When applying perfume correctly, you want to hit all the right spots. "It's important to select the areas of the body that are naturally warm and moist, like the insides of the elbows, back of the knees, chest, and the sides of the neck," says Milèo. "These areas allow the perfume to be truly enjoyed.
Do not spray your perfume on your clothes. Bhide stresses, “In India, people mostly put their perfume on clothes. That is wrong. You are supposed to spray them directly on your skin for them to work their best.”
Spraying perfume onto your armpits poses as another potential cause of irritation. The interaction between your perfume and your armpits' sweat glands could result in itching and burning.
"The back of knees are warmer and softer and therefore capture a strong scent." If you're wearing shorts or a leg-revealing dress, spritz fragrance along the inside of your thighs and calves. The friction between your legs as you walk will create warmth and reinvigorate the scent throughout the day.
“Don't cover it up with your clothing,” he says, and instead target areas exposed to the air: the pulse points of the neck and the wrists or inner elbows, if you're wearing a sleeveless blouse. The only exception, however, is if you're in an intensely hot climate—then it's best to not apply scent directly to your body.
Olfactory adaptation
The fact that we no longer smell our perfume is part of a physiological process of olfaction. With our own scent, the stimulation of our olfactory sensors is permanent. This is also the case with the smell of our home, or a perfume that we wear very often.
For even longer staying power, spritz your fragrance onto pulse points. These areas include your wrists, the nape of your neck, behind your knees, behind your ear, and inside your elbows.
Behind the Ears
Like your wrists, the areas behind your ears are considered "pulse points," where the veins are closest to the skin, thus generating more heat and amplifying your scent.
On Pulse Points
If you want your perfume to last all day, you will need it on these spots: neck, wrists (inside), behind knees, inside elbows, in between breasts/chest if female/male. Neck: The neck is a great spot for perfume, and it's one of the most commonly worn places.
Two perfumes are generally recommended, but only one can escape. Still, multiple are arguably the best way to go.
Studies show that fragrance has the power to significantly affect your mood, reduce stress, and relax your muscles—all things that you want before hitting the sheets. It's the same reason why hotels and Airbnb hosts use bedroom-specific scents to help guests achieve a better night of sleep.
After a shower, your clean pores will open up in the steam, making it the perfect time to apply your perfume. As soon as you step out of the shower, gently towel-dry your skin and spray on your scent to your pulse points. Your open pores will soak up the scent and leave your skin smelling fabulous all day long.
Eating healthy and whole foods rich in antioxidants can help keep you smell good without cologne. Foods like berries, nuts, seeds, dark leafy greens, and citrus fruits are all excellent sources of antioxidants that help keep the body clean from the inside out.
The answer has to do with hormones—specifically, pheromones. “Pheromones are chemicals that animals and humans produce, which change and influence the behavior of another animal or human of the same species,” says Erica Spiegelman, wellness specialist, recovery counselor, and author of The Rewired Life.
Dab, Don't Rub
You should avoid spritzing and rubbing for two reasons. First, rubbing your wrists together can dull top notes (or the scents you smell in the first five minutes of applying perfume). Secondly, it mixes the perfume vigorously with your natural oils, which can change the way it smells.
Top notes represent the first impression. They may not be the longest-lasting element of a fragrance but they're the first thing you'll smell when trying a new fragrance. Top notes represent the initial scents that lure you in, causing you to make your first impression of the fragrance.