How to Make Perfume Last

There are so many things to love about fragrance: the way it sets your mood for the day, how it changes the atmosphere around you, the compliments you receive while wearing it, how it makes you feel — the list goes on.

So, if you find a perfume you like then you want it to last. And if you're in the market for a new perfume, you want to make sure you're satisfied with your choice once you try it on yourself. This seems simple enough, but more often than not we hear people lament their experience with it.

If you've found yourself frustrated with your experience with fragrance before, you're likely making one of the following perfume mistakes. And look, we don't believe there are hard-cut rules when it comes to how you wear your fragrance (you do you) but since fragrance is such a science, there are actions you can take to satisfy your needs.

Below, two perfume experts share some of the most common mistakes people make when choosing a perfume, applying it, and storing it — plus, they're tips on what to do instead.

Mistake #1: Rubbing Your Wrists Together After Applying Perfume

We've heard over and over again to apply perfume to our pulse points — notably our wrists. Over time it may have become second nature to spritz your fragrance to this area and immediately rub the inside of your wrists together to set the scent or make it dry down faster. However, doing so is a major mistake.

The National Fragrance Ambassador for Maison Margiela REPLICA, Ross Barry, explains that rubbing scents together crushes the scent molecules. As such, the integrity of the fragrance breaks. Instead, Veronique Gabai, who is the founder of her eponymous fragrance brand, says to either tap the wrists gently or simply let it air. "This will keep the scent intact," she explains.

Mistake #2: Spritzing Perfume On Dry Skin

If you feel as if your perfume doesn't last as long as you'd like it to, it could be because you applied it on dry skin. "Fragrance stays longer on hydrated skin, so make sure to lotion up," recommends Barry. For the best results, use a fragrance-free lotion so the scents don't counter each other.