These basic tips will help you prolong the life of your favorite scent. Jonnie Swarbrick is the creative director of Fragrance Du Bois. She says that proper application ensures fragrance layers interact optimally with the skin’s oils and produce a unique smell for the wearer as well as anyone nearby.
Here are some tips from fragrance experts on how to choose the right scent.
Hydrate your skin
Applying unscented lotion to your damp skin after showering is recommended by experts. Moisturized skin is better able to absorb fragrance. Hydrated skin retains its natural oils and acts as a base to which fragrance can adhere. The scent profile of each person will be different if the natural oils are retained, says Marie du Petit Thouars. She notes that dry skin is rougher and has microscopic fissures which prevent the fragrance from sticking well. Make sure that your skin is completely dry before applying any fragrance. Excess water can dilute the fragrance and reduce its longevity.
Use the Pulse Points
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The heat of the body will activate the molecules in the scent when applied to the pulse points, such as behind the knees, the insides of the elbows, the wrists and the neck. This will increase the intensity and longevity. Courtney Somer is the CEO and founder at Lake & Sky. She says that pulse points are the areas closest to your skin where the blood vessels are. They help to emit scent and prolong its life.
Let the formula soak into your skin. Du Petit Thouars adds, “Don’t rub together your wrists as friction can cause the formula to change its molecules and accelerate evaporation. This will also alter the scent profile.” Pass on perfume clouds as well, since spraying fragrances into the air while walking through them can result in a lot of waste if any droplets fall on furniture or the floor. Swarbrick says that direct application of fragrance ensures it is concentrated directly on the skin, where the skin’s chemistry can be properly influenced.
Frank Voelkl is a senior fragrancer at Firmenich. He says that spraying behind the knees will create a subtler pulse point experience than spraying your neck. You’ll only get a whiff every now and again, rather than constant exposure.
Layering Fragrance
The scent will last longer when you layer it with body wash and lotion that have the same formula. It’s best to use scents from the same family, as the notes are more likely to work well together.
Spray some fragrance blotters or any stiff, textured cards with different scents and see if the two scents complement each other. Swarbrick says to spray the stronger fragrance first, then add the lighter scent on top so that the second scent doesn’t get overpowered. You can then see how the base or dry-down notes smell, and how long it lasts.
Voelkl says that the scents you layer have a lot to do with how long they last. If you apply a citrus scent, then add a woody musky note on top, the fragrance will last longer.
Control The Pump
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Some fragrance pumps spray a poof, while others use a continuous stream. Du Petit Thouars says that he recommends a maximum of three sprays and then waiting a few moments to add more spritzes to the fragrance. How can you tell if it’s too much? It’s hard to tell, but you can watch for certain signs, like if there is no other scent around you, or if your headaches or nausea are increasing. “Your personal fragrance should enhance, not mask, you and the environment around it,” says du Petit Thouars.
If you haven’t used your perfume bottle in a long time, give it a quick pump. The first spray may contain some oxidized perfume.
Use long-lasting scents
Du Petit Thouars says that base notes such as patchouli, cedarwood and musk are commonly used. They anchor the fragrance and add to its longevity. Three fragrances contain these ingredients in the bottom notes: Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Crush 62 Perfume Mist; Dime Dans Les Bois; and Guerlain Santal Pao Rose. Du Petit Thouars says that floral and citrus notes are more likely to appear in the top and middle notes, as they are more volatile and evaporative.
Frequently asked questions
Does synthetic or natural perfume last longer?
Natural fragrances may degrade and break down faster than synthetic alternatives because they use essential oils extracted from plant materials. Du Petit Thouars says that synthetic fragrances last longer because they are more chemically stable than a natural essential oils. “It is not the best example, but think of a bouquet made from plastic and one of fresh flowers. Which will last longer?”
How is a hair scent different from a conventional fragrance?
Du Petit Thouars says that hair fragrances are often made with less alcohol, and sometimes even no alcohol. This makes them an excellent option for people who have sensitive skin or dry hair.
Does it make sense to spray clothing with insecticides?
The natural oils in your skin can change your scent if you sweat a great deal. Certain fragrances can worsen sensitive skin or eczema. It makes sense in these situations to spray your clothes. Somer says that fragrances should not be used on fabrics such as nylon or polyester because they don’t retain scent well. Some materials, such as silk, can stain.
