How to wear fragrance in the Kuwaiti heat

Warm skin makes a fragrance evaporate faster. That is why the same perfume can feel louder at noon and gone by the afternoon. The answer is rarely more sprays; it is a better place and a better moment to apply them.

Start with moisturised skin

Fragrance holds longer on hydrated skin than on dry skin. Apply an unscented lotion first, or a body product in the same scent, then spray while the skin is still soft.

Fewer sprays, better places

Two or three sprays are usually enough for an eau de parfum. Aim for the pulse points: the neck, the inner wrists, behind the ears. Do not rub your wrists together: the friction warms the skin and flattens the opening.

Let fabric and hair carry it

Fibres hold scent longer than skin. A light mist on a scarf, a collar or an abaya keeps the trail into the evening. For hair, use a hair and body mist rather than an eau de parfum, since it is softer and made for it. Test delicate or light-coloured fabrics first.

Choose for the hour

Bright openings feel easiest in the day heat: citrus, aromatic herbs, orange blossom. Keep the denser accords, such as leather, oud and amber, for the cooler hours after sunset, when they have room to unfold.

Keep your bottles cool

Heat and light age a fragrance. Store bottles in a drawer or cupboard away from the window, and never leave them in the car, which in summer gets far hotter than the air outside. For the day, carry a small size instead.

Questions

How many sprays should I use in summer?

Two or three sprays on pulse points are usually enough for an eau de parfum. Heat helps fragrance travel, so less often reads as more.

Should I rub my wrists after spraying?

No. Rubbing warms the skin and breaks down the top notes faster. Let the fragrance dry on its own.

Can I spray perfume on my hair?

A hair and body mist is the better choice. It is gentler and made for hair, and hair holds a scent beautifully.