As Coco Chanel once famously said when asked where to apply perfume, “Wherever you want to be kissed.”.

For centuries, perfume has been a symbol of luxury, an expression of personal style, and one of the most beloved beauty products across cultures and people. As with any beloved product, a variety of techniques for applying perfume have developed over time. However, not all common beliefs about perfume application are correct. That’s why we want to provide some simple and effective techniques for applying perfume, and a few variations to shake up your perfume routine.

The tried and true method involves spritzing the perfume on pulse points, which are locations on the body where the blood vessels are closest to the skin, such as the neck, wrists, behind the ear lobes, ankles, and calves. Depending on the type and strength of your fragrance, 2-5 spritzes should be sufficient. Fresh citrus scents can be sprayed more generously, while warm, ambery, vanillic or gourmand fragrances should be used sparingly to avoid overwhelming the senses. After spraying, simply let the liquid evaporate gently without rubbing your wrists together, which can disturb the way the fragrance evaporates.

For those looking to mix it up, spritzing clothes or fabric can help achieve a longer-lasting scent, but be careful as some scents can leave permanent stains. Spraying hair is another way to leave a subtle scent in your wake as you move through your day, but avoid spraying jewelry, pearls, or metal.

One technique to avoid is the mist and walk-through method, where perfume is sprayed in the air in front of you and walked through. This technique is a waste and can result in the perfume landing on furniture or the floor instead of on your body.

Now that you know the dos and don’ts of applying perfume, feel free to innovate with ease. As Coco Chanel once famously said when asked where to apply perfume, “Wherever you want to be kissed.”