Caring For Your Fragrances: Tips For Longevity And Quality

Knowing how to care for your fragrances is essential to ensure they last as long as possible. The first step is to make sure you're applying your fragrance correctly. This means drying yourself off after a bath or shower, using an unscented body wash or soap, and applying your scent to your inner elbows, wrists, knees, collarbone and neck. You should also avoid rubbing your fragrance into your skin, as this can interfere with the drying process and alter the aroma.

How to apply perfume

Applying perfume is an art, and there are several steps you can take to ensure your fragrance lasts longer and smells as good as possible. Firstly, it's important to prepare your skin. Take a shower or bath and dry your skin completely. Use an unscented body wash or soap, or one with a very light scent, so your perfume doesn't clash with it. You can also apply an unscented body lotion before spraying your fragrance.

When you're ready to apply your perfume, hold the bottle 5 to 7 inches (13 to 18 cm) away from your skin. Spray or dab the scent onto your inner elbows, wrists, knees, neck, and collarbone. You can also try putting it on your belly button or behind your ears.

Once you've applied your perfume, leave it to dry naturally. Avoid rubbing it into your skin, as this can interfere with the drying process and alter the aroma.

How to store perfume

To store perfume properly, it's important to keep it away from direct sunlight and artificial lighting. Excessive amounts of light can damage the fragrance. Instead, store your perfume somewhere dark, cool, and dry.

You can also keep perfume in its original box, as these were made to hold the aromatic elixir within. Storing a bottle within the original box can drastically increase the life of a scent. If you want to extend the life of your favourite fragrances even further, you could keep the bottle in the original packaging and put it inside an air-tight bag. This ensures that no air or light will reach the bottle, ensuring little levels of oxygen and direct light.

You can also store some fragrances in the fridge, depending on their type. The cold temperature of a fridge can soil a perfume's delicate chemical balance, but cologne and eau de toilette have a more robust chemical make-up.

How to layer perfume

To layer perfume, it's important to start with a clean base. Take a shower or bath and dry your skin completely. Use an unscented body wash or soap, or one with a very light scent, so your perfume doesn't clash with it. You can also use a non-scented body lotion before spraying your fragrance.

Apply your perfume to your inner elbows, wrists, knees, collarbone, neck, belly button, and behind your ears. Hold the bottle 5 to 7 inches (13 to 18 cm) away from your skin when spraying. Avoid rubbing the perfume into your skin, as this can interfere with the drying process and alter the aroma. Instead, leave it to dry naturally.

You can also layer your perfume with other products, such as rollerball scents, deodorants, and mists. Look out for gift sets in your favourite fragrances, as they often come with matching body care products.

Remember that the way a fragrance smells can vary from person to person, depending on factors such as skin type and body chemistry. Always check the label or ask an expert for advice on how to get the most out of your perfume.

How to make perfume last longer

To make perfume last longer, it's important to prepare your skin before applying the scent. Take a shower or bath and dry your skin completely. Use an unscented body wash or soap, or one with very little scent, so your perfume doesn't clash with its smell. You can also apply a non-scented body lotion before spraying your fragrance.

Apply the scent to your inner elbows, wrists, knees, neck, collarbone, belly button, and behind your ears. Spray the perfume 5 to 7 inches away from your skin.

Avoid rubbing the fragrance into your skin, as this can interfere with the drying process and alter the aroma. Instead, leave it to dry naturally.

You can also try layering your fragrance with rollerball scents, deodorants, and mists to make the scent last longer.

How to avoid common perfume mistakes

To avoid common perfume mistakes, it is important to know how to care for your fragrances. Firstly, it is recommended to use an unscented or lightly scented body wash or soap, so your perfume doesn't clash with its smell. You should also dry off completely before applying your scent, as it may rub off or evaporate faster while you're drying.

Another common mistake is rubbing the fragrance into your skin. While it may be tempting to tap your wrists together after spraying your scent, it interferes with the drying process, which can bruise the fragrance's notes and alter the aroma. Instead, leave your fragrance to dry naturally on your skin.

Additionally, it is best to bathe or shower before applying perfume to cleanse and freshen up your skin. This helps to wash away any odours that could change the way your fragrance smells and creates a beautiful canvas for it to settle into.

Finally, always check the label or ask an expert on how to use the fragrance to its fullest potential. Different fragrances may have specific instructions or recommendations for application and storage.

Frequently asked questions