The French Rules Of Applying Perfume

From Pierre-François-Pascal Guerlain’s first bottled scents, unveiled on the Rue de Rivoli in 1828, to the game-changing launch of Coco Chanel's iconic No.5  in the roaring ’20s, the French love of fragrance runs deep. Who better, then, to be inspired by the French about everything perfume—when, where, and why to wear it.

Fragrance has the power to invoke memories, emotions and change our mood due to its ability to influence our brain. As such, and since the brain controls the body, fragrance can enhance feelings of well-being by triggering the body to relax, to feel less stressed, even to elevate the spirits. Fragrance can also unlock pictures from the past, unleashing recollections of times gone by. 

Wearing a fragrance is easy—a little spritz, and you’re done. However; wearing a fragrance well requires a little more know-how. 

1. Find your signature scent: Find a perfume you just love and be faithful to it. They wear the same one for years and do not change it, whether it’s morning or evening, winter or summer. Take the time to appreciate brands that are not trending or famous, instead look for something made with individuality, creativity, passion and purpose. For a truly unique fragrance try blending your signature scent with other perfumes and essential oils - not only is this fun it is also a great way to align your fragrance with the seasons.
2. Wear perfume everyday: As the French say, there is only one reason to wear perfume and that is to seduce. The art of seduction goes far deeper than seducing a partner or lover, it involves seducing ourselves and being seduced by life itself. A woman is supremely seductive when she wears a fragrance that complements her and speaks to her.  Perfume leaves an imprint of a woman on others, a touch of her essence that lingers just enough to enchant and to leave you wanting more.  As writer and perfumer, Marian Bendeth has said: “Fragrance speaks the loudest on a subliminal level.” 
3. Let your perfume evolve with you: As we get older and wiser, we appreciate the subtleness in simplicity while also developing a more sophisticated palette
4. Keep it subtle: Your fragrance should not be overly strong, overbearing or disruptive, but light, seductively fresh and uncomplicated. Perfume should be discreet, like a little secret. Spray perfume around your neck, on your wrists, heart chakra and on your scarf.
5. Apply to skin: In order for perfume to truly unravel itself in the most divine way, it needs a proper medium to anchor itself in order to unlock the scent of the essential oils. Your skin provides the perfect canvas for your favourite scent, as the warmth of the skin starts the unravelling process and the scent is free to fully express itself.
6. Hydration: Fragrance lasts longer on hydrated skin. For a powerful scent-to-skin adhesion, try layering perfume over body lotion or oil. Fragrance binds to the oils in your skin, so applying it after your body lotion or oil creates a better surface for the scent molecules to bind to.
7. Pulse Points: When applying perfume you want to hit all the right spots. It’s important to select the areas of the body that are naturally warm, like the insides of the wrists, elbows, back of the knees, chest, and the sides of the neck. Try dabbing your fragrance on pulse points. Your body heat will activate it throughout the day as a natural diffuser.
8. The art of layering: Layering perfumes is an art unto itself and is a great way to create your own personal scent. Layer with a complimentary scent to refresh the scent without overpowering it. Avoid layering a big fragrance with another big fragrance as that is just too much and it can cause headaches for you and those in your environment.
9. How you store your perfume matters: Perfumes are living organisms, they can break down quick if not treated right. Treat your perfume like a good bottle of wine or champagne. You wouldn't let a bottle of wine or champagne sit in the hot sun - so don't let your perfume get to hot or exposed to bright light. Storing your fragrance in your bathroom where steam from daily showers can interact with them is a no-no. Water, humidity, and drastically changing temps can change a perfume’s composition and cut short the shelf life of your favourite bottle. Store your perfume in a  a cool, dark, dry place. Storing it in your underwear, sock or scarf drawer is perfect—or simply, inside the box your fragrance came in.