A brief (and ironic) guide to perfume etiquette How not to turn your eau de parfum into a chemical weapon

There are people who walk into a room and leave behind a light, graceful trail of perfume that seems to whisper, “I was here, but with elegance.” And then there are those who enter and make your eyes water as if you’d just chopped ten onions in a row. That’s exactly why the etiquette of perfume exists: to make sure you don’t end up in the second group. In the world of perfumery, where every olfactory note tells a story and every eau de parfum is an invisible accessory as powerful as a new pair of heels, how you wear your scent is almost more important than the scent itself. Because yes, you can spend half your paycheck on a fragrance signed by Francis Kurkdjian or Tom Ford, but if you spray it wrong (or worse, everywhere), the result will be more “Vicks VapoRub in December” than “Parisian mystery.” The truth is, there’s an art to perfuming oneself, a little olfactory savoir-faire made of precise gestures, strategic spots, and a dash of moderation. Spoiler: that lovely bottle isn’t meant to mark your territory like an incontinent cat. And, most importantly, not every situation is “perfume-friendly.” In the office, on a plane, or at a restaurant, a vanilla cloud can quickly turn into your worst enemy, and everyone else’s. But don’t panic. With a bit of humor and a few insider tips (yes, even from those who actually create perfumes), you can learn to use your fragrance as a weapon of charm, not of mass destruction.The Little Perfume Etiquette Guide. How to smell divine, all day long, without making anyone flee holding their nose.

How to apply perfume: rules and tips for a perfect application

1. Don’t rub. Ever. Not even by mistake.

The classic scene: two wrists, one spritz, then the shameful rubbing begins. Know this: every time you do that, somewhere Francis Kurkdjian (the genius behind half your favorite niche perfumes) lets out a long sigh. “Quelle horreur!”, he’d say. Why? Because friction heats up your skin, alters the top and heart notes, and turns your floral bouquet into a sad, lukewarm broth. Solution: spray from about 13 cm (5 inches) away, let it dry naturally, and resist the urge to dab. Trust me, your sillage will thank you.

2. The right spots: your olfactory map

Forget behind the ears, my dear. There, perfume dies, trapped in sebum. Focus instead on pulse points: wrists, neck, inner elbows, behind the knees, and ankles. Yes, ankles, you read that right. Our grandmothers used to spritz perfume along the hem of their skirts, and not by chance. Fragrance rises with heat, like an elevator of invisible allure. So if you want to envelop the room in your signature scent, start from below. It’s science, not poetry.

3. Your scent wardrobe: why perfume should change like clothes

Wearing the same perfume all year long is like wearing a winter coat in July, simply, a no-go. Perfume etiquette suggests adapting your fragrance to the season and the occasion. Morning? Go for citrus notes and white florals. Keyword: lightness. Evening? Yes to amber, woody, or subtly vanilla accords. And no, you don’t need a museum-worthy collection, just two or three well-chosen options to always smell like “that person who smells amazing, and you can’t quite tell why”.

4. The trail is overrated (and a little vulgar)

Everyone dreams of “leaving a trail.” Reality? What’s left behind is often a collective headache. As perfumer Laura Bosetti Tonatto says, a woman should never “leave a trace before 8 p.m.” Translation: during the day, your scent should be noticeable only to those who hug you, not to someone crossing the street beside you. Two spritzes are enough: one on the wrist, one on the neck. Stop there. If people notice your perfume before they notice you, you’re clearly overdoing it.

5. Perfume and shared spaces: the diplomacy of the nose

Tricky question: is it rude to wear perfume on a plane or in the office? Short answer: yes, kind of. Long answer: it depends. Perfume etiquette says that in enclosed spaces like cinemas, subways, classrooms, or coworking offices, it’s best to stick to light, fresh fragrances. No need to suffocate seat 37B in a cloud of oud. Remember: your eau de parfum should be a detail, not an intruder. As etiquette expert Katarina Bradacova puts it, “Perfume should complete you, not dominate the room.”

6. Where (not) to store it. Spoiler: perfume is not décor

You love those shiny bottles lined up next to your hairdryer? Too bad, the steam is aging them like bananas forgotten in the kitchen. Perfumes hate light and heat. Keep them in their original boxes, in the dark, at room temperature. Fragrance longevity fanatics even store them in the fridge, and yes, it’s less crazy than it sounds.

7. Perfume and skin: a matter of hydration

Does your perfume fade too quickly? It might not be the brand’s fault, but your skin’s. Olfactory etiquette suggests applying perfume after a shower and after an unscented moisturizer, damp skin traps aromatic molecules better. Dry skin = fleeting perfume. Moisturized skin = a scent that follows you like a shadow.

8. Capital sins: things never (ever) to do

• Reapply perfume on the bus or in the cinema. You’re not alone in the world.
• Mask bad odors with perfume. The result is chemically suspicious, and temporary. Hygiene comes first, even before Diptyque or Narciso Rodriguez.
• Soak your clothes. Fabric holds alcohol and alters both the scent and the color.
• Spray too close. You’re just drenching yourself in solvent.
• Use your body perfume on your hair. The alcohol can dry and damage it. Go for a specific hair mist instead.
• Keep the bottle in your handbag all day. Heat, light, and friction destroy the olfactory pyramid.
• Try twenty perfumes in a row at the store. After the fourth, your nose is on strike (yes, even if you sniff coffee beans).
• Spray on clothes thinking it “lasts longer.” It does, but it smells different, and not always better.
• Apply perfume on jewelry or pearls. Alcohol damages them, and no, your Cartier ring doesn’t need to smell nice.
• Mix too many scents. You’re not a chemistry lab. “Creative layering” doesn’t mean “mix everything you own.”
• Wear a “grown-up” perfume just because “it’s iconic.” Perfume etiquette says your fragrance should reflect you, not your aunt from the 1980s.
• Steal your partner’s perfume. It will never smell the same on you, hormones, baby.
• Apply perfume before the beach or sunbathing. Risk: stains, irritation, and embarrassment.
• Wear perfume to restaurants, hospitals, or funerals. Some occasions really don’t call for an olfactory trail.

9. Wear perfume for yourself, not for others

The true etiquette of perfume isn’t a list of prohibitions, it’s an invitation to awareness. Wearing a fragrance is an intimate gesture, an invisible signature. But here’s the twist: living in society means remembering the world isn’t your dressing room. Perfume yourself to feel like you, not to claim territory. And if you really want to leave a lasting impression, choose a good conversation, not a cloud of tuberose.