Perfume is an invisible accessory, but it leaves the strongest impression. We have all experienced it: You spray your favorite scent in the morning, but by lunch, it has vanished. Or conversely, you apply too much and overwhelm everyone in the elevator.
The secret to a long-lasting, subtle scent isn't just what you wear, but how you wear it.
Especially with high-quality Extrait de Parfum like ours at SAINT SKEI, proper application is key. Because our scents are more concentrated than standard store-bought brands, you need to master the art of dosage.
Here are the expert rules to help you smell irresistible all day long.
1. Target the Pulse Points
Your body heat helps to diffuse fragrance naturally. That’s why you should apply perfume to "pulse points"—areas where blood vessels are closest to the skin and generate warmth.
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The Classics: Wrists and the sides of the neck.
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The Secret Spots: Inside the elbows and behind the knees.
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Pro Tip: Don't spray all of them at once. Choose two areas to create a subtle aura rather than a cloud.
2. The Golden Rule: Never Rub Your Wrists
This is the most common mistake. You spray one wrist, rub it against the other, and think you are done. Stop doing this. Rubbing generates friction and heat, which breaks down the delicate enzymes of the top notes (the citrus or floral intro). This causes the scent to lose its crispness and fade faster. The Fix: Simply spray and let it air dry naturally.
3. The "Moisture Sandwich"
Perfume oils need something to hold onto. If your skin is dry, the scent will slip off and evaporate quickly. The Fix: Apply an unscented body lotion or a little Vaseline to your pulse points before spraying. The oils in the moisturizer trap the perfume molecules, acting like a primer that extends longevity significantly.
4. Dosage: The Extrait Difference
With standard Eau de Toilette, you might need 5–6 sprays. However, SAINT SKEI fragrances are Extrait de Parfums (high oil concentration). This means they are potent.
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Start small: 1 to 2 sprays are usually enough to last the entire day.
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Avoid "Nose Blindness": If you can't smell your perfume anymore, don't spray more immediately. Your nose may have just gotten used to it, but others can still smell you.
5. Hair: The Halo Effect
Your hair holds scent longer than your skin because it is porous. However, perfume contains alcohol, which can dry out and damage your hair strands if sprayed directly. The Fix: Spray the perfume onto your hairbrush, wait 10 seconds for the alcohol to evaporate, and then brush through your hair. This leaves a subtle, damaged-free trail of scent whenever you turn your head.
6. Clothing: Proceed with Caution
Fabric holds scent for days (sometimes weeks!). Spraying your scarf or jacket lining is a great trick for longevity. The Warning: Since SAINT SKEI perfumes have a high concentration of fragrance oils, spraying directly onto white silk, satin, or light-colored cotton can cause grease stains.
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Best Practice: Mist the inside lining of your coat or spray from a distance of at least 20cm onto dark fabrics only.
7. Adjust for the Weather
Temperature changes how a perfume projects.
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In Summer: Heat amplifies scent. The alcohol evaporates faster, projecting the smell further. Go easy on the trigger or choose lighter notes.
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In Winter: Cold air suppresses scent molecules. You can afford to be a bit more generous with your application or choose heavier, warmer notes (like Vanilla or Oud) to cut through the cold.
Experiment and Own Your Scent
Perfume is personal. There is no single "right" way, but these techniques ensure you get the most value out of every bottle. By treating your high-quality fragrance with care—applying it to moisturized skin and avoiding friction—you ensure that your "invisible accessory" stays with you from the first coffee to the last glass of wine.
Ready to test these tips? Discover our collection of highly concentrated scents that require less spraying and offer more wearing time.
Image by cottonbro studio
