SANTO DOMINGO – Many people like to leave a trail of fragrance and hear the murmur, “That smells amazing!” But perfumes, for all their charm, can be treacherous on the skin. Applying perfume is a tricky art that requires knowledge to avoid irritating the skin.
First, a bit of historical gossip.
The word perfume comes from the Latin "per fumum," meaning "through smoke." Imagine the Egyptians burning resins to communicate with the gods, or the Arabs distilling flowers. Then came the French with their chic touch, and voilà! The world never smelled the same again.
Even Guerlain made history in 1889 by blending natural and synthetic ingredients in their famous Jicky. And of course, it's impossible not to mention Perfume, that eerie novel by Patrick Süskind in which poor Grenouille pursued the perfect human essence… but at any cost! Perhaps it's best to focus on the beauty of perfume, isn't it?
Let's talk about what interests us: layering, or applying perfume in layers, which is a complete routine of pampering, beauty, self-care, and hygiene. You start with a shower gel with a soft scent, then a body cream (always from the same fragrance family), then a light mist… and finally, your signature perfume.
The result: a scent that lasts longer, feels more like your own, and doesn't require you to douse yourself in cologne every two hours. It's like wearing an invisible suit, but fragrant.
The trick? Moisturize your skin beforehand. Dermatologists say so: well-hydrated skin tolerates fragrances better and is less irritated by them. And be warned, perfumes aren't exactly innocent, because according to specialists, fragrances are among the main culprits behind contact dermatitis, that allergy that makes the skin red, itchy, or even causes hives.
So avoid applying perfume directly to your skin after shaving or sunbathing. Instead, use a little on your clothes, hair, behind your ears, or in the crook of your elbow.
And if a new perfume tempts you, do the "elbow test": a few drops, wait 24 hours, and see if your skin reacts. Because there's no point in smelling like jasmine, patchouli, amber, or magnolia if you end up scratching yourself. If that happens, call or visit a dermatologist.
In short, layering perfume is an art, a sensual and fun game, but also an act of self-care. Let perfume be a pleasure, not a punishment. So now you know: moisturize, play with layers, choose fragrances that complement each other beautifully… and enjoy every time someone tells you, “You smell amazing!”
