When switching over to using a natural perfume, you may notice the scents fade quicker compared with synthetic fragrances…
According to One Seed:
A perfume or extract, the most concentrated form, should last for 6-8 hours.
Synthetic fragrances last longer as the molecules are designed to maintain their scent, whereas natural scents will break down over the minutes and hours their exposed to light and air, revealing the many different notes as they evaporate.
However, synthetic fragrances contain many other chemical additives designed to help the scent stick to the skin and last, and give off a stronger scent at the same time.
One Seed share how there are a few contributing factors as to why some natural perfumes last longer than others:
– Composition: A perfume that contains more deeper heavier (base) notes will generally last longer on the skin than one composed mainly of lighter, fresher notes
– Ingredients: The type of ingredients used and the extraction method of each of these (for example steam distilled vs CO2 extracted vs cold pressed etc.), can create great variations in the longevity of the finished product due to the variation in ingredient volatility. The more volatile an ingredient, the faster it will break down. The inclusion of natural isolates can also effect longevity, often extending the dry-down longer than what an essential oil can on its own. (Natural isolates are single molecule components of essential oils).
– Quality: The quality of the ingredients used has a significant impact not only on the quality and beauty of your natural perfume, but also on its staying power, depth and character
– Skill: A better-skilled perfumer will be able to compose a perfume that has greater staying power by utilising specific blending techniques, and by a greater understanding of ingredient properties
– Concentration: The higher the concentration, generally the longer your fragrance should last on your skin. Keep in mind that there is no exact standard concentration (only a general rule) within each segments, so you could find an eau de parfum in one brand is 10% concentration and 15% in another.
To make your perfume last longer you’ll want to ensure the perfume is able to connect with your skin, particularly pulse points, where it comes in contact with the warmth of your blood.
Here are few natural tips for helping perfume last throughout the day.
Store Perfume in a Cool, Dry, Dark Place
Heat, light, and humidity can break down natural fragrances like essential oils, and reduce the quality of the perfume. So instead, store in a cool, dry place away from windows and the bathroom (showering can produce a lot of steam, which creates humid temperatures).
Apply a Moisturiser Before Spraying
Oily skin will retain scents longer, so if you’re someone with dry skin, pop on some unscented moisturiser before applying perfume.
Shower, then Spray
Right after taking a shower, spray on your perfume. The moisture on your skin will help to hold the scent, and will also prevent perfume from staining any clothes or jewellery.
Don’t Rub Your Wrists Together
It’s common belief that when the wrists are rubbed together after applying perfume, it will spread the fragrance and unlock the scent, but in reality it does the opposite.
Rubbing the perfume on your skin will break down the delicate top notes, forcing them to evaporate quicker and making your natural perfume disappear faster. Just spray and gently pat wrists together instead.
Spray Certain Points on Your Body
Applying perfume to pulse points and warmer areas such as the wrists, inside of your elbows, neck, behind your ears, below your midriff area on your belly, behind your knees, or on your ankles and calves, will help diffuse the fragrance across your entire body. Just make sure not to spray all areas at once, just a couple of spots will do.
Mix Your Perfume with Moisturiser
So nothing goes to waste, mix the last bit of perfume with an unscented moisturiser.
Top-Up During the Day
Spray some cotton balls or buds (these ones are eco-friendly) with your perfume and keep them in sandwich bags inside your handbag to use for quick touch-ups over the course of the day. It saves space (as a perfume bottle is much bigger) and can easily fit into your clutch.
Line Your Dresser Drawers
Line your drawers with tissue paper then spray with perfume to make your clothes smell amazing!
As always, this is not personal medical advice and we recommend that you talk with your doctor before trying or using any new products. I am not a doctor. All opinions expressed are my own personal thoughts and feelings of the products mentioned. Check with your doctor or health practitioner if you are uncertain about trying out any of the products, recipes or tips mentioned in this post.
What’s your favourite perfume? Do you make your own? Share in the comments below.
Lots of love,
🖤 Vanessa
Sources:
Shunatona, Brooke. (December 31, 2014). 19 Fragrance Hacks to Make You Smell Amazing All the Time. Cosmopolitan. Retrieved from https://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/beauty/advice/a34783/fragrance-hacks/
Raidt, Dana. (November 11, 2016). 10 Ways To Make Your Own Perfume (And Make It Last). Hello Glow. Retrieved from https://helloglow.co/10-essential-ways-make-perfume-make-last/
Cook, Liz. (August 11, 2016). Make your natural perfume last longer. One Seed. Retrieved from https://oneseedperfumes.com/blogs/news/make-your-natural-perfume-last-longer
Serras, Leanna. (April 25, 2019). 15 Fragrance Hacks to Make Your Perfume Last Longer. FragranceX. Retrieved from https://www.fragrancex.com/blog/make-your-perfume-last-longer/
Rozwadowskav ,Frankie. (September 28, 2020). Vaseline (and 10 Other Surprising Tips) to Make Your Perfume Last Longer. Savoir Flair. Retrieved from https://www.savoirflair.com/beauty/111571/perfume-tips-how-to-make-fragrance-last-longer
Gordon, Kerri. (March 3, 2020). You Asked, We Answered: How to Make Your Fragrance Last Longer. Mecca. Retrieved from https://www.mecca.com.au/the-mecca-memo/the-in-tray/make-fragrance-last-longer.html
Kwarteng, Ama. (January 21, 2021). How to Apply Perfume: 20 Tricks to Make Fragrance Last Longer. Cosmopolitan. Retrieved from https://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/beauty/advice/a34783/fragrance-hacks/
Haddad, Mirella. Some Hacks to Make Your Perfume Last Longer. Azyaamode. Retrieved from https://www.azyaamode.com/en/some-hacks-to-make-your-perfume-last-longer
Makan, Sunil. (October 20, 2017). We asked an expert how to make perfume last longer. Marie Claire. Retrieved from https://www.marieclaire.co.uk/beauty/how-to-make-perfume-last-longer-415863
Hoff, Victoria. (Updated: March 29, 2020). 4 Common Perfume Mistakes, Plus How to Make Your Scent Last. Byrdie. Retrieved from https://www.byrdie.com/how-to-make-perfume-last-longer