Why Do Some Fragrances Last Longer Than Others?

2. The Notes Used In The Fragrance

Fragrance notes behave differently.

• Top notes are the first thing you smell. These will often include citrus, herbs, aromatic notes and light fruits. They are bright and attention-grabbing but they are usually quick to evaporate.
• Heart notes form the main character of the fragrance. These can sometimes be florals, spices, aromatics or soft woods.
• Base notes are the longest-lasting materials. These are typically heavier ingredients like amber, vanilla, woods, resins, leather and oud.

This is why fresh summer fragrances often feel more short-lived, while winter fragrances tend to last longer. It is not necessarily a quality issue but down to the chemistry and composition.

3. Your Skin Type

Fragrance behaves differently from person to person.

Dry skin, for example, can cause fragrance to fade more quickly because there is less moisture and oil for the scent to cling to. Well-moisturised skin often helps fragrance last longer which is why applying an unscented lotion or moisturiser is often recommended before applying your fragrance to help with longevity.

Skin temperature also matters. Warm skin can make a fragrance project more strongly, but it may also cause the lighter notes to evaporate faster.

4. The Weather

Heat, cold and humidity all affect performance.

In hot weather, fragrance can feel stronger at first because it evaporates more quickly. While this can make the opening more noticeable it may end up reducing the overall longevity.

In colder weather, fragrance develops more slowly. Heavier notes like amber, tobacco, leather and woods often perform well in winter because they have the density to cut through colder air.

5. Where You Apply It

Pulse points such as the neck, wrists and behind the ears are popular because they are warmer areas of the body but warmer areas of the body can make the fragrance evaporate more quickly.

2. Spray After Showering

Clean, slightly warm skin can help fragrance settle well. After showering, dry your skin properly, moisturise, then apply fragrance.

Avoid spraying onto wet skin as this can dilute the fragrance.

3. Do Not Rub Your Wrists Together

Rubbing your wrists together after applying fragrance can disturb the way the scent develops. It may also break down the lighter top notes more quickly. Spray on each wrist and let it dry naturally.

4. Apply To Clothes Carefully

Fabric can hold scent longer than skin can. A light spray on a jumper, coat or scarf can help a fragrance last throughout the day.

Be careful with materials like silk, white shirts or delicate fabrics, in particular when using darker perfume oils as some fragrances can stain.

How Many Sprays Should You Use?

For most fragrances, 2 to 4 sprays is enough. For some stronger scents, one can do the job very well.

A strong eau de parfum or parfum may only need 1 or 2 sprays. A light eau de toilette or cologne may need 4 or 5.

For an office setting, keep it controlled. For outdoor events, you can usually go slightly heavier. For dinner, travel or close-contact settings, less is almost always better.

The aim with wearing fragrance should always be to be noticed, never announced.