Imagine that you have to get ready for a party, a date, or a formal function. You are almost ready, but you have forgotten about a very important part in making yourself feel presentable. You have forgotten about fragrance.

Outfits, makeup, and accessories, all three can make a person look fabulous. However, the fourth factor is fragrance, which can make a person feel fabulous. Following is a guide on how to apply fragrances like a pro:

1. Shower

It is an optional step, but showering really makes a difference in your scent, especially if you are a sports person and/or you sweat a lot. Showering can help get rid of the pungent odor of sweat. I recommend using an unscented soap or scented soap with the same scent as your perfume. Cetaphil Cleansing & Moisturizing Syndet Bar is a highly recommended unscented soap.

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2. Moisturize

Apply an unscented moisturizer or lotion, as this locks in the scent of the perfume or body mist by preventing it from evaporating too quickly. CeraVe Moisturizing Cream and The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA are good choices for unscented moisturizers.

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Now that you are done with the preparation, it is time to apply the body mist and perfume.

Before that, it is important to understand the difference between a body mist and a perfume. A perfume has a higher concentration of fragrance, likely around 20-30%. A body mist has a lower concentration of fragrance oils, which is about 1-5%.

Perfumes are used for special occasions, while body mists are meant for a refreshing spritz, which can be used whenever. Perfumes are usually applied on pulse points (refer below) while body mists are applied all over the body.

Now with a newfound understanding of perfumery, you can proceed with how to apply them correctly.

1. Layering (Optional)

Apply your body mist first, as a base layer, to make the scent last longer. Apply perfume on top to create a concentrated top layer. If you are going for a sunny vibe, Bath & Body Mad About You Mist For Women and Zara Red Temptation Summer are good suggestions, and for a more chilly feeling, The Body Shop Vanilla Body Mist and The Body Shop White Musk Eau De Toilette are also pretty great!

2. Spritz

Lightly spritz the perfume from a distance of 6-8 inches from the pulse points. Do not rub, as that can disturb the molecular structure of the fragrance and reduce its longevity.

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I am sure some of you are confused by the term “pulse points”. Pulse points are points on your body where blood vessels are closer to the skin surface and generate heat. And, basic chemistry says that heat helps diffuse fragrance, that is, it helps to spread the fragrance. Hence, these pulse points are the best spots to apply perfumes and body mists.

Here is a list of specific pulse points

1. Wrist: It’s a classic pulse point.

2. Neck: A very strong pulse point

3. Behind the ears: A small but meaningful spot

4. Elbow: It’s an effective spot

5. Hair: Lightly run your fingers through your hair after spritzing it with your perfume.

As a bonus, here is a recipe for making your own fragrance!

If you are still unclear on what your "signature scent" is, worry not, as you can make it on your own! Get ready to become an apprentice in perfumery, because the following is a recipe on how to make your own perfume!

1. Choose the fragrance you want

Fragrances come in many different varieties, there are vanilla fragrances, musk fragrances, watermelon fragrances, lavender fragrances, etc. Choosing and making your own scent will suit you better, because you know what is best for you. Choose the fragrance you want, and move on to the second step.

2. Get the materials

The materials needed to make your own fragrance can get pretty difficult, because fragrances are usually made with more than one scent. Essential oils are required to make a fragrance. A fragrance has at least 3 notes: the base note, the middle note, and the top note.

The base notes are woody, like vanilla, sandalwood, or musk. The middle notes are floral, like jasmine and lavender. The top notes are fruity, like lemon and orange. You will also need a carrier oil to dilute the concentration of the fragrance. Some good carrier oils are jojoba oil and grapeseed oil. The last thing you need is a glass bottle to store the perfume, preferably one with a spraying nozzle.

3. Measurement

Now that you have the essential oils, carrier oil, and the glass bottle, here are the preferred proportions of each oil and note.

• Base note: 3 parts
• Middle notes: 5 parts
• Top notes: 2 parts
• Carrier oil: Depending on how strong you want your fragrance to be, use less carrier oil, around 10 parts, for a strong and bold scent; use more carrier oil, around 20-30 parts, for a more subtle scent.

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Now all you need to do is mix it all and use it as your own signature fragrance!

I hope that this article proved to be of help to you, because it definitely helped me smell better. These are scientifically the best ways to apply fragrances, and it can even make a cheap fragrance smell great (speaking from experience). On a closing note, I would like to thank you all for taking your time to read my article. Warm regards!