Where to apply your perfume is just as crucial as how much. "Spray around the neck and ears because when you greet people they get a waft of something pleasant. Skin should smell warm, scented and clean," says Pilkington.
Understanding the olfactory families is key to knowing how to wear the right amount, regardless of the scent.
If you wear a hesperidic perfume ...
The fruity, citrus accord characterised by bergamot, lime, orange, tangerine, grapefruit, kumquat or lemon.
"Be generous with this and it's delicious when layered with a matching body cream," Pilkington recommends. ''Six to eight spritzes behind the ears, on the wrists and decolletage"
If you wear a delicate floral ...
Freesias, magnolia, tuberose, iris and honeysuckle, this family is characterised by a single flower or a floral bouquet.
"Six spritzes are plenty; apply behind the ears, neck and over the wrists."
If you wear a floral scent ...
Characterised by more intensely perfumed flowers such as jasmine, rose and frangipani.
"Five sprays or dabs behind the ears, neck and wrists will suffice."
If your perfume is floriental ...
A blend of the flowers in the floral family and spices of the oriental family.
"Keep it to four spritzes, one behind each ear and on each wrist."
If your perfume is oriental ...
Ambers, musks, cinnamon, vetiver and myrrh.
"One spritz behind each ear and one on the decolletage is sufficient."
If your perfume is characterised as ''out of this world"...
A mixture of ambers, musk and ouds and those deeply smoky scents.
"The intensity means two dabs behind the ears is plenty." - The Telegraph
Just R20 for the first month. Support independent journalism by subscribing to our digital news package. 