How to Make Perfume Last Longer (9 Easy Tricks!)
Want to know how to make perfume last longer? You’ve come to the right place!
Want the secret to making your perfume last all day?
Have you ever put on a fabulous scent only to have it fade after a short period of time? This is a common dilemma that many perfume wearers face! Fortunately, we know a few ways how to make perfume last longer! Try out these tips to get your favorite scent to last from morning ’til night!
How to make perfume last longer when wearing it…
1. Apply perfume to clean and moisturized skin.
The best time to apply perfume is right after you’ve showered. This is when your skin is warm, exfoliated, and your pores are open. Your skin is also hydrated and moisturized which can help to lock in the scent. If you use an unscented moisturizer right before applying, that’s even better! Avoid applying perfume to dry skin as the scent seems to dissipate much faster.
2. One study showed Vaseline can help your perfume last longer.
Speaking of moisturizing, applying Vaseline or petroleum jelly before your fragrance may help the scent last longer. You might have even seen this hack doing the rounds on social media.
According to Pairfum London, this theory was backed up by a study conducted by the University of London and published in a journal called “Perfumery & Flavoring.” Many people agree that the hack works, including writer Anita Bhagwandas, who tested it out for The Guardian. We think it’s worth a shot!
Hip Tip: You can also apply unscented lip balm to the skin prior to applying perfume. It helps to lock in your fragrance with its waxy texture that warms up the skin. Throw a tube in your purse and reapply once throughout the day if you feel your fragrance is fading.
3. Choose a bottle with a higher concentration of perfume oil.
Each bottle of fragrance has a certain ratio of perfume oil to alcohol and water. For example, an eau de parfum, sometimes abbreviated as EDP, has a higher concentration of perfume oil than an eau de toilette (EDT). Eau de parfums tend to be more expensive, but the fragrance usually smells stronger and lasts longer than an EDT.
How long does perfume last? One way how to make your perfume last longer is simply to choose one with a higher concentration of perfume oil:
- Eau de cologne: Typically has around 2-4% perfume oil and can last around 2 – 4 hours.
- Eau do toilette: Typically has around 5-15% perfume oil and can last around 4 – 6 hours.
- Eau to parfum: Typically has around 15-20% perfume oil and can last around 8 hours.
- Perfume: Typically has around 20%-30% perfume oil and can last up to 24 hours.
4. Want to know where to spray perfume? Apply it directly on your pulse points.
Ever wonder why perfume is often applied on your wrist or a certain area on your neck? That’s because those are pulse points where your skin is the thinnest. They tend to be warmer areas of your skin that emit heat. Perfume, when warmed, is activated and it will radiate upward and begin to diffuse into the air.
Did you ever ask why do girls spray perfume on their ankles? It’s because the posterior tibial pulse point is located there. You’ll find it on your inner ankle just under the ankle bone. As fragrance rises when warmed, perfume applied to the ankles tends to linger longer. Should you be lucky enough to receive a foot massage from your partner, they’ll smell your scent there too!
If you want to know where to spray perfume, a few other pulse points to try are your wrist , your inner elbows, on your neck just under your jaw, over your heart, and on the back of your knees.
So, the next time you’re tempted to spray a cloud of perfume and just walk through it, don’t! Instead, intentionally apply your perfume to your pulse points and your fragrance should endure.
Hip Tip: How many sprays of perfume should you use? There is no set answer, but the higher the concentration, the less sprays you need. Two sprays should be enough for higher concentrations and you may want to use 3 or 4 for lower concentrations.
It’s best to test out your perfume at home to know how much you need. Your nose will get used to the smell after about a half an hour, so when in doubt, ask a friend if your scent is overwhelming or if you need to reapply.
5. Don’t rub your wrists together after applying.
Have you ever seen someone rub their wrists together after applying perfume? That’s actually a big no-no. The friction may cause the perfume’s molecules to break down faster thus impacting the overall fragrance profile.
5. Apply to your hair with a hairbrush
Perfume can sometimes last longer on your hair than on your skin. If you’d like to add some fragrance to your tresses, the best way to apply it is to spray it on your hairbrush. Then, gently brush your hair to transfer the fragrance. This helps you to avoid damaging your hair or having a scent that is too overpowering.
6. Layer your scents for a long-lasting aroma.
There is a reason that stores like Bath & Body Works and Victoria’s Secret offer their scents in many forms like body wash, moisturizing lotion, and body sprays. It’s because layering multiple products with the same fragrance is one simple way to make the scent last longer.
7. Look for fragrances with certain base notes.
Perfume usually has top notes, mid notes, and base notes. The top note can fade away after 15 minutes or so, while the mid notes will last for between 2 to 4 hours. Top notes are often lighter citrus or grassy scents that tend to fade fast. Mid notes, the real heart of the fragrance, are often floral like jasmine, rose, ylang-ylang or sometimes spicy scents like cinnamon.
It’s the base note that is intended to be the longest lasting so it’s important to choose a perfume that has a base note that can perform. Rich scents like woodsy or musky scents tend to have the depth and resonance needed to be the foundation of a perfume. According to FragranceX, look for base notes made of ingredients like white musk, sandalwood, patchouli, cedarwood, vanilla, and amber.
The bottom line? If your perfume is all citrus and doesn’t contain a powerhouse base note, don’t expect it to last all day!
Hip Tip: As top notes don’t last very long, it’s important not to judge your perfume on the first whiff. Before dropping big bucks on a fragrance, test it first and take note of how the aroma changes throughout the day.
8. If you have sensitive skin, consider applying your scent to fabrics (with a few caveats).
You can also apply perfume to fabrics for a subtle and lingering scent. When applying to fabrics, it is best to use perfumes that have a lower alcohol content so you don’t stain or damage your clothes. The downside of spraying on fabrics is that your skin won’t be able to warm the fragrance. However, you can spray a little on a scarf that you wear around your neck. It will create a little heat that can help the fragrance to diffuse.
9. Be mindful of where you store your perfume collection.
If you rarely use perfume, you can end up holding onto a bottle for a LONG time. Unfortunately, perfume can expire. You can tell a perfume has expired if it turns cloudy, darker, or has an odd scent.
So, how long does perfume last? According to experts, a bottle of perfume can last up to 5 years. However, many manufacturers suggest tossing a bottle after 1 to 3 years.
When you’re spending a pretty penny on one bottle, you want it to last as long as possible. There are a few tips to follow if you want to preserve your scents.
Here are a few ways to make your perfume bottle last longer:
- Keep your perfume bottles away from the light.
- Avoid humidity and store your perfume in a cool place.
- Use up the least full bottles in your collection first. The longer a bottle is partially empty, the greater chance oxygen has of entering the bottle and mutating the scent.
- Avoid shaking your perfume bottle as it can also allow oxygen into the bottle.
- Don’t transfer your perfume into a decorative perfume bottle as doing so can also allow air into the bottle that may alter the fragrance.
Hip Tip: If you’re down to the last drops of perfume and don’t want to waste them, consider pouring them into an unscented lotion to create a custom moisturizer of your signature scent!
Love this. Thanks for the helpful tips
You’re so welcome, Valerie! Glad you enjoyed this post! 🥰