Lance Carson
Knowing how to properly store perfume is essential to making the most of your favourite scent. The longevity of a perfume depends on several factors, including its concentration, the notes it contains, and individual body chemistry. However, regardless of the type of perfume, its chemical composition makes it a volatile substance that will naturally evaporate and oxidize over time, degrading as a result of environmental factors such as warmth, sunlight, and humidity. Therefore, it is important to store perfume in a dark, dry place, away from direct sunlight, and at a consistent temperature.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Application | Apply perfume to pulse points, such as wrists, and avoid rubbing them together. |
| Apply perfume to clothing, such as scarves, by spritzing from a distance. Avoid delicate fabrics like silk or satin. | |
| Moisturise skin before application, as fragrance clings to emollients. | |
| Avoid applying to underarms, as perfume has no antiperspirant or odour-banishing properties. | |
| Type | Oriental, Floriental, Woody, Leathery, Musky, Animalic and heavier white floral perfumes last longer due to heavier molecules that take longer to evaporate. |
| Eau de parfum is the most concentrated and will last longer compared to eau de cologne and eau de toilette. | |
| Storage | Store in a dark, cool, dry place with consistent temperature, such as a closet, drawer, or box. |
| Avoid humid areas, direct sunlight, and extreme temperatures. | |
| Keep perfume in its original airtight bottle with a spray head to prevent contamination with air. | |
| Travel | Use travel-sized bottles to avoid spilling or losing your perfume. |
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What You'll Learn
Store in a cool, dark place
Keeping your perfume in a cool, dark place is the best way to ensure it stays fresh for as long as possible. Sunlight and heat can damage perfume bottles and affect the scent inside, so it's best to avoid direct sunlight and store your perfume in a dark place, such as a closet or a box.
The ideal storage spot for perfume is somewhere that maintains a consistent temperature and is free of extreme humidity and temperature fluctuations. Bathrooms, for example, are not ideal for storing perfume due to their high humidity and temperature changes. Instead, opt for a closet, cupboard, drawer, or cabinet outside of the bathroom.
If you live in a humid environment, consider storing your perfume in a room with a dehumidifier, such as your bedroom. Alternatively, some people find success storing perfume in the refrigerator, as it maintains a consistent temperature. However, very cold fridges can damage perfume, so avoid doing this if your fridge frequently freezes items.
In addition to choosing the right storage location, it's important to keep your perfume in its original bottle, as decorative bottles can expose the scent to air and cause it to deteriorate. If you want to display your perfume, look for a shelf or container that is out of direct sunlight and maintains a consistent temperature.
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Keep the bottle sealed
Keeping the perfume bottle sealed is one of the most important things to do when storing perfume. Leaving a bottle unhinged for even a couple of hours can ruin the mixture's balance and catalyse its evaporation. The clock starts ticking after the first use, so be mindful of when you debut a new fragrance. Introducing a bottle of fragrance to oxygen causes the scent inside to dilute and become oxidised. With more oxygen and less scent in the bottle, it's only natural that the smell will diffuse.
The original bottles for all perfumes and colognes are made to be airtight and have a specific spray head to disperse just the right amount of scent and prevent contamination with air. However, taking the cap off your perfume will ultimately start the decay process of the fragrance. Therefore, it is important to keep the cap on the bottle and make sure it is firmly in place.
If you want to travel with your perfume, opt for travel-friendly bottles of your favourite perfumes before a trip, especially if you have to fly. If you can't find travel-sized bottles, buy an empty bottle and transfer the perfume there. Travel containers are a good idea because there is always a risk of losing your perfume while travelling.
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Avoid humid environments
Humidity can have a significant impact on perfume, causing unwanted chemical reactions that can ruin your fragrance. Humidity can also cause perfume to evaporate faster.
To avoid this, it is best to store your perfume in a cool, dry place. The ideal storage location is one that is free of temperature fluctuations and has low humidity. A closet or cupboard outside of the bathroom is a good option, as bathrooms tend to have high humidity and temperature fluctuations. If you have a room with a dehumidifier, this is the perfect place to store your fragrances.
When storing perfume, it is also important to keep it in its original box or a dark bottle to protect it from light exposure. Aim for low shelving to avoid accidental spills, which can be dangerous and wasteful.
Additionally, always remember to cap your perfume bottle tightly after use. Leaving the bottle open for even a short time can cause the perfume to evaporate faster and the fragrance to deteriorate.
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Moisturise before applying
Moisturising before applying perfume is a great way to make your fragrance last longer. This is because dry skin absorbs perfume quickly, causing it to fade faster. Therefore, moisturising your skin before spraying your perfume will help lock in the scent.
You can use an unscented lotion, body oil, or Vaseline to moisturise your skin before applying perfume. This creates a barrier on your skin, allowing the perfume to cling to it for longer. If you want to mix and match your scents, you can also use a fragranced moisturiser. However, it is best to avoid scented products that may interfere with your perfume's scent.
For optimal results, shower and pat your skin dry before applying an unscented moisturiser and then spritzing on your perfume. You can also try layering your perfume on top of a matching lotion or body oil for more prolonged wear. Many brands offer product lines that include perfume as well as coordinating body wash, lotion, or cream.
Additionally, you can apply Vaseline to your pulse points before spraying on your perfume. This will act as an additional moisturising lock for the scent, helping it to last even longer.
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Apply to pulse points
Pulse points are areas on the body where blood vessels are close to the skin, emitting more heat than the rest of the body. This warmth helps the fragrance molecules evaporate slowly, so that the scent lingers longer.
The wrists are perhaps the most common place to apply perfume. However, it is important to avoid rubbing your wrists together after applying perfume, as this can break down the top notes of the perfume and affect the way the scent develops on your skin. Instead, gently dab if needed. The inside of the elbow or wrist is a good option when testing out a new scent.
The neck is another well-known pulse point. The back of the neck is a good option if you don't want to constantly smell your perfume throughout the day. The area directly behind the ears is also effective and ritualistic, as the perfume will wind up in your hair, contributing to its range and longevity while guaranteeing an all-day diffusion.
Other pulse points include behind the knees, which is a great option when wearing skirts or shorts, and the torso, which can create unique scent trails that linger in unexpected ways.
It is important to note that not all pulse points are equally effective, and some are more subtle while others project more boldly. Additionally, it is recommended to moisturize your skin before applying perfume, as fragrance lasts longer on hydrated skin.
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Frequently asked questions
Store your perfume in a cold, dark, and dry location, away from direct sunlight and any room with harsh temperature changes, such as the bathroom. Keeping perfume in warm and humid environments can cause the fragrance molecules to break down and the scent to weaken.
Eau de parfum is the most concentrated type of perfume and will last longer compared to eau de cologne and eau de toilette. Parfum is the most potent and concentrated scent offering, with a very high perfume oil content and less alcohol. Scents with rich, strong base notes will also linger longer into the night compared to fresh, light scents.
Spray perfume on your pulse points, including your neck, wrists, behind your knees, the bend of your elbows, and your ankles. These areas produce more heat, which helps the scent radiate upwards. Spraying perfume directly on the skin also makes it last longer than spraying it on clothes. However, you can also spray perfume on your hairbrush and comb it through your hair.
Moisturized skin absorbs the perfume’s scent more effectively, so apply a moisturizer (body oil or body lotion) before spritzing on the perfume. You can also apply petroleum jelly or unscented lip balm to target areas before applying perfume, as the waxy texture will help the scent last longer.
