Antonio Mcgowan
The idea that perfumes need to be left to rest before use is a myth. Perfumes are ready to be enjoyed as soon as they are purchased. However, some perfumes may benefit from resting if they have undergone extreme temperature changes during transit. In such cases, a day or two should be enough for the fragrance to settle. Some people also believe that perfumes can improve with age, much like wine, and choose to let them rest for weeks, months, or even years. This is a matter of personal preference.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose of letting perfume rest | To allow perfumes to settle after shipping and/or heat changes |
| Resting period | A few days to a few weeks or months |
| Ideal environment | Cool, dark, dry area |
| Types of perfumes that benefit from resting | Natural perfumes, perfumes with deeper notes, natural isolates, and resins |
| Factors influencing the resting period | Materials used, number of ingredients, type of ingredients, and how they interact |
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What You'll Learn
- Perfumes with natural components may need to rest after experiencing extreme temperatures during shipping
- Some perfumes may need to rest for a few days after opening to settle
- Resting perfumes for weeks, months or years is a personal preference, akin to ageing wine
- Perfumes with deeper notes and natural resins tend to improve over time
- A rested perfume may allow you to pick up on nuances that you missed earlier
Perfumes with natural components may need to rest after experiencing extreme temperatures during shipping
The resting period allows fragrances affected by temperature fluctuations to settle and return to room temperature. This usually takes a day or two, but some perfumes may need a couple of weeks to a month to rest. The optimal environment for fragrances to rest is a cool, dark, and dry area.
Some people may also choose to age their perfumes, which is a personal preference, similar to aging wine or liquor. Aging can refine and improve the scent, especially for perfumes with deep, dark, earthy, and resinous materials. However, not all perfumes will change, and some may not change for the better or to your taste. Aging a perfume can take weeks, months, or even years, depending on the desired outcome.
Additionally, some perfumes may benefit from a resting period even if they have not been in transit. This could be due to other heat changes, such as leaving the bottle in a hot car for an extended period.
Overall, resting a perfume allows it to return to its intended scent after experiencing extreme temperatures or other disturbances during shipping or storage. This is especially relevant for perfumes with natural components, which may be more sensitive to these changes.
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Some perfumes may need to rest for a few days after opening to settle
While perfumes are typically ready to be enjoyed as soon as they are purchased, some perfumes may need to rest for a few days after opening to settle. This is especially true for perfumes that have undergone extreme temperature changes during transit, as temperature fluctuations can affect a perfume's scent. In such cases, letting the perfume return to room temperature and sitting for a day or two can help improve its scent.
Additionally, perfumes with natural components are more susceptible to changes in temperature and pressure during shipping, which can cause disruptions. For this reason, it is recommended to let perfumes rest for a week if they were shipped via ground shipping and up to a month if they were shipped via priority mail.
The resting period allows the perfume's ingredients to meld and develop, enhancing the overall fragrance. Some perfumes, especially those with deeper notes, natural isolates, and resins, tend to improve with time. However, not all perfumes will change, and some may not evolve to your taste. The decision to let a perfume rest is a personal preference, and some people may choose to do so if they feel the perfume has not smelt quite right upon first use.
The resting period can range from a few days to a few weeks, depending on the perfume's ingredients and your personal preference. Some sources suggest that a week is a good resting period, while others recommend up to four weeks as an initial rest period. It is worth noting that the resting period is not just for the perfume but also for your nose to get accustomed to the scent and better appreciate its nuances.
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Resting perfumes for weeks, months or years is a personal preference, akin to ageing wine
Resting perfumes is a common practice, but it is not always necessary. Perfumes can be enjoyed as soon as they are purchased, but some people choose to let them rest for a few days, weeks, months, or even years. This practice is similar to ageing wine, as it allows the perfume to refine and develop a more nuanced scent.
The resting period for perfumes can vary depending on personal preference and the type of perfume. Some people recommend resting perfumes for a couple of weeks to allow the ingredients to blend properly. Others suggest that a month is usually a good limit, as it may not smell great if it hasn't improved after that time. However, some perfumes can benefit from longer resting periods, especially those with deeper notes, natural isolates, and resins.
The purpose of resting perfumes is to allow them to recover from shipping and temperature changes. Extreme temperatures and low cabin pressure during shipping can disrupt the scent of perfumes, especially those with natural components. Resting allows the perfume to return to room temperature and settle, improving its scent and longevity.
Additionally, resting perfumes can help to refine one's sense of smell. By exposing oneself to the scent over time, one's nose can better detect nuances in the perfume that may have been missed earlier. This spaced exposure to the scent can enhance one's appreciation and understanding of the perfume.
Overall, resting perfumes is a matter of personal preference. While it is not necessary, it can be beneficial for certain perfumes and can lead to a more enjoyable scent experience. The optimal environment for resting perfumes is a cool, dark, and dry area, as temperature and light can impact their longevity.
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Perfumes with deeper notes and natural resins tend to improve over time
The idea that perfumes need to be left to rest before they are ready to be enjoyed is a common misconception. In most cases, perfumes are exposed to extreme temperature changes during transit, and they only need to be left to rest for a day or so to return to room temperature. However, some people prefer to age their perfumes, much like ageing wine or liquor, to refine the scent.
When a perfume ages, the concentration changes due to oxidation, and the top and middle notes vanish first, leaving behind the heavier base notes. This is why perfumes with deeper notes tend to improve with age—the base notes are more powerful and long-lasting. However, not all perfumes will change for the better, and some may not change to your taste. Additionally, perfumes with natural resins may benefit from resting because the resins need time to settle and blend properly.
To ensure that your perfumes age gracefully, it is important to store them properly. Perfumes should be kept in a cool, dark, and dry area, such as a wine cellar, wardrobe, or dark box. Exposure to warmth and sunlight can cause the perfume to degrade and may even make it smell unpleasant. Additionally, avoid decanting your perfumes into decorative bottles, as this will expose the fragrance to oxygen, breaking down the compounds and reducing its impact.
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A rested perfume may allow you to pick up on nuances that you missed earlier
Allowing a perfume to rest can enhance your experience of it. While perfumes are ready to be enjoyed as soon as they are purchased, resting a perfume may allow you to pick up on nuances that you missed earlier.
Firstly, it is important to note that the resting period is not an industry standard. The idea that a perfume always needs to be "rested" in order to be experienced correctly is a myth. In most cases, the only time a perfume needs rest is if it underwent extreme temperature changes in transit, in which case it would be better after returning to room temperature. A day or so of rest is plenty of time for fragrances affected by temperature fluctuations to settle back down.
However, some people believe that letting a perfume rest for a couple of weeks allows its ingredients to settle and meld, enhancing its scent. This is especially true for perfumes with natural components, which can be disrupted by extreme temperatures and low cabin pressure in airmail shipping. The outside temperature in the cargo hold of a plane at cruise altitude can reach around -60*F. Therefore, it is recommended to let a perfume rest for a month if it was shipped via priority mail, and a week for ground shipping.
Additionally, some perfumes, especially those with deep, dark, earthy, and resinous materials, can benefit from ageing, much like wine or liquor. Ageing a perfume is a matter of personal preference, as some perfumes may not change for the better or to your taste. However, perfumes with natural isolates and resins tend to get better over time. Allowing a perfume to rest and age can help to refine its scent, creating a more nuanced and complex fragrance.
Overall, while not necessary, resting a perfume can allow you to appreciate its nuances and subtleties, enhancing your fragrance experience.
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Frequently asked questions
Perfumes with natural components can be disrupted by extreme temperatures and low cabin pressure in airmail shipping. Resting allows perfumes to recover from shipping transit and/or heat changes.
The time varies depending on the type of perfume and the materials used. Alcohol-based perfumes may not require rest, but they smell best when not too warm or cold. Some perfumes should rest for a couple of days, while others can rest for weeks, months, or even years.
Store your perfume in a cool, dark, dry area.
