How to Apply Perfume 6 Steps to Wear Fragrance

There are several ways to apply your favorite fragrance so that you can enjoy your signature scent longer during the day. Whether you wear eau de cologne, spray perfume, or luxury perfume, these six steps will let you get the most out of it.

Apply it Post-Shower

After you step out of a hot shower, your pores are open and the skin is warm, allowing the perfume oils to be more readily absorbed. Gently dry your skin then spray the scent onto your body. Two or three sprays should do the trick. Something like an eau de toilette or spray perfume contains fewer essential oils and isn't as heavy, so you can apply a little bit more.

If you're using a luxury perfume, apply it sparingly to a pulse point such as the wrist, inner elbows, and neck. Use a dab of petroleum jelly before dabbing to make your eau de parfum last longer.

Another post-shower trick for wearing perfume is to apply a matching body lotion and then apply fragrance. That layered effect will keep the scent fresh throughout the day.

Moisturize Your Skin Before Applying Perfume

Moisturized skin will hold scent better than dry skin. After a shower, either apply an unscented body lotion before spraying perfume. You can also use lotion in a scent matching your fragrance. This creates a layering effect so that you'll smell good all day!

If you apply perfume to pulse points, start with a little bit of petroleum jelly. That moisture will ensure the scent lasts longer.

Spray It Onto Your Pulse Points

The heat from your body is closest to the surface at the pulse points, such as wrists, inner elbows, the neck, behind the knees, and even below the belly button. When you apply fragrance directly on those pulse points, the warmth will create a scent trail around your entire body. Just avoid rubbing the perfume; the friction breaks down the ingredients. Also, avoid getting it directly on your clothes because some of the oils in perfumes may stain.

Spritz, Then Walk Into Your Perfume

A very effective way to apply fragrance is to pump one spritz of spray perfume into the air and then walk through it. It will cling to your skin and hair in an understated way. This is a good technique if you prefer a heavier perfume, especially one with floral notes. One caution: don't spray perfume on your hair too often as it can dry out the natural oils.

Change Your Perfume Regularly

Fragrances react to different skin types as well as your skin's chemistry, one reason the same eau de parfum will smell differently on someone else. Over time, that unique scent can change because your natural scent is affected by things like diet or hormones. Those can impact the way your perfume smells on you, which is a good reason to mix things up with a new perfume.

Another reason to change your perfume regularly is that the scent itself can break down. Exposure to light, heat, or humidity affects your favorite perfume. The manufacturer may occasionally change the formula which will also slightly alter the smell.

Frankly, the best reason to experiment with new perfumes is that your taste and personal style change over time. Where once you may have loved fruity scents, you may want to try something more subtle or sophisticated.

Spray But Don’t Rub

When you apply perfume, like an eau de toilette or spray perfume, keep it simple. Spray it, but avoid rubbing it into your pulse points or skin. Rubbing it into your skin breaks down the top notes and base notes of the scent. It makes the fragrance evaporate more quickly, plus the friction generated when you rub your pulse points alters the scent.

Also, applying perfume on your neck may prove irritating for some skin types. Just be aware of any rash or discomfort.

How to Make Your Perfume Last?

Does perfume expire? Even the best perfumes have a shelf life (on average between three and five years). There are several ways to store your perfume to make it last. First, keep the bottle tightly sealed and in the original box if possible. Heat, humidity, and light affect perfume, so keep the bottle in a cool, dark place. This rules out bathrooms and also, the refrigerator; while it may be cool and dark in there, the temperatures fluctuate and dampness is still a factor. 

Some experts also suggest keeping a perfume bottle on a low shelf, since warm air rises. For similar reasons, don't store your perfume near a radiator, stove, or other heat sources.

Don't shake your fragrances; it "breaks" the ingredients and creates alcohol bubbles which impact the scent notes. These few simple steps will keep most perfumes at their best for as long as possible.

Conclusion

Whenever you wear perfume, it lifts your mood and makes a declaration about your unique, personal style. Get the most out of your fragrances by using any of these methods to apply them correctly to your skin. 

Take advantage of the warmth of your skin after a shower or bath; let your open pores absorb the scent by dabbing or spraying it on right after.

Spray one spritz on each of your pulse points to generate a light scent around your entire body.

Use matching body products, like the scented lotion, to layer on your favorite fragrance and make it last throughout the day.

Switch up your perfumes to reflect your mood and create a new scent experience.

Aqua D'Keys has a full line of unisex fragrances inspired by the beauty and romance of the Florida Keys. Our fresh, hand-crafted luxury perfumes and body products reflect the adventure, romance, and spirit of these beautiful islands. Our luxury perfume sampler will help you find the perfect one(s) for your lifestyle -- and our home fragrance products bring that same unique Keys vibe to your space.