Don’t you hate it when someone walks by you and you get a huge whiff of their perfume or cologne? Or what about when you spray perfume in the morning, and the scent is totally gone within a few hours? There is a right way and a wrong way when it comes to wearing perfume. If you do it the wrong way, you may not be getting the most out of your fragrance. You also may not realize when you’re wearing too much perfume, while others around you do.

A simple rule to always keep in mind is that less is always more. If you are going to an event with a lot of people, realize that other women will be wearing perfume also. Your perfume will be clashing against theirs, especially if you’re wearing too much. When in doubt, wear a light fragrance. Perfumes in the Citrus or Fruity categories tend to be overpowering and better left for a different occasion. You can’t really go wrong if you use a fresh, floral fragrance. Something like Marc Jacobs Perfume Daisy or Euphoria by Calvin Klein can’t really go wrong if you wear enough of it.

Never spray perfume into your hair. This is one of the most common perfume application mistakes. First, the perfume can react very badly to any products in your hair, even your shampoo. Spraying perfume in your hair can change the fragrance drastically, and even leave you with a headache at the end of the night.

Wear perfume that is appropriate for your age. I know we all want to look and feel young, but a grown woman that is wearing perfume which is aimed at teenagers risks presenting herself as a bit silly. Again, the very young and funky fruity perfume that may be well for your teenager would not be suitable for you. Floral, musky or Oriental fragrances are best for a mature woman. Also, keep in mind that as you age, your sense of smell slightly deteriorates, so the less is more rule applies even more.

Consider the temperature of your location. Applying too much perfume, especially in a hot environment, could be disastrous. Scents last much longer in hotter climates, so consider this when applying your perfume. Spray slightly less than you normally would in a hotter climate. If it’s cold, spray a normal amount, but you can take a small bottle of perfume with you if you have one and apply again in about 3 hours, as perfume tends to fade faster in colder climates.