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How to Tell If You've Put on Too Much Perfume or Cologne


We all know that person whose "signature scent" you can smell from across the room. But what if you're the one who's stinking everyone out with your heavy handed application of perfume or cologne? Here are a few tips to make sure you're applying just the right amount.

Too much fragrance not only is a turnoff, it can give people migraines or even allergic reactions. The problem is that some people don't have a very good sense of smell or they've become desensitized to the fragrance they wear every day. According to TLC, wearing too much perfume can also be an indicator of depression.

The site offers these tips to tell if you're putting on too much:

To tell if you're a potential offender, put on your perfume as usual, wait five seconds, then put a tissue on that spot. The tissue shouldn't stick. Time can help remedy the situation, but a quicker way to cut down on the odor is to put rubbing alcohol on a cotton ball and apply that on the areas where you put the fragrance.

Get into the habit of not wearing too much perfume in the first place and knowing where to apply it. Instead of putting it directly onto your

skin

, spray one blast upwards in the air in front of you and walk through the mist it creates. Choose a couple of places, such as your chest and neck and when applying, hold the bottle a good 10 inches (25.4 centimeters) away from your body when you spray. If you're wearing a heavier scent, try applying it just to the lower part of your body, like a quick spritz behind the knees. The scent won't rise as quickly and be as irritating to others. You'll find the proper balance soon enough, and your scent will draw people closer rather than repel them.

Closeness is also a key sign, according to Kineda, which points out that someone should be pretty close to you before they comment "you smell nice," and if you're constantly smelling the fragrance, you've gone too far.

Now if only there was a polite way to pass this on to someone who constantly offends your nostrils.

How much is too much when it comes to perfume? | TLC

What Every Man Ought to Know About Cologne | Kineda

Photo by maxim303.