You've Been Wearing Perfume All Wrong

There's no point in spending big bucks on fancy perfume if it doesn't last, right? We've heard the old wives tale that spraying on your pulse points will improve scent strength, but that advice seems more tradition than truth. Turns out, your hair really is full of secrets, including how to make your perfume last longer.

Into The Gloss had a chat with perfume connoisseur Christine Luby, the magician behind Pinrose and personalized-wedding-scent fame, about the tricks and truths for perfume use. The hard reality? Not all skin types are equal when it comes to perfume.

"The first thing to know is that dry skin doesn't hold perfume well, so make sure your skin is hydrated," Luby said. "This is why, as a group, people with oily skin don't need to reapply as often. But beyond that, hair actually carries perfume the best. It also creates a beautiful sillage, which is the scented trail left by the perfume wearer."

What does that mean for your hair? Won't perfume dry and damage strands? Well, Luby had an answer for that, too.

"We tend to say no way. You're applying such a nominal amount of alcohol to the hair that you're not going to be doing much damage."

Here are some more tips for wearing perfume the right way.

1. Make sure you buy the right perfume

Eau de parfum contains the most oil in the formula because oil helps scents last longer, which makes it the best kind of fragrance to purchase.

2. Consider woody scented perfumes

Wood scents have the most staying power. Think about it: when you come back from a camping trip, doesn't the scent of redwoods and campfire linger for a while? Mmm. I can smell it now.

3. Avoid citrusy, fruit-scented fragrances

Citrus scents might smell good, but they won't stick around for long. If you are really in love with lemon or orange-scented perfumes, be sure to follow the other tips when applying it (i.e., spray it into your hair, apply it on moist skin).

4. Spray perfume on your pulse points

The warmth of a pulse point speeds up the "evolution of the fragrance," making it smell sweeter, sooner.

5. Hydrate your skin before you apply scents

Hydrate, baby! Dry, damaged skin won't hold scents for long.

For more perfume advice, read the full interview here.

Images: Getty Images