An eau de parfum has a higher concentration of fragrance oil than an eau de toilette. You may feel you need to apply less of an eau de parfum in order to get a longer-lasting scent. In the fragrance world, the order of highest to lowest concentration is pure perfume (which tends to be solid), eau de parfum, eau de toilette, and eau de cologne. The NEST New York Fine Fragrances Collection are all eau de parfums.

Apply fragrance to your major pulse points, such as wrists, inside the elbows, behind the ears, and behind the knees. Do not apply fragrance on sensitive areas and be sure to keep it away from your eyes and mouth.

How much you apply is up to you, but a good rule is one to two spritzes or dabs per pulse point.

Fragrance notes are the different scents you will experience at different times throughout the period you are wearing your perfume. Fragrance notes are separated into three categories: top notes, middle (or “heart”) notes, and base/dry notes.

Fragrance accords are where perfumers get especially creative. They balance and blend three or four fragrance notes to create a completely new, unified scent impression. For example, an “ocean waves” accord could be comprised of multiple watery and salty notes to create an impression that is reminiscent of a day at the beach.

Depending on the quality of ingredients and storage methods, most perfumes have a shelf life of at least three to five years. Light, heat, and variations in temperature and exposure to oxygen can cause a fragrance to deteriorate over time. In order to maximize the shelf life of your perfume, it should be stored in a cool, dry, and dark place. Storing perfume in the refrigerator is the best preservation method and will help the fragrance last much longer.

If a perfume begins to shift its color to a darker hue, or if the scent smells faded, a little sour, or musty, it is time to discard it and buy a new bottle.