Perfume is an essential part of any individual's personal style. It has the power to enhance mood, boost confidence, and leave a lasting impression. But where and how should you apply perfume to make the most of its benefits? Here's a guide to help you:
1. Skin:
Applying perfume directly onto the skin is the most common method in America. The heat of the body helps to activate the scent and makes it more noticeable. You can apply perfume directly to your pulse points, which are areas where blood vessels are closest to the surface of the skin, and generate heat. These points are the neck, wrists, inside of elbows, clivage, behind the knees, and ankles. To apply perfume on the skin, spray or dab a small amount onto the pulse points and let it dry naturally.
Why not rub your scent right after applying? Many people rub their wrists together after applying perfume, thinking it will help spread the scent more evenly. However, this is not recommended, as it can break down the molecular structure of the perfume and change the scent profile. Instead, let the perfume dry naturally on your skin or gently dab.
Also, it is advisable to first moisturize your skin thoroughly with an unscented lotion or cream. Moisturizing the skin creates a smooth and soft base, allowing the perfume to adhere better, and intensify the scent. Furthermore, applying perfume on well-moisturized skin prevents it from evaporating too quickly, which can help it to last longer throughout the day.
2. Hair
Hair is also an excellent area to apply perfume. However, it is essential to be careful not to apply too much, as the alcohol content of the perfume can dry out the hair. To avoid this, spray the perfume into the air and walk through the mist or lightly spritz onto a hairbrush and then run it through your hair. Perfuming your hair is an excellent way to maintain a lingering scent of your perfume throughout the day. As you touch your hair or turn your head, a soft and delicate fragrance is released, creating an aromatic aura around you. This technique is particularly prevalent in Japan and widely popular in Asia.
3. Clothing
Perfume can also be applied to clothing, but be careful not to overdo it, as scents usually last longer on fabrics. The French prefer to apply perfume on their clothing, while Europeans often spray their coat or scarf to create a pleasant fragrance trail as they walk in public places, called "sillage" which often garners compliments. Additionally, they also practice the cloud method, whereby a spray of perfume is released into the air, creating a fragrant cloud that they walk through to ensure even and long-lasting scent for the entire day.
4. Non-spray perfumes
Non-spray perfumes come in different forms such as roll-on and stoppers, and their application techniques differ slightly from the spray perfumes. For roll-ons, gently roll the ball onto your pulse points, such as the wrist or behind the ear, to let the scent leave a trail on your skin. These types of perfumes tend to stay closer to the skin and have a lower "sillage", making them more intimate. Stoppers are an ancient method of application before modern sprays were invented. If small enough, place a finger on top of the bottle and turn it upside down. Gently apply the perfume onto your pulse points with your finger, otherwise, directly use the stopper to apply. This method requires a bit of skill and practice to get the right amount of perfume on your skin.
In conclusion, applying perfume is part art part beauty ritual, and where and how you apply it can make a significant difference in how it smells and how long it lasts. Remember to keep it subtle and avoid over-applying it. With these tips, you can make sure your perfume always leaves a positive impression.
Enjoy our artisan and unique scents!