DON'T JUST SPRAY AND PRAY: HOW TO ACTUALLY MAKE YOUR PERFUME LAST

We’ve all been there: you spritz on your favorite perfume in the morning, and by lunchtime, it’s gone like it never happened. There’s something SO magical about the perfect scent. It lingers like a memory. It whispers confidence. It becomes part of your presence. But here's the thing — even the most luxurious perfume won't last if it’s not applied correctly.

You deserve a scent that stays with you — not one that disappears an hour after you spray it. So today, let’s dive deep into how to wear perfume the right way, and how to make it last all day (and maybe into the night, too).

But here’s the truth — longevity doesn’t just come from how you apply your perfume. It starts with what you’re spraying. And knowing how to match the right formula to the moment is just as important as where you spritz.

Whether you're headed to a long workday, a quick brunch, or an evening event, here's how to apply fragrance the right way — and how to make it last from first spritz to final impression.

1. Choose the Right Perfume Concentration for the Occasion

If you want your perfume to last, you have to start with the right formula. Not all fragrance types are created equal — and knowing the difference will help you choose smarter. My previous blog post broke these down a little further but here is a reminder.

Here’s a quick cheat sheet:

• Extrait de Parfum: 20–30% oil, bold, rich, and intense

• Eau de Parfum (EDP): 15–20% oil, long-wearing and balanced

• Eau de Toilette (EDT): 5–15% oil, lighter, breezier, fades faster

• Cologne (EDC): 2–5% oil, super light and very short-lived

If you need your fragrance to last all day — say, 8+ hours — don’t reach for an eau de toilette. Go for an eau de parfum or extrait. These are designed to stay with you and evolve over time. Choosing the right concentration sets the foundation for long-lasting scent.

2. Apply to Fresh, Clean Skin

Fragrance always performs best on clean, hydrated skin. That’s why the best time to apply it is right after a shower, before you get fully dressed. After you get dressed you can spray a little on your clothing depending on the fabric, but we'll get to that in a minute.

Your skin is warm and slightly damp, making it more receptive. The scent can cling and absorb naturally instead of just sitting on top.

My personal regimen is to wash with a cloth using an antibacterial soup first to clean the body. I then follow up with the body wash that will best compliment my fragrance combo. For example, you don't want to use a body wash that is more aquatic smelling with a sweet fragrance, unless that's the vibe you are going for then do your thang girl! For me, the layering process starts way before you apply the fragrance. I shouldn't have to say this but if you have sensitive skin, then opt for fragrance free products of course.

3. Lock It In with Moisture

Here’s the golden rule: perfume lasts longer on hydrated skin. I beg of you, please don't skip moisturizing. What you use to moisturize with is your business and there is no one size fits all approach. For me, what I use depends on the weather, what I'm wearing etc... For example, if I'm wearing jeans, I usually won't use a body butter, I opt for a body lotion, cream or oil. Why? It makes my jeans hard to pull up because body butter grips baby. You do you. I don't care what you wear, just moisturize your beautiful skin. I can only suggest using a fragrance that compliments not competes with your chosen fragrance. Tip: You can also use a dab of petroleum jelly or balm on your pulse points to create a soft, scent-gripping base.

Reminder: Dry skin? Your perfume will evaporate faster. Moisturized skin? It’ll hold onto the scent like a memory.

4. Hit the Right Spots — Your Pulse Points

Where you spray matters just as much as what you spray. Your pulse points are warm areas of the body that help diffuse scent throughout the day.

Apply perfume to:

• Inner wrists

• Behind ears

• Base of throat

• Inside elbows

• Behind knees (especially in warm weather)

• Ankles or calves for scent that trails upward

Choose two to three of these — more isn’t better. Strategic placement beats overspraying every single time. I'm absolutely not an oversprayer. I'm not usually a fan of telling people what to do with the things that they buy, however, I would like to just present this idea for you to ponder. If you have any consideration for people around you, you won't overspray. If you understand HOW perfume works and evolves, you won't overspray. If you understand how noseblindness works, you won't overspray. If you are not constantly fishing for compliments, you won't overspray. Perfume should be more of a whisper and less of a shout. Scentbubble, yes. Scent hurricane? Absolutely not. Remember, too much of a good thing is a bad thing. No matter how good your perfume may smell, if it causes migraines, triggers asthma attacks and generally takes people breath away, it's too much. People generally won't tell you directly, they'll just judge you from afar. Not getting the compliments you want? Your perfume could be too strong. I'm just saying. I use to overspray, but then I learned more about perfume. The more I learned, the more I realized that it was absolutely not necessary. I digress. Again, not telling you what to do with yours, just presenting information for you to use how you will.

5. Don’t Rub — Let It Breathe

I know it’s tempting, but please for the love of all things holy, don’t rub your wrists together after applying perfume. It might seem like it helps spread the scent, but what it really does is break down the top notes and disrupts the dry-down process. It took me a long time to understand and accept this but it is true. Just spray your pulse points and let it dry on its own. Most fragrance have great atomizers so it shouldn't drip. You want to give your fragrance time to develop as it was intended.

6. Use Fabric — Carefully

Perfume on fabric can hold scent longer than skin — but proceed with caution. Alcohol and oils in perfume can stain delicate materials, especially silks.

If you want more staying power:

• Mist your scarf, jacket lining, or shirt hem

• Stick to natural fibers like cotton or wool

• Spray from a distance (8–10 inches away

And remember — skin chemistry still adds warmth and character to a fragrance. Clothes can enhance it, but shouldn’t replace skin application. Sometimes, I'll spray a cloud and just walk through it.

7. Layer for Long-Lasting Impact

We talked about this earlier, but I wanted to re-iterate it here. Fragrance layering is one of the best ways to get staying power. Start with a an antibacterial soap (or any soap with cleansers) and proceed with either a matching shower gel or lotion or a complimentary body wash or shower gel, moisturize your skin with a matching or similar fragranced moisturizer of choice. The layers will reinforce each other, creating a fuller and longer-lasting scent experience.

You can also get creative — layering complementary scents with shared notes to create something that’s entirely your own. I have layered before and am not at all opposed to layering. I don't layer as much, because I much prefer and enjoy the fragrance that I bought on it's own and don't feel the need to layer much anymore. With that being said, there are a few that I really do like layered like Cosmic by Kylie Jenner and Lattafa Yara. It's Delicious. I use a coconut, vanilla or otherwise sweet body butter, lotion or oil and it's really chef's kiss.

There is no right or wrong when it comes to layering. It only matters that you like whatever scent you come up with. So, play away, or not, it's totally up to you and your imagination.

8. Store It Right

Fragrance is fragile. Light, heat, and air can break it down, changing the scent and shortening the shelf life.

To preserve your perfume:

• Store in a cool, dark place (not your steamy bathroom)

• Keep the bottle tightly sealed

• If you love the scent, store it in the original box for extra protection (optional)

A well-stored fragrance can last years, maintaining the quality you fell in love with.

Final Thoughts

Smelling amazing isn’t about spraying more — it’s about being intentional about WHERE you spray. It is about choosing the right concentration, knowing where and when to apply. while treating your perfume like the small luxury it is.

When you apply fragrance the right way, it stays with you — subtle but unforgettable, soft but powerful.

Because your scent shouldn’t fade quietly into the background.
It should speak before you say a word — and linger a little after you’ve left the room.

XO,

Jackie