Much as you might love walking into a cloud of perfume, or spritzing some on your clothes or hair, your skin is still the best canvas for your favourite scent. ‘In order for a perfume to truly unravel itself in the most divine way, it needs a proper medium to anchor itself,’ says Matthew Milèo, chemist, former in-house fragrance expert for Chanel (so he knows what he is talking about!) and founder of the skincare line Milèo New York. ‘The lipophilic (oil-loving) properties of skin make it the perfect medium for the oils of perfume to attach to.’
To boost the potency of the scent, try layering it 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,’ says Melina Polly, CEO and co-founder of Henry Rose. ‘Fragrance lasts longest when your skin is hydrated, making the best time to spritz right after your shower or bath.’
In terms of placement, go for the areas of the body that are naturally warm – inside the crook of your elbow, the backs of your knees, your chest, and the sides of the neck – that way, your body heat activates the scent throughout the day. Spritz or dab it on gently – no rubbing!
