You’ve found the ultimate perfume—the one that makes you feel beautiful and that you know will turn heads when you walk by people. You spray it on in the morning when you’re getting ready, and you’re feeling yourself. But after a few hours pass you can barely smell a thing! Have no fear, there are ways you can increase the longevity of your perfume.
Layering
Layering is not only effective in helping to make your scent last longer, but it is also fun. It involves putting one layer of fragrance on top of another.
Layering in its simplest form can be done using unscented lotion (or petroleum jelly) and spraying the perfume on top. The moisture in the lotion keeps the molecules in the fragrance from evaporating as quickly as they would on dry skin. We generally put on lotion daily, but be sure to focus putting your lotion on areas where you will apply your perfume, such as on your neck, wrists, inner elbows, and decolletage.
If you want to give your fragrance a boost, consider layering it with the companion lotion of the perfume. For example, gift sets often include a fragrance, lotion, and maybe even a shower gel. Clearly, your scent will be amplified by the double or triple whammy!
If you want to have a little fun, you can layer with a complementary lotion and create your own signature scent. A complimentary scent would be something that is a different fragrance than your perfume, but pairs well with it. The key is to make sure that your lotion is lightly-scented and does not overpower or throw off the scent of your perfume.
Spray it on your Clothes
Some people prefer to wear perfume on their clothes in order to avoid having their skin absorb the chemicals in the fragrances. This also has the two-fold benefit of making your scent last longer, as the fibers in your clothing hold onto the scent. It is especially beneficial if you are in a hot climate, as your skin’s natural oils and sweat can destroy the perfume. You can also spritz a little perfume on your scarf so the air can help diffuse your scent.
Consider Concentration
Most people don’t pay attention to the concentration of a perfume when they are buying it because they don’t understand the differences. It refers to the ratio of perfume oil/aromatic compound to the rest of the ingredients. Contrary to popular belief, a cologne is not the male counterpart of a perfume, it refers to this ratio. Colognes only contain 2-4% oil, while eau de toilette (EDT) has 5-15%, eau de parfum (EDP) has 15-20%, and parfum/extrait has 20-40%. Generally, the higher the percentage of oil, the longer it will last you and the more it will cost you.
Carry a Travel Size to Refresh
If all else fails or you just want to do it the easy way, carry a travel-size bottle of your perfume and spray it on as needed. Many gift sets include a full-size bottle and a travel size spray that will fit into your purse. Alternatively, you could purchase a travel atomizer and fill it with your perfume by taking off the cap and pumping the fragrance into it. Just be careful not to overdo your re-up. Sometimes we can be “nose blind” to a scent that we are wearing and can longer detect the scent, even though others can. Use good judgement, and spray in moderation.