Sweet Smelling Tips To Make Your Perfume And Scent Last Longer

Jayna Patel | 3rd September 2015

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Not rubbing your wrists together, applying perfume to your ankles and knowing the difference between top and base notes are just some the perfume hacks every woman needs to know.

The beauty gurus at Hairtrade.com have shared the top secrets to make your fragrance last from day to night.

Many of the tips include pointers on how to apply, like spritzing perfume right after the shower, moisturising to lock in the scent and putting it on before you get dressed.

The hacks also include a useful jargon buster that explains the difference between an eau du toilette and eau de parfum and what each different note in a perfume means.

There are even some helpful hints on how to use perfume in other ways, like spraying onto your pillow for a better night’s sleep and into your drawers to keep clothes fresh.

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Joanne Dodds from Hairtrade.com said: “We like to smell nice all day long but sometimes it can feel like your perfume has disappeared the moment you put it on.

“It’s all about knowing where and how to apply fragrance and how to store it so it retains is quality.

“If you know how to make the most out of your perfume, you won’t waste as much as well.”

Here are the site’s 15 perfume hacks.

 
1.     Petroleum jelly on pulse spots
The ointment in the jelly will hold the fragrance for longer. Apply to your wrists, neck, inside elbows, behind knees and on ankles and calves.
2.     Perfume on hairbrush
The alcohol in perfume can dry out your hair so don’t apply it directly. Instead lightly spray your hairbrush with it or purchase a hair perfume specifically designed to take care of your locks.
3.     Don’t store them in the bathroom
Humidity and dampness will break down the perfume and weaken the fragrance. Keep them in your room instead.
4.     Moisturise
Apply an unscented lotion before spritzing. Oily complexion will retain the fragrance for longer.
 
5.     Spray after shower but before getting dressed
Moisture is becoming a theme here, damp skin will lock in the scent but if you get dressed immediately it will rub off. Wait a few minutes for it to dry.
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6.     Don’t rub wrists together
Friction will cause the top notes of the perfume to fade faster and your perfume won’t last for as long.
 
7.     Get to know the jargon
The notes in a perfume are very important. Top notes are the first scent you smell which fades quickly, middle notes are the scent that develops after top notes evaporates and base notes are the heaviest scent that lingers.
 
8.     Pour last tiny bit of perfume into unscented body lotion
Don’t waste those last few frustrating drops, mix them into an unscented body lotion to make your favourite scent last even longer.
 
9.     Know the different types of perfume
Anything with body spray, eau de cologne or eau de toilette has a low concentration of fragrance oils and a subtle scent. Eau de parfum and extrait de parfum is a lot more pungent and lasts the longest.
 
10.  Spray pillow with calming perfume
Having trouble sleeping? Try spritzing your pillow with your favourite relaxing scent to help you reach the land of nod. Lavender, jasmine and camomile notes are the ultimate snooze aiders.
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11.  Carry around cotton buds swabbed with perfume
Lugging around your perfume bottle can be heavy and you might lose it. Instead, carry around some cotton buds swabbed with your fragrance for touch ups throughout the day.

 12.   Line dresser drawers with tissue paper, spray with scent

To keep your clothes and towels smelling fresh, line your drawers with tissue paper sprayed liberally with perfume.

 13.   If buying online do your research

We all love online shopping but being unable to test the scent doesn’t mean you can’t do this for perfume either. Just make sure you check out reviews before you buy to see if it’s worth investing.
 
14.   Don’t shake your perfume
Perfume is designed to stand still. You don’t need to mix up the scent, it will only let air into it and reduce the quality.
 
15.   Keep the box
Perfume needs to be stored away from daylight; sunlight degrades the oil and breaks down the fragrance. If you still want them on display, keep them in the pretty box they came in.