Nothing is more disappointing than spraying a beautiful fragrance in the morning and not smelling it by noon. The good news is that a few small habits can make your perfume or cologne last hours longer. Here are 10 easy tips that really work.
1. Apply right after a shower
Fragrance lasts longest on clean, slightly warm skin. Pores are open and there's no old sweat or scent competing with your perfume.
2. Moisturize first
Dry skin absorbs and loses fragrance quickly. Applying an unscented lotion such as CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion before you spray gives the scent something to hold on to. This is one of the most effective tricks of all.
3. Spray pulse points
Apply to warm areas where blood flows close to the skin: wrists, the sides of the neck, behind the ears, inside the elbows and behind the knees. The warmth helps the fragrance gently release throughout the day.
4. Don't rub your wrists together
Rubbing creates friction and heat that breaks down the delicate top notes faster. Simply spray and let it dry naturally.
5. Choose a stronger concentration
The higher the concentration of perfume oil, the longer it lasts. Eau de toilette typically lasts a few hours, eau de parfum lasts longer, and extrait de parfum lasts the longest. Learn more in our guide to Eau de Parfum vs Eau de Toilette.
6. Pick fragrances with strong base notes
Woody, amber, vanilla, musk and resin notes are heavier and stay on skin much longer than light citrus. Long-lasting favorites include Maison Francis Kurkdjian Baccarat Rouge 540 Extrait, Tom Ford Lost Cherry and the warm, smoky Maison Margiela Replica By the Fireplace.
7. Spray your hair and clothes lightly
Hair and fabric hold scent longer than skin. Mist your hairbrush or spray once from a distance over your hair. On clothes, test a hidden spot first, since some fragrances can mark delicate fabrics.
8. Layer your scent
Using a matching body wash or lotion, or an unscented base, builds the fragrance in layers so it lasts longer and smells richer.
9. Store your bottles properly
Heat, light and humidity break fragrance down. Keep bottles in their box, in a cool, dark place, not in the bathroom. A well-stored perfume can keep its scent for years.
10. Carry a travel atomizer
For long days or evenings out, decant a little of your favorite scent into a small refillable spray bottle and refresh once in the afternoon.
Bonus: is your nose just getting used to it?
Sometimes your perfume is still there, but you've stopped noticing it. This is called nose blindness. Before you spray more, ask a friend if they can still smell it.
Find your long-lasting signature scent
Looking for a fragrance that lasts all day? Browse our Luxury Fragrances collection of authentic designer eau de parfum and cologne for men and women, like the iconic Dior J'adore Eau de Parfum. Free US shipping on orders over $70.