Katrina Rosales
Many factors determine the strength and longevity of a perfume, including its concentration, the base notes, and the wearer's skin type. The concentration of perfume oil in a fragrance is typically what differentiates the various types of perfumes, such as parfum, eau de parfum (EDP), eau de toilette (EDT), and eau de cologne (EDC). Parfum, or extrait de parfum, has the highest concentration of perfume oil, typically between 20% and 40%, and is the longest-lasting type, with a duration of up to eight hours. Conversely, eau de cologne has the lowest concentration, usually between 2% and 5%, and lasts for one to two hours. To increase the concentration of a perfume, some people suggest removing the alcohol content, while others recommend choosing perfumes with stronger base notes such as amber, vanilla, musk, and wood. Additionally, preparing the skin with an unscented moisturiser before applying perfume can help the fragrance hold better and last longer.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| How to increase concentration | Choose perfumes with strong notes, such as amber, vanilla, musk, and wood |
| Avoid light aquatic or fruity scents with low % of essential oils | |
| Choose perfumes with high % of aromatic oils (15-20%) | |
| Prepare skin with an unscented moisturiser before applying perfume | |
| Use pulse points such as wrists, neck, and behind ears to release scent gradually | |
| Leave the bottle in a dark place for a week to increase potency | |
| Types by concentration | Parfum (20-40% concentration) |
| Eau de parfum (15-20%) | |
| Eau de toilette (5-15%) | |
| Eau de cologne (2-5%) | |
| Perfume mist/eau parfumée/eau sans alcohol (similar concentration to eau de toilette) |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing the right perfume
Understand your skin type and body chemistry
Firstly, it is crucial to understand your skin type and body chemistry. Factors such as the level of melanin and pH level (whether basic or acidic) play a significant role in how a perfume interacts with your skin. For instance, oily skin and dark skin tend to retain scents longer and often pair well with oriental and heavy fragrances, while dry, fair, and acidic skin may be better suited to citrusy, green, and woody notes.
Explore different scent families and notes
Perfumes can be classified into various scent families, such as floral, oriental, woody, or fresh. Each family is characterised by specific natural essences. By understanding these fragrance families and their layered notes, you can narrow down the scents that appeal to you and complement your body chemistry.
Consider the occasion and your personality
Think about the occasion and time of day when you plan to wear the perfume. Different fragrances can evoke different moods and emotions. For example, oriental fragrances with musk and vanilla notes can be sensual and perfect for date nights, while citrus fragrances are often energetic and ideal for daytime wear. Choose a scent that aligns with the mood you want to create.
Sample and test
When you find a perfume that interests you, don't be afraid to sample it. Spray a small amount on your wrist and let it evolve over a few hours. Avoid rubbing your wrists together, as this can alter the scent. If the fragrance still appeals to you by the end of the day, it might be the right choice. Remember, the same perfume can react differently on different people's skin, so it's important to test it on yourself.
Seek expert guidance
If you're new to the world of fragrances, don't hesitate to seek expert guidance. Visit cosmetic stores or department stores, and don't be afraid to ask employees for recommendations. They may be able to provide samples or guide you towards perfumes that match your preferences and personality.
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Preparing your skin
Moisturize
Moisturized skin retains fragrance better, so it is important to hydrate your skin before applying perfume. Use an unscented body lotion or oil-based moisturizer to create a barrier that helps hold the scent longer. Well-moisturized skin ensures maximum longevity throughout the day. You can also pour the last bit of fragrance from an almost-empty perfume bottle into unscented body lotion or hand cream to create your own custom scent and ensure nothing goes to waste.
Exfoliate
Exfoliating helps remove dead skin cells, creating a smooth surface for your fragrance to adhere better. Use a gentle scrub or exfoliating body wash to prepare your skin before applying perfume.
Pulse Points
Pulse points are warm areas of your body that help diffuse the fragrance throughout the day. These include your wrists, neck, collarbones, behind your knees, behind your ears, and inside your elbows. Spraying your ankles and calves allows the scent to rise throughout the day. Applying perfume to these areas will make the scent last longer and allow you to smell it whenever you feel like it.
Vaseline
Applying a small amount of Vaseline to your pulse points before spraying your perfume can help the scent last longer. The ointment provides a base for the fragrance to stick to, preventing it from evaporating quickly on dry skin.
Hair
Hair can hold perfume longer than skin because it is porous. You can spritz your fragrance onto a hairbrush and run it through your hair for a light scent that will not dry out your strands.
Clothing
While spraying perfume on your clothing can help the scent last longer, it may not provide the full accord of the perfume. Fabrics may catch only certain parts of the fragrance, altering the overall scent. Additionally, some fabrics may react to the chemicals in the perfume, causing stains.
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Using an unscented moisturiser
To increase the concentration of perfume on your skin, it is important to prepare your skin before applying the perfume. This is because dry skin absorbs perfume quickly, reducing its scent and durability.
One way to prepare your skin is to use an unscented moisturiser. Moist skin helps the fragrance hold better. If you have a moisturiser that has the same scent as your perfume, it will enhance its concentration.
Firstly, take a shower or bath and dry your skin. Your skin absorbs perfume better when it's warm, so taking a hot shower or bath will help. Make sure to dry your skin, particularly the pulse points, before applying the moisturiser, otherwise, it won't stick.
Apply a small amount of unscented moisturiser to your skin. You can use a small mixing bowl to mix the moisturiser and perfume together, or simply mix them together in your hand. The general recommendation is to use about five to eight sprays of perfume for every 1/3 cup of moisturiser. However, you may wish to use less perfume if you don't want your lotion to be too strongly scented.
Once you have applied the moisturiser, you can then spray your perfume onto your pulse points, such as your wrists, neck and behind your ears. This will help to release the scent gradually.
You can also apply the perfume to your clothes, which will help the scent to last longer. However, be aware that some perfumes can cause stains, especially the more concentrated perfumes with a darker, ambery colour. It is best to try it out on a small part of the clothing first.
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Applying perfume to pulse points
The wrists are one of the most well-known and common pulse points for applying perfume. The veins are close to the surface, making it a prime location for a quick spritz of your chosen scent. However, it is important to avoid rubbing your wrists together after application, as this can break down the fragrance molecules and reduce its effectiveness and longevity.
The neck is another popular pulse point. The carotid artery runs close to the skin here, making it an ideal spot for heat emission. A few spritzes on either side of the neck will allow the fragrance to radiate throughout the day.
Applying perfume behind the ears is also effective, as this area is near your face, where body heat is concentrated. This ensures that your scent is noticeable when people are close to you.
Other pulse points include the chest, which allows the scent to mix with your natural body chemistry and linger longer, the inner elbows, and behind the knees, especially when wearing skirts or shorts.
When applying perfume to pulse points, it is important to remember that less is more. One or two sprays per pulse point are usually enough, and you can always add more if needed. It is also recommended to moisturize your skin before applying perfume, as hydrated skin retains fragrances better.
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Storing in a dark place
Storing your perfume in a dark place is essential to keeping it fresh and preserving its scent. Light, especially direct sunlight, can break down the chemical structure of perfume, leading to changes in both scent and colour. UV rays are particularly harmful and can degrade the fragrance compounds. Therefore, it is best to store your perfume in lightproof containers. Dark glass bottles, such as amber or cobalt blue, are excellent choices as they block out most of the harmful light.
You should also avoid storing your perfume in areas with fluctuating temperatures, such as near windows, radiators, or in the bathroom. A consistent environment will help preserve the fragrance for a longer period. A good option is to store your perfume in a closet or cupboard outside of the bathroom. You can also keep it in its original box, as this can drastically increase the life of the scent. Additionally, keeping your perfume on a low-level shelf will prevent spills and breaks if the bottle falls.
If you want to display your perfume bottles, you can take some measures to minimise light exposure. You could invest in blackout curtains for your windows to reduce the amount of light entering the room. Alternatively, you could rotate your perfumes, keeping only the bottle you plan to use for the week on display and storing the rest in a dark place.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several factors to consider when selecting a perfume concentration. Firstly, decide if you prefer strong, noticeable scents or lighter and more subtle fragrances. Also, think about the occasion you will be wearing the perfume. For example, choose a lighter scent for outdoor activities or hot weather, and opt for a more sophisticated, long-lasting scent for formal events.
To increase the concentration of the perfume on your skin, ensure your skin is well-hydrated. Use an unscented moisturizer, or, if possible, a moisturizer with the same scent as your perfume to enhance its concentration. Dry skin absorbs perfume quickly, reducing its scent and durability.
Yes, certain perfume notes are known to be more stable and long-lasting. Notes such as amber, vanilla, musk, and wood provide a strong base for the fragrance, ensuring its stability even after the top and middle notes evaporate.
