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Whether you’re getting ready for school or a date, figuring out how to make perfume last longer is one of the most thought-provoking parts of getting ready. As simple as it may seem, there are caveats.
How to apply perfume is often what we think about when we’re trying to make our perfume last longer. Spraying the fragrance generously is an obvious choice but can also result in some of it being wasted and the bottle emptying out quicker, which is not ideal, especially for those with higher price tags. For generations, the go-to tip was spraying the pulse points on the body, but they are often rubbed against each other, clothes, and things we interact with on the daily, which can result in some product coming off.
Getting your perfume to last longer throughout the day might actually take more than one step. Just like skin care, makeup and hair routines, having a perfume routine can make your fragrance more effective. However, that doesn’t mean it’s going to become a very time consuming part of your morning. Just a few small and easy extra steps can help a lot.
To make mornings easier and nights more fragrant, we asked experts how to make perfume last longer. Below, they shared the easy and convenient steps they take to prep the skin, apply perfume and reapply in order to smell like their favorite scents all day.
1. Pick Your Fragrance(s)
Before you choose a fragrance, be sure to give it some research. Some scents are stronger and bolder, while others are more subtle and delicate. If you feel like you can’t smell your subtle and delicate perfumes later in the day, but still prefer that type, you can opt for musky, salty, creamy, and more prominent florals like roses or lavenders and gourmands like matcha or grapefruit.
But why stop at one? Layering fragrances — opting to combine two or more different complimentary perfumes, lotions, primers, hair perfumes or other fragrance products — can help enhance scents and accentuate notes. In turn, this can create a stronger effect that lasts longer. “Mixing different layers together, that definitely helps with longevity because the combination together becomes more complex. Kayali founder Mona Kattan tells Teen Vogue.
Layering may seem like a daunting task, but it’s something has promoted across her fragrance brand and social media platforms. “See what you gravitate towards and just pay attention, like this plus this made you feel what?” Kattan says. “Because we really believe that you can mix different scents to create an emotion. So, for example, if I wanted to put in a Vanilla Candy with Yum Boujee Marshmallow, that's a super gourmand, very sweet, happy scent. If I wanted to use our Oud Collection with maybe even Fleur Majesty, that to me being very bold, very sexy, very sensual. If I wanted to go into the fruity florals, using Eden Juicy Apple with Sparkling Lychee — those are two very fruity floral scents — to me that would be kind of youthful, nostalgic and very energetic, bright and vibrant, a little bit flirty as well.”
If you’re not sure where to start, Kattan suggests a musk scent. “This is a great base to just start your foundation. Think of it as your primer before you put your foundation onto your skin.” She suggests finishing off with a mist too.
Ashley Boyce, co-founder of Noteworthy Scents, tells Teen Vogue, “Layering is your best friend. You can extend the overall profile of a lighter fragrance by pairing it with a fragrance that has a bit more depth to ensure the notes don't evaporate as quickly. For example, we recommend pairing our n,144 citrus perfume with n,818, which is a musk scent and can help ensure better longevity, and it's the perfect pair.”
Make sure that you’re also opting for perfume that’s in good condition too. Boyce says, “Store your perfume in a cool, dark place to preserve its quality.” Similarly, make sure it’s sealed properly.
2. Prep the Skin for Perfume
“For longevity, there's a lot of advice we can share,” Kattan says. “Number one, it'd be prepping your skin with a moisturizer, especially if you have dry skin naturally. If you have oily skin, you're kind of okay, but it's still better to prep.”
First and foremost, very dry skin can become irritated by perfumes. Plus, “fragrance clings better to hydrated skin, making it last longer,” Boyce says.
Board-certified dermatologist Omer Ibrahim, MD, FAAD of Chicago Cosmetic Surgery and Dermatology broke down the science for us. “Moisturized skin holds fragrance molecules better because oils and humectants create a surface that slows evaporation. Dry skin absorbs and dissipates scent more quickly, making it fade faster. Applying perfume over a lotion or oil (especially unscented) helps lock in the fragrance for longer wear.”
There’s plenty of options when it comes to priming with lotion. You can opt to layer fragrances by choosing a lotion with a complimentary scent. That adds more dimension and dynamic to your scent in addition to highlighting certain notes and creating a more unique scent.
Alternatively, you can use a plain lotion to highlight your perfume of choice or layer with just perfumes instead. You can use whatever you have in the house. Model and perfume aficionado Calum Harper previously told Teen Vogue that he opts for a vanity staple, Vaseline.
Or, choose a lotion specifically created for making perfume last longer. “We created a fragrance-free priming lotion designed to enhance longevity and intensity, acting as the perfect foundation for any scent. Infused with nourishing ingredients like coconut oil, sunflower seed oil, and shea butter, it hydrates while maintaining your skin’s moisture barrier, creating the ideal environment for your fragrance to flourish. Apply it before your scent to magnify its impact and ensure it lasts throughout the day,” Boyce says.
3. Where to Apply Perfume
Being strategic about where you put your perfume is also key to making it last longer. There are options but a great starting point is deferring to the age-old saying. “Focus on pulse points—wrists, neck, behind your ears, and inner elbows. These spots warm up and help project the scent,” Boyce shares.
Even when applying in those areas, being conscious about what spots you aim for can make perfume more noticeable. For example, Harper’s trick is to spray the back of his neck specifically so that people will smell the fragrance if he gives them a hug. EVNNE’s Hanbin uses a similar hack.
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For those who are on the move a lot, spraying a bit of perfume on clothes and hair, which often move with you and create a wafting effect, can be beneficial as well. “A light mist on your clothes can also help it last longer,” Boyce says. “Don’t forget your hair—it holds fragrance well and adds to the overall sillage.”
Just be sure to spray at a distance. Some perfumes with color or oil can stain your clothes. Likewise, perfumes with high alcohol content can dry out your hair if you are applying it often and directly. To be safe, you can also consider a fabric spray and hair perfume, which can be a further opportunity to scent layer if you’re still not sure about wanting to mix your main perfumes.
4. How to Apply Perfume
Although it seems counter intuitive, creating a bit of distance between your body and the spray nozzle can be a big help. That way, more surface area will be covered with less spritzes and the scent can waft around you a little more. Boyce recommends spraying from a few inches away.
The next step is practicing some patience and ignoring what you’ve seen in the movies. It may seem natural and picturesque to rub your wrists and neck after spraying, but you should actually do the opposite. “Let it dry down—don’t rub! That breaks down the scent,” Boyce says.
Allowing the first application to dry down is also important for layering. Kattan suggests letting the base layer dry down before adding another spritz into the mix.
5. Reapply if Needed
Reapplying once or twice when you have a particularly busy day is not too bad and can help save you in the long run. What Boyce calls a “midday refresh” can give you a much needed boost to take you from morning to afternoon and night without having to spray the same amount as you first did. Just give yourself a spray or two as needed. You can opt to mist your hair and clothes, or go for the pressure points again.
As some perfume bottles can be larger and heavier and carrying an expensive product around all day isn’t ideal, see if your favorite or complimentary perfumes come in tester or travel sizes and store them in your bag.
