Top tips for making perfume last on your skin and on the shelf

These tips for making perfume last will help you smell nice

 Photo by CC user monicore on Pixabay.

In order to make a perfume last longer, be it on the skin or on the shelf, there are a number of things that you should keep in mind in your question to be as stylish as possible.

Know your skin type

Perfume reacts differently depending on your individual skin type. Generally, people with naturally oily skin tend to experience a longer lastly scent than those with drier skin types. This is due to the oils of skin being able to hold the fragrance, providing more staying power. People with dry skin however, may find that the perfume evaporates more quickly from their skin therefore requiring them to re-apply perfumes more frequently throughout the day. But if you suffer from dry skin, fear not! There is a trick you can use to reduce the number of times you may have to apply your perfume. By using a fragrance-free moisturiser, you can create an additional layer on the skin which will help absorb and retain the perfume to create a longer lasting scent.

Alternatively, many perfumes can be purchased in a set which many include a shower gel and body lotion. It’s highly recommended to incorporate these products into your routine to create a layered foundation which will provide a longer lasting scent.

Concentration and application

When buying a fragrance, it’s important to understand the difference between eau de toilette (EDT) and eau de parfum (EDP). Eau de toilette tends to have an 8-15% concentration of essential oils. This means that they have a generally lighter scent in comparison to an EDP. EDT’s tend to be cheaper, but are more likely to require re-application over the course of the day. It’s also worth noting that many brands have designed the EDT and EDP equivalents of the same perfume to smell slightly different.

On the other hand, with concentration of essential oils at between 15-22% for EDP’s, you’re more likely to experience a longer lasting scent. The higher concentration in an EDP means that they usually require fewer applications, but you will need to pay more for the privilege.

In addition to concentration, the application or where you choose to apply your favourite scent is also important. When applying your signature scent, choose 2-3 pulse points on your body such as wrists, inner elbow and behind the ears and lightly spritz the fragrance on these areas. The heat generated by these pulse points will help to warm up the scent and keep you smelling sweeter for longer. It’s also worth remembering that heat rises so, if you can, try applying some perfume to your ankles or behind the knees. Another top tip is to never rub the perfume into the skin as this tends to break up the fragrance, reducing its staying power.

Storage

It’s important to remember that natural sunlight and fluctuations in temperature can reduce the lifespan of the perfume. So when it comes to looking after your signature scent, keep your perfume bottles out of direct sunlight and heat. Humidity can also accelerate the deterioration of a scent, so storing your bottles in the bathroom is not recommended. When the perfume is not being used, remember to keep the lids and bottle tops securely fastened to avoid allowing air into the bottle, which again can ruin the scent.

If you keep these tips in mind, you’ll be able to avoid spoilage and maintain the shelf life of your perfume. It’s also worth knowing that opaque or dark glass bottles help protect your perfume more so than a clear glass bottle would. In case it’s too late and you suspect that your perfume may have already expired, a change in scent, discoloration or thickening of the fluid are all tell-tale signs of deterioration. To avoid this disaster, it is recommended that you try and keep your perfumes in a dark, cool, dry place such as inside cupboards or even in the drawer of a wardrobe. Ideally, a location that has a temperature ranging between 13’C – 16’C and is out of direct sunlight.

We hope that these tips for making perfume last help you. Let us know your own hacks in the comments below…