How to Apply Perfume Oil and Attar

The short version: roll a short line of oil onto a pulse point, such as the inside of your wrist, the side of your neck or behind your ear. Don’t rub. Let it settle for a few minutes and it will open up as your skin warms it.

Step by step

Start with clean, dry skin. Straight after a shower is ideal.
If your skin is dry, smooth on an unscented lotion first. Scent tends to hold better on moisturised skin.
Roll one short line on each wrist, or on one side of the neck.
Leave it. Rubbing your wrists together can dull the first notes.
Wait a few minutes before deciding whether you want more.

Where to put it

Warm areas help the scent rise gently. The classic spots are the inside of the wrists, the side of the neck, behind the ears and the inside of the elbows. The collarbone works well too, as you’ll catch the scent yourself. Avoid broken or irritated skin, and keep oil away from your eyes and lips.

How much to use

Less than you think. Perfume oil is concentrated, so a little goes a long way and it’s easy to overdo if you’re used to sprays. For a first wear, one swipe on two spots is plenty. If you still can’t smell it after twenty minutes, add a little more. Remember that we all get used to our own scent, so other people often notice it when you’ve stopped noticing.

Roll-on or dropper?

A roll-on gives you a neat, controlled line and is easy to carry. Our 3, 6 and 12 ml bottles are all glass roll-ons. A dropper, like our 15 ml glass bottle, lets you place a single drop on your fingertip or straight onto skin. It’s handy for dabbing behind the ears, or for scenting a cotton pad to tuck in a drawer.

Whichever you use, close the bottle tightly afterwards.

Skin or clothes?

Skin first. That’s where the oil warms and changes. Scenting a scarf or jacket is traditional, but oils can mark some fabrics, so we recommend applying to your skin rather than your clothing, and never running the roller over fabric.

Getting the most from it

How long a scent lasts depends on your skin and the blend: woods, musk and amber tend to linger more than citrus. A few things can help:

Apply to moisturised skin.
Layer a musk or amber oil underneath a lighter one.
Carry a small roll-on for a midday top-up.
Store bottles closed, upright and away from heat and sunlight.

There are more ideas in our tips to make your perfume last longer.

Attar etiquette

Attar has long been part of hospitality, weddings and celebrations, and a few habits come with it.

Go lighter in shared spaces. At work, on public transport or anywhere crowded, one swipe is more considerate than three.
Offer, don’t apply. If you share your attar, hold out the bottle or dab a little on the back of the other person’s hand, and only if they’d like it.
Mind the mix. If you’re layering with bakhoor or a spray, choose notes that sit well together.