Why Your Perfumes Fades Fast- and How to Make It Last

Wonderful fragrances are often an investment, but there's nothing more infuriating than spritzing on a fancy scent only for it to be undetectable by the time your commute is over. But don't necessarily blame the perfume itself. There are right and wrong ways to apply a scent. (Spoiler alert: Dabbing your perfume on your wrists and rubbing them together isn't doing you or your bank account any favors.) What's more, how you store your fragrances and how well you moisturize your skin are key to making them smell their best and keeping them from fading quickly.

Keep reading to find out why your scent might not have the staying power it should.

Your Go-To Scent Is Grassy or Floral
A rule of thumb is that fragrances in the oriental or woody category tend to last much longer than citrus, floral, or green scents. (Of course, if you prefer a lighter scent, that's cool, too.)

You're Not Applying Fragrance in the Right Places
Important fact: Heat enhances fragrance, so it's best to spray it in places that generate the most body heat, such as the pulse points on the neck and the wrists—even your ankles and the backs of your knees.

Spraying directly onto your hair is a great hack since your strands are basically a built-in diffuser (with every hair tousle or flip, some scent particles are released). Better yet? Spring for an actual hair perfume. 

One thing to note: While it's practically ingrained in us from a young age to rub our wrists together, doing so actually breaks down the scent, making it fade more quickly than you'd like. Dab or spray it on, and just let it be.

You Aren't Moisturizing Enough
There's a direct correlation between your skin regimen and how long your fragrance lasts because the scent doesn't mesh well with dry skin. (Ensure your moisturizer is unscented so it doesn't compete with your perfume of choice.)

You're Not Storing Your Fragrance Properly
Did you know that fragrances have an expiration date? If the perfume changes color or texture, it's likely aged and lost some of its integrity. Natural ingredients will develop and often get stronger with time, but there's a fine line between a robust scent and something that just smells wrong, so use your best judgment. 

On the other hand, while all fragrances eventually go bad (or at least alter significantly), proper storage is key to making a bottle last. Ideally, keep your scents in a cool, dark place (though not the fridge) and away from air conditioning or heating units. Or, subscribe to a perfume subscription service to keep your fragrances up to date.