Why Your Perfume Fades Quicker In Winter (And How To Fix It)

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Here at HB HQ, we consider wasting beauty products a cardinal sin. Especially when they have a high price tag; and fragrance definitely does! Sadly, your perfume has a tendency to fade quicker during the winter. But don’t worry, we have some quick and easy hacks that’ll ensure every spritz makes a difference, plus, the intel as to why your perfume tends to be less potent in winter. We got you!

Why Your Fragrance Fades Quicker in Winter

Thanks to the cold winter temperatures, your skin’s natural moisture levels decrease, and as a result, your skin is drier, which means the perfume isn’t able to last as long on your skin. This is all exacerbated by increased central heating, which again dries the air, and consequently, your skin. Naturally, keeping your skin as moisturized and hydrated as possible is key. However, when it comes to moisturizing, there are so many helpful tips that go way beyond slapping on some lotion. Here are five simple hacks that will maximize your fragrance during the cooler months…

5 Tips to Make Your Perfume Last Longer

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1. Amp Up your Moisturizing Routine

First things first, instead of vigorously rubbing your skin dry with a towel, gently pat your skin. When it comes to moisturizing, the aim is not to be completely dry, but to use any leftover moisture on your skin to your advantage. Experts agree that within three to five minutes after your shower is the best time to rehydrate your skin so that you can trap any excess water on the surface of your skin without it evaporating. If you’re more of a bath kinda person, add a tablespoon of coconut oil to your bathwater. It leaves your skin feeling silky smooth, and it’s a perfect base for your perfume.

2. Apply your Perfume Correctly

If you apply perfume to your wrist and then rub your wrists together, you’re applying your perfume incorrectly. This will only shorten the development of the fragrance and it can even damage the scent. Instead, simply spritz your fragrance and let it sink into the skin or gently pat together so you don’t disturb the notes.

The best places to apply perfume is to your pulse points, like your wrists, elbows, neck, and chest, where the blood vessels are at the surface of your skin. Your pressure points naturally radiate heat, helping the fragrance waft from your skin. Don’t forget to spritz your clothes, as often your pressure points are wrapped up in layers while your clothes are able to retain the scent for longer.

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3. Apply Vaseline to your Pressure Points

As we mentioned, perfume lasts a lot longer if you apply it to oily, damp skin. To add an extra hit of hydration, rub a little Vaseline onto your pulse points (your neck and the inside of your wrists) to lock in the scent.

4. Mist your Hair

When you spray perfume on your hair or clothes the scent stays truer to its original scent and often lasts longer. One hack is to spritz your hairbrush with a few bursts of perfume to disperse the scent through your hair, although because perfume has a high alcohol content, we wouldn’t recommend doing this often. However, there are some incredible fragrance mists designed specifically for your hair, like our KAYALI Hair Mist Déjà Vu White Flower | 57, $40, a non-drying, alcohol-free formula that effortlessly refreshes hair while adding shine. As the mist scents hair with a seductive and unique blend of jasmine, tuberose, and gardenia, hydrating camellia oil, aloe vera, and nourishing castor oil, add shine and hydrate the hair.

5. Choose an Eau de parfum

An Eau de parfum has a higher concentration of perfume (15-20%), which means the scent is more intense and tends to last longer – around six to eight hours. An eau de toilette has a lower concentration (5-15%) and usually only lasts on the skin for four to six hours. So, while an Eau de parfum often costs more, you’re getting a higher quality fragrance that will last longer on your skin – essentially, you get what you pay for!

For more perfume hacks, check out the art of layering fragrance.