Mr Frédéric Malle shares his tips on how to apply fragrance.

Mr Frédéric Malle grew up living and breathing perfume. His grandfather, Mr Serge Heftler-Louiche, was most notably the founder of Parfums Christian Dior. His mother, as art director of the fashion house’s perfumery, played a hand in the creation of Dior’s legendary men’s fragrance, Eau Sauvage. Mr Malle began his career in 1988 at Roure Bertrand Dupont, the prestigious perfume laboratory and in 2000, he founded his own fragrance house, Editions de Parfums Frédéric Malle. Here, he imparts his expert knowledge to tell us how to get the most out of our scent. Read the full feature on Mr Malle and his New York home in The Journal.

Where is the best place to apply a fragrance?

I wear Eau de Cologne, which is not as concentrated. Therefore, I splash or spray fragrances on my chest. However, hair is probably the best spot to spray fragrance if you want to make an impression. It keeps fragrance for a long time, as it is slightly oily. Also, it is permanently heated up by the head, the warmest part of your body. Having said that, be careful not to spray your hair too often as the alcohol contained in the fragrance might dry it.

Does wearing fragrance on your wrists help to diffuse the scent?

The body heat generated by pulse points such as the wrists, under the earlobes and the base of the throat helps intensify fragrance, and can often diffuse, magnify and amplify a scent. Women often wear perfume in these places, but men can also. This is best for more concentrated fragrances, such as parfums.

Is it a good idea to rub your wrists together?

I wouldn’t, especially if you apply fragrance later in the day. We live in cities that are quite polluted and also our skin exudes a bit of grease. If you rub your wrists together, all that can affect the fragrance. Just let it dry by itself.

Is it true you you shouldn't spritz your face because alcohol dries your skin?

That is true. However, many aftershaves contain emollients, which soothe and moisturise the skin. That said, I would not put cologne on my face because the higher alcohol content without emollients could dry out your skin.

Is there anywhere else you should not wear fragrance?

The part where it often smells bad is on the top of your hand. It’s very strange. I think it’s because of the big pores. It never smells good.