When it comes to certain accessories, there can be multiple ways to wear them, with some choices being much better than others. For example, you could tie a bow tie around your leg, but should you? Similarly, perfumes and colognes can be worn in several ways, but some ways are better than others. Whether you’re into top fragrance brands such as Parfums De Marly or light body sprays, here are some insights for wearing your favorite products better.
Applying the Scents You Love
The global fragrance market is expected to exceed $67 billion (USD) by 2028, meaning that many people are buying and using perfumes, colognes, and body sprays regularly. How you apply scent directly influences how it performs. Consider these dos and don’ts:
- Do spray your perfume or cologne to pulse points. These are places on the body such as the wrists and behind your ear where body heat and blood flow helps your scent last longer.
- Do apply fragrance to skin that is clean and moisturized. Hydrated skin retains scent longer, so use an unscented product to avoid clashing scents, or use a complementary product, like after shave lotion from a gift set to enhance performance.
- Don’t rub fragrance into your skin. Rubbing fragrance causes the scent components to break down, diminishing the longevity of your product.
- Don’t overspray. Using too much product can overwhelm you and others around you. Less is more, even with fragrances that have lighter concentrations. It’s better to spray more perfume or cologne to refresh later.
Considering the Big Picture
How and where you apply fragrance is one part of the picture. How you care for yourself and your products also affects performance measures such as longevity, depth, projection, and sillage:
- Take care of yourself: The foods and beverages you ingest can affect your body chemistry, impacting how the oil on your skin interacts with the base notes of fragrances. Smoking and water intake can also impact fragrance performance.
- Store your products appropriately: Keep your perfumes and colognes in cool and dark places. Direct sunlight and heat can cause them to break down prematurely, reducing their effectiveness.
- Consider the time and place: Some scent qualities shine depending on the time of day or the season. Fruity and floral scents often work best in the daytime or during the warmer months. Spicy and musky products often come alive when it’s colder outside. Save the more sensual scents for date nights or cozy evenings with that special someone.
Developing Your Unique Approach
While some fragrance tips are fairly universal, the art of scent is unique to your body and sense of style. Layering products or combining them with body sprayers or scented moisturizers can create an effect that is alluring and reflective of your sensibilities. Knowing the scent composition of your favorite products can give you ideas for experimentation. The only way to know for sure is to test combinations on your skin, not a piece of paper. Use these tips to take your love of fine fragrances to a new level.
