How to make your Perfume last longer

How to: Make Your Fragrance Last Longer

So you finally found a fragrance that matches your unique personality . Whether it's a new spritz, or you fell back in love with an old favorite, you've probably realized by now that while the first whiff is great, your scent diminishes as the day goes on. Luckily, it doesn't have to be that way: We gathered together our tips, plus ideas from the pros—Christina Kucukyan of Juliette Has a Gun and Mandy Aftel, creator of Aftelier Perfumes and author of Fragrant—to make your scents last and last.

Use a High Oil Concentration

If you're looking for a scent to truly stick around, for starters, check out our guide to fragrance terminology and make sure you’re wearing a perfume or eau de parfum, which has the highest concentration of essential oils (read: the higher the percentage of concentration, the longer they last!).

Store Wisely

When it comes to storing fragrances, it’s all about location. “Don’t keep [your perfume] in your car,” says Kucukyan, or in damp places like your bathroom counter. Instead, stow scents in a cool, dry place. Love to showcase a special bottle with a gorgeous design or want easy access to an everyday favorite on your vanity? Just make sure to keep them away from a window with direct sunlight.

Spray Strategically

We all know the basics of fragrance application—a splash to the wrists, a dash behind the ears—but if your goal is staying power, you may want to consider some less orthodox spots. Kucukyan recommends the stomach and the back of the neck, heat-radiating zones that keep your scent alive throughout the day. Aftel loves to mist her hair, which acts as a fixative for your favorite scent (haven’t you ever noticed how your favorite shampoo tends to linger?).

Layer for Longevity

To ensure your fragrance lasts from dawn to dusk, Aftel suggests layering a liquid scent like Joie's Folle de Joie on top of a lightly scented body oil like OUAI Rose Hair & Body Oil, which creates a base for your liquid scent to hold onto. You can even use Vaseline or an unscented body lotion of your choice.

Re-Apply When Needed

Lastly, consider warming up to the idea that fragrances weren’t meant to last forever. In fact, there’s something romantic about the reapplication process, which Aftel likens to “taking a mini vacation.” You can also keep a travel-sized version of your favorite scent in your bag for a quick pick-me-up throughout the day.