It’s an unfortunate fact that once you apply a fragrance, the clock starts ticking. Each note layer gradually fades, leaving you with only the memory of your favorite Bond No 9 cologne. How can you make the most of the scent while it lasts?
The good news is that you can extend the life of your morning spritz. All it takes is some research, proper application, and careful storage.
Choose a Long-Lasting Concentration
Fragrance oils are responsible for perfume’s smell but aren’t the only ingredient. Most perfumes also contain alcohol, which facilitates even dispersal. Alcohol evaporates quickly, leaving the oils behind.
The strength of the scent depends on the concentration of fragrance oil. The greater the ratio of oil to solvents, the better the longevity.
Over time, the perfume industry standardized concentration offerings to ensure consumers knew what they were purchasing. Today, you can easily find the most popular options:
- Eau de Parfum: Often shortened to EDP, this product contains 15% to 20% perfume oil and can last between 4 and 5 hours.
- Eau de Toilette: EDT fragrances last 2 to 3 hours and contain 6% to 15% oil.
- Eau de Cologne: EDC is one of the lightest products, containing only 4% to 6% oil and lasting up to 2 hours.
These names allow you to compare fragrances at a glance. For example, Scent of Peace EDP from Bond No 9 is stronger than Clinique’s Happy EDT.
You can also find stronger options, such as eau de parfum intense, parfum, and extract perfume. However, higher concentrations tend to be more expensive. Fortunately, you can still get great mileage from more affordable fragrances.
Apply Fragrance Correctly
Application plays a massive role in how long your fragrance lasts. To understand the best application tricks, you must first learn how fragrance works.
Heat activates the scent notes. You don’t need much — body heat is more than enough to do the job. As a result, you should apply perfume directly to your skin. The best areas are your pulse points since the blood is closer to the surface and, therefore, provides more heat:
- Inside of elbows
- On wrists
- Behind the ear
- On your nape
- Behind the knees
This approach is more effective than spritzing a cloud and stepping through, as you won’t use as much cologne and still get a strong scent. You should also avoid spraying your clothes or hair. The smell will be faint, and the alcohol may dry out your tresses and discolor fabric.
Open pores hold perfume better, so spritz your favorite Bond No 9 fragrance right after a hot shower. Don’t forget to moisturize — the oils adhere best to plump, hydrated skin. Whether you use scented or unscented lotion is up to you, but know that the smells will mix if you use a moisturizer with added fragrance.
Finally, don’t rub the perfume into your skin. Doing so breaks down the fragile top notes, shortening the life of the fragrance and disrupting the intended effect.
Find Affordable Favorites
High-quality colognes don’t have to cost a fortune. You can find unique, intoxicating fragrances at affordable prices by going online. Shop Calvin Klein, Dolce and Gabbana, Bond No 9, and many others today.