How to apply attar: where to dab and how much

Put one small dab of attar on clean, dry skin and leave it alone. Do not rub your wrists together. Wait ten minutes, then decide if you want more.

Most people who ask how to apply attar, how much attar to use or where to put attar oil are worried about two things: too much, and stains. Both are easy to avoid.

How much attar is enough

Attar is a concentrated oil, so the amount matters more than with a spray.

• Roll-on bottle: one single roll, about a finger-width, per spot.
• Glass stick or dropper: one drop on a fingertip, then spread it on the skin.
• Small bottle with no applicator: touch a clean finger to the opening, tip it once, and dab.

Round numbers for a first day: one spot for a quiet scent, two spots for a room you want to be gently noticed in.

Ruling: if you wonder whether it is enough, it is enough.

Where to dab attar oil

Warm places help oil open and spread.

• Inside of the wrist
• Side of the neck, under the ear
• Behind the elbow
• The chest, below the collar line

Pick one or two. The neck usually projects a little more than the wrist. The wrist is easier to wash off if you change your mind.

Why not rub

Rubbing wrists together warms the oil quickly and can make the top part of the scent flatten. It also spreads the oil thin. Press and lift instead, and let your skin warm it.

Ruling: dab, do not rub.

How to avoid stains

Oils can leave a mark on pale or delicate cloth, especially silk.

1. Apply to skin only, not to clothes.
2. Wait a few minutes before you put on a pale shirt.
3. Keep the dab away from collars and cuffs at first.
4. If you do spot cloth, wash it as soon as you can, following the label.

On the skin

General pattern, not tied to a product.

• At the start: strong and close, sometimes thick.
• After an hour: rounder, with the sharp edge gone.
• After four hours: a faint warm layer near the skin.

Try it slowly

1. Wash and dry the spot. Skip lotion on it.
2. Apply one dab.
3. Wait ten minutes without sniffing every minute.
4. Check again after an hour and after four.
5. Next day, change only one thing, such as the spot.

If you put on too much

Wash the area with plain soap and water, then dry. Oils do not leave in one rinse, so expect a faint scent for a while. Next time use half.

Safety note

Test on a small patch of the inner forearm first and wait a day. Skip broken or irritated skin. Keep oils away from the eyes, children and pets. If skin turns red, itchy or sore, wash it off and ask a doctor or pharmacist. See also how to test a perfume on skin before you buy it.

Choosing the right tool

Attar comes in a few kinds of bottle, and the bottle changes how much you use.

• Roller ball: the easiest for beginners. The ball limits how much comes out.
• Glass stick (dabber): picks up a small drop. Good for fine control.
• Dropper: can release a large drop by mistake. Squeeze gently, or tip a drop onto a clean fingertip first.
• Open mouth bottle: tip once onto a clean finger, never pour.

If your bottle is hard to control, a small empty roll-on, filled by a careful decant, can make it easier. Ask the seller how to do that safely.

Morning, evening and special days

Attar changes with the hours, so timing helps.

• Morning: put it on after a shower and once skin is dry. This keeps it clean on the skin.
• Afternoon top up: one tiny dab on the wrist, only if you really cannot smell it. Ask someone first.
• Evening: a second spot on the neck or chest gives a warmer feel.

Some people prefer to apply an attar the night before to the inner elbow, so that the oil is settled by morning. Try that only if your skin is happy with the scent.

Moisturised skin and bare skin

Oil clings to skin that is not dry. A thin layer of plain, unscented moisturiser can help an attar sit longer. Do not use a heavily scented cream under it, as the two will mix.

Ruling: unscented moisturiser, one dab, no rubbing.

Washing and cleaning up

Oil does not wash off with a quick splash. Use plain soap and warm water, and dry well. If oil touches a wooden or varnished surface, wipe it soon. Keep the cap tight after use, since open bottles lose scent.

A worked example

Say you are heading to a quiet dinner in cool air. At home, you dab one small spot on the inside of the left wrist, and one on the right side of the neck. You wait ten minutes before you put on your coat. By the time you arrive, the sharp start has gone, and the scent is soft. If you wanted more, you would add a dab on another day, not at the table.

Round numbers, but the habit is the point: small, early and patient.