Where should you apply fragrance, and how do you make it last longer?

Start with clean, moisturised skin

Moisturised skin usually holds fragrance for longer than dry skin. So after a shower, apply a light layer of unscented moisturiser, then your fragrance. If you use a scented moisturiser, choose one that goes with your fragrance so the scents don’t clash.

Apply it to warm skin

Scent spreads better where the skin is slightly warmer. These spots are called pulse points: the wrists, the sides of the neck, behind the ears and the insides of the elbows. Choose two or three of them; there’s no need to cover your whole body.

Don’t rub your wrists

It’s common to rub the wrists together after spraying, but it’s best avoided: the friction and heat can speed up the evaporation of the first layer of the fragrance and change its character. Let it dry naturally.

Distance and number of sprays

Hold the bottle about 15 to 20 centimetres from your skin. Two or three sprays are usually enough; overdoing it doesn’t make a fragrance last longer, only heavier for the people around you. Your nose can also tire, so you stop smelling your fragrance while others still can. Don’t add more just because you can no longer feel it.

What suits each time of day

• Work and daytime: one or two sprays, and a light fragrance that respects the space.
• Evenings and occasions: around three sprays, and you can choose something deeper with more presence.
• Closed or crowded places: use less, because scent concentrates in tight spaces.

Should I put it on clothes and hair?

Scent can last longer on fabric, but some fragrances can leave marks on light or silk fabrics, so test a hidden spot first. As for hair, alcohol can dry it out; it’s better to spray the fragrance onto a brush from a distance than directly onto your hair.

What to avoid

• Spraying fragrance directly onto delicate fabrics or jewellery, which it may mark.
• Exposing scented skin to strong, direct sun, since some ingredients can irritate skin in sunlight.
• Applying fragrance to broken or irritated skin.
• Mixing several fragrances without testing, as their scents may clash.

Should I reapply during the day?

If you need to, use a single light spray rather than repeating the whole amount. And before you reapply, make sure the fragrance has really gone and your nose hasn’t just got used to it. Ask someone you trust.

Can I combine two fragrances?

Some fragrance lovers do, and call it “layering”. But it takes taste and practice, and the best start is to combine two from the same family or to try them on a paper strip first. If you’re not sure, the simpler and safer choice is one fragrance at a time.

Read next: how to keep your fragrance in good condition for years