How to Make Your Perfume Last Longer: 3 Simple Tips

A spritz of perfume can set the tone for the day, but its staying power often depends on what happens in the seconds after application. As it turns out, one of the most familiar beauty rituals may be doing more harm than good.

Applying perfume is the easy part, but keeping it on for an entire day is a challenge many people can attest to. More often than not, it comes down to a few simple mistakes we make without even thinking about it.

One of the most common is rubbing your wrists together after spraying.

It's certainly a quick way to spread your scent around, and it seems to help the skin absorb the residue faster. According to the experts, however, this habit can take a toll on the formula's longevity.

Emma South, fragrance and lifestyle expert at Jo Malone, explained, "This ritual curiously lingers with us. Although atomizers have been used for over a century, the bygone era of oil droppers and the associated application has stuck."

"The reason experts advise against this is the friction created through rubbing generates a sudden and uneven heat — this accelerates the evaporation of certain scent molecules, distorting the fragrance," she continued.

Michelle Feeney, founder of Floral Street, echoed this sentiment, adding, "Rubbing your wrists after applying perfume can alter the scent, create uneven distribution and generate heat, affecting the fragrance's longevity and complexity."

Here are three easy tips to make your favorite scent last longer:

• Let the perfume dry naturally: "This preserves the scent's integrity and ensures even distribution for a longer-lasting fragrance experience," Feeney said.
• Focus on your pulse points: Applying fragrance to your pulse points is one of the most reliable ways to keep your signature scent with you from morning to night. These warm spots include your wrists, neck, elbows, and the backs of your knees. Behind the ears is another favorite, as Feeney noted it's an area that "produces natural body heat."
• Spritz your hair: A light mist on your hair is another great way to extend your fragrance's wear. However, it pays to be more mindful of where you apply perfume, whether on your body or your hair, in hotter and more humid climates. "As you sweat, the natural oils of your skin destroy your perfume faster," award-winning French-Armenian perfumer Francis Kurkdjian said.

With a few small tweaks to your routine, your go-to fragrance can stay with you from your morning coffee to your evening plans. So the next time you reach for your favorite bottle, spray, step back, and let it settle on its own.