Perfume and Cologne Etiquette
Moderation is the key. The old adage holds true for fragrances, too. Sometimes too much is just too much, and when it comes to fragrance, excess is a major turn-off. You probably know people who reek of too much perfume...the receptionist at the dentist's office, the guy who rides the elevator with you every morning. Heck, maybe YOU are the culprit. Check yourself and if you find that is indeed the case, follow these tips to fragrance moderation.
1. Wait before you reapply. You get used to your scent long before other people do. Just because you can't smell it anymore doesn't mean others can't. Don't be too ambitious when it comes to reapplying. And when you do, make sure you do so in private. Not at your desk, where the odor is sure to overtake the cubicle next to yours as well.
2. Location, location, location. Knowing the appropriate areas to apply your fragrance is key. Spraying it on your clothes will have a different effect than spraying it on your skin. Your body chemistry has a way of changing the scent to suit you specifically, so it will smell differently on your skin versus your clothes. Apply a light amount to your pressure points (inside wrists, behind the ears and knees) and spray a light amount on your neck.
3. Use fragrances that coincide with the season and time of day. Heavier fragrances are best for a night on the town, while light scents are ideal for the work day. Certain scents are created to complement the season. Muskier scents are best for winter while citrusy florals are a sure recipe for summer.
4. Here's a hint. Keep in mind that you just want others to get a hint of your perfume; they don't want to be blown away by it. Fragrance is intimate, so apply it with care.
5. Deodorant it is not. Don't swap cologne for deodorant. Your fragrance might mask your body odor for a bit, but not for long.
