How to Make the Scent of Perfume Last Longer
Discover simple tips on how to make the scent of perfume last longer and the best long-lasting perfumes that are truly irresistible.
The secret to feeling and smelling scrumptious all day long? Knowing how to make perfume last longer!
Spritzing on your favorite fragrance can instantly boost your mood but it always feels like it fades away too soon. It’s either your perfume...or you’re applying it wrong.
Here’s how to make your perfume last longer so you can enjoy your beloved fragrance for several hours or more.
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How to Make Perfume Last Longer
Here are some easy tips to make the scent of perfume last longer.
1. Moisturize Your Skin
Always moisturize before applying perfume. Why? Because dry skin rapidly absorbs scent, which makes it fade more quickly. Moisturized skin, on the other hand, holds onto scent, increasing its longevity and even, sometimes, its intensity.
Apply a hydrating body lotion or butter after showering, let it absorb, and spritz on your signature scent. This will help to lock in the scent so that it lasts longer. You can either used an unscented moisturizer if you want your focus to be on the main scent. Or you can fragrance layer with a moisturizer featuring a matching or complementary scent to increase intensity and extend the longevity of your scent.
2. Apply to Pulse Points
Ever wondered why perfume is applied to the wrists and neck? These are your pulse points—areas where your pulse can be felt. Pulse points emit heat. As a result, they enhance the fragrance and make it last longer.
Spray perfume onto each of your pulse points—your neck, wrists, behind your ears, the inside of your elbow, and the backs of your knees. According to perfumers, they are the best places for maximizing your sillage (scent trail) and your perfume’s staying power.
3. Layer Your Scents
If you’re looking for how to make the scent of perfume last longer try layering scents. Combining different scents—or pairing your perfume with complementary scented products—intensifies the overall aroma and extends its wear time. When you layer, you're essentially applying more fragrance compounds, especially those powerful base notes that linger longest on the skin.
Start by misting on your favorite body spray, then follow with one or two perfumes that blend well together. You can also layer using scented skincare like a body wash, deodorant, lotion, and even body oil from the same fragrance family. This builds a rich, long-lasting scent profile that smells uniquely you.
4. Don’t Rub Your Wrists Together
Never run, always dab. Those are the perfume rules you should live by. If you’re looking for how to make the scent of perfume last longer rubbing is definitely not the right approach. Friction causes faster evaporation. For that reason, always allow your fragrance to dry down fully and don’t disturb that process for long-lasting wear. Your perfume should always settle into your skin naturally without disruption.
5. Spritz On Your Clothes
You can also spray perfume onto your clothes. The fibers of your clothing trap perfume compounds, allowing your go-to fragrance to last as long as possible. In fact, scents tend to cling to fabric better than skin, making this an easy way to extend the life of your perfume throughout the day.
6. Use Vaseline to Lock in Scent
Want your fragrance to really last? Try this old-school beauty trick: dab a thin layer of Vaseline onto your pulse points before applying perfume. The balm creates a moisture barrier that locks in the scent, preventing it from evaporating too quickly. It’s especially helpful for dry skin types or during colder months when skin tends to be more dehydrated. You’ll notice an increase in the lifespan of your perfume once you try this hack.
7. Choose an Eau De Parfum
Eau de parfum (EDP) has a higher concentration of fragrance oils than eau de toilette or eau de cologne. That means it lasts longer on the skin—typically up to 6-8 hours. If longevity is what you're after, opt for an EDP over lighter formulations.
8. Look for These Long-Lasting Fragrance Notes
If you’ve ever noticed that some perfumes fade faster than others, it might not be the formula—it could be the notes themselves. Perfumes are built in layers: top, middle (also called heart), and base notes. While top notes are the ones you smell immediately after spraying, it’s the base notes that give a perfume its depth, richness, and longevity.
To make your scent last longer, look for perfumes that feature long-wearing base notes like amber, musk, sandalwood, patchouli, or vanilla. These notes are heavier and more molecularly dense, which means they cling to the skin better and evaporate more slowly throughout the day.
On the other hand, perfumes that rely heavily on light top notes—like citrus, mint, or aquatic accords—tend to disappear more quickly. These ingredients are designed to make an initial splash, but they evaporate fast, often within the first 30 minutes of application. Think lemon, grapefruit, bergamot, or fresh-cut grass—these all smell incredible, but they need a strong foundation underneath if you want the scent to stick around.
9. Reapply Throughout the Day
Most fragrances start to fade after a few hours, especially lighter options like eau de toilette or body mists. Keep a travel-sized spray in your bag for quick touch-ups throughout the day. A little spritz on your pulse points or clothing is all it takes to revive your scent.
10. Store Perfume in a Cool, Dark Place
Perfume is delicate, and how you store it matters. Heat, air, and direct sunlight can break down the scent molecules, making your fragrance fade faster or change over time. To keep your signature fragrance at its best, store it in a cool, dark place—think a drawer, closet, or vanity cabinet. Skip the steamy bathroom shelf or sunny windowsill, which can degrade your perfume’s quality and shorten its shelf life.
Try Our Top Fragrance Picks
Looking to build a fragrance wardrobe that sticks around? These decadent perfumes contain rich base notes that are designed to last all day—and leave a lasting impression.
The iconic, TikTok-famous scent everyone adores. Meet Vanilla Baby, a sweet vanilla perfume with unexpected notes of pear, pistachio, amber, and caramel.
A delicate, lightweight fragrance that smells like strawberries and cream with a hint of vanilla. It’s truly delicious and perfect for layering with your other fave perfumes.
Join the cherry craze with this fan-fave fragrance featuring notes of black cherry, anise, and tonka bean. It’s absolutely addictive. Too good to resist!
Inspired by the iconic Unicorn Fruit line, this perfume smells like cotton candy and vanilla. It’s like a fairy tale in a bottle. The perfect playful perfume that you’ll love!
For a flirty fragrance with floral notes, spritz on Birthday Sex Perfume Mist. It features notes of jasmine, patchouli, and saffron, leaving you with an elegant and alluring scent you’ll adore.
Glazed Donut Perfume Mist combines the rich scent of whipped buttercream with warm, sweet vanilla. A perfect, lingering fragrance that’s both indulgent and comforting.
Now you’ve discovered how to make the scent of perfume last longer and the best long-lasting perfumes, it’s time to start spritzing! Still haven’t found your signature scent? Take our quiz and get matched with your must-have fragrance.
