Where to spray perfume is pretty straightforward—once you find a scent (or scents) you love, you can feel free to spray in a cloud and walk through, mist on your pulse points, or give your hair and clothes a spritz. But if you want to start hearing more compliments on your perfume’s sillage (that’s the scent trail that people around you can smell) or have a longer wear time, here are a few application methods you should keep in mind.
Apply to pulse points
The first, and most obvious, is applying to your pulse points. “Perfumes—whether alcohol, oil, etc.—work through evaporation, so the heat of your body at the typical pulse points is always a safe bet for wear,” says Michael Nordstrand, owner and perfumer of Mythologist Studio, an independent atelier specializing in fragrance creation. “Try behind the ears, nape of the neck, [and] wrists.” Try not to rub your wrists together after you apply, especially if you’re looking to make your scent last; this disrupts the perfume’s top notes and can make them fade faster, says Nordstrand.
Add a personal touch
You can also take a more personalized approach to application. “I like to spray perfume in the places on my body where people are most likely to interact,” explains Emma Vernon, host of the Perfume Room podcast. A self-described “huge hand-talker,” Vernon applies her fragrance on her wrists, forearms, and elbows, in addition to her chest and the front and back of her neck—“great for a hugging encounter,” she says. “I have one client who often wears dresses and she swears by adding an extra bit behind the knees or at the skirt hem; it creates a lovely sillage when she walks,” adds Nordstrand.
Spray on hair and clothes
If you struggle to make your scent last throughout the day, try spraying in your hair and on your clothes. “Fibers trap scent better and have the advantage of not being innately warm like the human body, so that is always the best bet to get more mileage out of a fragrance,” says Nordstrand. This is especially helpful if you live in a warm climate, he explains, as the heat of the atmosphere and your skin combined can quickly cause your scent to dissipate. Just make sure to test the fragrance in an inconspicuous area of your clothing, especially if you opt for a natural formula, like the Orebella fragrances, or a deep-colored juice, like Byredo’s Rouge Chaotique, to avoid staining. If you apply perfume to your hair, note that the alcohols can be drying. A water-based formula or mist that’s specifically formulated for the hair, like the Parfums De Marly Delina Hair Mist, is preferable.
Byredo Rouge Chaotique Extrait de Parfum
Nordstrom
Parfums de Marly Delina Hair Mist
Nordstrom
Apply to moisturized skin
“As long as your skin is well-moisturized, your fragrance should last decently,” says Vernon. Your perfume lasts longer when you apply it on top of a moisturizer because it changes “the matrix” of the scent, says Nordstrand—the oils and waxes in your moisturizer slow down the evaporation of the scent molecules inside perfume.
Stick to specific notes or try a fragrance enhancer
Perfumes are made up of a mix of raw materials and, unless otherwise stated, synthetics. Some of these are known for lasting longer than others. For example, scents that are categorized as ambery, resinous, balsamic, woodsy, and sometimes gourmand scents typically contain materials with serious staying power, according to Nordstrand.
If those fragrance profiles aren’t what you’re into, you can always try layering your signature scent with what Nordstrand and other perfumers refer to as an “enhancer.” D.S. & Durga’s I Don’t Know What is a popular option; it’s a sheer, lightweight musk that’s made for layering.
If longevity is a top concern and you don’t want to layer, Vernon recommends making “a little decant” of your perfume. That, or you can pick up a separate travel-size option.
D.S. & Durga I Don’t Know What Eau de Parfum
Nordstrom
Miraclelayer Aromatic 01 Eau de Parfum
Amazon
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