How to Make Perfume Last Longer So You Smell Great All Day

There's a good chance your daily routine consists of you spritzing your wrists and neck with your favorite bottled scent. While it may be obvious at first, you've likely noticed, at some point in the day, that lingering scent seems to vanish. Figuring out how to make perfume last longer can come in handy any time, but especially for special occasions where you really want to smell your best. This can include romantic dates, parties, or selecting a special wedding perfume.

After all, it's not always practical to carry your fragrance around, spraying it midday when you feel like the smell is no longer there. Instead, focus on learning what makes perfume last longer so that you can figure out which ingredients to look for, the best type to buy, and exactly where and how to spray it. Read on to find out all the perfume tips and tricks from fragrance experts.

In this article:

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• How Long Does Perfume Last?
• How to Make Perfume Last Longer
• FAQ About Making Your Perfume Last Longer

How Long Does Perfume Last?

There's no set answer on how long perfume can last. The amount of time your fragrance will linger depends on the type of perfume you're using. "Your average fragrance will last about four to six hours, with lighter eau de toilettes and sprays on the lower end and perfumes on the higher," explains Stephanie Khodzhayan, fragrance developer and founder of Mini Moods Perfume. She adds that stronger perfumes can last even longer, up to eight or even 10 hours.

It's also important to consider natural perfumes, which include zero synthetic fragrances or fragrance extenders—instead, they're made up of ingredients like all-natural botanical essences and absolutes. "A botanically derived perfume can last anywhere from two to six hours if made with a balanced composition of base notes, heart notes, and top notes and applied properly," says Alexis Rose, natural perfumist, certified aromatherapist, and the founder of LILFOX. "It is much more challenging and incredibly expensive to get staying power from a 100% botanically derived fragrance."

Other factors can affect how long a perfume lasts. According to Rose, hot and humid climates can make a fragrance last less, while colder climates can extend the fragrance's life. Skin type can also make a difference.

Ingredients are another big factor. You'll find that warm, woody fragrances like sandalwood or patchouli usually last longer than citrus or floral perfume. "This is due to the scent molecules of each note," Khodzhayan explains. "Woodier scents evaporate slower, thereby lasting longer than citrus or fruit scents." She also notes that perfumes with oil bases tend to have better longevity than alcohol-based perfumes since oil stays on the skin longer.

How to Make Perfume Last Longer

While there's no foolproof way to make a perfume scent last longer, there are some things you can do to extend the life of your fragrance once sprayed on. This includes considering the type of fragrance you're using, applying it correctly and making note of the ingredients.

Moisturize Skin Before Application

When your skin is too dry, fragrance can dissipate faster. Before you apply your perfume, make sure the area you're applying it to is well-moisturized. Khodzhayan recommends applying an unscented lotion or oil before applying your perfume. "Some even swear by Vaseline or Aquaphor for a super hydrating base," she adds.

Apply to the Right Spots

You may have been taught to apply perfume to your pulse points, like your wrists and neck, and that's definitely accurate advice. But Khodzhayan also says you should apply it to the inside of your elbows, right behind the ears, and your décolletage. "Avoid applying on your hands or legs as these areas do not hold fragrance well," she says.

Spritz Your Clothes and Hair

If you're going to be wearing the same clothes all day, it's a good idea to spray those, too. "I love to spray scents lightly onto clothes," Rose says. "Just make sure the perfume will not stain any lighter-colored clothing or delicate fabrics." She also points out that hair spritz has "the longest staying power." Try spraying some perfume onto the ends of your hair for what Khodzhayan calls a "scent halo," but try to pick an alcohol-free fragrance so it doesn't dry out your strands.

Use the Right Type of Fragrance

Not all fragrances are created equal—the type you use can affect how long the scent lasts or how strong it is. Rollerballs or solid perfumes offer longer wear but a closer scent, according to Khodzhayan. "Spray perfumes create a wider, more noticeable fragrance but tend to fade faster," she says.

While they seem similar, body sprays or mists, eau de toilette and perfume are all a little different. It comes down to their fragrance concentration, Khodzhayan explains. The higher the fragrance concentration, the stronger the scent because each spritz will have more fragrance in it. Body sprays and mists have a small fragrance concentration, and perfumes have a higher one. A perfume oil is much more concentrated, but because they are worn directly on the skin, the scent isn't as obvious to others as a spray perfume.

Dab Instead of Rub

Do you spritz perfume on your wrists and then rub them together for staying power? This actually isn't the best idea. "Rubbing them together degrades the scent molecules," Rose says. Instead, gently pat your perfumed pulse points or let it dry naturally to get the most long-lasting scent.

Layer Scents With Other Products

If possible, use your perfume with other products with the same scent. "I love to layer scents with the scented body cleanser and moisturizer," Rose says. If you're feeling bold, you can also try layering multiple fragrance scents. If you plan on trying this, Rose recommends doing so with earthy and woodsy fragrances to create a more complex scent profile.

Store It Properly

Be mindful about where you're keeping your perfume whenever it's not being used. "Perfume must be stored in a dry and dark area, especially if it's of botanical origin, so as not to degrade the precious botanicals," Rose says.

Reapply Often

It sounds obvious, but it's worth repeating: Reapply your perfume throughout the day whenever possible. "Ultimately, fragrance is formulated to evaporate," Khodzhayan points out. She recommends reapplying the same fragrance or transitioning to another one. You can always carry around smaller, travel-size bottles or rollers since that's more practical than toting around your full-size perfume bottle.

FAQ About Making Your Perfume Last Longer

From fragrance ingredients to application types, our experts answer the most common questions about how to make perfume last all day.

Why doesn't perfume last on my skin?

If you feel like your perfume never lasts on you for very long, there could be a few reasons for that. It could be the fragrance—"the perfume could not have a balanced composition of base notes to heart notes and top notes," Rose points out. It could also be your skin and your body chemistry. "Our pheromones mix with the scent, and that is why some scents smell different on other people or last longer," she says. Dry skin can play a part, too, as it can make perfume dissipate faster.

Lastly, it could be that you're simply too used to your signature scent. "Consistently using the same perfume day in and day out can lead to olfactory fatigue (or nose blindness)," Khodzhayan says. In other words, you're so used to smelling it that you don't even notice it anymore. If you suspect this is the case, she recommends trying a different fragrance to switch things up.

What ingredients make perfume last longer?

The truth is, there's no one ingredient that will instantly make a perfume scent last longer. "I wouldn't recommend searching ingredient lists for one particular item, as formulations and amounts are so different from perfume to perfume," Khodzhayan says. She adds that scents like oud, cedarwood, sandalwood or amber will give you a longer wear.

Where to spray perfume to make it last?

The best spots to apply perfume are your pulse points, like your wrist and neck. "These areas generate more warmth, which in turn helps project fragrance better," Khodzhayan explains. You can also try applying to the back of your knees, your elbows, right behind the ears and on your décolletage.

Does application type matter when it comes to making perfume last?

The type of fragrance you use can affect how long the scent lasts. Eau de parfum has the highest concentration of fragrance, according to Rose, while something like eau de toilette has a much lower concentration. "Perfume oils tend to not last very long in hot and humid climates," she adds. "Body mists have a very light concentration."