Perfume - where to wear and how can you help it last longer

How to Make Your Perfume Last Longer

Want your perfume to stay with you all day? Start with moisturised skin. Dry skin tends to soak up scent quickly, so applying an unscented body lotion or a matching scented cream before spraying your perfume can really help it linger.

Also, make sure to spray your fragrance on pulse points — like your wrists, neck, behind your ears, or even your elbows. These warm spots help the scent naturally radiate throughout the day.

Applying your perfume after a shower is another great way to enhance the scent. Your body is warm, almost damp giving the scent on your skin a perfect platform to develop.

What’s the Difference Between Perfume Types?

When choosing a perfume, you might notice different types like EDP or EDT on the bottle. Here’s what they mean — and how long they usually last on your skin:

Parfum / Extrait de Parfum

This is the most concentrated form of perfume — containing around 20–30% fragrance oil.
It’s rich, intense, and luxurious, and often lasts 6–8 hours or more on the skin. A little goes a long way, and it's perfect for those who love a deeper, longer-lasting scent.

EAU DE PARFUM (EDP)

This is the most common type of perfume. It contains about 15–20% fragrance oil, and usually lasts around 4–5 hours on your skin.
It’s richer and deeper than lighter perfumes, which makes it a great choice for evening wear or cooler weather.

EAU DE TOILETTE (EDT)

A lighter style of fragrance, with 5–15% fragrance oil. It usually lasts about 2–3 hours and is often chosen for daytime, summer, or work-friendly wear.
It’s fresh, uplifting and easygoing.

EAU DE COLOGNE

Even lighter still — usually around 1–2% fragrance oil. Colognes are often zesty, citrusy or aquatic, and commonly marketed toward men.
They’re refreshing, but won’t last as long — best for a quick freshen-up or hot summer days.

What Are Fragrance Notes?

Think of perfume like a story — it unfolds over time in layers. Here’s how those layers work:

Top Notes

These are the first scents you smell when you spray a fragrance — often light, fresh or fruity.
They make that first impression but only last about 15–20 minutes.

Middle (Heart) Notes

These form the heart of the fragrance — what you smell once the top notes fade.
Florals, spices, and soft woods often show up here. They last a few hours and are the main character of your scent.

Base Notes

These are the rich, long-lasting notes that stick around the longest — often creamy, woody, musky or sweet.
They emerge last and give the fragrance its depth and staying power.