How to make perfume last longer
Six small habits that double a scent's day
Perfume fades for two reasons: the lightest notes evaporate first, and dry skin gives the rest nothing to hold on to. Most of what makes a scent last is therefore not in the bottle but in how you wear it.
Moisturise first
Scent clings to skin that is soft and slightly oily. An unscented lotion on the neck and wrists before you spray can add hours, especially in winter.
Spray where you are warm
The neck, behind the ears, the inside of the elbows: warmth lifts the scent gently through the day. Do not rub your wrists together; it crushes the top notes and shortens their life.
Let fabric hold it
A spray on a scarf, a coat lining or your hair brush lasts far longer than on skin, and keeps the opening truer. Test on a hidden spot first: some oils mark silk and pale cloth.
Most of what makes a scent last is not in the bottle
Keep it from light and heat
A bathroom shelf is the worst place for perfume: warmth and light break it down. A drawer or a cupboard keeps it as the house made it, for years.
Choose the families that last
Ambers, woods, resins and gourmands outlast citrus and fresh scents by hours. If you love fresh scents, carry a 5 ml atomizer and refresh at lunch; that is what it is for.