Perhaps you met by chance and sniffed it on a friend, in the pages of a magazine, or wafting through the air at Nordstrom. Or maybe you designed it yourself after researching fragrance notes, perfume houses, and bottle designs. No matter how you found it, you finally took the plunge and purchased yourself a pricey new scent. Now you have an expensive bottle of fluid on your vanity, and it’ll be worth less than the box it came in if you don’t handle it with the care.
1. Storage
High heat and sunlight have it in for your fancy new fragrance. They breaks apart the bonds between fragrance molecules, weakening the potency and overall shelf life of your perfume, and eventually leading to a watery, lusterless liquid with little to no staying power. Even more destructive, though, are frequent fluctuations in temperature that can spoil a fragrance fast.
So, what’s the best way to store fragrances to preserve their gentle power? While it’s not always practical, one way is to stick them straight in your fridge. Temps at the higher end of the spectrum tend to degrade fragrances, but lower temps can actually protect them. And because many scents contain a veritable amount of alcohol to accelerate drying time after application, you need never worry about them accidentally freezing and expanding. Should your refrigerator be stuffed to the seams (especially in this post-holiday month), never fear. Simply keep your scents out of your bathroom (where the steam from your shower could prove harmful) and out of direct sunlight (UV rays are another common instigator of scent spoilage). When in doubt, ask yourself this: “Would I store an expensive vintage wine here?” If “no” even crosses your mind, cross this spot out as a potential display area for your cologne collection.
2. Application
One frequent misstep many people make is in applying fragrances to incorrect areas. However hard it is to believe, scents really do mix with your body’s chemistry. It’s why some fragrances smell wonderful on the tester strips but just kind of “eh” when you get them home. By applying your perfume to certain points on your body, you can get it to play perfectly with your pH and body heat to create a lasting and balanced aromatic experience.
The points are known as pulse points, and they’re exactly what they sound like they should be: places where it’s easy to read your pulse. Now, I would never recommend applying your scent to each and every one of them (unless, of course, you’re trying to knock someone unconscious), but here they are from the ground up: behind the knees, the inner thighs, about an inch below the belly button, the inner wrists, the crease of the inner elbow, the frontward facing area of the underarm, the base of the neck, behind each ear, and the temples. Which ones you choose to use are up to you, but I recommend choosing one place to spritz for a Perfume Extract, two for an Eau de Parfum, and three for an Eau de Toilette (in these cases, a “paired point”—such as the wrists—counts as one if you only spritz once and distribute it between both areas, or twice if you use one spritz on each). Of course, this is just a general guideline, and how many spritzes you use will vary greatly depending on the product. For example, my Dior Fahrenheit, an Eau de Toilette, really only needs one spritz to last me throughout the day.
3. General Tips
Layer two different fragrances to come up with a unique signature scent, and help prolong the staying power of both. Spray about an inch to two away from the pulse point for a more focussed, concentrated application (and to waste less product). If you only wear one fragrance year round, spritz a plain piece of cotton cloth with it, and leave it in your drawers; the scent will slowly and subtlely penetrate your clothing to help promote the general aura and projection of your fragrance all day. Also, apply fragrance right after taking a hot shower while your pores are still dilated and eager to absorb.
Written by Sam
Sam is a 17-year-old, oddly tall guy whose love of all things skincare, makeup, and fashion started when he entered the modeling world at 14. Since then, he’s established himself as a freelance makeup artist in the theatre and fashion worlds, and started his own blog to preach the wonders of orange eyeshadow, Asian skincare, and designer fragrances to the masses.
Dior Fahrenheit?
One of my favorite Eau de Toilettes for men, by the House of Dior, introduced in 1988. Simply one of the more original scents for men (so many just smell so… mainstream) I’ve yet encountered! 🙂
OHHHHHHH!!! Nevermind, I see what you’re talking about! Must’ve missed that in editing…
I’ve always thought about keeping my perfumes in the fridge, but the thought of having to stop by the kitchen every day as I’m rushing out the door is enough to put me off; I know I’d end up just never bothering with perfume at all! They stay out of direct sunlight on my vanity, so I think I’m okay for now. 🙂
Love your posts, Sam! I hope you keep ’em coming on MBB, and I’m checking out your blog right now!
Haha same! For the fragrance fanatics (like me… honestly, it’s become an obsession), consider a cheap, tiny mini-fridge for your bathroom (if there’s room!) A brushed stainless steel one looks unassuming, and can keep your fragrances cool and within reach. It’s also handy for keeping your lipliners/eyeliners, facial mists, and various other beauty products in.
I’ve also heard that keeping your eye cream, especially the de-puffing roller balls, in the fridge is great. But like Chess said I just don’t want to run to the kitchen every morning while I’m getting ready. Maybe some day I’ll get a mini fridge in my bathroom or closet for beauty products.
This was a great post!! 😀
Sam is always full of wonderful tips. I personally use a perfumed combined with a few sprits of a Walmart brand body spray. People always compliment but think I’m rude when they ask “what is that you’re wearing?” and I answer “A mixture of goodness” LOL.
Great post as usual Sam. I love your guest posts here on MBB.
Out of direct sunlight. Check. Not too warm. Check. 🙂 I’ll be good
Could you please clarify what you mean be the front part of the forearm, the part that is more tanned on the outside, or the inside part that you would be looking at if someone were taking your blood?
Sorry, yes, the part where a doctor would take blood.
Great info! I LOOOVE my Prada perfume, but feel like it always evaporates so quickly. I’ve heard of pulse points, but didn’t know where they all were. I’m implementing this tips tomorrow morning! 🙂
I would never bash a beauty post, it’s rude and completely uncalled for. But I feel like your posts are things that people already know, especially if following multiple beauty blogs. It’s more of a critique, or challenge…I would like to see a post by you that is something even an advanced blogger would be surprised to know or learn! 🙂
Hi Katie,
I’m not sure if you were referring to Sam here or to me, but I appreciate your comments. What are some of the more advanced things you would like to see?
Hope you’re enjoying the long weekend. 🙂
I meant Sam. Karen, your posts are things I don’t know very well, that’s why I love reading them. I think Sam has great posts but I want him to find some insider beauty tips that are less well known…like I said, a challenge! 🙂
For example — Karen had a post about mixing Origins GinZing Eye Cream with concealer to help battle dark circles under eyes. I guess I never really thought of mixing a brightening eye cream with a concealer, and now I do it everyday and love the results! <3
No no no, I totally get where you’re coming from. I feel the same way a lot when reading certain blog posts across the web. But you’d be surprised how many people simply don’t know these things, or think they do (but really don’t haha!). I get so many questions sent to me on my own blog asking things that I feel are just common sense, or that just make sense to me period, but it’s become apparent since I’ve started writing that many people just don’t have the exposure that some of us do, and need a little guidance. That’s who these posts are for (and to possibly refresh the memory of the rest of us!)
I try and mix up my posts for Karen between tips like these (which are mostly for the less-exposed people, I suppose) and reviews (for everyone!), but I’ll try to throw some more advanced technique into the mix from now on.
It’s quite difficult, writing for the masses, whose knowledge bases span from next to nothing to beauty gurus, and writing on a level/describing a technique that both sides (and everyone in between can relate to).
Thanks for the feedback! 🙂
I know it’s hard writing for the masses. You’re only 17 and you already write great posts…so if you challenge yourself imagine the posts you’ll be writing in a year or two!
Some great info here – I was always taught to apply perfume to the pulse points and never to rub my wrists together as this breaks up the molecules, destroying the scent.
Great to know the reasons behind the advice!
Great post. I enjoying reading your entries even if some info might be common knowledge, I don’t mind a refresher at all.
Loved your response to Katie’s comment by the way
Great tips! But I already know a lot about fragrances.. I’m a fragrance fanatic! I wear it every day and gosh, I have 19 different scents.
thanks for the tips! I really posts by Sam, they always seem so thorough. I follow him on tumblr too and he’s always very helpful.
I really enjoy* (sorry!)
When I first moved in with my boyfriend he didn’t notice me stashing all my perfumes and facial masks into this one drawer in the fridge.. imagine his surprise when he was digging around the fridge for the ham. Lol silly boy still doesnt believe that my goodies belong in the fridge.
Hy! This was really helpfull! thanks Sam!