Perfume has always come with a side of BS. Between outdated “rules,” marketing spin, and well-intentioned advice from your aunty, there’s a lot of noise out there. So let’s clear the air (literally). Here are the fragrance myths we’re happily putting in the bin.

1. Expensive = better quality

Nope. Big luxury houses spend more on glossy ads, celebrity endorsements, and counter space than they do on the actual juice inside the bottle. Indie and niche perfumers? They often pour their budget into the raw materials — which means you’re getting more artistry and quality for your money. The price tag is about marketing, not magic.

2. Rub your wrists together to make it last

Please stop assaulting your molecules. Rubbing your wrists “to set the fragrance” actually bruises the top notes and messes with the way the perfume develops. Spray it, let it breathe, and let your skin chemistry do the work.

3. Perfume belongs in the bathroom

Showers = steam = humidity. AKA a fragrance killer. Heat, light, and moisture speed up oxidation and can ruin your bottles way faster. Store your scents like fine wine: cool, dark, and dry.

4. Perfume lasts forever

Sorry to break it to you, but perfumes aren’t immortal. Most last 3–5 years if stored properly. After that, the top notes start fading, and sometimes the whole vibe changes. Think of it as a reason to wear your bottles, not hoard them.

5. There’s a “right” number of sprays

Three behind the ears? Two on the wrists? Forget it. The number of sprays depends on the concentration (EDT vs EDP vs extrait), the climate, and your personal style. Some days one mist is plenty; other days you want to gas out a room. Your call.

6. The fragrance pyramid is gospel

Top, middle, base notes? That’s a simplified marketing model. In reality, molecules evaporate at different rates, and some “base notes” (like heavy woods or musks) can be noticeable right from the start. Perfume is more jazz than pyramid.

7. Coffee beans reset your nose

Sniffing coffee beans between sprays is one of the most repeated myths in perfumery. Truth is, coffee doesn’t “clear” your olfactory palate — it just adds another strong smell to the mix. The real trick? Step outside. Fresh air works better than beans.

8. Colognes are for men, perfumes are for women

Wrong century. The terms have nothing to do with gender — it’s about concentration. Eau de Cologne is just lighter and fresher because it has a lower concentration of oils, while Eau de Parfum packs more lasting power. Wear what you love.

9. Concentration = quality

An extrait (the highest concentration) isn’t automatically stronger or better than an EDT. If it’s poorly constructed, it can smell flat, heavy, or disappear quickly. Meanwhile, a well-blended eau de toilette can project like a dream. Quality comes from the composition, not the label.

Bonus: Big retailers will launch small brands

Not really. Retailers don’t exist to “build” a brand — they want something already known to plug onto their shelves. That’s why indie perfumers work extra hard to build community, buzz, and reputation themselves. Support them early, and you’ll always be ahead of the curve.

Final Spritz

Perfume myths stick around because they’re easy to repeat. But the truth? Fragrance is deeply personal, beautifully complex, and doesn’t play by rigid rules. Forget the old wives’ tales. Spray what you love, store it right, and don’t let marketing gimmicks fool you.

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