How to Make Your Perfume Last Longer

Apply it the right way

Fragrance holds best on skin that is warm and hydrated. A few small changes to your routine make a noticeable difference.

• Moisturise first: an unscented lotion gives fragrance something to cling to, since dry skin lets it evaporate faster
• Spray pulse points: the neck, behind the ears, the inner wrists and the inner elbows
• Don't rub your wrists together: friction breaks down the delicate top notes
• Spray after a shower, when skin is clean and pores are open
• Mist your clothes or a scarf lightly: fabric often holds scent longer than skin (test on an inconspicuous spot first)

Choose for the climate

Heat makes fragrance project strongly but evaporate faster. In summer, fresh and citrus scents feel comfortable, while woody, oud and amber bases have more staying power. Richer concentrations such as extrait de parfum generally last longer than eau de toilette.

Store it properly

Light, heat and air slowly break perfume down. Keep bottles in their box or a cool, dark drawer, away from sunny windowsills and steamy bathrooms, and always replace the cap. Stored well, a fragrance keeps its character for years.

Know when you've gone nose-blind

After a while, your nose stops registering a scent you wear every day, even when others can still smell it. Before you reapply, ask someone close, or wait a little. Over-spraying is the most common fragrance mistake.