There’s nothing more frustrating than spritzing on your favorite perfume, only for the scent to disappear before you even leave the house. Perfumes aren’t cheap, so of course, you want to get the most out of your bottle. And let’s be real: you bought it to smell amazing the whole day—not just for 30 minutes.
When this happens, it’s easy to blame the perfume. Perhaps the formula isn’t meant to last, or “Baka fake ‘yung nabili ko.” But if some perfumes linger longer on other people than on you, there’s another factor at play. Here’s a little not-so-secret: how you apply your fragrance makes a huge difference. Where, when, and how you spritz it can completely change how long it lasts on your skin.
Thankfully, Allure Philippines spoke with Filipino perfumers to uncover the best tips for long-lasting wear.
Oscar Mejia III, the founder of Oscar Mejia Artisan Fragrances, has received formal training in perfume-making in Paris and Grasse, France, under the mentorship of renowned French perfumer Nicolas de Barry. He specializes in crafting scents that celebrate Philippine heritage.
Shale Albao, founder of Tadhana Fragrances, studied the Art of French Perfumery at ISIPCA Graduate School in Versailles, France, an institution for perfume, cosmetics, and flavor formulation that was established in 1970.
With their expertise, here’s everything you need to know to make your perfume last longer.
Target pulse points.
Where you apply perfume matters. The first and most common tip you’ve probably heard is to spritz it on your pulse points. According to Mejia, these include the wrists, neck, and behind the ears—areas where blood vessels are closest to the skin’s surface. “These points have more heat, allowing the fragrance to diffuse beautifully,” he explains.
Apply lotion before or after perfume.
Did you know that moisturized skin is key to making perfume last longer? “Moisture locks in fragrances, making them last longer,” Mejia says. That’s why he recommends applying an unscented lotion right after showering and before layering on your perfume.
Albao, on the other hand, suggests the opposite approach, especially for those with dry skin. Instead of applying lotion after perfume, she advises doing it the other way around: “If your priority is longevity, spray your perfume first, then add the lotion on top,” she says. This technique helps lock in the scent, making it last longer on the skin. However, she notes that this method won’t help with projection. Instead, it would “become a soft skin scent bubble around you,” she describes.
If you want better projection, she recommends the same method as Mejia: Apply lotion first, then spritz your perfume on top.
Either way, lotion is crucial in this step. Opt for unscented ones like Eucerin pH5 Lotion and CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion to avoid clashing with your fragrance. Unless, of course, you’re experimenting with layering scents to create a unique blend.
Spritz on clothes.
There are conflicting opinions on whether or not to spray perfume on clothes. But if longevity is your main concern, you might want to try it. “Textiles retain fragrances longer,” Mejia says. Just be mindful: Some perfumes can stain fabrics, especially light-colored ones. “A thin mist would do to avoid staining,” he advises.
Bonus: Spray perfume where you want to be kissed.
Coco Chanel once said, “Where should one use perfume? a young woman asked. Wherever one wants to be kissed.” This tip is entirely optional, but since Mejia mentioned the quote—do with it what you will.
