The kindest approach is a private, gentle, non-judgemental conversation, framing it as helpful information rather than criticism, something like mentioning that a little goes a long way with strong fragrances or that you’ve noticed it seems quite strong in enclosed spaces, rather than commenting on it in front of others or making it about their personal hygiene.

How to actually handle the conversation

  • Choose a private moment rather than raising it in front of colleagues or friends
  • Frame it factually and kindly, mentioning it as a practical observation rather than a personal judgement
  • Acknowledge it might genuinely be unintentional, since as covered in our related answer on how to find out if you’re wearing too much perfume yourself, people often can’t smell their own fragrance accurately after a while
  • Suggest a practical fix rather than just a criticism, such as applying fewer sprays or choosing pulse points over spraying into the air
  • If it’s a workplace issue affecting several people, it may be more appropriate to raise it with a manager or through general scent-free policy guidance rather than a one-to-one conversation

Our how to apply and wear perfume guide covers sensible application amounts, and the complete guide to perfume has more on fragrance etiquette generally. A calm, kind tone matters more than the exact words used, since most people respond far better to gentle honesty than to an offhand or dismissive comment.