There’s nothing more frustrating than spritzing on your favourite fragrance in the morning, only for the scent to disappear by lunchtime. If you want your perfume to last all day (or at least longer than a few hours), you need more than just a few sprays—it’s all about applying it the right way.
Here are some tried-and-true hacks to ensure your scent stays with you from morning to night.
Moisturise first
Perfume clings to moisture, so applying it to dry skin will make it fade faster. Before spritzing on your fragrance, apply an unscented lotion or petroleum jelly (like Vaseline) to your pulse points. This helps trap the scent and slow down its evaporation.
Focus on pulse points
Your pulse points emit heat, which helps diffuse the fragrance throughout the day. The best areas to apply perfume include:
- Wrists (but don’t rub them together!)
- Neck (especially behind the ears)
- Inner elbows
- Behind the knees
- Ankles
Applying to these spots ensures your fragrance is evenly distributed and long-lasting.
Layer your scent
For a perfume that truly lasts, consider layering products from the same fragrance line. Many perfumes come with matching body lotions, shower gels, or even hair mists. By using multiple products in the same scent, you’re building a longer-lasting fragrance experience.
Spray on clothes & hair (but be careful!)
Fabrics hold scent longer than skin does. Spritz a little perfume on your clothes—just be mindful of delicate fabrics like silk, which can stain. Another trick is to lightly mist your hairbrush with perfume and run it through your hair. This ensures a subtle scent every time you move.
Pro tip: Be careful of spraying your perfume on your hair because the alcohol level can cause damage to your hair. Rather consider a specified hair perfume.
Store perfume correctly
Heat, light, and humidity can break down your perfume, making it lose its potency. Always store your fragrances in a cool, dark place—avoid keeping them in the bathroom where steam and temperature changes can affect them.
Use an oil-based perfume
Oil-based fragrances tend to last longer than alcohol-based ones because they absorb into the skin better and don’t evaporate as quickly. If your favourite scent isn’t oil-based, try layering it over a fragrance-free body oil for better longevity.
Apply right after showering
Damp skin absorbs perfume better, so the best time to apply your fragrance is right after you step out of the shower. The moisture on your skin will help lock in the scent, making it last longer.
Don’t overdo it
More isn’t always better. Over-spraying your perfume can lead to olfactory fatigue, where your nose stops detecting the scent even though others can still smell it. Stick to 2-4 spritzes and focus on strategic areas for the best effect.
Compiled by: Amy Steenkamp
First published by Woman and Home
Also see: Tips to organise your wardrobe correctly
