There is nothing more frustrating than finding the perfect perfume, but the fragrance doesn’t last as long as you’d like. There are different factors when it comes to the longevity of a fragrance. How long a scent lasts on you, depends on the quality, ingredients that make the perfume, where you apply it, and what type of fragrance concentration you’re using. Perfume, for both men and women, can be expensive, so you want to get the most out of it. I’ll share some tips and hacks to make your fragrance last longer and get the most out of your favorite scent.
Know The Lingo
Perfume bottles and packaging can be confusing, so knowing the science, ingredients, and concentration behind each fragrance type can help you pick the right scent.
When shopping for long lasting fragrances, check to see whether the packaging says eau fraîche, eau de toilette, – eau de cologne, eau de parfum, or parfum. Each one of them has a different concentration of perfume oil which affects the quality and longevity of the fragrance.
EDP (eau de parfum) concentrations, and parfum concentration, for example, are usually the fragrances that last all day.
Stronger fragrances will have a higher concentration of perfume oil, meaning they are usually the fragrances that last all day.
Fragrance Concentration from low to high
Eau fraîche are water-based fragrances. It has a 1 – 3% concentration of perfume oils and doesn’t contain large amounts of alcohol. The low concentration means that the smell will fade after a couple of hours of wear.
Eau de Cologne is also mostly – water-based and has a 2 – 5% concentration of perfume oils. If you are looking for subtle less strong fragrances this is the go- to; its smell does not last longer than a couple hours.
Eau de Toilette has a higher concentration of perfume oil. With about 5 – 15% odorous substance and higher alcohol content, the smell will last a little longer.
Following is the Eau de Parfum; the most popular concentration and longevity. It also has a high alcohol content but it comes with a 15 – 20% concentration of perfume oils. When it comes to Eau de Parfum, think of fragrances like Rihanna’s famous Fenty Beauty EDP that just restocked. This is one of the quality fragrances that will stick on you all day. Since it’s a strong scent, you don’t need to spray much of it, so one bottle will last you a while.
Parfum is the most expensive and rare fragrance option as it has the highest concentration of perfume oils at 20 – 40% and the most longevity. 20% is the most common concentration in the fragrance category. It comes in low quantity and small bottles because a little of this parfum goes a long way!
When considering perfume concentrations, it’s all about preference. However, if you find that the fragrance you’ve been using lacks longevity, then perhaps it’s time to upgrade the type and quality of your fragrance.
Spray Your Clothes And Hair (But Sparingly)
Now that we’ve figured out the science and composition of fragrances, we’ll look into where to spray or apply perfume to make it last longer. Spraying your perfume on your clothes and – your hair can be a great way to make the scent last longer. The fibers in your clothes and hair can hold onto the oils in your perfume a lot better than your skin. Typically it’s not healthy to spray fragrance into your hair because of the alcohol content, but spraying it from a distance and around you is less harmful.
Apply Perfume to the Right Places
Pulse points are areas on your body that are a bit warmer than the rest. They are key areas that will help disperse the scent throughout your body. Body parts like your wrists, elbows, and neck, behind your knees, and below your midriff are the best places to apply perfume. Spraying your favorite smell in these areas will help diffuse the fragrance across the rest of your body.
Layer Your Products
Perfumes – last nearly twice as long when combined – with lotions or oils. When layering, make sure the lotions and oils used are either fragrance-free or – have a scent that compliments your perfume. You definitely don’t want to layer a bunch of smells that don’t harmonize. Adding a few spritzes or drops to – your favorite lotions or oil and applying them to your body can help the fragrance last on your skin.
Tips to extend the shelf-life of fragrances
Don’t place your Fragrances in direct Sunlight
Do not leave your perfume sitting in direct sunlight. Prolonged exposure to the – sun can cause the fragrance molecules to break down and evaporate more quickly. This cuts down the shelf life of the fragrance, leaving you unable to enjoy your signature scent when you need it most. To ensure that your fragrance lasts throughout the day, be sure to store it away from – direct sun or heat, such as near windows or hot air vents. Put your perfume in a cool, dark place like a closet or drawer to preserve the oil concentration and make it last longer.
Keep Your Perfume Out of Your Bathroom
Keeping your perfume in your bathroom is a seemingly appropriate place to store your favorite fragrances. However, steam from your shower breaks down the chemicals in your fragrance and weakens its scent over time. Store your perfume in a cool, dry place to ensure its longevity.
Smelling clean and fresh throughout the day is a must. On those long days where you a long event or don’t have time to refresh, it helps to have a reliable and long lasting fragrance in your collection. Knowing that you smell good and can depend on a fragrance to keep its strong scent all day, can boost your confidence and make you more attractive.
With just these few tips, you’ll be able to stay smelling great from sunrise to sunset!
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