The rumor mill has shaped countless ways we go about daily life, from not eating before swimming to monitoring our children’s sweets intake to avoid the dreaded sugar rush. With the shockingly lengthy history behind perfume, there’s been plenty of time for us to come up with a whole host of misconceptions.

Of course, there are the rumors of how perfume is made or its effects on our bodies, but we’ve already tackled those. Let’s get to the misconceptions that determine how we apply perfume to keep you smelling your best.

#1: The perfume mist

Perhaps your grandmother made a show out of it for you as a child, spraying a big cloud of her signature scent and leading you through it with a wink. Despite the well-known and even nostalgic image it represents, the old spritz-and-walk is actually a misstep.

The practice of applying your fragrance via mist is a huge waste of perfume—half of it is just going to soak into the carpet! Not to mention, by simply walking through, only the most feather-light of touches are reaching your skin. Then you’re left with only the vaguest impression of what the scent is meant to be.

There’s also the whole concept of your hair carrying fragrances better. The scent may stay in your hair longer, but the amount of damage that alcohol does to your hair and scalp isn’t a price worth paying. Whether your aim is for your body or your head, this technique is wasteful at best.

Instead, aim and fire

Rather than fill the air with the fragrance, dab or spray perfume on your pulse points, or any spot that generates heat. There’s a good reason as to why, and that reason lies in some science.

Perfume typically consists of three layers that unfold into different scents throughout the day. As one layer evaporates, its lighter head notes permeating the air, the next layer of base notes comes to the surface. Your own body heat intensifies this effect. Heat increases molecular volatility, which strengthens smells—ever noticed how everything smells stronger on a hot day?

By applying your fragrance to “hot spots” like your wrists, inner elbows, neck, behind your knees, and even your belly, you can take advantage of these chemical reactions. Instead of the perfume itself, the only thing filling the air will be the tantalizing and evolving scent of a product well applied.

#2: Rubbing it in

Ah, the classic image of a gorgeous gal spritzing a bit of Chanel on her skin, manicured fingers delicately curled as she rubs together her wrists. Well, now she’s just wasted some perfume, hasn’t she?

As we mentioned, heat is the trigger that causes fragrances to blossom. The bit of heat and friction produced by rubbing in your perfume only serves to wear away those top notes before their time and cuts down on how long the scent will linger.

Instead, leave it be

The fix to this one is pretty simple: just don’t do it! Dab or spritz the perfume on and allow it to dry undisturbed. Let it seep into your skin like sunlight on a refreshing spring morning, and the aroma will continue to seep out all day.

#3: The idea that if you smell it, it’s too much

This myth likely originated from someone who’d had a few too many whiffs of a great aunt who drowned herself in enough perfume to choke out a whole theater.

Whatever the reasoning, it’s a bit overkill. If you’re wearing so little perfume that not even you can catch a hint of it after putting it on, chances are that no one else can either. And what’s the point of wearing perfume if hardly anyone can detect it?

Instead, keep a method

The key is moderation; don’t use so much it’s overpowering, but you should still be able to smell those initial headnotes as soon as the perfume goes on. You will stop smelling it eventually, though—the human nervous system is quite skilled at dulling itself to persisting stimuli.

When you find you can no longer smell anything, that’s not necessarily a signal to reapply it; you should smell it in the beginning, but you may not by the end. Instead of basing it on your olfactory senses, go by the science of the matter.

Base how much fragrance you use and how frequently you reapply it on its concentration. A refresher of cologne after a few hours, a modest spritz of eau de toilette come evening (or simply a splash of water to reactivate the oils), and so forth.

#4: Keeping it forever

There may not be an expiration date printed on the bottle, but perfumes go bad just like any other product. It’s less of a set lifespan, though, and more about how the product is treated. Perfume is a somewhat fragile construct, and it’s easy to disrupt the harmony.

Sunlight and heat will quickly degrade a fragrance by breaking down those molecular bonds. It makes sense: if heat causes fragrances to break down and unfold on your body, it’s fair to assume that heating the bottle could force the whole supply through the same change. This means that you shouldn’t be displaying your perfumes on your vanity, though.

If you’re the sort of person who keeps your perfume in the bathroom for easy access during your routine, sorry to say that that’s just as bad. Fluctuations in temperature and humidity are killer on fragrances, and a room where people regularly shower is certainly no safe place.

Instead, hide it away for safekeeping

Fragrances are best kept in dark, temperate places, like a storage cabinet or drawer. Some blogs may recommend storing them in the fridge, but extreme temperatures, in general, are detrimental to your perfume’s longevity. Perfumes are delicate compositions, and getting too warm or too chilly can upset the balance.

#5: Avoiding mixing fragrances

The people who like to play it safe will say to avoid other scented products if you wear perfume, so as not to “distort the fragrance.” You may have heard you should cut down on scented shampoos and body washes, or even cut aromatic products out of your routine completely! But by following that credo, you’re missing out on a whole world of individualized fragrance.

Instead, mix and match to make your own olfactory aura

Fragrance layering is a slightly more advanced technique, but once you get the hang of it, you’ll wonder how you went so long without it.

There is some trial and error involved, and endless possibilities: complementary or contrasting scent notes, wearing various scented products, or going all out and wearing two perfumes at once. Strike that perfect balance, and you get a unique scent that’s all your own. It’s fun in the same way as casual interior decorating; formulating an aesthetic to stick to and occasionally adding to it as the chance arises.

If you want more of our advice on layering, take a look at our previous article. It’s a bit of an art form in itself, but it’s one that anyone can easily learn and benefit from.

The aroma’s in the method

Perfumery holds such a lasting role in human history; it’s about time we start using it right. Of course in the end, just like any form of self-expression through grooming, how exactly you go about it is really up to you.

If what you’ve learned here has you inspired to explore the world of perfume a little more, why not give SCENTBOX a try? Have new designer fragrances shipped to your door every month. Whether you’re wanting to layer scents or just try out exciting new products to switch things up, subscribe today, and SCENTBOX will provide you with all you need, with zero commitment—pay monthly, and cancel any time.

Finally, perhaps after years of misinformation, you finally know the truth of how to properly wear perfume. Go forth and use that new knowledge; we’ll help you out along the way.