How to Apply Body Spray

Co-authored by Shipra Taneja

Last Updated: December 24, 2022 Approved

Body sprays are a great way to help girls and guys feel fresh without the overpowering element of a perfume or cologne. For men, apply the body spray on your chest and neck, and under your armpits. For women, apply the body spray on your pulse points, clothes and hair. For long lasting results, apply the body spray after you shower and layer fragrances.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Applying Body Spray for Men

1
Remove your shirt. Body sprays for men usually double as deodorants. So it is more effective to use the spray on your body as opposed to your clothes.^{[1]
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2
Spray your upper body. Hold the spray can six inches (152 mm) away from your body. Press the spray button and spray your armpits, chest and neck. Spray each body part for only two to three seconds.^{[2]
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- For more coverage, hold the spray can farther away from your body, like seven to nine inches (178 to 229 mm).
3
Apply the spray once per day. In general, body sprays have a very strong scent. By applying the spray only once per day, you can avoid overloading your senses, and the senses of the people around you. You also want to avoid over spraying since there may be negative health effects associated with using body sprays excessively.^{[3]
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- The only exception is if you plan to exercise or engage in sports or another physical activity that will cause you to perspire. If this is you, then you may re-apply the body spray after the physical activity.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Applying Body Spray for Women

1
Spray your pulse points.^{[4]
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Expert Source

Shipra Taneja
Makeup Artist
Expert Interview. 6 August 2021.} Hold the body spray four to five inches (102 to 127 mm) from your pulse points. Spray each pulse point with one spray. Try to avoid rubbing in the spray. Instead, let the body spray soak in and dry on your skin.^{[5]
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- Your pulse points include your wrists, the insides of your elbows, the front of your neck, the back of your knees and between your breasts.
- Your body emits pheromones from pulse points, and these points are excellent places to apply your body spray to ensure the longevity of the scent.^{[6]
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  Expert Source
  
  Shipra Taneja
  Makeup Artist
  Expert Interview. 6 August 2021.}
2
Spritz your clothing. Do this once you have spritzed your pulse points. However, hold the spray can seven to nine inches (178 to 229 mm) from your body/clothes. Spritz your top and pants once or twice.^{[7]
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- Alternatively, you can spritz the air in front of you and walk through the mist to scent your clothes.
3
Spray your hair. Try to avoid spraying your hair directly. Instead, spritz the air above you once or twice with the spray. Quickly stand underneath the mist to lightly scent your hair.^{[8]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Using Body Spray

1
Choose a fragrance you like. Choose a scent that matches your personal taste and style. Start by sampling popular fragrances to see which scents appeal to your taste. Then explore other fragrances that are made with similar scents.
- If you are a girl, then you may prefer sweet, floral scents or musky scents.
- If you are a guy, then you may prefer woodsy or spicy scents.
2
Apply the body spray after you shower. Applying body spray on a clean body will help the scent stick to your body better and last longer. After you shower, lightly towel off. Spritz your damp body with the body spray.
3
Layer fragrances. Layering fragrances will also help your body spray last longer. While you are showering, use a body gel that has similar scents to the ones in your body spray. After your shower, apply a lotion with similar scents to your damp body. Once the lotion has dried, spritz your body with the body spray.
- For example, if your body spray contains vanilla, lavender and mint notes, then choose a body wash and lotion that contains lavender, vanilla or mint to layer with.
- If you cannot find a complementary lotion or body wash, then use an unscented lotion or soap.
- Some body sprays come with complementary lotions and body washes.

Community Q&A

Question

I'm a girl, but I love wearing men's body spray. My favorite is Axe; should I stop? Is there any harmful effect that I should be worried about?

Community Answer

No, there isn't any sex-specific harmful effect. The only difference is what scents are available, and the strength of the scents. Just because you're a girl, there is no reason why you can't wear scents marketed for men. Don't buy into the myth of gender-specific marketing.
Question

What's the difference between body spray and perfume (for women)?

Community Answer

Body spray is a light scented mist, whilst perfume is a strongly fragranced spray.
Question

Is it better to use body spray before applying lotion or after?

Community Answer

Use lotion before body spray.