Let’s set the scene…
You’re looking unreal for your night out out. Your makeup is flawless, your hair went up a dream and now all your outfit needs is a spritz of scent to grab some additional attention.
However, there’s just one problem.
An hour or so later, you can hardly smell your delicious perfume at all.
Eurgh, don’t you just hate it when that happens? I mean, you might as well have not put it on at all!
Thankfully, as a big fragrance lover, I’ve found some solutions. Read on to find out how to make perfume last longer.
(AD – please note that this post was produced in collaboration with Copycat Fragrances and contains affiliate links, but all opinions are my own. For my full privacy policy, click here.)
How to make your perfume last longer 101: be careful where you store it.
A lot of beauty mavens take extra care to store their daily essentials in the right place, but many of us don’t do this with our fragrances.
The trick is to avoid keeping perfume anywhere that might be humid or damp. Why I hear you ask? Well, the elements can break down the ingredients and weaken the overall scent.
This means no bathroom cupboards, gals!
Before you even purchase a perfume, be sure to ask for a sample.
How come? Well, sampling gives you the chance to road-test fragrance throughout the day and see just how long it really lasts for.
Oh, and ask for recommendations too and browse the reviews online. After all, existing customers often report back on longevity and potency. True story.
Did you know that some fragrances contain a higher concentration of ingredients, which means they’ll last longer?
Okay, fair enough – you might have to pay more for these sustainable types. But a bonus? You’ll use less with every application.
Winning.
Yes, really! Isn’t it fantastic that your faithful wonder-pot of Vaseline also helps to lock in the scent on your skin?
Simply dab it on the spots you’re about to spray your perfume and spritz away.
If you’re wondering how to apply perfume, aim for the pulse points of the neck, wrists and inner elbows to successfully smell like heaven.
One of the most important tips when it comes to how to make perfume last longer: even though it might be tempting at times, always refrain from shaking up your perfume bottle.
Why? Well, this lets air inside, which can affect the quality of the ingredients and subsequently diminish the scent. Not cool.
A common misconception when it comes to applying fragrance is that you should rub your wrists together to spread the scent around.
In actual fact, this is a bizarre tradition that actually forces the glorious top notes to dissipate faster than they would naturally. Boo.
Instead, let your perfume air-dry instead.
As I mentioned earlier, the last thing you want to do is allow bland perfume to ruin your Insta-worthy evening look.
To combat this, make sure you store your fragrance bottles out of sunlight. This will ensure that those great aromas stay potent for longer.
Sounds good, right?
Another tip that beauty fanatics might not know about how to make perfume last longer: moisturise the chosen area before you apply your perfume to it – and before you apply any vaseline!
Generally speaking, the idea behind this is that oily skin retains scents far better than dry skin.
My advice? Avoid scented moisturisers specifically, as these types can impair the aroma of your fragrance.
Let’s be real for a second. It goes without saying that if you buy a cheap scent from the local market, expect to get what you pay for.
On the other hand, you can opt for designer (or designer-inspired), high-quality fragrances that will last the test of time.
Timeless classics like Chanel’s Coco Mademoiselle or Copycat Fragrance’s Bleu de Chanel are good choices, as they go with virtually any look.
No, I’m not talking about wearing winter woollies here.
Instead, did you know that you can use two (or more) quality fragrances together to create a complex, longer-lasting effect?
Be warned though; the perfumes should always compliment each other.
For example, an exotic scent like Jo Malone’s Velvet Oud and Rose would work brilliantly with another sensual fragrance like Maison Francis Kurkdjian’s Baccarat Rouge 540, but would clash with a fruity, fresh perfume like Tom Ford’s Neroli Portofino. If in doubt, test them out.
FOUNDATION – M.A.C “STUDIO SCULPT” / CONCEALER – ESTEE LAUDER “DOUBLE WEAR” / BRONZER – BENEFIT “HOOLA LITE” / BROW GEL – RIMMEL LONDON “BROW THIS WAY” / EYELINER – KAT VON D “TATTOO LINER” / LIPSTICK – M.A.C “VELVET TEDDY” / TOP – VALLEY GIRL (similar)
Perfume hacks are hard to come by; that said, once you know about them, you can easily incorporate them into your daily routine.
It’s true that we often focus on nailing our clothes and make-up, but we should remember that fragrance is just as important, especially after the sun goes down.
After all, your scent is one of the first things people notice about you; and if you’re smelling divine, it’ll get heads turning.
What are your top tips when it comes to how to make perfume last longer? Let me know in the comments!
Katie Davies is the Yorkshire-based freelance writer who founded The Trendy Tourist. In the last three years, she has written for over 100 companies on a range of subjects, from fashion to marketing. When she’s not producing content, you can find her shopping, exploring a new place or sitting somewhere having a cup of builder’s tea.