16 October 2026 · By Faan Perfumes

How to wear and store a 200 ml perfume

FAAN Amjad Status 200 ml Extrait de Parfum bottle

A 200 ml bottle of perfume is a big bottle. For most people it is a year of wear or more. That is good value, but only if the last spray smells as good as the first. This guide covers how to apply a 200 ml Eau de Parfum or Extrait, how much to use, and how to store it so it keeps.

We are an independent retailer of FAAN fragrances, and every bottle we list is 200 ml. These tips apply to any good perfume.

Eau de Parfum and Extrait: what is the difference?

Both are strong perfumes. Eau de Parfum usually has around 15 to 20 percent fragrance oil. Extrait de Parfum has more, often 20 percent and up. More oil means the scent sits closer to the skin, lasts longer and needs fewer sprays. These are general industry ranges, not exact figures for any single bottle.

In the FAAN range, the Qasida line is mostly Eau de Parfum and the Amjad line is Extrait.

Where to spray

The side of the neck and the base of the throat.
The chest, under the collar.
The inside of the elbows.
One spray on a shirt or scarf, from about 15 cm away. Test on a small spot first, as perfume can mark silk and light fabrics.

Warm places make scent glow. Hair holds scent too, but alcohol dries it, so spray a brush and run it through.

How many sprays?

Extrait: two sprays. Three on a cold day if you want to be noticed.
Eau de Parfum: three sprays for most scents.
Soft scents like Qasida Purity: three or four is fine.
Heavy scents like Amjad Honour: two is enough.

Your nose gets used to a scent after a few minutes, so you will smell less of it than others do. That is why people overspray. If you can smell yourself clearly after an hour, you have probably used too much.

Do not rub your wrists

Rubbing wrists together warms the oil and breaks the top notes early. Spray, then let it dry. It is a small habit that makes the opening last longer.

Travelling with a big bottle

A 200 ml bottle is awkward to carry. If you want to take it on a trip, pour a small amount into a clean travel atomiser. Keep the big bottle at home. Every time you open a bottle, a little air gets in, so do not leave caps off.

How to store it

Perfume has three enemies: light, heat and air.

Light. Sunlight breaks down fragrance molecules and fades colour. Keep the bottle in its box or in a drawer.
Heat. Do not keep it in the car, on a windowsill or in the bathroom. A bedroom cupboard is better. 15 to 20 degrees Celsius is ideal.
Air. Close the cap fully after each use. Do not shake the bottle, as that adds air and can dull the top notes.

Kept like this, a bottle can stay in good shape for years. If you ever notice the scent turning sour or flat, or the colour going dark, the perfume has probably gone off.

Does a big bottle expire?

Perfume does age, but slowly. Many bottles stay good for three to five years or more when stored well. With a 200 ml bottle you are likely to finish it before it matters. Resinous and woody scents like those in the Amjad line tend to age well.

Making a scent last longer

Apply after a shower to moisturised skin. Use an unscented lotion first.
Spray on clothes as well as skin.
Choose a bottle with strong base notes. See how long FAAN perfumes last.

Where to start

If you are still choosing, read which FAAN perfume to choose. For an example of a bottle that rewards careful use, see the FAAN Amjad Honour page, and for a sweeter option see Qasida Signature. Both lines are in the full range.

Common mistakes

Spraying in a cloud and walking through it. Most of the scent lands on the floor.
Keeping the bottle in a steamy bathroom.
Testing a new scent on paper only. Skin changes everything.
Judging a scent in the first thirty seconds.

One spray or two on clothes?

Clothes hold scent longer than skin, so one spray is plenty. Spray from 15 cm and let it dry before you put the item on. Dark and delicate fabrics can mark, so test an inside seam first. Wash or air the item before you wear it again if you want a fresh start with a different scent.

If you want the fresh side of the range, look at Amjad Coral.