If I apply fragrance in the morning, should I expect it to last all day
long?
No. A fragrance is not designed to last all day. You’ll probably need to
refresh it every three to four hours.
Why doesn’t fragrance last
on me?
Unfortunately, your body’s
chemistry causes perfumes to evaporate more quickly from your skin. Perfumers
would say that your skin ‘throws off’ fragrance.
Instead of an eau de toilette lasting for some 3 to 4 hours, it
disappears within an hour, sometimes shorter. The rate of evaporation triples
or even quadruples on your skin. Why? The acidity of your skin is a possible
culprit. Lick your wrist. Does it have a sharp, tangy taste? That’s a sure sign
of acid. And the more acidic your skin, the more it will tend to throw off
perfume.
Medicines, too, will change your body’s chemistry. Low fat
diets, stress, spicy foods, fast foods all affect body temperature and
encourage the skin to throw off perfume. Add dry skin and pregnancy to the list
and you’ll see why so many women complain about the staying power of their
fragrance.
The solution? Put an emollient layer between your skin and your
perfume. ‘Layer’ your fragrance to extend its life. Use a body lotion or body
crème that matches your fragrance to create an emollient foundation for the eau
de toilette. It will slow down the rate of evaporation and double the life of
your perfume.
A second solution? Use the matching bath oils of your favorite
fragrances as oil perfumes. After your bath or shower, while your skin is dry
but still warm from the water, stroke the fragrant bath oil across your pulse
points. Finish with a light spray of fragrance.
How can I make my fragrance last longer?
The
secret to long-lasting fragrance is ‘fragrance layering’. Build up layers of
scent on the skin by using different forms of the same fragrance - perfumed
soap, bath oil or gel, body lotion or cream, dusting powder and eau de
toilette. Each reinforces the impact of the other to quadruple the life of your
favorite scent. Layering, or “fragrance dressing” as it’s sometimes called, is
also a clever way to wear a fragrance that’s too overpowering for daytime use.
