We all have rituals and beliefs about wearing perfume. Some rub their wrists together, others keep their fragrance in the bathroom, and many decide whether they like a scent as soon as they apply it.
However, according to experts, many of these habits are more myth than fact.

This blog post will clear up several of those myths:

Rubbing perfume: the most common mistake

Although it might seem harmless, rubbing your wrists together after applying perfume is a big mistake. Friction creates heat and accelerates the evaporation of the more volatile notes, altering the perfume’s original structure. It is best to let perfume dry naturally.

Warmth does not always enhance the aroma

Another common myth is that warmth enhances fragrance. While body temperature can help a scent diffuse better, too much heat can change how scent molecules develop. Perfume performance depends on moisture, skin chemistry and environmental conditions, not just warmth.

Judging a perfume in the first few minutes

Experts recommend patience. Fragrances have three stages—top notes, heart notes and base notes—and their full character only reveals itself after a few hours.

Does more expensive mean better quality?

Price does not guarantee longevity or quality. Concentration (eau de toilette, eau de parfum or parfum) and chemical composition—not market price—determine a perfume’s performance.

Perfume on clothing: a nuanced practice

Although applying fragrance to clothing can prolong the scent, it is not always the best option.  Fabrics alter how the fragrance smells, and some oils or alcohols may damage fibers.  Instead, apply fragrance directly to moisturized skin to support its natural development and promote balanced diffusion.

The more layers, the longer it will last

Over-spraying overwhelms the sense of smell without necessarily ensuring the fragrance will last longer.  Longevity depends on the concentration of aromatics and skin type.  Tip: Moisturizing skin before application helps the fragrance set.

Perfume smells the same on everyone

Everyone’s skin is unique. Your body’s natural scent, diet, skin dryness or oiliness and even your microbiome all influence how a fragrance smells. That is why the same perfume might smell sweet on one person and more oaky on another. No two people’s skin and no two perfumes are identical.

There are women’s perfumes and men’s perfumes

In reality, olfactory families are not gender-specific. The labels of “feminine” or “masculine” are marketing terms, not scientific ones. In perfumery, we refer to floral, citrus, oaky, oriental, or gourmand notes without gender distinctions.

What a perfume’s label says is less important than how it makes you feel. In short, the art of perfuming combines science, chemistry and emotion. While myths can be part of the charm, understanding how a fragrance actually works helps you enjoy it more and allows it to fully express its potential.

 

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