When to Reapply Perfume and Cologne

To reapply, or to pass it by? Find out when to reapply perfume below.

There’s no experience quite like breathing in your new favorite perfume for the first time. It’s pure magic. The best part is that you’ll enjoy that same experience again each time you spritz it. But when you stop smelling it, did it really wear off? Or are you just used to it? And if you reapply, will you overpower everyone nearby?

That’s a problem no one wants to have, especially if you’re as big a fragrance fan as we are. So here’s everything you need to know about when to reapply your favorite perfume. You’ll also get tips on extending the life of your perfume: how to make it last longer, plus guidance on the best perfume that lasts all day.

Does Perfume Last All Day?

Some perfumes may fade after a few hours, but others settle into the skin and last from sunrise to midnight. It really depends on the brand and the strength of the scent you’ve chosen, as well as its blend of notes and how many times you spritzed it. Your skin chemistry affects perfume duration too.

Woody, amber, and oriental perfumes tend to last the longest on the skin, while citrus, floral, and fruity scents fade faster. Look for scents with a higher percentage of perfume oils (also known as essential oils), because these are more potent and last longer. 

How Long Does Perfume Last?

Perfume can last from just two hours to 24 hours or even longer, depending on the type of perfume you use. Eau de toilette lasts about three hours, while eau de parfum lasts closer to six or even eight. However, your skin chemistry and type can alter that, and sweating makes perfume wear off faster.

EDP vs EDT vs Parfum

One of the best ways to make perfume last is to buy the strongest variation of the scent available. Most scents are either classed as eau de parfum (EDP) or eau de toilette (EDT) with the former being a more intense version and the latter being a little more diluted. 

You can also find “parfum” from some brands, which is the most potent option and can easily last up to 24 hours on the skin. Most EDPs last six or eight hours while EDTs usually last around two to four. If you’re trying to find out how to make perfume last longer, look into adding more EDPs to your collection. 

How many times per day should you reapply perfume?

Reapply your perfume once throughout the day if you’re wearing eau de parfum or every four hours if you’re wearing eau de toilette. The most potent perfumes don’t require a second spritz and can work their magic for a full 24 hours. When you reapply, spritz your perfume only three or four times.

Factors That Can Affect How Often to Reapply Perfume

There are a few reasons why your signature fragrance may seem like it’s fading after just a couple of hours. 

Skin Chemistry

Your skin chemistry can play a huge role in the longevity of perfume. It’s affected by your diet, the healthiness of your skin, and your skin’s underlying chemical makeup. Hormones can also play a role, which is why pregnant women may need to apply their chosen scent more frequently. 

Sweating

There’s a reason why some scents should be reserved for cooler or warmer months. Perfumes react in different ways with the oils, moisture, and heat on your skin. If you’re wearing a light perfume in a hot climate, you may find your warmer body temperature evaporates those perfume molecules faster. Your scent may smell stronger to begin with but will likely fade rapidly because of this process.

Dry Skin

Dry skin tends to absorb perfume molecules faster, generally making a scent last for a shorter period of time. If you’re a fragrance lover who struggles with dry skin and fading fragrances, you may find more success spritzing your signature scent after applying a scent-free moisturizer on your body.

Which Perfumes Last The Longest?

Some of the longest-lasting perfumes for women include Gucci Bloom, Maison Margiela Replica By The Fireplace Perfume, and Dolce & Gabbana The Only One Intense. 

If you’re shopping for men, some of the longest-lasting colognes are Dior Sauvage, Creed Aventus, and Hugo Boss Boss Bottled Absolute.

How to Make Perfume Last Longer

Here are a few tips to help your favorite scents last from morning until night:

• Apply perfume to freshly washed, moisturized skin.
• You can add extra moisture to your skin and make your scent last longer with petroleum jelly, by dabbing a little where you’ll apply your fragrance.
• Spritz the warmest points of your body (your neck, inner wrists, behind the knees, behind the ears, and below the belly button). This will allow the perfume molecules to spread more evenly.
• Use the more powerful eau de parfum instead of eau de toilette.
• Reapply throughout the day with a travel-size atomizer or roll-on. These are perfect for a quick top-up without having to carry each entire bottle around with you. They’re brilliant for vacations, too. 

Contrary to popular belief, you shouldn’t rub your perfume in. Not only does this dull the top notes, but it also mixes the fragrance with your body’s natural oils. This can actually change the perfume’s scent.

How to know if you’ve applied too much perfume

You should only really need to spritz your perfume three to four times per application. Other than waiting for someone to tell you that your fragrance is a little too strong, you can also use the tissue trick. Finish spritzing as you normally would and, after five seconds, dab a tissue on the spot you’ve spritzed. If the tissue sticks, you’ve used too much.

If you think you may have reapplied perfume too many times throughout the day (or too often) the best way to know for sure is to ask a trusted friend. But first — make sure that friend doesn’t smell too strong!

Summary

Now that you know exactly when to reapply perfume and how to keep your fragrances from fading, you can head over to FragranceX to choose your next long-lasting perfume. All of our fragrances are sold at discounted prices and include fast, free shipping, too!