Make Your Perfume Last Longer With These 8 Expert-Approved Tips

1. Hydrate Your Skin Before Applying. 

Starting with the right application makes sure your fragrance will last all day. Perfumes tend to latch on better to hydrated skin, since it gives your scent a cushiony, nourished canvas to settle onto. Keeping your skin well-moisturized will help you hold on to your fragrance longer: Consider using an unscented moisturizer to give your fragrance a neutral base, or lean into your perfume with a moisturizer of the same scent. For best results, Valdes recommends applying your perfume right after your shower routine. 

2. Don’t Rub Your Wrists Together

Believe it or not, rubbing your wrists together after applying perfume isn’t what experts recommend. While the act may help you immerse yourself in the fragrance, rubbing perfume into your skin crushes its delicate scent molecules—meaning the scent will be altered and fade faster. Instead, apply your fragrance to your wrists (plus any other areas you’d like) and let the formula sit and set into your skin. Think of it as letting your scent “marinate.”

3. Reach for a Long-Lasting Formula

Fragrance comes in varied intensities, and the type you choose will determine how long it lasts. Lighter fragrances, like body mists and scented body lotions, have a much shorter lasting time than eau de toilettes or eau de parfums. A eau de parfum typically has a higher concentration of perfume oil in comparison to an eau de toilette, which is often lighter and more subtle in fragrance. Valdes also recommends reaching for a scent with strong base notes, like spicy and musky fragrances such as this Lueur De La Ville Fragrance by NICOLE MILLER, which features notes of red berries, vanilla, and musk amber. 

4. Spritz Onto Bare Skin

Catching a whiff of your favorite scent on your clothes is dreamy, but applying your perfume to your wardrobe won’t necessarily help your perfume last. It’s best to apply your fragrance straight to skin, since fragrance smells best and lasts the longest when able to mix with the natural oils of your body. 

5. Apply to Your Pulse Points

Fragrance reacts to heat, and applying to your pulse points—some of the warmest parts of your body—can help intensify and release scent throughout the day. Spray your perfume to your wrists, the nape of your neck, the insides of your elbows, and the back of your knees to elevate your fragrance. 

6. Avoid Dry Heat and High Humidity 

Perfume wears best on nourished skin, so it’s important to avoid dehydrating environments with dry heat, low humidity, harsh winds, or intense sunlight. Exposing your fragrance to these conditions can cause it to evaporate much more quickly, meaning it won’t last for long. That said, if you’re headed somewhere with this kind of weather (like the beach), you’ll want to carry a travel-sized version of your perfume for top-ups. 

7. Spray Your Fragrance Onto Your Hairbrush

Once your perfume settles onto your skin, intensify its scent by spritzing some onto your hairbrush and running the brush through your hair. This extra application will create a magical veil of fragrance around you—and if you feel the need to refresh your scent, just toss your hair a bit.   

8. Layer Different Scents

Layering perfumes to create your personal scent will ultimately increase the impact and wear of your fragrance. Valdes recommends considering your personal style and experimenting with different scents to figure out your favorite combination. “Avoid solely relying on fragrance trends, and instead focus on what feels authentically you,” she adds. Choosing scents with complementary fragrance notes can help you concoct a unique fragrance profile—while also boosting your scent’s longevity. Try pairing your favorite body mist with an eau de parfum, or experiment with layering your eau de parfums to create a veil of long-lasting fragrance. This FRESH Holiday Bundle includes two of the latter, so you can blend notes of lily jasmine with Hesperides grapefruit to create a citrusy floral aroma.