Many people are often disappointed when their favourite scents fade too quickly.
However, fragrance experts urge that there are effective ways to make almost any perfume last all day.
To ensure your fragrance leaves a lasting impression, Franchesca Villar, Beauty Editor at Cosmetify, has shared a range of tried-and-true tips to help your perfume stay put throughout the day.
These techniques will not only help you get the most out of a single spritz, but also to create a scent trail that’s sure to turn heads and earn you compliments wherever you go.
Apply petroleum jelly or moisturiser to your wrists and neck before spritzing
Most people carry a tin of Vaseline in their handbags, but according to Maria Mukaranda, the beauty editor at Cosmetify, this product doesn’t just work wonders in hydrating your lips:
“Petroleum jellies such as Vaseline create a barrier between your skin and the fragrance, preventing it from absorbing into the skin too quickly.
“This slows down the evaporation process of the perfume, in turn, making it last longer. The oils in both petroleum jelly and perfumes also bind together, which further enhances the perfume’s staying power.
“Simply apply Vaseline to your wrists and neck before spritzing perfume to achieve longer-lasting results. If you don’t have petroleum jelly to hand, similar results can also be achieved through moisturiser.”
Avoid rubbing your wrists together
When applying perfume, many people rub their wrists together to evenly distribute the product. However, Maria warns that this can actually detriment the potency of your perfume.
“Rubbing fragrance into your skin can actually break down the fragrance, making it less strong and long-lasting. It also creates friction and blends your skin’s natural oils with the perfume, distorting its scent.
“Instead, spray your perfume from around a 30 cm distance away. This will give it the best chance of staying put.”
Spray on your hairbrush
Having great-smelling hair is often just as desirable as having your body smell good. By spraying perfume on your hairbrush, you can create the illusion of having your favourite fragrance in shampoo form!
“To create a scent trail as you walk by, simply spray a spritz or two of perfume on your hairbrush and brush your hair as usual.
While a small amount of perfume on your brush is fine, Maria urges you to not spray perfume directly on your hair.
“Spraying perfume on your hair directly can dry out your hair, resulting in breakage, frizz, and split ends. A little spritz on your brush will give the desired effect without causing any damage.”
Apply to clothes
Another way to ensure your fragrance holds up all day is to apply it to your clothes. Fabrics tend to hold onto scents much longer than skin does, as they don’t produce oils that break fragrances down.
“Materials like cotton, wool, and cashmere retain fragrance well, allowing it to linger throughout the day.
“Just be mindful when applying to delicates such as silk or satin, as some perfumes contain oils that could stain or damage them.”
Layer with other fragranced products
To really make an impact with your fragrance, Maria recommends layering with other products with a similar fragrance profile.
“Using shower gels, lotions, and even body oils from the same fragrance family can help to build and intensify the scent. For instance, if your perfume has vanilla top notes, opt for vanilla-scented toiletry products too.
“The more layers of a scent you have, the stronger your overall scent will be.”
Apply following your shower or bath
After a warm shower or bath, your pores are opened up from the steam, making your skin more equipped to absorb fragrance.
“Applying your perfume directly after bathing can make a huge difference to its longevity. However, ensure that your skin is completely dry before applying perfume, as wet skin can dilute the scent.”
