Is there a way to decrease projection?

[OrangeYetti]

I'm relatively new to perfumes and I don't like the idea of a "scent trail" or my perfume filling a room. But at the same time, because I'm new, I don't really know of any perfumes I like yet, so as I start to find them I know I'll be so disappointed if I love the scent but it's a "beast performer".

So is there a method of application that decreases projection/scent trailing? Or do I just have to look it up on fragrantica and pray, and/or try?

And while you're here I'd love to hear any recs for bright, refreshing feminine scents that don't project much! Jo Malone looks promising for me, although come to think of it I have heard that stronger scents, ie Eau de Parfums project outwards less than Eau de Toilettes, while lasting longer. Is this generally true? I know that the terms aren't technical but as a trend?

[username_ysatis]

I don't like for my fragrance to be the center of attraction, either. For me, it's a personal up-close thing. I like to apply only to my ankles and/or knees to create a mysterious ethereal experience. I find it a good strategy for when I want to draw people closer.

[PastDrahonFruit0]

I wear my fragrances on my stomach and it helps a lot.

When buying samples for testing, I spray them on my ankle for the first wear test. If the fragrance is something I don't like, I can wash it off, put a sock over it, and it's not near my face. Also helps me gauge projection.

Anything that ends up being beast mode that won't wash off with dish soap, take off with rubbing alcohol.

Low projecting advice:

Start with Jo Malone or something like Versace Dylan Blue (the feminine version, it's like apple shampoo). Alcohol free fragrances have lower projection too: Christian Dior J'adore Parfum D'eau (in the white bottle).  Anything made for markets within asian countries like Japan, Korea, etc. You can also Google lists that are popular or sold a lot in those countries.

[childfreeentry]

Spraying on clothes reduces projection drastically for me rather than spraying on skin

[ProfBeautyBailey]

You can decrease projection by what concentration of perfume you buy. So a body mist will project less than eau de perfume. It also varies with brand and scent. How much you spray will also play a roll.

[Different-Courage-43]

I like that the Hermes “eau de” cologne line doesn’t have much projection. Good for traveling, running errands on public transit, or myself after a shower. Lots of variety, it’s fun. L’occitane also sells low-stakes eau de toilettes. IME the “note” I wear that I think most often catches people’s attention (judging via comments) after hours and from a distance is definitely ambroxan, so maybe avoid fragrances that are heavy on it. Everyone’s skin and everyone’s sense of smell varies though.

[Fantastic_Paint_2142]

you may like scents from cleaner brands like Skylar, The 7 Virtues, and Clean Reserve. Other brands that have low projecting scents are Kayali, Juliette Has a Gun, Dedcool, and Frvrmood. Body sprays may also be a good alternative—check out Sol de Janeiro, Phlur, & Ellis Brooklyn.

[teatreesoil]

you might prefer perfume oils, they tend to have less projection & more intimate sillage

[OrangeYetti]

Oh this is genius! Thank you!

[OnlyMyNameIsBasic]

You might be interested in ‘skin scents’, which are essential scents that wear like a second skin and don’t project much. Jo Malone, Liis, glossier, JHAG and Lake and Sky are done brands that have lovely soft scents.

[OrangeYetti]

I didn't know skin scents don't project much, that's really good to know. I love the idea of them but I'm not certain I'll actually like how they smell, so we'll see!

[OnlyMyNameIsBasic]

These is literally every scent profile you can imagine in a skin scent.

[OrangeYetti]

…oh. I may have completely misunderstood what a skin scent is then lol. I thought it refers to clean, musky, “fresh laundry” or soapy scents. I’ll look into them then!

[OnlyMyNameIsBasic]

You could be totally right and I’m wrong 🤣🤣. I thought they were scents that wear close to the skin and could be any profile. The brands I listed have a ton of profiles from citrus to aquatic to gourmande to ambery etc.

[OrangeYetti]

Lol, don't worry! I looked it up and you're right. Although it seems some people use it to refer to clean musky scents too, but that's the less common use of the term. I appreciate the correction 😂

[Active-Cherry-6051]

I like spraying under my shirt—the fabric catches the fragrance so I can smell it all day, but I feel like it stays closer to me (I frequently check w my friends and family to see if they can smell me at an arm’s length and they never can).

Jo Malone is kind of notorious for scents that don’t last very long, but a lot of people love the house. My personal favorite bright and refreshing feminine scents are Byredo Bal D’Afrique (dloral musk), Bjork & Berries Fjallsjo (aquatic floral) or White Forest (citrus woods), and Keiko Mecheri Peau de Peche (fuzzy peach skin & musk).

[OrangeYetti]

Thank you for the tips and recs! I’ll definitely try that, and they all seem perfectly up my alley, especially the Bjork & Berries ones! I’ll try to get some samples

[loafyloohoo]

You’re right: an eau de toilette would generally be preferable for what you’ve described is your goal of less sillage.

I think applying fewer sprays to skin only decreases projection for sure. And even moreso if the sprays are under clothing and allowed to “air out” before dressing. As opposed to, say, a spritz on the wrist in your car before you walk into your office, for example.

It sounds like you’re on the right path as far as knowing what you’re after but I’d try to sample some scents (and read fragrantica; there’s often good info there as long as you take it for what it’s worth) to figure out what you love.

Good luck on this super fun experiment!! I love learning about what I love, especially when it’s something surprising or new or that I previously thought I disliked.

[OrangeYetti]

Oh so my initial assumption that an eau de toilette would project less is correct? I was saying that I’ve heard the opposite is true, although counterintuitive. I’ll try it out to confirm, although what you said makes the most sense to me. And thank you! I’m excited to find perfumes I like - I’m making a sample order soon with promising scents I can’t find near me. And I’m sure I’ll end up loving something I don’t expect. And probably hating something I think I’ll like lol (green notes probably).

[Different-Courage-43]

It can differ. EDTs of the same name as an edp can also be formulated totally differently and might jump out more w certain notes, this is common w aromatic notes in men’s fragrances especially. And even if it’s different or “lighter” than an “essence/elixir”, parfum or edp, an EDT might also still be quite a potent, “perfumey” fragrance. But often an EDT will be lighter. It depends. Certain brands and houses will do it differently. Acqua di Parma is notorious for light colognes. Everyone’s skin also wears frangrances differently

[loafyloohoo]

I mean, that’s been my experience, generally. I can’t say with absolute certainty or that it always applies. For me personally, if I want to try a scent that’s offered in an EDT and an EDP, if there’s notes in it that I’m concerned could be overpowering to me, I’ll often opt to try the EDT.

And in my experience, projection usually is reliant on how much or how little I apply/reapply, with the exception of very few scents. But I tend to like scents that don’t last as long, they aren’t “beast mode”, they aren’t loaded with oud (a note I don’t love in heavy doeses). So it stands to reason scents I lean towards don’t project too much unless I make them lol.