How to wear perfume

Before you start

Start with clean, dry skin. Fragrance clings best to skin that has had a moment to settle after a shower, and it sits more evenly when there is no leftover lotion, oil or sweat on the surface. If you use body moisturiser, apply it first and let it sink in before you spray. A little unscented moisturiser on the pulse points can give scent something to hold on to, but a rich oil can blur the opening.

Think about the format on the bottle. Colognes and eau de toilette tend to feel lighter and fresher, while eau de parfum tends to wear closer and last longer. That is a general guide, not a rule, because the scent itself matters as much as the name. Our pieces range from light colognes to richer eau de parfum blends, so pick the weight that suits the day.

Choose your placement before you spray. Pulse points at the wrists, throat and behind the ears are the usual spots because they stay warm and move with you. If you want a softer trail, mist into the air and walk through it. If you want the scent closer, spray once at the base of the throat and once at a wrist.

Step by step

Begin with one or two sprays, not a cloud. Hold the bottle a short distance from your skin and press once at the wrist. Repeat at the side of the neck and behind the ears, then let the liquid dry on its own. Do not rub your wrists together. Rubbing warms the scent too quickly and can flatten the opening.

For a dab bottle, open the cap and touch a small amount to clean skin at the wrists and throat. A little goes further than you think. If the bottle has a spray, keep it upright and aim at skin rather than clothing. Spraying into the air and walking through the mist gives an even, lighter layer over hair and shoulders.

If you are using a scent made for hair, spray it over your shoulders and through your hair, then let it settle. Keep the bottle a short distance away so the mist lands evenly. For a cologne you want to refresh later, carry the bottle in a bag and reapply one spray at the wrist before you go out. Do not spray over jewellery or delicate fabric.

Layering works best when the scents share a family. A rose scent over a rose body mist will read clearer than a rose over a heavy wood. If you want to try two perfumes, spray the lighter one first and the richer one after it has dried. Give the combination five minutes before you decide.

Common mistakes and how to fix them

The most common mistake is rubbing. Let the perfume dry where it lands. Another is spraying too close to the face or eyes, which wastes the scent and can sting. Aim for the wrists, throat and behind the ears, and keep the bottle a short distance from skin.

Over-applying is easy to do when you are in a hurry. Two sprays are usually enough for a close scent, and one is enough for a cologne you plan to refresh. If you cannot smell it after ten minutes, resist adding more straight away. Your nose may have adjusted, and the people around you may still notice it.

Do not apply fragrance to broken or irritated skin. If a scent causes redness or itching, stop using it and ask a pharmacist or doctor for advice. Keep perfume away from the eyes and mouth. When you try a new scent, test it on one wrist first and give it time to settle before you commit to a full application.

Storing a bottle in the bathroom feels convenient, but heat and steam can change a fragrance over time. Keep it in a cool, dark place instead. Also avoid leaving a bottle loose in a hot car or on a sunny windowsill.

Storing it well

Keep bottles upright with the cap firmly on. Air and light are the two things that age a fragrance fastest, so a drawer or a closed box in a cool room is better than an open shelf near a window. A dark cupboard away from the shower is a good home.

If you carry a portable bottle, keep it in a small pouch so it does not knock against keys or metal. A portable format is handy for a midday layer, but it still needs the cap on and a steady place in your bag. Do not shake the bottle before use. A gentle press or dab is enough.

Use the bottle you have opened before starting another one. Fragrance can fade over years, and a bottle that has been open for a long time may smell flatter. Write the month you opened it on the base if that helps you keep track. Keep the original box if you have space, because it adds another layer against light.

Standout pieces

• Arabian Rose and Sandalwood Perfume Set: Rose, jasmine and cinnamon open over sandalwood, cedar and vanilla, which makes this set a warm choice for an evening scent.
• Jasmine and Patchouli Eau de Parfum: Jasmine opens soft and airy, then patchouli and dry wood bring a low, smoky depth that stays close to the skin.
• Chamomile Pepper Eau de Parfum: Chamomile and pepper seed extract give this eau de parfum a soft floral opening and a quiet spicy trail.
• Sage Sea Salt Eau de Parfum: Crisp sage and mineral sea salt sit over jasmine, and the light mist dries without stickiness.