9 Genius Hacks for Getting the Most Out of Your Fragrance

1. Moisturize immediately after showering. "This is when your skin is more receptive to absorb [the body care products you apply after]," says Danielle Fleming, fragrance expert and founder of boutique perfumery Note Fragrances. Meaning you'll have an easier time applying rich oils, body butters, and moisturizers for all-over smoothness. 

 2. Then spritz. "Your skin is warmer now, so it helps diffuse perfume all over your body," Fleming says. If you want to get technical, your post-shower moisturizer created a smooth surface for the fragrance molecules to sit on, helping your scent last way past lunchtime. ​Make sure the lotion you applied first is labeled "scent-free" or "fragrance-free" so it doesn't clash with your fragrance.  ​

3. Spray your pulse points. As nice as it feels to mist perfume in front of you like a cloud and then walk through, unless you truly wanted your feet to smell like roses, it's kind of useless. "You can't see fragrance molecules with the naked eye, but they move very fast. By the time you spray and walk through, half of the molecules have already dropped to the ground," says Fleming. Instead spray directly onto your body's warm spots like your wrists, neck, and behind your ears. For extra staying power, smooth Vaseline onto your pulse points first to create an even, moisturized foundation. (Perfect for us lazy busy girls who don't want to hang out in the bathroom waiting for lotion to dry.)

4. Resist rubbing your wrists together. This breaks down the structure of your fragrance and causes it to dry down faster. Translation? The top notes — the first ones you smell after spraying — will quickly fade and your scent will be gone before you even head out of your apartment.

5. Hit your skin with a scented body wash. For a subtle fragrance and quality me-time all at once, try a scented cleanser. Not only does it blend floral and musky notes for a grown-up smell, but it's formulated to release a hint of fragrance every time you rub your skin for up to 12 hours — so, basically like a scratch-and-sniff body wash. 

6. If you're making your own perfumed body lotion, use a jar instead of a bottle. It's easier to mix. Add a few drops of pure fragrance oil or essential oil to an unscented lotion, then give it a whiff. Add a little bit more oil depending how strong you want it to be. Once you've got the formula where you want it, write it down for next time!

7. Rub alcohol to tone down a fragrance you don't like. ​These two solutions can help "remove" a scent you're not fond of. Just blot your skin and let it dry like, well, perfume. If that doesn't work, try another one of Fleming's tricks: Make a paste of equal parts baking soda and water, then apply it to the scented spots. Let it hang out for five minutes to neutralize the fragrance and then wipe it away.

8. Add hits of fragrance around your home. It's your sanctuary, so make it smell like one. Fleming suggests creating scent squares and placing them around your pad: "Cut a yard of material into 6-inch squares. Then spray with your favorite fragrance and put them inside your dresser or in your closet," she says. When it wears off, just spray with a different fragrance. A guaranteed whiff of happiness when you reach for (maybe) clean clothes!  

9. Don't store scents in the bathroom. Heat, humidity, and light will break down your spray-on fragrances and make them smell funky fast, so your bathroom counter is public enemy no. 1. Store them on a pretty tray, or in a decorative box on your dresser or side table for safe-keeping (you can stash your solid perfumes, fragranced oils, and scented body washes anywhere). If you wear certain perfumes seasonally or for fancy occasions, stash them in a plastic baggy in the fridge where it's cool and light is minimal. The plastic bag will prevent the notes from your Chanel No. 5 getting into your leftover Thai — or worse — your Thai getting into your Chanel.​