Find that your mascara always smudges? Worry expensive perfume just won’t last? Concerned about constant concealer piling? Enter: Beauty SOS, here to solve your biggest beauty challenges.
There’s nothing more frustrating than discovering your all-time favourite fragrance has the staying power of an ineffective mascara in a thunderstorm. It’s even more annoying when said signature scent costs a small fortune – so keeping it in your bag and spritzing it throughout the day feels as though it’s akin to sprinkling pound coins around wherever you go.
Ever wondered why some perfumes last longer than others? You’re not imagining it. It turns out that certain fragrances really do have better staying power than others and it’s all down to how they are made.
Eau de toilette formulas contain a lower concentration of fragrance than eau de parfums, and therefore tend to wear away a lot more quickly. So, if you’re looking for a longer-lasting perfume, a powerful EDP is the way to go.
Then there’s the ingredients themselves: lighter, fresh, citrusy fragrances don’t tend to pack the same staying power punch as those headier, oud-filled scents, so it’s worth considering what you pick up.
But no matter what your favourite fragrance might be, if it’s not lasting as long as you’d like, don’t despair. After many years working as a beauty editor, I’ve been able to pick up some tips and tricks from fragrance experts about how to make your perfume last longer.
From straightforward hacks to nifty under-the-radar tricks – I’ve rounded up the top fragrance tips that help keep your perfume smelling strong for longer. Trust me, these are the ones that really work…
Beauty SOS: 6 expert-approved tips to make your perfume last longer
- Spritz perfume on your pulse points
Let’s start with the basics. Fragrances love body heat and our pulse points emit more warmth than other parts of the body, allowing fragrances to flourish.
So where should we be spritzing? The wrists, inside of the elbows, neck and cleavage are the warmest areas of our body and will carry the scent for the longest amount of time. Spay away in these areas and watch it make a difference to the staying power of your scent.
- Apply your fragrance right after you shower
Another seriously simple way of ramping up the staying power of your favourite perfume? Apply it straight after you shower. The combination of warmth and moisture on the skin will help the perfume cling better – allowing you to continue to smell it hours after you’ve applied it.
3. Layer your fragrances
If the first two methods aren’t quite cutting it, you might want to try layering your fragrance with a body lotion. First, apply a thick moisturiser to the skin before spritzing your fragrance on top. The emollient cream helps to trap the volatile molecules in perfume, slowing down their escape from the skin.
In my opinion, this really works. So much so that brands such as Jo Malone London has adopted this hack and often incorporate it into its fragrance launches. It calls it ‘fragrance layering,’ and suggests applying a scented body lotion to the skin before spritzing a contrasting perfume atop.
My favourite fragrance combo? Wood Sage & Sea Salt Body Cream, £56, Jo Malone London layered with Jo Malone London Forest Moss Cologne, £56, LookFantastic. As a combo, it’s fresh, free-spirited and lingers in the best way.
Similarly, if you adore one fragrance most, it’s worth investing in the corresponding body moisturiser for double the scented action.
4. Invest in accessories
Gone are the days where the only fragrance options you had were a 100ml bottle of perfume and a travel-sized rollerball. Fragrance accessories are big business, and they’re brilliant for allowing your signature scent to follow you throughout your day.
If you can’t get enough of your preferred perfume – why not add it into your daily routine. Ditch your go-to detergent and try washing your clothes with The Laundress Le Labo Rose 31 Signature Detergent, £47, Liberty to allow every fibre to be injected with its dreamy scent. It may be on the pricier side, but IMO, it’s totally worth it as it keeps you smelling delicious all day long during each wear. It can also just be used for select washes and special treats!
Alternatively, upgrade your hand cream to Blanche Hand Cream, £31, Byredo and treat yourself to a burst of fragrance every time you use it.
Need a quick refresh? Try spritzing Gisou Honey Infused Hair Perfume, £34, Selfridges through your locks. And if you’re feeling really boujee, you could even upgrade your car diffuser to the Diptyque Car Diffuser with Baies Insert, £80, John Lewis. After all, nothing says fancy like a Fiesta filled with fragrance, right?
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5. Make sure you’re storing your perfumes correctly
If you’re finding that your favourite fragrance has lost its oomph, it could be down to how you’re storing it. Fragrances break down when placed in sunlight, fluctuating temperatures and humidity – so it’s a good idea to keep your fragrances somewhere where they’re protected from the elements.
Think of a cool, dark cabinet – not on the side of your bathroom sink, no matter how much you want to show off that pretty bottle!
6. Embrace the cotton wool bra hack
The final fragrance hack I’m about to suggest to you comes from something my grandma does – it’s a tried-and-tested method that’s worked for many years.
Spray 4-5 spritzes of your favourite fragrance onto a cotton wool pad or little bit of tissue and pop it into your bra.
The warmth of your chest will help waft the fragrance away from your boobs while the saturated cotton wool will cling onto the scent way better than your skin would.
Yep, it might be old school – but trust me, it really works.
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