I hate to break it to you, but you’re probably applying your perfume the wrong way. Yes, there is in fact a right and a wrong way to spritz on your fragrance. I mean, there’s a reason why your perfume scent lasts for, like, only two hours max before it starts to fade—and the solution is all in the application. But don’t freak, because you’re in good hands. I’m basically a fragrance pro—and after years of spraying, spritzing, and smelling perfumes, I’ve amassed quite a few tricks and hacks on how to apply perfume and make it genuinely last, so you can smell really, really good, 24/7. Ahead, 20 easy tips that’ll get you on my level.
#1: Apply perfume with unscented deodorant
Look, I know you absolutely love the floral scent of your deodorant, but that aroma paired with your favorite musk-scented perfume…it’s not a great combo. When you’re spritzing on your fragrance, stick with an unscented deo to make sure you don’t attack your nostrils (or anyone else’s, for that matter) with a weird mix of smells.
#2: Pay attention to the concentration of your perfume
The concentration is a fancy name for the ratio of perfume to alcohol—the latter helps diffuse a scent—and it determines how long the smell will last on your skin. Eau de perfumes have more perfume and are more intense (they last five hours); eau de toilettes have less and are lighter (they last three hours).
#3: Apply perfume after using an unscented body oil
FYI: Dry skin doesn’t hold perfume as well as oily skin does. So layer on an unscented body oil to add a glow, and then apply your perfume—it’ll hold the scent better and you’ll have to reapply less often.
#4: Spray your clothes with perfume
Don’t just stick to spraying perfume on your body—spritz it all over your clothes too. Clothing fibers are able to hold in scents for a very long time (yes, even after you wash it).
#5: Apply perfume by spritzing, not misting
You know how some people spray a bunch of perfume into the air and then walk through it? Yeah, don’t do that—you’re just wasting product and the scent will evaporate after a short amount of time. A direct spritz on to bare skin is all you need to keep the perfume scent on you for longer.
#6: Spray perfume on top of your ears
It sounds weird, but trust, it works. The oilier your skin is, the better it holds scent, and the top of your ears is a little bit oilier than say, behind your earlobes.
#7: Don’t store perfume in your bathroom
Heat, light, and humidity will break down the perfume and lessen the quality and intensity of the fragrance. Instead, store your perfume bottles in a cool, dry place, like on the vanity in your room and away from windows. Bonus tip: Use a pretty cake stand to display them.
#8: Prep your skin with Vaseline before applying perfume
Smooth a little Vaseline on your pulse points before spraying your perfume to make the scent last longer. The ointment holds the fragrance to your skin longer than if you were to spray it onto dry skin.
#9: Use an unscented lotion before applying perfume
Massage a bit of unscented lotion on your skin before you spritz on your perfume. Like I said, oilier skin retains fragrance longer, so using an oil-based moisturizer first will help lock in the scent.
#10: Apply perfume right after taking a shower
The moisture on your skin will help lock in the scent. This will also prevent the fragrance from staining super delicate clothes (like your favorite silk blouse) or jewelry.
#11: Don’t rub your wrists together after applying perfume
Don’t dab the fragrance on your wrists after spraying. If you rub your wrists together, you’ll force the scent to disappear faster than intended—aka your fragrance won’t last as long. Womp womp.
#12: Apply perfume on your pulse points
To make your scent last longer, choose a couple of pulse points. These are warm areas that’ll help diffuse the fragrance across your entire body. Also, pro tip: Spraying your ankles and calves allows the scent to rise throughout the day. Your pulse points on your body include:
- Your wrists
- Inside your elbows
- On your neck
- Below your midriff
- Behind your knees
#13: Apply perfume on your hair brush
Spraying an alcohol-based fragrance directly onto your hair will dry it out, so instead spray the fragrance on your brush before running it through your hair. Your hair will be lightly scented and undamaged.
#14: Use hair fragrance to apply your perfume
Or, if you’re still worried that a perfume might dry out your hair, grab a fragrance specially designed for hair to make it smell better and keep it fresh in between washes.
#15: Study up on common perfume terms
Here’s a rundown on a few fragrance terms, so you know exactly what you’re signing up for before you buy a new perfume:
- Top notes: The first scent you smell after spraying the perfume, which fades quickly.
- Middle/heart notes: The scent that develops after the top note fades.
- Base note: The heaviest scent that lingers the longest.
#16: Mix your perfume with an unscented lotion
Perfume running low? Pour the last bit of fragrance from an almost-empty perfume bottle into unscented body lotion (or hand cream) so nothing goes to waste.
#17: Layer your perfumes
Create your own ~custom~ scent by layering fragrances. Spray a few fragrance blotters with different oils and perfumes and smell them at the same time to see if they complement each other. Once you find a combination you like, try them on your skin (your skin oils can alter the way a perfume smells). Spray the stronger scent first and then top it with the lighter fragrance so that the first perfume doesn’t overpower the second.
#18: Use a makeup wipe to get rid of unwanted scents
If you’re sampling perfumes and you spray yourself with something you don’t like, use a makeup wipe to get rid of the scent. It’s super easy and gets the job done fast.
#19: Apply perfume on cotton swabs
Spray cotton swabs with your perfume and hide them in sandwich bags inside your bag for quick touch-ups throughout the day. It’s wayyy easier to carry cotton swabs in your clutch than an entire perfume bottle.
#20: Apply perfume on tissue paper
Line your dresser drawers with tissue paper and spray them with your favorite scent to make your clothes and towels smell amazing.
