Heidi Norton
Summer is a time to embrace the sun, sand and sea, but it can also be a challenge when it comes to keeping your favourite fragrance lasting throughout the day. The heat can cause perfume to evaporate faster, leaving you smelling less than sweet come sunset. So, how can you make your perfume last longer in the summer heat? There are several hacks to try, from choosing a fragrance with deeper notes to layering with an unscented moisturiser, applying to your hair and even storing your perfume in the fridge. Read on to discover the best tips and tricks to make your scent linger like a summer sunset.
How to make perfume last longer in summer
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of perfume | Choose perfumes with heavier, deeper fragrances with musky or woody notes. |
| Concentration of perfume oil | Higher the concentration of perfume oil, the longer it will last. |
| Skin | Apply perfume on hydrated skin. |
| Pulse points | Spray perfume on pulse points like the nape of your neck, wrists, ears, inner elbows, and backs of the knees. |
| Hair | Spritz your hairbrush with perfume and comb your hair. |
| Clothing | Spray perfume on clothes, especially outerwear. |
| Storage | Store perfume in a cool, dark place. |
| Spray technique | Spray a stream instead of a mist. |
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What You'll Learn
Choose a perfume with a higher concentration of oil
When it comes to making your perfume last longer in the summer heat, choosing a fragrance with a higher concentration of oil is a strategic move. Here's why this simple trick can make a significant difference:
Firstly, understand that the higher the concentration of perfume oil in a fragrance, the longer it tends to persist. This is because oils have larger molecules that take a longer time to break down and evaporate. As a result, fragrances with higher oil concentrations will evaporate more slowly, extending the lifespan of your scent. For example, Eau de Parfum typically contains between 10-20% perfume oil and can last up to 8 hours, whereas Eau de Toilette holds 5-15% perfume oil and usually lasts between 4 and 7 hours.
When selecting a perfume, you can often gauge its approximate concentration by its naming convention. If you're seeking a longer-lasting fragrance for the summer, opt for an Eau de Parfum over an Eau de Toilette. Additionally, some fragrances may be labelled as "Parfum," indicating an even higher concentration of perfume oil, typically ranging from 15% to 30%. These perfumes are likely to offer the longest-lasting power.
It's worth noting that while oil concentration plays a significant role in the longevity of a fragrance, other factors also come into play. The quality of ingredients, the skill of the perfumer, and the uniqueness of your body chemistry can all influence how long a scent lasts on your skin. However, by choosing a perfume with a higher concentration of oil, you're giving your fragrance a better chance to endure through the summer heat.
To maximize the staying power of your chosen perfume, combine it with strategic application techniques. Apply your fragrance to pulse points, which are the warmest parts of your body, such as the nape of your neck, wrists, inside of elbows, and backs of knees. Additionally, consider layering your perfume over a complementary unscented or lightly scented lotion or moisturiser, creating a hydrated base for the scent to cling to. This simple trick can further enhance the longevity of your chosen fragrance, ensuring you remain enveloped in your favourite scent throughout the summer days.
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Spray on clothes, not skin
One way to make your perfume last longer in summer is to spray it on your clothes, rather than your skin. This is because the rate of evaporation of perfume depends on three things: surface area, temperature, and airflow. Spraying perfume on your clothes reduces the surface area exposed to the air, thereby decreasing evaporation and helping the scent last longer.
When you spray perfume on your skin, the fragrance interacts with your body's natural heat, amplifying the scent and improving its projection. However, in hot and humid summer weather, this can cause the perfume to evaporate more quickly. By spraying it on your clothes instead, you can slow down the evaporation process and make your perfume last longer.
It's important to choose the right clothing fabric to spray your perfume on. Go for natural fabrics like cotton or silk, which tend to hold scents better than synthetic materials. Spray the perfume on the fabric in small patches rather than misting it all over, as this can lead to excessive evaporation.
Additionally, avoid spraying perfume on areas of your body that tend to sweat more, such as your wrists or neck. Sweat can alter the composition of the fragrance and cause it to break down faster. Instead, opt for drier areas like the inner elbow or behind the knees, or simply stick to spraying your clothes.
Finally, consider the type of perfume you're using. Perfumes with heavier, deeper fragrances that have musky or woody notes tend to have larger molecules that take longer to break down and evaporate. So, if you're looking for a scent that will last longer in the summer heat, opt for these deeper fragrances over lighter, fresher scents.
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Avoid pulse points
While pulse points are touted as the perfect places to apply perfume to make it last longer, there are some reasons why you may want to avoid them in the summer.
Pulse points are the areas on your body where you can feel your arterial pulse. They are the warmest parts of your body and include the wrists, the nape of the neck, the temples, the inner elbows, and the backs of the knees. Spraying perfume on these points helps to intensify its scent and boost its longevity as the warmth from these areas amplifies the fragrance.
However, in the summer, the heat can cause the perfume to evaporate faster. To counter this, you can avoid spraying on pulse points and instead, opt for spraying on your clothes, especially outerwear like shirts and tops. This way, the perfume has a lower chance of evaporating quickly and can last longer.
Additionally, spraying on the pulse points on your wrists may not be practical, especially if you tend to rest your wrists on surfaces like a desk, as the fragrance can easily rub off. Similarly, applying perfume to the neck area may cause olfactory fatigue as it is too close to the nose, resulting in constantly smelling the perfume throughout the day.
If you still want to apply perfume to your body, consider spraying on your upper back between your shoulder blades or on your lower back. These areas are less exposed to the sun and friction, reducing the chances of the fragrance breaking down and evaporating quickly.
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Moisturise skin first
Moisturising your skin before applying perfume can help to lock in the scent for longer. This is because dry skin can disrupt your fragrance and lessen its longevity. Moisturised skin provides a cushiony, nourished canvas for the perfume to settle onto, acting as a scent sponge that helps to hold the fragrance for longer.
To maximise this effect, opt for an unscented or fragrance-free moisturiser, as fragrance tends to cling to emollients. You can also use a complementary moisturiser from the same fragrance family as your perfume to intensify the scent.
Apply the moisturiser to your pulse points, which are the warmest parts of your body and the perfect places to apply fragrance. These include the nape of your neck, your wrists, the inside of your elbows, and the backs of your knees.
However, avoid applying perfume to sweaty areas of the skin, as this can alter the composition of the fragrance and speed up its evaporation. Instead, opt for less sweaty areas, such as the inner elbow or behind the knees, to make your scent last longer.
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Store perfume in a cool, dark place
Storing perfume in a cool, dark place is one of the best ways to make it last longer in summer. Heat increases the rate of evaporation of perfume, so keeping it in a cool place slows down this process. A refrigerator is ideal, but any cool, dark place will help to decrease the initial evaporation that occurs as soon as you spray the perfume.
In summer, the perfume molecules on your skin escape into the air more quickly, so keeping the perfume itself cool will help to slow this process down. The temperature is not the only environmental factor that affects how long your fragrance lasts—humidity, wind, and even your unique body chemistry can also play a role.
In addition to storing perfume in a cool, dark place, there are other ways to make it last longer in summer. One way is to choose a fragrance with a higher concentration of perfume oil, as this will evaporate more slowly. You can also apply an unscented lotion to well-hydrated skin before spritzing your perfume. Moisturised skin acts as a scent sponge, locking in your fragrance for longer-lasting allure.
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Frequently asked questions
Use a perfume with a higher concentration of oil, as this will evaporate more slowly. You can also spritz it onto your hairbrush and run it through your hair, as hair fibres are porous and can hold a scent well.
Lighter, deeper fragrances with musky or woody notes tend to last longer in summer than those with refreshing, citrus, floral or aquatic notes.
Apply perfume to your pulse points, such as your wrists, neck, inner elbows, behind the knees and the nape of your neck. You can also spritz it onto your clothes, especially if you're going to be layering clothes in cold weather.
Yes, apply an unscented or complementary moisturiser to well-hydrated skin before spritzing your fragrance. This provides a foundation for the scent to cling to.
Avoid rubbing your wrists together, as this breaks down the fragrance molecules more quickly. Store your perfume in a cool, dark place, and don't spray a mist—spray a stream instead.
