The different types of perfume are differentiated by their composition of aromatic substances. Eau de toilette contains 5-7% essential oils or other fragrant molecules, while eau de parfum contains up to 20%. To be sprayed onto the skin, these aromatic molecules are diluted in 70° or 90° alcohol. Whatever type of perfume you use, to get the most out of your fragrance, it's important to adopt the right gestures – but which ones in particular? Our tips on how to use perfume correctly and the places to put it.
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How to Use Perfume Correctly?
Summary
Published September 30, 2022,
updated on December 3, 2024,
by
Maylis, Chemical Engineer
—
4 min read
Choosing a Fragrance.
Perfumes are composed of an alcohol base and odorant molecules of natural or synthetic origin. They give off a pleasant scent for several hours, depending on their concentration of aromatic molecules. In fact, perfumes are categorized into:
● Eau fraîche. Eau fraîche has a light composition, generally containing 3% aromatic ingredients. With its mild scent, it dissipates after 2 to 4 hours. This type of fragrance is favored during hot periods to provide freshness.
● Eau de Cologne. Eau de Cologne is made up of 3 to 8% fragrance molecules. It also dissipates fairly quickly. It is characterized by the presence of citrus scents in the top note.
● Eau de toilette. Eau de toilette has a 5-10% concentration of fragrance molecules, giving it a staying power of around 4 hours. It is also suitable for hot weather.
● Eau de parfum. Eau de parfum has an average aromatic content of 15-20%. It is therefore a concentrated, long-lasting formula, whose scents can linger for around 8 hours.
How to Apply Perfume.
How to use perfume correctly to make its scent last as long as possible? These are a few tips on the places to put it.
When applying it, target certain warm areas of the body, known as perfume pulse points. These include the neck, the back of the neck, the ankle, the hollow of the chest, the wrists, and the hollows of the elbows. These areas give off heat and help retain fragrance molecules. In addition, spray your perfume 15 cm from your skin to spread the scent and avoid overpowering odors.
There is a belief that rubbing your wrists
after spraying eau de parfum helps
to spread the scent. This gesture should be avoided,
however, as it distorts the composition.
Instead of optimizing the scent of eau de parfum,
this habit dissipates the volatile molecules
used in its composition.
In the case of low-aroma perfumes, sprays on different areas of the body are necessary to spread the scent. You can also use perfume several times a day (two or three times). Please note, however, that just because you can no longer smell your perfume does not mean that the scent is no longer present. It may just be that you've become impregnated with the scent. Before adding a new dose of perfume on the pulse points, external advice may be required. For concentrated fragrances such as eaux de parfum, 2 to 3 sprays once a day are sufficient.
To make the scent of a perfume last, moisturize your skin beforehand to lock in all the aromatic molecules. The fragrance can be sprayed on after a shower or moisturizing cream.
For those who prefer to avoid direct skin contact, perfume can be sprayed into the air to create a cloud of fragrance and pass through. Alternatively, it can be sprayed onto clothing, as textile fibers are known to retain odors.
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