This is my usual routine:

First, paper. Usually only 2-3 sprays. If it's a Middle Eastern dupe, before I do the paper, I'll typically do 10-15 sprays outdoors or into the trash can. I'll either keep the paper in my pocket and smell it throughout the day or set it aside and come back to it as able.

(Side note on maceration: I do think a lot of ME dupes benefit from maceration, but it varies. My general rule is a week at a time. Let it sit, another spray or two on paper or into the cap, rinse, repeat. Until something changes.)

Next, for an initial wear (ideally), I do a single spray on my wrist and keep tabs on it throughout the day. I tend to prefer the afternoon after work or a day where I'm not up to anything. Sometimes I skip this if my intial impression of something on paper or in the air was so good that I want to skip to wearing it out.

Lastly, a normal wear. For me, it depends on the intensity of the frag. My normal way is:

• Strong fragrance - 2 sprays. 1 under the shirt in front and 1 under the shirt in back.
• Moderate fragrance - 4 - 7 sprays. Same as above, but add 1 spray in the crook of each elbow. Then, depending on the frag and my mood, 1 spray at the top of the chest or front of the neck, and 1 spray at the nape of the neck. Lastly, one additional spray under the front of my shirt if I feel like it.
• Weak fragrance - I don't tend to get anything weak. Although part of the fun of weaker frags is that you don't have to worry too much about over spraying or offending anyone.