Choosing and applying a fragrance is kind of like walking a
tightrope: it takes perfect balance. Spray too little and your
scent is completely missed. Spray too much and you'll give everyone
within 10 feet of you a migraine. What complicates things more is
how important scents are in our everyday life. "Fragrance can be
extremely powerful," says Nicky Kinnaird, the founder of Space NK.
"It can instantly evoke memories and is representative of who you
are." And the last thing you want to represent is a girl who can't
hold her perfume. So how do you keep your fragrance behavior in
check? We sniff out the answers when you keep reading.
How do I pick a scent
that's good for me? Just because a fragrance smells
wonderful on a friend doesn't mean it will work for you. "Perfumes
'dry down' differently on everyone's skin," Kinnaird says. She
suggests doing your research: "Familiarize yourself with the notes
in a scent you like and look for them in other perfumes." A trip to
a perfume counter will help you define and narrow down specific
notes.
Where should you spritz
yourself? Pulse points — think your wrists, inside
your elbows, the nape of your neck, even in the crease behind your
knees — are the places you should be concentrating your fragrance.
"The natural fluctuations in your body temperature warm and diffuse
your perfume without it being overwhelming," says Kinnaird. Which
means your coworker at the desk next to you will be able to detect
your perfume, but it won't be the only scent filling her nose.
Where shouldn't you
spray?
How often should I
reapply? While you may be tempted to douse yourself
in a scent you love, remember to not get spritzer-happy. "The key
to fragrance is subtlety," Kinnaird says. "Depending on the
strength and depth of your fragrance, a few spritzes at your pulse
points in the morning should be enough." If you're running straight
from work to happy hour or just want to freshen up before a night
out, then one quick mist on the nape of your neck will suffice.
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