Are you wearing perfume wrong? The truth about fragrance placement

Fragrance has always lived in the realm of the invisible, felt before it is fully perceived, remembered long after it fades. For Vanesha Majithia, that understanding took shape in New York, where scent becomes part of the city’s rhythm, layered, expressive, and deeply personal. It’s this sensibility that informs her brand Luvih’s approach to perfumery. The truth is, perfume isn’t just about the bottle you choose; it’s about how and where you let it unfold.

The 'Finishing Touch' Myth

“One of the most common myths is that perfume is a finishing touch—a spritz right before you walk out of the door,” says Majithia. “In reality, perfume is closer to styling, similar to how you put together an outfit. How you apply it, where you apply it, and how much you apply can completely alter how a scent performs on your body.” This is why the same fragrance can smell different on different people.

Some of the common myths we must break in perfume application are:

Wrist are the only pulse points

“One of the most limiting beliefs is that a perfume can only be worn on the wrists,” Majithia notes. While wrists do play a role in diffusing scent, they are far from the only effective area. The neck, behind the ears, collarbones, and inner elbows all emit heat and help perfume unfold naturally. “By spreading fragrance across major pulse points, you create a softer, more layered projection instead of an intense burst,” she explains.

Another strategy is to apply perfume to areas like behind the knees, ankles, or even the lower back. In hot climates like India, “the heat lifts the perfume upwards naturally, creating a soft projection that intensifies over time. It is less direct and far more sensual,” she says.

Rubbing the Wrists

“This is where most people go wrong,” says Majithia. Right after applying perfume to the wrists, people instinctively rub their hands together. But this can actually disrupt the fragrance. A perfume is structured in three layers—top, middle, and base notes. “Rubbing creates friction and heat, which can disturb the delicate top notes, causing the scent to fall flat.”

Applying on the Go

Another common misconception is that perfume belongs at the very end. Majithia recommends that hydration should be “the invisible foundation on which your perfume is applied.” A scent interacts with your skin, and your skin, in turn, shapes its story. “Even a trace of a hydrating oil or cream helps anchor the fragrance, allowing it to linger longer.”

She adds, “Fragrance is not instantaneous. Only the top notes reveal themselves immediately—the rest need time to evolve. By shifting the ritual to the beginning, your perfume will be fully itself by the time you leave the house.”

Hair and Fabric

“Hair is one of the most underrated ways to wear perfume,” says Majithia. It can hold onto a scent and release it subtly over time. The only caveat: some alcohol-based perfumes can dry out hair. “A gentler technique is to spray onto a hairbrush or mist from a distance.”

Fabric, too, can carry scent longer than skin. “Silk or cotton can hold onto fragrance beautifully. Lightly misting the inside of a jacket or scarf can extend the life of your perfume, just make sure to test it on delicate fabrics first.”

More Is Better

Another frequent mistake, she notes, is excessive reapplication. “Many people think the perfume has faded, but often it’s a phenomenon called olfactory fatigue—the nose simply adapts.” True presence lies in restraint. “The best fragrances are the ones that leave a subtle whisper, not a loud trail.”

The Ritual of Wearing Fragrance

“Applying perfume is like learning a language,” Majithia reflects, “and most of us are still speaking in fragments because of myths and inherited rules.” By styling fragrance with intention, “we discover that a little can go a long way.” Perfume has been reduced to a quick spray, rub, and leave, but modern perfumery is reclaiming it as a ritual, “an intentional, thoughtful part of your everyday routine.”

All images: Pexels

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