Imagine this: You’re dressed impeccably from head to toe, feeling as though you’re ready to conquer the world. As the final touch, you spritz your favourite perfume, enveloping yourself in a fragrant cloud of elegance and charm. You step out, receiving compliments on your captivating aroma. Hours go by, and suddenly, the reassuring whispers of your signature scent are gone. It’s faded away, much like the fog when dawn breaks. If you’ve ended up on this page, you’ve experienced the sadness of your perfume’s ephemera and want to understand and answer the question: “how to make perfume last longer?”
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The Wide World of Fragrances
Before we delve into the skilled art of increasing fragrance endurance, let us first get familiarised with the mysterious and glorious landscape of perfume. Perfumery has a rich and varied history, going back to early civilisations that used incense and aromatic herbs for religious purposes. Fast forward to the 21st Century, and perfumes have evolved into a symbol of luxury, a statement of personality and mood, and an essential part of daily grooming routines.
Perfumes are a meticulously crafted blend of ‘notes’, meticulously comprised of three layers: the top, heart, and base notes. The top notes are your first impression of a perfume; they’re light, exciting and evaporate quickly. Following these are the heart notes or mid-notes, the core of the perfume. Lastly, we have base notes, the foundation upon which the perfume is built. These rich notes are the ones that stick around for the longest and are usually revealed last.
A Look at Fragrance Concentration
Behind the myriad fragrances available in the market today, the science of perfumery dictates what makes one perfume last longer than the next. It’s all about the concentration of oils in the composition. There are four types of perfume concentrations that you may see most often:
In the art of perfumery, enduring fragrances are not merely purchased, they are masterfully created through personal ritual, understanding, and intention.
Perfume or Parfum: this is the highest perfume concentration. Perfumes have between 20% to 30% pure perfume essence and can sometimes go up to 40%. Given the high concentration of essence, perfumes will last the longest on your skin.
Eau de Parfum (EDP): Next in line is Eau de Parfum, with a concentration of 15% to 20% of perfume essence. This concentration is not only lighter but is also easier on the pocket compared to pure perfume. It’s a popular choice for daily wear.
Eau de Toilette (EDT): EDT’s have a concentration of 5% to 15% pure perfume essence. Light and invigorating, Eau de Toilettes are ideal for the daytime or office wear, owing to their subtlety.
Eau de Cologne (EDC): EDC’s have a 2% to 4% concentration of perfume essence dissolved in alcohol and water. The low concentration of essence is what makes Eau de Colognes refreshing, making them perfect for a quick burst of fragrance.
Now that we’re equipped with a solid understanding of the world of perfume, let’s delve into how you can make your favourite perfumes work harder and last longer for you.
How to Make Perfume Last Longer
Making perfume last longer starts with understanding when and where to apply. Here are some time-tested steps:
1. Choose the Right Perfume
The first rule of perfume longevity is to choose your fragrance wisely by considering its concentration. Extracts, Eau de Parfums, and Eau de Toilettes contain a higher amount of oils making the scents more powerful and long-lasting.
2. Apply After Showering
Perfume tends to last longer on clean and hydrated skin, and there’s no better time than fresh out of the shower. After a warm bath, your skin’s pores get opened up, absorbing the perfume more effectively, which will help amplify and extend its longevity.
3. Moisturise Before Applying
Applying body lotion or a body oil before your perfume can significantly increase the scent’s lifespan. The oils of the lotion or cream will help to lock in the perfume scent by creating another layer for the fragrance to hold onto. Make sure the lotion is unscented or the same scent as your perfume to prevent a clash between the two smells.
4. Aim for Pulse Points
If you’re aiming to make your perfume last longer, spraying on your pulse points is your best bet. Pulse points are the body’s hot spots where the blood vessels are closest to the skin’s surface. These points emit heat, which helps intensify the fragrance and diffuse it around your body. Next time, try to spray on your wrists, behind your ears, at the bottom of the throat, inside your elbow, and behind your knee.
5. Don’t Rub, Just Dab
Contrary to popular belief, rubbing your wrists together after applying perfume can degrade the scent faster. The friction created by rubbing heats up the skin, creating natural enzymes that can alter the scent of your perfume and reduce its life substantially. Instead, after spraying, let the fragrance dry naturally for a few seconds without rubbing.
6. Store Your Perfumes Correctly
Where you store your perfume can significantly impact how long it lasts. Heat, light, and humidity can all break down the compounds in a perfume, causing it to be less fragrant. To store perfume properly, keep it in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.
7. Layer Your Fragrances
The beauty of perfumes is that they can be layered to create a unique mix that lasts longer. Start with a body lotion or shower gel in the same scent, then apply the matching powder, followed by the perfume. Each layering will not only give the scent a more considerable depth but also assist in making the aroma last longer.
8. Fabric Spritz
If you wish to extend the life of your perfume, a handy tip is to spritz your perfume on your clothes, specifically, on the inside of your jacket or coat. Fabric fibres tend to hold scent longer than skin. However, before spraying, make sure your perfume does not leave a stain on the fabric.
9. Reapply If Needed
Perfumes inevitably wear off, and more so in hot climates. One workaround is to choose portable packaging or decant your perfume into a travel-sized atomiser. This way, you can refresh your scent throughout the day whenever needed.
9. Reapply If Needed
Perfumes inevitably wear off, and more so in hot climates. One workaround is to choose portable packaging or decant your perfume into a travel-sized atomiser. This way, you can refresh your scent throughout the day whenever needed.
10. Give Hair Perfume A Go
Believe it or not, but hair can hold perfume better than your skin. Hair strands capture the fragrance particles, making them last longer. You can even buy special fragrances designed for hair that are more subtle and contain less alcohol.
Conclusion
To enjoy the enduring embrace of your beloved fragrances from dawn to dusk and make them last as long as you’d like, you need not be at the mercy of the perfume that you choose to wear. Just like any art, mastering the longevity of a fragrance can be achieved by understanding the subtleties of perfume vernacular, selecting your perfume type wisely, applying it correctly, and taking good care of your collection. Simply put, the answer to “how to make perfume last longer?” is now in your hands. So, go ahead, breathe in the sweet triumph of fragrant endurance and make every day a special perfume day.
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Great tips! I’ve just discovered your Youtube channel, and I love it! Thanks for sharing your content and the day and life of a designer.
As a new Design student, I find your tips to be incredibly helpful, interesting, and inspirational. Keep up the great work! Thanks so much for your work both in the blog and on your YouTube channel.
I’ve just discovered your Youtube channel, and I love it! Thanks for sharing your content and the day and life of a designer! Great tips!