Have you found your signature scent, but oddly enough, it doesn’t last long on your skin? It’s probably because you’re making some very common mistakes when applying perfume.
With the festive season in full swing and our scents needing to last longer as we dance the night away, HuffPost UK spoke to Sophie Blackledge, Group Beauty Director at House of Fraser, to find out where we’re going wrong.
Prepare your skin
Sophie says: “To make your fragrance last longer, it’s essential to prep your skin first.
“Prep your skin by showering to make sure it’s free of sweat and oil, as this will help the scent adhere to your skin more easily. Avoid applying aftershave or fragrance before showering, as the steam and heat will likely cause them to fade.”
Sophie then explains that fragrance clings to moisturized skin, so make sure to apply a good layer of moisturizer after your shower.
“If you’re looking for a quick fix while you’re out and about, apply a petroleum-based balm to your pulse points before spraying. The sticky consistency will help the scent adhere to your skin more effectively, ready for a night out,” she adds.
Don’t forget to spray your fragrance in these places
When it comes to applying your fragrance, there are many different techniques that people rely on. From spraying and walking through the mist to rubbing your wrists together. However, these application techniques only waste your favorite scent or can affect its quality.
Sophie shares that the most foolproof way to make your fragrance last is by applying it to your pulse points.
Sophie says: “Spray your perfume or aftershave on your pulse points. This includes your wrists, neck, ears and even your elbows or knees. The skin is naturally warmer at these points and so when the heat reacts with the perfume it will naturally diffuse over time, helping the scent to last longer.”
Avoid rubbing your wrists
While it’s often normal to rub your wrists together after applying perfume, experts advise against doing so.
Sophie warns: “Rubbing your wrists together after applying fragrance is one of the worst ways to ruin the scent, as it can ruin the quality of the perfume. Instead, spray the perfume on your pulse points and let it settle naturally into your skin.”
That’s what they told us!
Store your perfume properly
The way you store your perfume can have an effect on its scent and its longevity on your skin.
Sophie advises: “Avoid placing perfume bottles on a windowsill or in a bright room, as direct sunlight can affect the quality of the scent as well as how long it lasts. Even if your perfume is within its best-before date, you may start to notice that it doesn’t smell right, or that it has separated or clouded, if it has been stored incorrectly.
“Instead, place fragrances in a cool, dry place, away from windows and heat sources.”
Respect the expiration date
Just like everything else, perfumes also have an expiration date.
Sophie says: “The scent of a perfume can evaporate over time if you’ve had it stored away for a while. Typically, the shelf life of a perfume is between 2-10 years. To avoid a weak scent, make sure to check the expiry date if you’ve had it stored away in your fragrance drawer for a while.”
Check the concentration
Making sure to check the ingredients in your fragrance can help you choose one that is more likely to last all day.
Sophie says: “If you want something to last all day, choose a perfume with an Eau de Parfum concentration. This will have a higher concentration of fragrance ingredients and therefore last longer on the skin.
“Alternatively, choose a full-bodied perfume with intense base notes. Look for fragrances with fresh top notes, such as bergamot, which works well during the day, but with warmer or woody base notes, such as sandalwood or vanilla, so they last on your skin through the night.”
Combine your aromas
“To create a signature scent, experiment with fragrance layering. Mix and match different scents to add extra depth or intensity to some of your favorite fragrances.
“Choose complementary scents, such as florals, to amplify the aroma or opt for contrasting scents by combining a traditionally more masculine fragrance profile, such as spicy scents, with floral notes to add a softer touch.
“Make sure to apply the strongest scent as a base and then layer the lighter scents on top, to avoid overpowering the more delicate notes. “
