Tips to Make Your Perfume Last All Day

A major concern for many when fragrance shopping is that they’d find the perfect perfume only to discover its longevity doesn’t meet their expectations. I have struggled with this a few times, especially when picking up a fragrance solely for its hype. I would go to the shop to pick up the fragrance, excited to wear it, and when I do, it barely lasts for a couple of hours.

To be fair, many fragrances I’ve bought happened to last long, but when they don’t, I feel incredibly disappointed. While I would have let that let me down in the past, I’ve since learned a few tricks to get over that little hiccup. Now, no matter what, I always find a way to make my perfume last long, and I’ll be sharing those ways with you.


Macerate Your Fragrance

This is a secret I learned from the perfume experts at V Perfumes. To be fair, while perfume maceration is becoming a more known step of fragrance creation due to TikTok, it is still mostly known amongst perfume creators and experts. 

While most fragrances come macerated from the factory, some still need that extra step. The next time you purchase a perfume and notice it isn’t lasting as long as it should, try keeping it uncapped in a wooden cupboard for a few months (after spraying about 5-8 long sprays). 

This causes some of the alcohol in the fragrance to evaporate, leaving you with a purer, more concentrated, longer-lasting perfume.


Prep Your Skin

This might seem obvious, but many underestimate the power of a good skin prep. Adding these few simple steps to your daily routine will not only make your fragrance last longer, but it will also keep your skin smooth and moisturized. If you ask me, it’s a win-win.

  1. Apply a body oil of your choice. I prefer unscented oils, but if you match your oil to your perfume, it will make the scent last longer.
  2. Lock in the moisture with a body lotion of your choice. The same applies here concerning scent matching. 
  3. Apply your fragrance after hydrating your skin with oils and/or lotions. I recommend you do this immediately after showering because your skin is clean, and your pores are open, causing it to cling to any scent you apply.

Properly Apply Your Fragrance

Applying your fragrance correctly is essential for longevity. Applying it directly to hydrated skin after a shower is one of the best ways to ensure it stays, but that alone isn’t enough. Apply your fragrance on your clothes (that is where it lasts the longest), and focus on the following pulse points/warm areas of your body:

  • Wrists
  • Neck
  • Behind the ears
  • Inside elbows
  • Behind knees
  • Ankles

Store Your Perfume Correctly

Direct exposure to heat and/or light might damage your product, leading to it smelling different and not lasting long. Store your perfume in a cool, dark, dry place to preserve it and ensure it remains performing well. I recommend storing it in your fridge (that is what I do). Otherwise, any wooden cupboard in your room will do. 


Choose the Right Concentration

Perfume concentrations include these main categories: Parfum and Eau de Parfum (EDP), which have higher concentrations of fragrance oils and last longer, and Eau de Toilette (EDT) or Eau de Cologne, which have lower concentrations and doesn’t last as long. Choose your fragrance according to occasion, season, and purpose of wear. 


Extra Tips:

  • Don’t Rub: Spritz your perfume and let it air dry naturally. Rubbing creates friction and can break down the scent, making it fade faster.
  • Layer: Use matching products like body lotions, shower gels, or oils from the same fragrance line to build the scent and make it last longer.
  • Reapply: Carry a travel-size fragrance or rollerball for touch-ups throughout the day.
  • Test Before Purchase: Fragrances react differently to different people. When buying a new perfume, test it to see how it reacts with your skin and whether its longevity meets your expectations.

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