One of the most common questions about scent is actually just how to wear the stuff. Where to put it, how much, when, reapplication. Where is relatively simple: The tops of your forearms (forget the “pulse points” legend; that’s marketing) and your neck. Before I put on my button-down, I lift my T-shirt and give one good shot down my back. And the two unobvious places: Your hair (great for diffusing scent) and the shoulders of your shirt, top, or suit coat.

How much: Watch the volume, and that depends on which scent it is. The original Prada, Sean John’s I Am King, Calvin Klein Secret Obsession, l’Interdit by Givenchy these are scents with good lungs, and you’re going to need just enough so that those within 4 or 5 feet of you get a pleasant olfactory decible level but no more. On the other hand, evanescent scents Hermes’ Un Jardin sur le Nil or Un Jardin en Mediterranee, Nautica Oceans, or Pucci Vivara — you should reapply every 2-3 hours to keep them nicely humming along.

When, which is a variation of “Are there day scents and night scents?” The answer is yes. You’re probably not going to wear Opium or Poison or Cannabis Rose by Fresh to the office, although anytime after 7pm all three of these are good to go. Professional day scents should speak clearly, efficiently, and attractively. Flower by Kenzo, Very Irresistible by Givenchy (both the masculine and the feminine), Bulgari Green Tea. Guerlain’s Rose Barbare, which is sensational, I think easily works for both. Weekends it’s entirely up to you. By day a guy could go for Clinique Happy for Men and (if he wants to be intense) by night, Narciso Rodriguez for Men. A woman could have fun with YSL’s Baby Doll until the dinner party at 8pm, when J’adore or Tommy Girl are excellent.

Speaking of dinner, one last comment: You want a scent that goes with food. Avoid the metallic / air conditioning / ozonic scents. Ambre Narguile by Hermes will always make any meal taste better. So will l’Eau de Tarocco with its light creamy spiced citrus.