Spritzing secrets from France. Read their expert tips and recommendations.
It’s heating up out there. As the balmy summer weather sets in, you might notice that your fragrances don’t seem to last as long as usual—and it’s not just in your head. Heat and humidity cause perfume to evaporate more quickly on the skin, leading personal fragrances to fade faster. UV rays and sweat can also interact with scents, degrading fragrance molecules as they mingle. Luckily, our expert perfumers in France are sharing some deets on fragrance chemistry and application to help your perfume last longer.
The Chemistry of Longevity
How long a perfume lasts on the skin depends on more than just your environment. It starts all the way back at the beginning with scent formulation.
Fragrance Concentration
One of the biggest determining factors in perfume longevity is fragrance concentration. You might notice that each of our scents lists a concentration percentage of 25%. This reflects the amount of pure perfume oil in the formulation. In general, the higher the concentration, the stronger the fragrance. This is why Extrait de Parfum lasts longer than eau de toilette and body mist—it’s composed with a higher percentage of perfume oil.
Raw Materials 
Another key factor in perfume longevity is the raw materials used to craft the scent. Light, fresh fragrances tend to evaporate more quickly, while deeper, warmer scents have more staying power thanks to their rich base notes. If you’re looking for a perfume that will last, reach for a warm, gourmand, or earthy scent (think: vanilla, amber, and woods). Even some floral scents have decent longevity. Fresh and citrus scents, on the other hand (think: bergamot, berries, and waterfruits), rely largely on top notes, which tend to be the first to fade.
Expert Tips to Make Your Perfume Last Longer
Spritz More Than Once
Two to four spritzes will ensure you’ve applied enough perfume so it wafts to its fullest potential.
Reach for Warm Scents
As mentioned above, the warmer the fragrance, the longer it will last on the skin. Our experts recommend perfumes that lean on ambery, woody, and slightly gourmand base notes for the most staying power.
Keep Skin Hydrated
Using unscented lotion on the skin before applying perfume can help the fragrance to evaporate more slowly and remain on the surface of the skin longer.
Don’t Neglect Your Clothes
Since fabric doesn’t heat or sweat like skin, it can hold onto fragrance and make it linger. (Just be sure to test on a hidden part of the fabric and spray lightly, since some perfumes can cause staining.)
Reapply Fresh Fragrances
If you like fresh perfumes, re-applying throughout the day is the only true way to make your scent last.
What Not To Do
There are two perfume techniques that have been passed down for generations. Your grandma used them, her grandma used them, and you probably do, too. The first is spritzing perfume into the air, then walking through the mist for even scent distribution. The truth is, this method is more wasteful than helpful. Most of the fragrance ends up on the floor and surrounding furniture, resulting in a weaker scent and excessive spritzing. You should spray perfume directly onto the skin for best results.
The second myth is that you should rub your wrists together after applying perfume. Unfortunately, this friction can break down the top notes of your fragrance and disrupt the way the scent unfolds. Instead, you should spritz and let the perfume air dry to preserve the scent integrity.
