Fancy spritzing your not-inexpensive perfume every few hours to keep it fresh? Us neither, particularly during the warmer months, when heat and sweat make the scent molecules evaporate more swiftly. From both a practical and economical point of view, topping up fragrance all day just isn’t viable, but there are ways you can make a scent last longer…
The need-to-know
When it comes to longevity, not all fragrances are created equal. The length of time a perfume lasts will depend on a number of things. Firstly, the concentration of the ingredients. The higher the concentration, the longer the scent molecules will linger on the skin. If you buy an eau de cologne, for example, you’re looking at roughly 4-6%; an eau de toilette is 7-15%; and for an eau de parfum, it’s 15-20%. A pure parfum/extrait de parfum, meanwhile, is around 20-30% perfume concentrate.
Next, you need to look at the blend of base, heart and top notes, as this will also impact how quickly your perfume fades. If a perfume is top-note heavy – for instance, it has lots of lovely fresh citrus and herby notes but few base notes – it tends to be more volatile and evaporates fairly quickly. A fragrance with many complex base notes, on the other hand (such as our beauty ed Fleur’s favourite Narciso Rodriguez For Her, pictured above), will last longer, as woody, musky and resinous notes tend to be more stable and don’t burn off as quickly.
And, interestingly, where you live or the time of year is a factor, as climate affects scents fading. Hot and humid environments encourage fragrance molecules to evaporate more quickly, while cool/colder climates allow them to unfurl more slowly, meaning the scent is likely to linger longer in winter, for instance. Take note for your next holiday perfume pick.
For a fragrance with staying power, Fleur recommends those with plenty of fixative base notes such as musk, woods and resins (think amber and incense).
How to make your perfume last longer
While all of the above can help guide your selection, it doesn’t restrict it. If your choice doesn’t tick those boxes, or if you’re looking for ways to make perfumes you already have and love last longer, there are clever ways to slow down your perfume fading.
We spoke to Jackie Duignan, national training manager at the Clarins Fragrance Group, to find out her top tips…
Know the right places to spray…
If you normally just spritz your perfume aimlessly in the direction of your neck or chest, then you might not be helping it to smell its best for longest.
‘Heat is key in activating fragrance, so I would always advise applying your perfume to pulse points, such as behind the ear, the bottom of your throat or your wrists,’ says Jackie.
…but don’t rub your wrists together
It’s something we’ve watched women do for years, but it turns out rubbing wrists together after applying perfume isn’t a great idea.
‘It actually compromises the top notes and prevents the true fragrance from having a chance to settle into the skin and develop properly,’ explains Jackie.
Try layering your scent
Much like fashion, layering can be applied to perfume.
‘Fragrance layering is a great way to ensure your scent lasts longer,’ says Jackie. ‘It’s the process of applying fragranced body products, such as body wash and moisturiser, in the same scent. This enhances the effect of the perfume and makes it last all day.’
Many perfume brands offer body creams and washes (sometimes referred to as ancillaries) containing their fragrances, specifically developed to enhance the perfume itself. Christmas is a particularly great time to buy these, as many are available as gift sets costing little more than the fragrance alone (and, once on sale, the festive sets can even cost less than buying the perfume alone).
Invest in a hair perfume
As anyone who has enjoyed a day swishing their shampoo-fresh locks around will know, hair can hold on to fragrance pretty well.
‘Spraying into the hair is extremely effective, as the fragrance molecules latch on to the fibres of the hair, making the scent last longer,’ says Jackie. ‘However, alcohol in perfume tends to dry out the hair, which is why hair mists have become such a popular addition to the fragrance wardrobe.’ Consider it a more pervading way to wear your favourite scent.
Perfumes for long-lasting scent
Thierry Mugler Angel Fantasm Eau De Parfum
Love it or loathe it, the complex base notes (amber, coconut, patchouli) in the newest iteration of this 1992 classic mean it doesn't budge.
In this edition the signature For Her musk notes are given a luminosity with glorious white floral heart notes.
Amber at both the top and bottom of this scent give it longevity, while violet and magnolia give it a cool, powdery freshness.
Every time one of our beauty editor's wears this, she gets compliments. It's beautifully fresh and citrussy while also giving reassuring, lingering warmth.
We love this beautifully illustrated limited-edition of Diptyque's sea-spray-meets-full-floral Ilio fragrance in a hair perfume. Light and lovely and best in drier climes.
Everything this brand makes is beautiful. Ambre Épices is all golden amber, fragrant spices, and exotic loveliness.
