Perfume guide: Application tips for lasting scent

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Many people habitually rub their wrists together after applying perfume. However, this habit can actually ruin the scent. If a fragrance that once felt luxurious quickly fades on your skin or smells slightly different, your application habits may be the reason.

In a recent report in the U.K.’s Daily Mail, some experts shared the following tips for proper perfume application.

Avoid spraying directly on hair

Spraying perfume directly onto the hair can cause dryness. Due to the alcohol content in perfume, repeated long-term use may negatively affect hair condition.

Don’t rub your wrists

Rubbing wrists together is a very common habit when applying perfume. However, it interferes with the drying process and can alter the fragrance notes. Experts stress that allowing the perfume to dry naturally helps preserve its original structure.

Apply to pulse points

It is recommended to spray perfume on pulse points such as the wrists and elbows. These areas have relatively higher body temperature, which promotes evaporation of fragrance components and helps the middle and base notes develop more quickly after the top note.

Top note refers to the scent you smell immediately after application. It is light and evaporates quickly. Middle note is the main scent that appears after a few minutes and base note is the deep, heavy scent that lasts the longest.

Moisturize first for longer-lasting scent

Applying moisturizer before perfume can help the scent last longer.

Spraying a small amount on clothing can also help maintain the scent, but some perfumes may stain fabric, so use caution.

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Avoid storing in the fridge or freezer

Contrary to the belief that refrigeration keeps perfume fresh, it can actually alter its composition and distort the original scent.

Perfume should be stored in a cool, dark place. While lower temperatures may reduce alcohol evaporation, they can also change the fragrance composition itself.

Fragrance differs by individual

Even with the same perfume, the scent can vary from person to person due to body chemistry, skin condition, diet and hormones.

Because these physiological factors affect how a fragrance develops, it is important to test it on your own skin before purchasing.

Boost longevity with layering

Using a body wash or lotion with the same or similar scent before applying perfume — known as layering — can help enhance longevity.

Spraying into the air is ineffective

Spraying perfume into the air and walking through it is inefficient, as many fragrance particles never reach the skin. It is more effective to apply directly to skin or clothing. Fabric tends to retain scent longer than skin.

Key tips

–Spray from about 20 to 30 centimeters away

– Apply lightly and evenly

– Do not rub wrists together

– Let it sit for 10 to 30 seconds so alcohol evaporates and the scent stabilizes

This article from Kormedi.com, Korea’s top health care and medical portal, is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.