How To Make Perfume Last Longer + The Long-Lasting Fragrances You Need To Try
Discover easy tips and tricks on how to make perfume last longer and get a glimpse into the long-lasting perfumes from my Fragrance Collection of Emotions.
- 30th April 2024
- By Charlotte Tilbury
11 minute read
Darlings, knowing how to make perfume last longer is the secret to feeling fragrant and flawless, all day long! Spraying on a delectable fragrance can instantly lift your mood and transform your day, but many perfumes fade away and disappear too soon.
When I was creating my first ever Fragrance Collection of Emotions, I ensured each of my eau de parfums have an 18-hour scent trail that makes an impression from dusk ‘til dawn and beyond! Discover my best long-lasting fragrances for everyone, everywhere, and learn my tips and tricks for making perfume last longer.
SHOP THE FRAGRANCE COLLECTION OF EMOTIONS
HOW ARE YOU FEELING TODAY?
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Why does my fragrance fade so quickly?
Darlings, there could be a number of reasons why your fragrance isn’t lasting on your skin. Discover 4 main factors that can cause your fragrance to fade:
1. The strength of your fragrance
Naturally, if you are spraying on a light, airy scent like a body mist or an eau de toilette, it won’t have the same longevity as a stronger fragrance. Also, some fragrance notes are stronger than others; fresh, citrus, and floral notes often fade quicker than strong woody, spicy, and musky notes which can lead to them not lasting as long on the skin.
2. The quality of the ingredients
Fragrances with carefully selected, high-quality ingredients are more potent and tend to last longer on the skin. Perfumery is an art, darlings! When you choose a fragrance that hasn’t been expertly handled by master perfumers, it’s likely to feature lower-quality ingredients and may not be blended with the olfactory expertise necessary to last on the skin.
3. Application method
Knowing how to apply fragrance correctly is a cornerstone of making your perfume last all day, darlings. If you don’t apply fragrance to the correct areas, this can impact its staying power and lead to your scent fading much faster.
4. Skin dryness and dehydration
When skin feels dry or dehydrated, this can affect the dry down of your fragrance. Hydrated skin gives your fragrance a cushiony, nourished canvas to settle onto, whereas dry and dehydrated skin feels rough and lacks moisture which can disrupt your fragrance and lessen its longevity.
12 Tips and Tricks on How To Make Perfume Last Longer
1. Apply perfume onto bare skin
Fragrance interacts best with the warmth of your skin, so always apply onto bare skin to maximise your perfume’s lasting power. Your body naturally emanates heat which helps to amplify your fragrance, improving its scent throw and helping it to last longer on the skin.
2. Spray perfume onto each of your pulse points
Pulse points are the areas on your body where you can feel your arterial pulse. Your pulse points are the perfect places to apply fragrance because they are some of the warmest parts of your body. Applying fragrance to your pulse points helps to intensify its scent, as well as boosting its longevity. Spray perfume onto each of your pulse points – the nape of your neck, your wrists, your ears, the inside of your elbows, and the backs of your knees – and your fragrance will last longer.
Discover how to apply fragrance
3. Apply a hydrating base onto skin
A hydrated base is always best, darlings. Fragrance can be dulled when sprayed onto dry and dehydrated skin, so I always like to massage Charlotte’s Magic Body Cream into my pulse points before I apply perfume. My hydrating body cream is perfect for prepping skin for fragrance; it smooths and nourishes the look of skin and creates a plush-feeling canvas for your perfume to settle onto, helping it to dry down more effectively and last even longer.
Discover how to moisturise your body
4. Avoid dry heat and low humidity
Fragrance wears best on hydrated, nourished skin, so it’s important to avoid environmental factors like dry heat, low humidity, harsh winds, and intense sunlight that can sap the skin of its moisture. Exposing your fragrance to these conditions can cause it to evaporate much quicker and lose its lasting power, so it’s best to avoid them when possible and to carry a travel-sized fragrance for top ups.
5. Let your perfume fully dry down
The dry down of your fragrance refers to the way your scent evolves as it dries. On initial application, a perfume’s top notes are the most prevalent, and then over time, it transitions through its heart notes and base notes. Actions like rubbing your wrists together or not allowing time for your fragrance to dry before you get dressed can disturb its dry down, and as a result, can alter its scent and decrease its longevity. Allow your fragrance to dry down fully and you will get the truest, most long-lasting wear.
6. Add an extra spray or two
The more fragrance you apply, darlings, the stronger your scent will become and the longer it will last. As a rule, I like to apply 4-6 sprays of fragrance to my pulse points, then a couple of sprays onto my clothes to create a magic aura. If you want your fragrance to last longer and smell stronger, I recommend being liberal with your fragrance to build up its intensity.
7. Spray fragrance onto your clothes, hair, and accessories
While it’s important to apply fragrance to bare skin, you can also spray your perfume onto your clothes, hair, and accessories to veil yourself in a mystical, magical aroma that lasts. Once your fragrance settles onto your skin, spray perfume onto your jacket, scarf, and hairbrush to add extra accoutrements to your scent profile.
8. Look at the base notes of your fragrance
Each fragrance is made with a harmonious blend of top, heart, and base notes to create the scent that you love. Top and heart notes are generally lighter and ephemeral in nature, with the true longevity of a fragrance coming down to its base notes. Base notes are deeper, more dominant notes like woods, musks, and spices that are used to ground a scent, lingering on skin long after the top and heart notes of your fragrance have dissipated. If you’re looking for a long-lasting scent, darlings, choose a fragrance with rich, robust base notes like patchouli, amber woods, and white musks that provide intensity and longevity.
Learn more about fragrance notes
9. Choose a long-lasting fragrance
Darlings, choose a long-lasting fragrance and you won’t have to worry about it disappearing too quickly! Not all fragrances are created equally, darlings… The six invisible superpowers from my Fragrance Collection of Emotions are backed by science and the expertise of master perfumers. Each scent features an inspired palette of raw natural materials, raw synthetic materials and accords, coming together to create unique, transportive fragrance worlds! When you spray on one of my emotion-enhancing fragrances, they leave an 18-hour scent trail that takes you on a magical scent journey… Just spray the magic way for all-day scent longevity!
Discover how to choose fragrance
10. Reach for an eau de parfum
Different types of fragrance have varied intensities and the fragrance type you choose will be reflected in its longevity. Lighter fragrances like body mists and scented body lotions have a much shorter lasting time than eau de toilettes or eau de parfums. For a long-lasting fragrance application, I recommend reaching for an eau de parfum like the magical scents from my Fragrance Collection of Emotions because they have a higher concentration of fragrance which ensures each scent lasts longer.
Learn more about eau de toilette vs parfum
11. Layer different perfumes
To create a custom scent with a long wear time, try layering different perfumes on your skin. Choosing scents with complementary fragrance notes is a beautiful, expressive way to concoct a unique fragrance profile while boosting your scent’s longevity. Try pairing your favourite body mist with an eau de parfum to help it last longer, or experiment with layering your eau de parfums to create a glorious scent world of long-lasting fragrance notes.
Discover how to layer fragrances
12. Store perfume in a cool, dark place
The ingredients in fragrance can be delicate, so it’s important to store your perfume in optimal conditions to avoid disturbing the carefully balanced blend. Conditions like harsh sunlight and warm, humid temperatures can alter the ingredients in your fragrance so it’s not a good idea to store fragrance bottles by a window or in your bathroom. Find a cool, dark place to store your fragrances such as a beauty drawer or cabinet and your fragrance will last longer.
SHOP THE FRAGRANCE COLLECTION OF EMOTIONS
HOW ARE YOU FEELING TODAY?
Discover the 6 Long-Lasting Fragrances from my Fragrance Collection of Emotions
Darlings, all six of my long-lasting fragrances have an atmospheric 18-hour scent trail! Over time, my scent stories unfold to reveal the nuanced notes that make up each of my emotion-enhancing fragrances, ensuring they feel intoxicating from the moment you apply until the end of the night. Discover my first ever Fragrance Collection of Emotions, then spray on a feeling that lasts and lasts!
Love Frequency 100ml
“SPRAY ME FOR… LOVE!”
Lasts for: Up to 18 hours
Fragrance Family: Floral Woody
Emotion-Boosting Molecules: hypnotic Rose Essential and alluring Cashmeran
Top Notes: addictive Pink Pepper
Heart Notes: sultry Saffron, romantic Rose Ultimate Extract, hypnotic Rose Essential
Base Notes: sensual Musk, alluring Cashmeran, captivating Ambery Woods, intoxicating Patchouli Heart
84% agree the fragrance enhances feelings of love!*
What’s the secret to long-lasting love, darlings? Love Frequency is my most romantic fragrance, casting a spell on your admirer with fluttering notes of Pink Pepper, Rose, and Saffron. It’s a spellbinding floral scent with a stoic, woody base of Ambery Woods, Patchouli, and Cashmeran that acts as a long-lasting love foundation for soft, heart-warming florals.
More Sex 100ml
“SPRAY ME FOR… SEDUCTION!”
Lasts for: Up to 18 hours
Fragrance Family: Musk Leather
Emotion-Boosting Molecules: sensual Sandalwood Oil Caledonia, seductive Sexual Accord, addictive Leather Accord and velvety Musk
Top Notes: bold Black Pepper Oil, magnetic Juniper Berry Oil
Heart Notes: seductive Sexual Accord (Ambroxan, Sexual Musk, Aldron), addictive Leather Accord
Base Notes: velvety Musk, caressing Ambery Wood, sensual Sandalwood Oil Caledonia
84% agree the fragrance enhances feelings of seduction*
The magic of More Sex is its musky, leathery allure. Intoxicating fragrance notes like Ambroxan, Musk, and Leather Accord work together to create the smokey, atmospheric feel of a candlelit boudoir. It lasts on skin like a lingering touch, caressing the senses with magical, mood-setting notes of Sandwalwood, Black Pepper Oil, and Ambery Woods that are long-wearing and impossible to forget.
Joyphoria 100ml
“SPRAY ME FOR… HAPPINESS!”
Lasts for: Up to 18 hours
Fragrance Family: Warm Floral
Emotion-Boosting Molecules: radiant Ylang Ylang and enchanting Vanilla Bean Extract
Top Notes: joyful Petitgrain Oil, euphoric Coconut Water Accord, uplifting Neroli Oil
Heart Notes: intoxicating Tuberose Absolut, warm Jasmine Sambac, radiant Ylang Ylang
Base Notes: enchanting Vanilla Bean Extract, velvety Cashmere Wood, powdery Musks
91% agree the fragrance enhances feelings of happiness**
Joyphoria is like sunshine, bottled! I paired sparkling fragrance notes like Coconut Water Accord, Vanilla Bean Extract, and Neroli Oil to create a warm, radiant scent that feels like spraying on pure happiness! Heart notes of Tuberose Absolute, Jasmine Sambac, and Ylang Ylang are like a rolling meadow of free-spirited florals, and base notes of Cashmere Wood and Musk ensure that Joyphoria lasts from sunrise to sunset.
Calm Bliss 100ml
“SPRAY ME FOR… SERENITY!”
Lasts for: Up to 18 hours
Fragrance Family: Aquatic Floral
Emotion-Boosting Molecules: sweet Neroli Oil and refreshing Watery Accord
Top Notes: fresh Bergamot Oil, sweet Neroli Oil, relaxing Lavandin Oil
Heart Notes: soothing Orange Flower Absolut, refreshing Watery Accord
Base Notes: warm Tonka Bean Accord, pure White Musks, peaceful Orris Concrete
93% agree they felt calmer**
Calm Bliss begins with a wash of Neroli Oil, Bergamot Oil, and Lavandin Oil, bathing the senses in an uplifting blend of citrus and florals. It delves deeper into Orange Flower Absolut and a Watery Accord to establish an ambient, aquatic aura. Finally, it submerges into the depths of Tonka Bean, White Musk, and Orris Concrete, creating an 18-hour scent trail that captures the mystique of a silent oasis.
Magic Energy 100ml
“SPRAY ME FOR… ENERGY!”
Lasts for: Up to 18 hours
Fragrance Family: Citrus Woody
Emotion-Boosting Molecules: reawakening Bergamot Oil, calming Cypress Ultimate and spiritual Palo Santo Accord
Top Notes: reawakening Bergamot Oil, earthy Myrtle Oil
Heart Notes: sophisticated Cypress Ultimate, sweet Jasmine Sambac, refreshing Seaweed Absolut
Base Notes: Cashmere Wood, spiritual Palo Santo Accord, Ambergris Accord, Olibanum Resinoid
98% agree the fragrance enhances your energy***
A rush of Magic Energy feels instantly energising while creating an 18-hour scent trail of ethereal, earthy depth. Woody notes are some of the longest lasting fragrance notes, and Magic Energy blends Cypress Ultimate, Cashmere Wood, Palo Santo Accord, and Olibanum Resinoid to create a bold, woody character that transports you to the heart of Mother Nature’s hidden forest.
Cosmic Power 100ml
“SPRAY ME FOR… POWER!”
Lasts for: Up to 18 hours
Fragrance Family: Ambery Spicy
Emotion-Boosting Molecules: bold Black Pepper Oil, divine Cinnamon Bark Oil, captivating Clove Oil, mystical Amber Accord and enchanting Vanilla Bean Extract
Top Notes: bold Black Pepper Oil, divine Cinnamon Bark Oil, uplifting Bergamot Oil, fresh Woody Elemi Oil
Heart Notes: opulent Rose Ultimate, empowering Frankincense Accord
Base Notes: mystical Amber Accord, enchanting Vanilla Bean Extract, powdery Musks
89% agree the fragrance enhances feelings of empowerment***
Step into your Cosmic Power, darlings! This ambery, spicy fragrance is a warm, long-lasting scent that orbits through a star shower of Black Pepper Oil, Cinnamon Bark Oil, Bergamot Oil, and Woody Elemi Oil into a galaxy of Rose Ultimate and Frankincense Accord. Base notes of Amber Accord, Vanilla Bean Extract, and powdery Musks create an out-of-this-world, sweet and spicy aroma that empowers Cosmic Power to last all day long.
SHOP THE FRAGRANCE COLLECTION OF EMOTIONS
HOW ARE YOU FEELING TODAY?
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Darlings, follow along with my tips and tricks and you’ll notice that your perfume lasts longer! Discover my Fragrance Finder to help you choose which long-lasting perfume is perfect for you, then spray it on to delight from day to night!
*Tested on 104 people over 1 week
**Tested on 105 people over 1 week
***Tested on 102 people over 1 week
Author Details
Charlotte Tilbury
Founder, President, Chairman and Chief Creative Officer of Charlotte Tilbury Beauty
With over 30 years experience, Charlotte Tilbury MBE is the world's number 1 makeup artist and British beauty entrepreneur. Charlotte established Charlotte Tilbury Beauty in 2013, which is now a record-breaking beauty brand that has won over 400 awards.
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