How to apply rollerball perfume oils
Clean your hands and moisturize your skin
The key to making your perfume oils last is to have clean and moisturized hands.
First begin by washing your hands with soap, ideally one that has a light scent or no scent at all.
Wash your hands thoroughly, ensuring you clean underneath your nails as well.
Once your hands are dry, apply a very thin layer of body oil or moisturizer. Ideally, it should be unscented. Remember, a little goes a long way.
Moisturizing both your hands and skin is important, since hydrated skin absorbs perfume oils better.
Once your skin is properly moisturized, it’s time to apply your fragrance oils.
The wonderful thing about fragrance oils is that they don’t contain alcohol, so they glide smoothly onto the skin. Since your skin is already moisturized, the oil will apply effortlessly, aided by the roller ball for easy application.
Test the potency
It’s important to note that different perfume oils have varying levels of performance, similar to regular perfumes. For instance, some perfumes are more concentrated and perform better than others.
To test the strength of a perfume oil, start by applying just a tiny amount and then adjust the application based on its potency. Treat it like a regular perfume and avoid overapplying, especially since some perfume oils can be very strong.
Before applying the oil, perform a test to determine the appropriate amount. Start with a single drop and observe its performance. If it’s too strong, use just one more drop and spread it widely. Avoid overapplying a very strong oil. This is how you can achieve the best performance with perfume oils.
Don’t rub the perfume oil and wait for your skin to absorb it
If you have time, after applying the perfume oil, let it sit and absorb into your skin.
If you’re in a rush, lightly pat it into your skin, but avoid rubbing it in. Rubbing can distort the fragrance.
So remember to pat it gently. Allow the fragrance oil to work its magic, and you’ll immediately notice the scent.
Fragrance oils perform best when your body is warm, so you’ll notice the scent throughout the day, especially in hot or humid conditions.
If wearing T-shirts, apply on inside of forearms
Applying the perfume oil on your wrist and gently tapping it there, as well as behind your ears, can work for a very strong perfume oil.
However, if you want optimal performance, follow this method: apply the oil generously and rub it all over your skin until there is no visible liquid trail and your skin appears shiny.
This ensures that the oil is evenly spread. For bottles without a roller ball, try spreading the oil on the side of your arm where you usually have hair growth.
I always emphasize that applying the fragrance on this side of your arm will make it project and last longer compared to the other side, even including the wrists.
When wearing sleeves
What should you do when you’re not wearing a t-shirt or during winter? In those cases, you can try this approach: apply the oil on your wrists and then rub it on the back of your head, where your hair grows.
Alternatively, you can apply it on the upper part of your hand and then use your left hand to spread it on the right side of your neck, and vice versa with your right hand on the left side of your neck.
Again, make sure to cover as much skin as possible with the oil, rather than just lightly tapping it, as it won’t project as strongly as you’d expect. Don’t worry about using up the oil quickly; there is usually plenty, even in a small bottle.
If you’re wearing a scarf, you can apply it on the scarf and let your hands run over it.
Alternatively, you can apply it at the back and front of your neck, covering the collar region, and lightly rub it on your arms.
If you want the perfume to project more, you can take another swipe, but only do a half swipe to prevent staining clothes.
Rub it lightly for a uniform application and let it settle on your clothes. This method helps with slightly better projection, especially if you’re in public and want to leave a lasting impression. People with dry skin benefit from this method as well, as it helps the fragrance last longer on the skin.
Mistakes to avoid when using roller perfume oils
Don’t rub it in
The first mistake many people make when applying fragrance is rubbing it in. Rubbing in a perfume (both oil and spray) destroys the top notes and shortens the lifespan of the fragrance. Fragrances have different notes that unfold over time, so let them develop naturally on your skin.
It’s easy to understand why people do this, as they may want to spread it out on different body parts without applying too much perfume.
However, when you rub a fragrance, you mix the oils on your skin with the fragrance oils, preventing the fragrance from naturally dissipating.
This can be a problem, because many perfumes such as Dior Sauvage is designed to showcase the top notes, middle notes, and bass notes in that specific order. When you rub the fragrance, you essentially mix up these notes, like distorting a piece of music. It won’t have the same intended effect.
Whenever possible, moisturize your skin
A common mistake people do when applying perfumes, be they oils or sprays, is neglecting to moisturize their skin.
Fragrances contain oils, and dehydrated skin absorbs those oils, shortening the scent’s longevity.
Moisturize your skin after showering and before applying fragrance to give it something to adhere to, ensuring it lasts longer.
Test the fragrance
Another common mistake is using a perfume oil without testing it first to measure its projection, longevity and reaction to your skin.
Whenever you buy a new perfume oil, apply and ask friends or family to rate how strong or pleasant it is on you. This is because the same perfume oil differently on two different people.
Finally, testing a perfume oil can tell you whether you need to apply more or less of it.
Less is more
This particular “rule” is subjective, but in general aim for “less is more.”
The idea is to be discovered rather than announced when entering a room. Overapplying can be overwhelming, especially in closed environments or offices with scent policies.
Find a perfume oil that fits well with your skin & natural scent
A common mistake both guys and girl make is wearing a fragrance they don’t actually like, simply because it was a gift.
Trust yourself to identify scents that work well with your body’s natural scent.
Don’t use the same perfume all-year round
Just like clothing, different seasons and occasions call for different scents.
Ideally, you should wear specific fragrances for different times of the year. Some perfumes can evoke certain feelings and match temperature changes.
Light, citrusy fragrances like Eau Sauvage are perfect for hot summers, while deeper, richer scents like Stronger With You Intensely suit colder winters.
Be careful about reapplying fragrances
What about reapplying fragrances throughout the day? First, make sure you’re not nose-blind to the fragrance you applied earlier. Take a walk and come back to check if it’s still detectable.
If you need to freshen up, reapply a small amount of perfume oil but be careful not to over do it.
Be careful of heavily scented moisturizers, shampoos or shower gels
Lastly, layering fragrances with moisturizers or conditioners can work well, but be mindful of overpowering scents. If your shampoo or moisturizer has a strong smell that lingers all day, consider switching to an unscented version. Layering fragrances with these products is generally not an issue, and it can add a nice touch.