Where to Spray Perfume

From cologne to parfum to eau de toilette, we all want our fragrance to make a statement for us. For long-lasting fragrance that can carry you throughout the day, where you spray your scent definitely makes a difference, no matter the fragrance concentration. Pulse points, including behind the ear, at the base of the throat and on the wrists, are regarded as being among the best places to spray perfume. When you correctly apply perfume, your scent lasts much longer, and you would need to reapply your fragrance less often.

Whether you opt for a subtle, floral perfume or an intoxicating, spicy fragrance, check out these tips on the best places to apply perfume that go beyond pulse points and into more unconventional areas, including in your hair.

Pulse Points

Everyone knows the tried-and-true adage that when you apply perfume to your pulse points, it makes it last longer. Your pulse points emanate heat, which helps your fragrance release into the air. These five spots are all among the warmest spots on your body. For the best fragrance experience, hold the bottle anywhere from three to six inches away. Be careful to not overspray, as two to four sprays are often enough.

Behind the Ear

Give a direct spritz on the pulse point behind your ear to keep your fragrance fresh around your face all day.  If the top of your ears are a bit oily, spray a little perfume there, too. Oil helps trap fragrance, and will keep the scent around your head for hours.

At the Base of the Throat

A very popular area to spray perfume, the base of your throat is a great place to ensure your fragrance gracefully wafts toward your face all day. Spray the hollow at the base of your neck to trap the fragrance on a pulse point that will keep the scent gently emanating.

Behind the Knees

Applying this may be tricky, but if your legs are exposed it will pay off. The back of your knees are a pulse point, so on days you opt for a dress this will help waft your fragrance around your lower half. To trap your fragrance even more, apply the fragrance right after lotioning your legs post-shower.

On the Wrists

Perhaps the most popular place to spritz your perfume, your wrists can help trap your scent. Simply give a direct spray to either wrist and let the perfume dry down for a fragrance experience you’ll be able to smell all day. Remember, don’t rub perfume! Rubbing perfume breaks down the molecules, and the fragrance will evaporate quicker.

Inside the Inner Elbow

On warmer days when your arms are exposed, this is a great place to ensure your fragrance lasts. Simply spray your perfume inside the crook of your arm, but be careful not to bend your arm until the perfume has dried down to avoid breaking down the scent.

Unconventional Areas to Spray Perfume

To give your perfume a moment to shine, as well as lasting longevity, consider giving a spritz to a more unconventional area of your body. To quote Marilyn Monroe, you should “wear perfume anywhere you want to be kissed!”

From your head to your toes, read on to find new, unique places to spray your fragrance the next time you’re getting ready.

In the Hair

Spraying perfume in your hair is an often overlooked spot that can guarantee major scent longevity. However, be cautious of the alcohol content of your favorite perfume. Covering your tresses with high alcohol perfume could damage and dry them out. If you’re prone to dry hair but want scented locks, try spraying your favorite fragrance onto your hairbrush or comb for a similar effect. If you want to spray directly onto your hair, avoid perfumes with high alcohol and ethyl content, including many eau de parfums. Also, remember to only apply perfume to freshly washed hair, because the natural oils of your hair can affect the scent of the fragrance.

On the Chest

If your outfit reveals your chest, take advantage of the exposed skin by spraying a light spritz of your favorite fragrance. This doesn’t have the same longevity as a well-aimed spray on your wrists, but will still give off a subtle, sexy sheen of fragrance.

On the Torso

Just like your chest, take advantage of any midriff exposure by giving a quick spray before you run out the door. This could help you smell great through anything a night out will throw at you — especially if you plan on tearing up the dance floor.

3 Places to Avoid Spraying Perfume

As much as you want to smell like your favorite fragrance all over, there are some places where it’s actually harmful to spray your perfume. Read on to learn where you should avoid spraying perfume altogether, as it could do more harm than good.

Near Your Eyes

To avoid irritation, steer clear of spraying perfume anywhere near your eyes. Perfumes that contain alcohol and ethyl could do serious damage when they come into contact with highly sensitive areas.

In Your Armpits

Though you want to spray fragrance onto high-heat areas, you should rethink spraying perfume into your armpits. Combining sweat glands with high-alcohol fragrances could result in serious irritation — anyone who has applied scented deodorant to freshly shaved armpits knows the incredibly uncomfortable itching and burning of irritation.

Around Your Genitals

Steer clear of private areas the next time you’re applying your go-to perfume. This could lead to burning, itching and other irritation you definitely won’t want to experience down there.

6 Tips for Making Perfume Last Longer

Perfume is an investment, and no one wants their investment to fade away after only a few hours. Learn some insider tips on the best places to spray perfume to ensure your perfume lasts a long time, and that you smell like your favorite fragrance from sun-up to sun down.

Apply Perfume Directly After a Shower

Applying perfume after a hot shower is a must. The natural oils of your skin interfere with the integrity of the fragrance and the scent it gives. That’s why how, when, and where you apply perfume matters. Starting with clean and moisturized skin is a must when applying perfume.

Apply Lotion Before Spraying

To get more wear out of your perfume, apply a thin layer of unscented lotion or petroleum jelly to the application area first. The oiliness helps trap in scent for longer, giving even more shelf life to your favorite fragrance.

Spray, Don’t Rub

As tempting as it can be to spray perfume on one wrist and rub it onto the other, this actually breaks down fragrance faster. To ensure your hard-earned scents are lasting as long as they should, carefully spray directly onto one oiled wrist, then the other.

Don’t Mist

We’ve all seen it in movies or shows: a fashionable woman sprays her perfume in a cloud, then gracefully waltzes through it before heading out the door. As glam as this seems, it actually does nothing to retain your fragrance. To smell as fancy as this appears, directly spray your perfume onto your skin (preferably pulse points!).

Consider Your Environment

If you keep scents in the bathroom to complete your morning routine, you might actually be doing harm to your precious perfumes. Humidity, heat and light can all break down the intensity and quality of your fragrance, meaning you should avoid keeping your perfumes on windowsills or bathrooms. Instead, store fragrances in cool, dry, dark places: like on a vanity, dresser or in a closet.

Use Matching Scents

If your perfume comes in a matching set or has similarly scented lotions, body washes or creams, think about investing in those matching scents. Having these cohesive sets will help carry your perfume and assist your scent in lasting long throughout the day.

No matter which perfume or cologne you own, you want to be sure you’re getting the most out of it before it expires. Now that you know all there is to know about where to spray perfume, your favorite fragrances will stay with you for hours, regardless of what you’re up to! Looking for a new fragrance to try? See our top 100 trending fragrances!

Sources: Into the Gloss | The Trend Spotter | Reader’s Digest | Cosmopolitan | Business Insider Health

Frequently Asked Questions

How many times should you spray perfume?

Three to five sprays is a good rule for most perfumes. Start with less and add more if you feel like it’s not enough. You go nose-blind to your own scent, so don’t overdo it just because you can’t smell it anymore.

Should you spray perfume on skin or clothes?

Skin is better because your body heat helps the fragrance develop and project. Clothes hold scent longer but you miss out on how the perfume actually evolves throughout the day.

Why can’t I smell my own perfume after a while?

That’s called olfactory fatigue — your nose tunes out scents it’s been exposed to constantly. Other people can still smell it on you even when you can’t. Don’t add more sprays just because you’ve gone nose-blind.

Does perfume last longer on skin or fabric?

Fabric holds the initial scent longer, but skin lets the fragrance develop through its top, middle, and base notes the way the perfumer intended. For the best of both worlds, spray your pulse points and a light mist on your collar or scarf.