Woman holding a bottle of perfume, illustrating how to properly wear and apply fragrance

For most eau de parfum strength fragrances, three to five sprays across pulse points is enough for a full day’s wear. Lighter eau de toilette can take a few more, while a concentrated parfum or perfume oil needs far less.

A Rough Guide by Strength

  • Parfum or extrait: one to two small applications, since it is highly concentrated
  • Eau de parfum: three to five sprays across two or three pulse points
  • Eau de toilette: four to six sprays, given the lighter concentration
  • Perfume oil or attar: one or two dots, applied without rubbing

The Real Test

Ask someone you trust rather than relying on your own nose, since you adapt to your own scent within minutes and will always feel like you need more than you actually do. If people notice your perfume when they hug you but not from across the room, you have likely got the amount right. Bear in mind that fabric holds fragrance differently to skin, so a spray on a scarf or coat may still be noticeable well after the same amount on your wrist has faded from your own perception. Our guide to applying and wearing perfume has more detail, and our complete guide to perfume covers the basics too.