicker. Therefore, we suggest moisturising the skin before spritzing, as this will enhance the smell and encourage longevity too!
For more advice on how to get the most out of your favourite fragrances, head over to our blog:
If you fancy yourself as a fragrance aficionado already, why not test your knowledge in our article:
How to store perfume
Knowing how to store perfume is the best way to get the most use of your fragrances. We know that perfume bottles may up your #shelfie game and look great displayed in your bathroom, but the best place to store them is in a cool, dark place. By keeping your favourite bottles out of direct sunlight and in their box or a cupboard, you can preserve the scent for longer. So, if you always have a few fragrances on the go at once or save a scent for extra special occasions, you should reconsider that spot on your dressing table and keep them out of sight until you need them.
Now you know how to store perfume to avoid shortening its shelf life, it’s time to discover how to tell if your scent has gone off by reading:
Did you know that you can also store certain perfumes in the fridge? Discover which ones in:
Put your knowledge to good use with a new scent!
Discover some new favourites online and instore
About Rosa Morell
Copywriter
Rosa is a creative copywriter who has been writing about luxury beauty, fragrance and her personal interest, sustainable fashion, for over two years. When she’s not hunting in her local charity shops for vintage homeware, she’s testing out the latest beauty trends. Her favourite perfume? Chance by CHANEL.
Read next
A Guide to Citrus Perfumes
The story behind pheromone perfumes
How to build your fragrance wardrobe