Written by Tiff Benson
Image by @pernillaehrenholm
Listen, I know the struggle is real. You want your fragrance to last longer, but it seems to disappear somehow. You’ve sprayed on the prettiest fragrance an hour or two before you meet your girlfriends for brunch or a hot date, and the moment you finally arrive, it’s gone like the wind— literally. Of course, it always disappears when you need it the most.
Now, I could give you different perfumes that last longer, but then, they might not suit your tastes, personality, or body chemistry. If it works, it works. If it doesn’t, you have to search for fragrances that work for you, but this doesn’t guarantee that they’ll always last longer.
So what should you do instead?
It’s simple. Stick to what works. Regardless of whether a fragrance lasts long or not, there’re sure-fire ways that you can make it last longer than it already does. I’ve listed some tips and tricks below to help you get the most out of every fragrance that you love. And they’re pretty easy to do too.
How to deal with it?
Nothing last forever, so let’s just start the conversation right there. I hate to break it to you, but some scents just don’t last— that’s the sad reality. Does that mean your favourite fragrance is rendered useless because it doesn’t last? Not at all!
When I go out, I tend to reach for brands that I know last longer, like Tom Ford, Chanel, Dior, and Parfums de Marly. But if you’re like me and you have experimental taste, you may reach for scents off the grid, and sometimes, not all the time, off-the-grid scents tend to underperform. Not to worry. I recommend travelling with a travel-size fragrance for on-the-go occasions. To be honest, I do this all the time. I never miss an opportunity to re-spritz. And you shouldn’t either! If you feel like your fragrance is fading or want to be topped off in its fragrant goodness, carrying a travel-size scent for on-the-go is a must.
Also Read: Creating an Unique Atmosphere with Home Fragrance
Spritzing after Showering
Any time is a good time to put on a fragrance, but it’s best to apply after a steamy, hot shower. That’s when your skin is primed and perfect— a clean canvas with open pores just waiting to be spritzed with a fabulous scent from your fragrance collection. Just make sure you’re applying it to clean, dry skin. Spritzing on wet skin eliminates perfume’s ability to stay on your body, and drying yourself off with it will definitely wash it away.
After Moisturizing
Take the lasting power of your fragrance to the next level by spritzing it on moisturized skin! Moisturizers, lotions, and creams serve as an excellent base for your fragrances to stay on and last longer.
Create a “sillage” moment
In an ideal world, putting perfume on your body should have you smelling amazing all day long. But if it doesn’t, here is how you can cheat the system. Unlike your body, your hair and clothes don’t emanate heat to make your fragrances evaporate, and they’re pretty absorbent too. This makes them the perfect base to make your perfume last a whole lot longer.
Some scents may contain alcohols that could cause damage to your lovely locks or apparel. But a spritz or two from a far enough distance should do the trick. When they move, your fragrance moves, and suddenly you’ll be able to smell the scent all around you— just like that! So spray both your hair and your clothing (carefully), and don’t overdo it. This creates beautiful moments of “sillage” — the French word for a scent trail left in the air. Trust me, this tip works like a charm every single time!
Spritz, don’t rub
Fragrance is meant to be revealed in layers— top notes, middle notes, then base notes. Smashing your wrists together (the “dab” or “rub”) doesn’t just diminish the quality of your fragrance notes but could also disrupt its overall fragrance profile. If it doesn’t dull the top notes of your perfume, the added heat could also accelerate evaporation.
Point perfumes at pulse points
As the name suggests, your pulse points are the areas where you can feel your pulse the strongest. These areas are also where your body emanates the most heat. When aimed here, your fragrances can easily react to the natural fluctuations of your body temperature — enhancing the sillage and overall performance of the perfume. If you aren’t sure where these are, you can target your wrists, nape of the neck, back of your knees, inside of the elbows, behind your ears, and décolleté.
So, what now?
Try everything!
You won’t know what works best for you until you give it a try. While experimenting with different methods and scents may take some time, when you get it down, you won’t just have a better understanding of fragrances, but you’ll also get to know more about yourself in the process.
Most times, your personality might define the perfume you wear, but if you find the right fragrance, your perfume could easily define you.
Who knows?
You might just surprise yourself.
