Choosing a perfume goes far beyond simply finding a pleasant scent. A fragrance can evoke memories, convey sensations and become an integral part of one’s personal style. But there are also concrete factors that influence its longevity, the way to apply it, and how to discover that aroma with which we truly identify ourselves.
In that sense, knowing some aspects of perfumery can help you choose better and avoid common mistakes, especially when buying a new fragrance or trying to make it last longer on the skin.
María Soledad Nardo, physician and content creator specializing in perfumery and olfactory communication, works around these concepts and aims to bring the world of fragrances closer through a perspective that blends knowledge and experience. In a conversation with Para Ti, she spoke about the factors that influence a perfume’s duration, the zones where applying it is advisable, the relationship between fragrances and personality, and the most common mistakes when choosing a scent.
“Perfume is a form of nonverbal communication”
-What factors make a perfume last longer on the skin and what are the most frequent mistakes when applying it?
-The duration of a fragrance depends on several factors. One of them is its own composition: woody, amber, resinous, gourmand or vanilla notes tend to linger longer than citrus or very fresh accords, which are naturally more volatile.
But our skin also plays a role. Well-hydrated skin retains aroma molecules better than dry skin. That’s why one of the best habits is to apply a moisturizing cream before perfuming. If it also contains the same fragrance as the perfume, it helps to boost its duration, although any fragrance-free moisturizing cream also performs this function very well.
Another detail that is often overlooked is hydration from within. A well-cared-for skin and a well-hydrated body tend to promote better perfume performance.
One of the best-known myths is rubbing the wrists after spraying the perfume. That gesture does not ruin the fragrance, but it does accelerate the evaporation of the top notes and can slightly modify its evolution. The ideal is to let the perfume dry naturally.
Another common mistake is applying it only on clothing hoping for greater longevity. While some fabrics hold the aroma for many hours, a perfume is designed to interact with the skin and evolve with our body temperature. Additionally, Certain fragrances can stain delicate fabrics.
It’s also frequent to think that the more perfume we use, the better the result. However, neither excess nor minimal application is usually the best option. The ideal amount will depend on the type of fragrance, its concentration, the occasion, and, of course, the individual’s taste.
“The areas where the skin runs hotter help the perfume to diffuse better”
-Are there body zones or application methods that really favor a fragrance’s longevity?
-Yes. The areas where the skin runs hotter help the perfume to diffuse better. The neck, the collarbones, behind the ears and the nape are excellent spots to apply.
A tip that tends to work very well is to apply a light spray on the forearms and the back of the hands. As you gesture and move your hands throughout the day, the aroma is perceived in a subtle and natural way.
If the goal is to leave an elegant trail as you walk, one or two spritzes on the lower part of the body can also yield good results.
How to choose a perfume that represents our personality
-How can we identify what kind of scent best reflects our personality and style?
-Social networks can spark curiosity about a fragrance, but they should never be the sole reason to purchase it.
A perfume can be wonderful and still not represent who we are. Just as not every fashion piece suits us, neither will every fragrance make us feel comfortable.
The best choice is the one with which we recognize ourselves or that provokes “something” when we smell it. Some people enjoy clean and soapy perfumes because they convey freshness and naturalness. Others prefer gourmand scents, which evoke warmth and sweetness. There are also those who identify with floral, citrus, oriental or woody perfumes.
There is no olfactory family that is inherently better than another. There is the one that connects with our personality or even with our mood. Because we don’t always need to smell the same: often we choose a fragrance depending on how we want to feel that day.
“It’s wise to avoid trying too many perfumes in a row”
-What mistakes do we most frequently make when choosing a perfume and what should we consider before buying it?
-Impulsive shopping is, probably, the most common error. Sniffing a fragrance for a few seconds on a blotter is not enough to know it.
The ideal is to test the perfume on the skin and give it time. The top notes may enchant or disappoint, but only after a few minutes does the heart of the fragrance emerge, and a few hours later, the base notes, which are the ones that will stay with us for the rest of the day.
I even recommend re-testing that same perfume two or three times, on different days. Although it may seem odd, many people perceive the same fragrance differently depending on the moment.
It is also wise to avoid trying too many perfumes in succession. Sometimes, after smelling four or five fragrances, our sense of smell becomes fatigued and it becomes much harder to perceive differences. If this happens, a good tactic is to smell a zone of your skin that doesn’t have perfume applied or step outside for a few minutes before continuing to try.
“A good fragrance seeks to tell who we are”
-What recommendations would you give to find a fragrance that feels truly your own and not just because it’s fashionable?
-The most special perfume is not always the most expensive or the most popular. It’s the one that makes us feel comfortable, confident, and authentic.
My recommendation is to listen less to trends and a little more to our own sensations. Asking ourselves how we want to feel when wearing a perfume is usually a better guide than asking which launch is in fashion.
Because, in the end, a good fragrance seeks to tell who we are, even before we say a word.
María Soledad Nardo: @solenardoscents
